Activities of Tunne KELAM
Plenary speeches (717)
China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities
Debate with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, on the Future of Europe (debate)
Five years of illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation (debate)
Iran, notably the case of human rights defenders
A European human rights violations sanctions regime (debate)
Follow up taken by the EEAS two years after the EP Report on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties (debate)
The future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the EU (debate)
Latest developments in the cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan (debate)
Comprehensive European education, research and remembrance of the totalitarian past (topical debate)
Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - Annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (debate)
Military mobility (short presentation)
2018 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate)
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul (debate)
Situation in the Sea of Azov (debate)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Debate with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas, on the Future of Europe (debate)
State of EU-US relations (debate)
State of EU-China relations (debate)
The migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders (debate)
Iran nuclear agreement (debate)
Georgian occupied territories ten years after the Russian invasion (debate)
Further macro-financial assistance to Ukraine (debate)
Cyber defence (debate)
Situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran
Situation in Nicaragua (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Russia (debate)
Implementation of the EU external financing instruments: mid-term review 2017 and the future post-2020 architecture (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 22 and 23 March 2018 (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Center Memorial
Decision adopted on the EU Enlargement Strategy - Western Balkans (debate)
Situation in Zimbabwe (debate)
Russia - the influence of propaganda on EU countries (topical debate)
Decision on the Strategy on Plastics (debate)
Situation in Iran (debate)
Situation in Afghanistan (debate)
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - Annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) – opening a new chapter in European Security and Defence Policy (debate)
Iran nuclear deal (debate)
EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) - EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Consent) (debate)
Situation in Yemen (RC-B8-0649/2017, B8-0649/2017, B8-0650/2017, B8-0651/2017, B8-0652/2017, B8-0653/2017, B8-0654/2017, B8-0655/2017, B8-0656/2017) (vote)
Situation in Yemen (debate)
Freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine El Abidine
Legacy of the 1917 totalitarian Bolshevik revolution (topical debate)
Eastern Partnership: November 2017 Summit (debate)
The persecution of Christians in the world (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 and 20 October 2017 and presentation of the Leaders’ Agenda (Building our future together) (debate)
Situation of people with albinism in Malawi and other African countries
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 19 and 20 October 2017 (debate)
Situation in Moldova
NordStream 2 (debate)
Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha
Measures to safeguard the security of gas supply (debate)
Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)
Situation in North Korea (debate)
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Estonian Presidency (debate)
Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Consent) - Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) (debate)
Pakistan, notably the situation of human rights defenders and the death penalty
2016 Report on Kosovo (debate)
Risk of political abuse of media in the Czech Republic (debate)
Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina
South Sudan
EU Strategy on Syria (debate)
Situation of Christians in the Middle East (debate)
EU eGovernment action plan 2016-2020 (short presentation)
Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
2016 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
European Solidarity Corps (debate)
Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia and situation in Crimea
Constitutional, legal and institutional implications of a Common Security and Defence Policy: possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty (debate)
An integrated EU policy for the Arctic (debate)
Executions in Kuwait and Bahrain
EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Conclusion of the EU-Canada CETA - EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (debate)
Deterioration of the situation in Eastern Ukraine (debate)
2016 Report on Albania (debate)
Mass graves in Iraq
Attack against the Coptic cathedral in Cairo - freedom of religion and belief (debate)
Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015 (debate)
Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015 (debate)
Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Article 36 TEU) (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
EU strategic communication to counteract anti-EU propaganda by third parties (debate)
Situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul (debate)
Situation of journalists in Turkey (debate)
EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement (A8-0286/2016 - Richard Howitt)
EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement (debate)
2014 Annual report on monitoring the application of Union law (A8-0262/2016 - Heidi Hautala)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016 (debate)
Situation in Syria (continuation of debate)
Colombian peace process (debate)
Trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other treatment or punishment (A8-0267/2015 - Marietje Schaake)
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A8-0247/2016 - Laura Agea)
Activities, impact and added value of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund between 2007 and 2014 (A8-0227/2016 - Marian Harkin)
State of the Union (debate)
Towards a new energy market design (A8-0214/2016 - Werner Langen)
Myanmar, notably the situation of Rohingyas
Preparation of the Commission Work Programme 2017 (debate)
High common level of security of network and information systems across the Union (A8-0211/2016 - Andreas Schwab)
European Border and Coast Guard (A8-0200/2016 - Artis Pabriks)
New EU strategy on China (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 28 and 29 June 2016 (debate)
Tajikistan: situation of prisoners of conscience
Situation in Venezuela (RC-B8-0700/2016, B8-0700/2016, B8-0723/2016, B8-0724/2016, B8-0725/2016, B8-0726/2016, B8-0728/2016, B8-0729/2016)
Improving data sharing and the use of European information systems and databases in the fight against serious transnational crime and terrorism (debate)
The Single Market strategy (A8-0171/2016 - Lara Comi)
Decision adopted on the Digital Single Market package (continuation of debate)
China's market economy status (B8-0604/2016, B8-0605/2016, RC-B8-0607/2016, B8-0607/2016, B8-0608/2016, B8-0609/2016, B8-0610/2016, B8-0611/2016, B8-0612/2016)
EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) (A8-0164/2016 - Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
Decision adopted on the Common European Asylum System reform (debate)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Impact of Nord Stream 2 on the gas market in the CEE region (debate)
Pakistan, in particular the attack in Lahore
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: renewal of the approval of the active substance glyphosate (B8-0439/2016)
Use of Passenger Name Record data (EU PNR) (debate)
Freedom of expression in Kazakhstan
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 March 2016 and outcome of the EU-Turkey summit (debate)
2015 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
The case of the missing book publishers in Hong Kong
Systematic mass murder of religious minorities by ISIS (RC-B8-0149/2016, B8-0149/2016, B8-0154/2016, B8-0156/2016, B8-0157/2016, B8-0159/2016, B8-0161/2016, B8-0162/2016)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 18 and 19 February 2016 (debate)
Situation in Libya (debate)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Mid-term review of the EU biodiversity strategy (A8-0003/2016 - Mark Demesmaeker)
EU citizens under detention in India, notably Italian, Estonian and UK citizens
Systematic mass murder of religious minorities by ISIS (debate)
Mutual defence clause (Article 42(7) TEU) (debate)
Review of the Luxembourg Presidency (debate)
Skills policies for fighting youth unemployment (A8-0366/2015 - Marek Plura)
Towards a Digital Single Market Act (A8-0371/2015 - Kaja Kallas, Evelyne Gebhardt)
Colombian peace process (debate)
Situation in Saudi Arabia and in Iran (debate)
Arms export: implementation of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (A8-0338/2015 - Bodil Valero)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 December 2015 (debate)
Arms export: implementation of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)
EU-China relations (debate)
Implementation of the European Progress Microfinance Facility (A8-0331/2015 - Sven Schulze)
Decision adopted on the European border and coast guard package (debate)
Mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument for immediate budgetary measures to address the refugee crisis (A8-0336/2015 - José Manuel Fernandes)
Prevention of radicalisation and recruitment of European citizens by terrorist organisations (A8-0316/2015 - Rachida Dati)
Outcome of the Valletta summit of 11 and 12 November 2015 and of the G20 summit of 15 and 16 November 2015 (debate)
State of the Energy Union (debate)
European Citizens' Initiative (A8-0284/2015 - György Schöpflin)
European single market for electronic communications (A8-0300/2015 - Pilar del Castillo Vera)
Situation in South Sudan (debate)
Central African Republic
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
European small claims procedure and European order for payment procedure (A8-0140/2015 - Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg)
Doubling the capacity of the North Stream pipeline and impact on the energy union and the security of supply (debate)
Role of local authorities in developing countries in development cooperation (A8-0232/2015 - Eleni Theocharous)
Ongoing crisis in the agriculture sector (debate)
Russia, in particular the cases of Eston Kohver, Oleg Sentsov and Olexandr Kolchenko
State of the Union (debate)
Iran nuclear agreement (debate)
Cloning of animals kept and reproduced for farming purposes (A8-0216/2015 - Giulia Moi, Renate Sommer)
Family businesses in Europe (A8-0223/2015 - Angelika Niebler)
Negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) (A8-0175/2015 - Bernd Lange)
Conclusions of the European Council (25-26 June 2015) and of the Euro Summit (7 July 2015) and the current situation in Greece (debate)
Security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for political stability (debate)
Security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for political stability (debate)
Security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for political stability (debate)
Review of the Latvian Presidency (debate)
Negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
European Fund for Strategic Investments (A8-0139/2015 - José Manuel Fernandes, Udo Bullmann)
European energy security strategy (A8-0164/2015 - Algirdas Saudargas)
2014 Progress Report on Turkey (B8-0455/2015)
Strategic military situation in the Black Sea Basin following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia (debate)
Strategic military situation in the Black Sea Basin following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia (debate)
Recent revelations of high-level corruption cases in FIFA (debate)
State of EU-Russia relations (debate)
Intellectual property rights: an EU action plan (A8-0169/2015 - Pavel Svoboda)
Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu
Prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (A8-0153/2015 - Krišjānis Kariņš, Judith Sargentini)
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (B8-0460/2015)
Eastern Partnership summit (21-22 May) (debate)
Decision adopted on the Digital Single Market (debate)
Safer healthcare in Europe (A8-0142/2015 - Piernicola Pedicini)
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - Financing the Common Security and Defence Policy - Security and defence capabilities in Europe (debate)
Alcohol strategy (B8-0357/2015)
Persecution of the Christians around the world, in relation to the killing of students in Kenya by terror group Al-Shabaab (debate)
2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)
Reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags (A8-0130/2015 - Margrete Auken)
Multiannual plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks (A8-0128/2015 - Jarosław Wałęsa)
Decision adopted on the European Agenda on Security (debate)
Armenian genocide 100th anniversary (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (19-20 March 2015) (debate)
Macro-financial assistance to Ukraine (A8-0056/2015 - Gabrielius Landsbergis)
Situation in Venezuela (RC-B8-0236/2015, B8-0236/2015, B8-0237/2015, B8-0238/2015, B8-0243/2015, B8-0244/2015, B8-0245/2015, B8-0246/2015)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (19-20 March 2015) (debate)
2014 Progress report on Serbia (B8-0213/2015)
Murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia (debate)
Annual report from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the European Parliament (debate)
Relations between the EU and the League of Arab States and cooperation in countering terrorism (debate)
Decision adopted on a Strategic framework for the Energy Union (debate)
Saudi Arabia: the case of Raif Badawi
US Senate report on the use of torture by the CIA (B8-0098/2015, RC-B8-0123/2015, B8-0123/2015, B8-0133/2015)
Anti-terrorism measures (B8-0100/2015, RC-B8-0122/2015, B8-0122/2015, B8-0124/2015, B8-0125/2015, B8-0126/2015, B8-0127/2015, B8-0132/2015)
Renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (RC-B8-0099/2015, B8-0099/2015, B8-0121/2015, B8-0130/2015, B8-0131/2015)
Humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria, in particular in the IS context (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Anti-terrorism measures (debate)
Kyrgyzstan: homosexual propaganda bill
Situation in Egypt (RC-B8-0012/2015, B8-0012/2015, B8-0019/2015, B8-0022/2015, B8-0023/2015, B8-0024/2015, B8-0026/2015, B8-0028/2015)
Commission work programme 2015 (RC-B8-0001/2015, B8-0001/2015, B8-0007/2015, B8-0034/2015, B8-0035/2015, B8-0037/2015, B8-0038/2015, B8-0039/2015)
Freedom of expression in Turkey: Recent arrests of journalists, media executives and systematic pressure against media (RC-B8-0036/2015, B8-0036/2015, B8-0040/2015, B8-0041/2015, B8-0042/2015, B8-0043/2015, B8-0044/2015, B8-0045/2015)
Programme of activities of the Latvian Presidency (debate)
Programme of activities of the Latvian Presidency (debate)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) (debate)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate) (debate)
The case of the two Italian "Marò" (debate)
Persecution of the democratic opposition in Venezuela
Proposal for a Council directive on laying down calculation methods and reporting requirements pursuant to Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels (B8-0326/2014) ET
Renewing the EU Internal Security Strategy (B8-0350/2014)
Recognition of Palestine statehood (RC-B8-0277/2014, B8-0277/2014, B8-0309/2014, B8-0310/2014, B8-0349/2014, B8-0357/2014, B8-0359/2014)
Commission work programme 2015 (debate)
Iraq: kidnapping and mistreatment of women
Delays in the start-up of cohesion policy for 2014-2020 (B8-0278/2014, B8-0278/2014, B8-0279/2014, B8-0280/2014, B8-0281/2014, B8-0282/2014, B8-0283/2014, B8-0284/2014)
Digital single market (RC-B8-0286/2014, B8-0286/2014, B8-0287/2014, B8-0288/2014)
Commission Jobs, Growth and Investment Package (debate)
Export controls of dual-use items (debate)
Association agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova - Conclusion of an Association agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova (debate)
Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus (RC-B8-0211/2014, B8-0211/2014, B8-0212/2014, B8-0216/2014, B8-0217/2014, B8-0221/2014, B8-0223/2014, B8-0225/2014)
Humanitarian situation in South Sudan (RC-B8-0213/2014, B8-0213/2014, B8-0214/2014, B8-0215/2014, B8-0219/2014, B8-0220/2014, B8-0222/2014, B8-0224/2014)
Closing down of Memorial (Sakharov Prize 2009) in Russia
Customs duties on goods originating in Ukraine (A8-0021/2014 - Gabrielius Landsbergis)
Situation in Kobane and the threat of IS (debate)
Preparation of the European Council (23-24 October 2014) (debate)
Situation in Iraq and Syria and the ISIS offensive including the persecution of minorities (RC-B8-0109/2014, B8-0109/2014, B8-0110/2014, B8-0121/2014, B8-0130/2014, B8-0134/2014, B8-0137/2014, B8-0138/2014)
Situation in Iraq and Syria and the ISIS offensive including the persecution of minorities (debate)
Situation in Iraq and Syria and the ISIS offensive including the persecution of minorities (debate)
Situation in Ukraine and state of play of EU-Russia relations (debate)
EU-Ukraine association agreement, with the exception of the treatment of third country nationals legally employed as workers in the territory of the other party (A8-0002/2014 - Jacek Saryusz-Wolski)
Digital single market (debate)
Sudan, the case of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim
Situation in Ukraine (RCB8-0025/2014, B8-0025/2014, B8-0026/2014, B8-0028/2014, B8-0029/2014, B8-0054/2014, B8-0056/2014, B8-0057/2014)
Adoption by Lithuania of the euro on 1 January 2015 (A8-0001/2014 - Werner Langen)
Situation in Iraq (debate)
Situation in Iraq (debate)
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (26-27 June 2014) (debate)
Iran: the case of Roxana Saberi
Human rights in the world 2008 and the EU's policy on the matter (debate)
Preparation of the European Council (18-19 June 2009) (debate)
Preparation of the Employment Summit - European Globalisation Adjustment Fund - Renewed Social Agenda - Active inclusion of people excluded from the labour market (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Humanitarian situation of Camp Ashraf residents
Explanations of vote
European conscience and totalitarianism (vote)
Recommendation to the Council on the new EU-Russia agreement (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council (19-20 March 2009) (debate)
The state of transatlantic relations in the aftermath of the US elections (debate)
European conscience and totalitarianism (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Eastern Partnership (debate)
50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising and dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government (debate)
Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Explanations of vote
Annual Report (2007) on the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP - European Security Strategy and ESDP - The role of NATO in the security architecture of the EU (debate)
The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean (debate)
The review of the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (debate)
Explanations of vote
Situation of Burmese refugees in Thailand
Combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (debate)
Iran: the Shirin Ebadi case
Presentation of the Czech Presidency's programme (debate)
Explanations of vote
Situation in the Middle East/Gaza Strip (debate)
Question Time (Council)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Russia: attacks on human rights defenders, and the Anna Politkovskaya murder trial
Explanations of vote
EU Annual report on human rights - French initiative at the UN on the decriminalisation of homosexuality (debate)
Outcome of the European Council on 11-12 December 2008 - French Presidency’s term of office (debate)
Preparation of the European Council (11-12 December 2008) (debate)
Need for the Convention on Cluster Munitions to come into effect before the end of 2008 (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Democratic Republic of Congo: clashes in the eastern border areas
EC-Bosnia Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Agreement − EC-Bosnia Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Agreement (debate)
Commemoration of the Holodomor, the Ukraine artificial famine (1932-1933) (debate)
EU-Russia relations (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013 (debate)
Preparation of the European Council, including the situation of the global financial system (continuation of debate)
Arctic governance in a global world (debate)
Priorities of the European Parliament for the legislative and work programme of the Commission for 2009 (debate)
Preparation of the EU-India Summit (Marseille, 29/09/08) (debate)
Hangings in Iran
Hangings in Iran (vote)
Evaluation of EU sanctions as part of the EU's actions and policies in the area of human rights (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Situation in Georgia (debate)
Explanations of vote
Allegation of mass graves in Indian-administrated Kashmir
The Commission's 2007 enlargement strategy paper (continuation of debate)
Environmental impact of the planned gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea to link up Russia and Germany (debate)
Explanations of vote
Results of the European Council meeting of 19 and 20 June 2008 in Brussels - Slovenian Presidency's term of office (debate)
Explanations of vote
Iran: execution of juvenile offenders
Preparation of the European Council following the Irish referendum (debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparation of the EU/Russia summit (26-27 June 2008) (debate)
Internal market in electricity - Conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity - Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators - Towards a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
2006 Annual report on the CFSP - Annual report on the implementation of the European Security Strategy and ESDP (continuation of debate)
EU-United States summit
Explanations of vote
The arrest of political opponents in Belarus (debate)
Turkey's 2007 progress report (debate)
Tragic situation in Burma (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Explanations of vote
Deterioration of the situation in Georgia (debate)
Transatlantic Economic Council (debate)
Zimbabwe
Iran: the case of Khadijeh Moghaddam
Negotiations between the European Union and the United States with regard to visa exemptions (debate)
Proposed hearing of the Commission on crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by totalitarian regimes (8 April 2008) (debate)
The role of volunteering in contributing to economic and social cohesion (debate)
Explanations of vote
Croatia: 2007 progress report - Progress Report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Situation in Tibet (debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 13-14 March 2008) (debate)
The European Union's role in Iraq (debate)
European code of conduct on arms exports (debate)
Explanations of vote
East Timor
Belarus
Lisbon Strategy - Broad Economic Policy Guidelines for 2008-2010 (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 144)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Arrest of Chinese dissident Hu Jia (debate)
Presentation of the programme of the Slovenian Presidency (debate)
A more effective EU policy for the South Caucasus - A Black Sea Regional Policy Approach (debate)
EU/China summit - EU/China human rights dialogue (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy - Situation in Georgia (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
EU-Russia Summit (debate)
An international treaty prohibiting cluster bombs (debate)
Results of the informal summit of heads of state and government (Lisbon, 18-19 October 2007) (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 144)
Towards a common European foreign policy on energy (debate)
Human rights dialogues and consultations on human rights with third countries (debate)
Recent developments in bilateral trade relations with China (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Estonia (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Statement by the President (Estonia)
Recent repression of demonstrations in Russia
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
The attack on Galina Kozlova, member of the board of the Mari national organisation Mari Ušem and editor of the literary magazine Ontšõko (debate)
External dimension of the fight against terrorism (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Meeting of the European Council of 14 and 15 December 2006 – Activities of the Finnish Presidency
Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2006-2007 – The institutional aspects of the European Union’s capacity to integrate the new Member States (debate)
Russia-EU summit (debate)
A Baltic Sea Strategy for the Northern Dimension (debate)
The implementation of the European Security Strategy in the context of the ESDP (continuation of debate)
Moldova (Transnistria), Georgia (South Ossetia) (debate)
Approval of Minutes of previous sitting
Approval of Minutes of previous sitting
Agenda
Informal summit in Lahti and EU-Russia relations following the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
EU-China relations (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
European Council (Brussels, 15-16 June 2006) (debate)
17th EU-Russia Summit (26 May 2006) (debate)
Debate on the future of Europe with the participation of the Belgian Prime Minister, Member of the European Council (debate)
Financing instrument for development and economic cooperation – European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – Instrument for Stability – Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) (debate)
Aid effectiveness and corruption in developing countries (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Chechnya after the elections and civil society in Russia
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
25th anniversary of Solidarity and its message for Europe
The Northern Dimension
EAFRD support for rural development
Explanations of vote
Violations of human rights and democracy in the Republic of Mari El in the Russian Federation
Violations of human rights and democracy in the Republic of Mari El in the Russian Federation
Regional policy
Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 22-23 March 2005)
Financing nature protection policy
Results of Ukraine elections
Preparation of the European Council (17 December 2004)
Situation in Ukraine
Financial perspectives
European Council of 4 and 5 November 2004
Future of the area of freedom, security and justice
Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership countries and in particular destabilisation of eastern Ukraine (debate)
Hospitable environment for enterprises, businesses and start-ups to create jobs (A7-0101/2014 - Anthea McIntyre)
Research and Development Programme for research performing SMEs (A7-0077/2014 - Miloslav Ransdorf)
Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (debate)
Situation in Iran (debate)
Situation in Iran (debate)
Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (debate)
European single market for electronic communications (A7-0190/2014 - Pilar del Castillo Vera)
High common level of network and information security (A7-0103/2014 - Andreas Schwab)
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia (debate)
Anti-missile shield for Europe (A7-0109/2014 - Sampo Terho)
Priorities for EU relations with the Eastern partnership countries (A7-0157/2014 - Paweł Robert Kowal)
2013 progress report on Turkey (B7-0241/2014)
Prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing (A7-0150/2014 - Krišjānis Kariņš, Judith Sargentini)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Future of EU visa policy (B7-0194/2014)
Trans-European telecommunications networks (A7-0272/2013 - Evžen Tošenovský)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Situation in Iraq (debate)
Bahrain, in particular the cases of Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ibrahim Sharif
Compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights (A7-0020/2014 - Georges Bach)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Europe's role in the Central African Republic (debate)
EU-Russia summit (debate)
2013 progress report on Bosnia and Herzegovina - 2013 progress report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2013 progress report on Montenegro (debate)
Small agricultural holdings (A7-0029/2014 - Czesław Adam Siekierski)
Integrated parcel delivery market for the growth of e-commerce (A7-0024/2014 - Pablo Arias Echeverría)
EU citizenship for sale (RCB7-0015/2014, B7-0015/2014, B7-0017/2014, B7-0028/2014, B7-0029/2014, B7-0030/2014, B7-0031/2014)
Honey (A7-0440/2013 - Julie Girling)
Respect for the fundamental right of free movement in the EU (debate)
Review of the Lithuanian Presidency (debate)
eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 (A7-0443/2013 - Pilar Ayuso)
Organ harvesting in China (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (19 - 20 December 2013) (debate)
Human rights in the world 2012 and EU policy on the matter (A7-0418/2013 - Eduard Kukan)
Outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (debate)
Common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action - Instrument for stability - Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide - Partnership instrument for cooperation with third countries - Establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation - European neighbourhood instrument - Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (debate)
Common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action - Instrument for stability - Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide - Partnership instrument for cooperation with third countries - Establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation - European neighbourhood instrument - Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (debate)
Competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (2014 - 2020) (A7-0420/2012 - Jürgen Creutzmann)
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - European defence technological and industrial base (debate)
Multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 (A7-0389/2013 - Jean-Luc Dehaene, Ivailo Kalfin)
Erasmus for all programme (A7-0405/2012 - Doris Pack)
State of play of the Doha development agenda (debate)
Connecting Europe Facility - Trans-European transport network (debate)
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (A7-0282/2013 - Alain Cadec)
Europski fond za pomorstvo i ribarstvo (A7-0282/2013 - Alain Cadec) HR
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy in 2012 (debate)
Patient safety (A7-0320/2013 - Oreste Rossi)
Misleading advertisement practices (A7-0311/2013 - Cornelis de Jong)
European Neighbourhood Policy, working towards a stronger partnership: EP's position on the 2012 progress reports (debate)
Recent cases of violence and persecution against Christians, notably in Maaloula (Syria), Peshawar (Pakistan) and the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini (Iran) (debate)
EU-Armenia agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas (A7-0290/2013 - Edit Bauer)
EU-Taiwan trade relations (B7-0435/2013)
Suspension of the SWIFT agreement as a result of NSA surveillance (debate)
Manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products (A7-0276/2013 - Linda McAvan)
Discriminatory customs procedures against Lithuanian trucks at the Russian border (debate)
Tackling youth unemployment: possible ways out (A7-0275/2013 - Joanna Katarzyna Skrzydlewska)
Situation in Egypt (continuation of debate)
Pressure exercised by Russia on countries of the Eastern Partnership (in the context of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius) (debate)
Making the internal energy market work (A7-0262/2013 - Jerzy Buzek)
EU cybersecurity strategy: an open, safe and secure cyberspace - Digital agenda for growth, mobility and employment (debate)
Completing the digital single market (debate)
Programme of activities of the Lithuanian Presidency (debate)
Investigations conducted by the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) (A7-0225/2013 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
Adoption by Latvia of the euro on 1 January 2014 (A7-0237/2013 - Burkhard Balz)
Attacks against information systems (debate)
Arms exports: implementation of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)
Situation in Turkey (RCB7-0305/2013, B7-0305/2013, B7-0306/2013, B7-0307/2013, B7-0308/2013, B7-0309/2013, B7-0310/2013, B7-0311/2013)
Promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief (A7-0203/2013 - Laima Liucija Andrikienė)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (27-28 June 2013) (debate)
Freedom of press and media in the world - Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world 2012 and the European Union's policy on the matter - Promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief
A broader Transatlantic partnership (debate)
Fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax havens (A7-0162/2013 - Mojca Kleva Kekuš)
2012 progress report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate)
EU trade and investment agreement negotiations with the US (debate)
Renewable energy in the European internal energy market (A7-0135/2013 - Herbert Reul)
One year of European Citizens' Initiative in practice: evaluating experience and tackling obstacles (debate)
2012 comprehensive monitoring report on Croatia (B7-0160/2013)
2012 progress report on Turkey (B7-0162/2013)
Debate on the future of the European Union - Statement by Jyrki Katainen, Prime Minister of Finland (debate)
European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) (A7-0056/2013 - Giles Chichester)
Energy roadmap 2050 (A7-0035/2013 - Niki Tzavela)
EU-China relations (A7-0434/2012 - Bastiaan Belder)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (14-15 March 2013) (debate)
Nuclear threats and human rights in North Korea (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Governance of the single market (A7-0019/2013 - Andreas Schwab)
Sound level of motor vehicles (A7-0435/2012 - Miroslav Ouzký)
Dialogue for a peaceful solution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey (debate)
Improving access to finance for SMEs (debate)
Multi-annual plan for cod stocks in the Baltic Sea (A7-0395/2012 - Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa)
Role of EU cohesion policy in implementing the new European energy policy (A7-0437/2012 - Lena Kolarska-Bobińska)
EU-Iraq partnership and cooperation agreement (debate)
Recommendations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference regarding the establishment of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (debate)
EU strategy for the Horn of Africa (A7-0408/2012 - Charles Tannock)
Debate on the future of the European Union - Statement by Mr Werner Faymann, Federal Chancellor of Austria (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Explanations of vote
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2011 and the European Union's policy on the matter - EU's human rights strategy (debate)
New EU-Russia agreement (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Preparations for the European Council meeting (22-23 November 2012) with particular reference to the Multiannual Financial Framework (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - EU mutual defence and solidarity clauses: political and operational dimensions - Cyber security and defence - Role of the Common Security and Defence Policy in cases of climate-driven crises and natural disasters (debate)
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - EU mutual defence and solidarity clauses: political and operational dimensions - Cyber security and defence - Role of the Common Security and Defence Policy in cases of climate-driven crises and natural disasters (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Elections in Georgia (debate)
Situation in Cambodia
Single Market Act II - Concerns of European citizens and business with the functioning of the Single Market (debate)
EU-Russia trade relations following Russia's accession to the WTO (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
European Year of Citizens (2013) (debate)
Explanations of vote
State of the Union (debate)
Explanations of vote
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy (debate)
Political use of justice in Russia (debate)
Programme of activities of the Cyprus Presidency (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Situation in Georgia (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Future of the Single Market Act (debate)
Explanations of vote
Negotiations on the UN Arms Trade Treaty (debate)
Swiss quotas on the number of residence permits granted to nationals of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary (debate)
Explanations of vote
Sudan and South Sudan (debate)
SMEs’ access to Structural Funds - Evaluation of the SME definition
Explanations of vote
Trade and investment strategy for the southern Mediterranean following the Arab Spring revolutions (debate)
Human rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Enlargement report for Turkey (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Outcome of the presidential elections in Russia (debate)
Situation in Nigeria (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (1-2 March 2012) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Reprogramming of the structural funds to better combat youth unemployment and help SMEs (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Conclusions of the informal European Council meeting of 30 January 2012 (debate)
Question Hour with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Situation in Russia (debate)
Danish Presidency Programme (continuation of debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Review of the Polish Presidency (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Impact of the financial crisis on the defence sector (debate)
EU-Russia Summit (debate)
Explanations of vote
Accession Treaty : Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Croatia - Application of Croatia to become a member of the European Union (debate)
EU-US summit of 28 November 2011 (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Small Business Act, crisis and SMEs (debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparation for the European Council meeting (23 October 2011) (debate)
Situation in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and Egypt (debate)
State of the Union (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Eastern partnership summit (Warsaw, 29 September) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Economic crisis and the euro (debate)
Explanations of vote
Situation in Syria (debate)
Progress on mine action (short presentation)
Programme of activities of the Polish Presidency of the Council (debate)
Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (debate)
Preparations for the Russian State Duma elections in December (debate)
Explanations of vote
5th cohesion report and strategy for the post-2013 cohesion policy - Implementation of cohesion policy programmes for 2007-2013 - European urban agenda and its future in cohesion policy - Objective 3: future agenda for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation - Increased effectiveness between ERDF and other structural funds (continuation of debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparations for the European Council meeting (24 June 2011) (continuation of debate)
Explanations of vote
A new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe (continuation of debate)
EU-Russia summit (debate)
Commemoration of deportations in 1941 in the Baltic States
Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Eastern Dimension - Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Southern Dimension
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (24-25 March 2011) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparation for the European Council meeting (24-25 March 2011) (debate)
Consumer rights (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Situation and cultural heritage in Kashgar (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China)
Southern Neighbourhood, and Libya in particular, including humanitarian aspects (debate)
EU approach towards Iran (debate)
16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva, 28 February - 25 March 2011) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Rising food prices (debate)
Rule of law in Russia (debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparation for the European Council meeting (4 February 2011) (debate)
Situation in the Mediterranean, in particular in Tunisia and Egypt (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Pakistan: murder of the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer
Conclusions of the European Council meeting on 16-17 December (debate)
The programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council (debate)
Situation of Christians in the context of freedom of religion (debate)
Explanations of vote
Preparations for the European Council meeting (16-17 December 2010) - Establishing a permanent crisis mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area (debate)
Citizens’ initiative (debate)
Explanations of vote
Outcome of the NATO Summit in Lisbon (debate)
Question Hour with the President of the Commission
Explanations of vote
Iraq - in particular, the death penalty (including the case of Tariq Aziz) and attacks against Christian communities
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (28-29 October) and economic governance (continuation of debate)
A new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011 - 2020 (debate)
Ukraine (debate)
Explanations of vote
Upcoming EU-US summit and Transatlantic Economic Council - EU-US Data Protection Agreement (debate)
Demographic challenge and solidarity between generations (short presentation)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Instrument for Stability - Financing instrument for development cooperation - Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide - Financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised countries - Financing instrument for development cooperation (debate)
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities as regards the European External Action Service - Draft amending budget No 6/2010: Section II - European Council and Council; Section III - Commission; Section X - European External Action Service - Amendment of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of those Communities (debate)
EU cohesion and regional policy after 2013 - Future of the European Social Fund (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Import of Laogai-made goods into the EU (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (16 September 2010) (debate)
Security of gas supply (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Kenya: failure to arrest President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Arms exports (debate)
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (debate)
Explanations of vote
Zimbabwe, in particular the case of Farai Maguwu
Review of the Spanish Presidency (debate)
Explanations of vote
Economic governance in the EU and the eurozone, and surveillance of national budgets (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Democratic Republic of Congo: the case of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire
Preparations for the European Council meeting (17 June 2010) - Preparations for the G20 summit (26-27 June) (debate)
Conclusions of the EU/Russia Summit (31 May - 1 June) (continuation of debate)
Israeli military operation against the humanitarian flotilla and the Gaza blockade (debate)
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
Explanations of vote
Outcome of the summit of 7 May 2010 and the ECOFIN meeting - What is the political relevance of the EU 2020 strategy in the context of the current financial and economic crisis? - Consequences of the financial and economic crisis on the EU 2020 strategy and its governance - What is the relevance of the EU 2020 strategy in the framework of the current financial and economic crisis? (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Europe 2020 - new European Strategy for Jobs and Growth (debate)
ECB annual report for 2008 - Report on the 2009 Annual Statement on the Euro Area and Public Finances (debate)
Situation in Tibet (debate)
The case of Gilad Shalit
2008 annual report on the CFSP - The implementation of the European Security Strategy and the Common Security and Defence Policy - Non-proliferation Treaty (debate)
Cuba (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Explanations of vote
Parliament’s priorities for the UN Human Rights Council (Geneva, 1-26 March 2010) (continuation of debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Venezuela
2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Presentation of the College of Commissioners and statement on the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission (debate)
Explanations of vote
Human Rights violations in China, notably the case of Liu Xiaobo
Presentation of the programme of the Spanish Presidency (continuation of debate)
Situation in Iran (debate)
Azerbaijan: freedom of expression
Situation in Georgia (debate)
Responses to relaunch the economy in the Member States of the European Union in Central and Eastern Europe
Explanations of vote
Nicaragua
Preparation of the European Council to be held on 10 and 11 December 2009 (debate)
Enlargement strategy 2009 concerning the countries of the western Balkans, Iceland and Turkey (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance (continuation)
Outcome of the European Council on 29 and 30 October 2009 including the mandate and attributions of the President of the European Council and of the High Representative of the Union for the foreign and security policy/Vice-president of the Commission, as well as the structure of the new Commission (continuation of debate)
Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia (debate)
Preparation of the European Council (29 and 30 October 2009) (debate)
Preparation of the TEC meeting and the EU/USA Summit (2 and 3 November 2009) - Transatlantic judicial and police cooperation (debate)
Energy security (Nabucco and Desertec) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Murder of human rights activists in Russia
EU strategy for the Baltic Sea area (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Presentation of the work programme of the Swedish Presidency (debate)
Iran (debate)
Reports (2)
REPORT on military mobility PDF (402 KB) DOC (67 KB)
REPORT on Cyber Security and Defence PDF (178 KB) DOC (107 KB)
Shadow reports (10)
REPORT on the 2018 Commission Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia PDF (315 KB) DOC (66 KB)
REPORT on arms exports: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP PDF (385 KB) DOC (71 KB)
REPORT on arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP PDF (309 KB) DOC (68 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union and its Member States, of the Protocol to the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union PDF (434 KB) DOC (48 KB)
REPORT on the 2016 Commission Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia PDF (313 KB) DOC (62 KB)
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part PDF (455 KB) DOC (66 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part PDF (426 KB) DOC (54 KB)
REPORT on arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP PDF (186 KB) DOC (123 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Instrument for Stability PDF (406 KB) DOC (581 KB)
REPORT report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability PDF (200 KB) DOC (235 KB)
Opinions (1)
OPINION Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on strengthening the European neighbourhood policy
Shadow opinions (5)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Connecting Europe Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014
OPINION on an integrated European Union policy for the Arctic
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning measures to ensure a high common level of network and information security across the Union
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on attacks against information systems and repealing Council Framework Decision 2005/222/JHA
OPINION AFET opinion to the INI report on the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the role of macro-regions in the future cohesion policy
Institutional motions (349)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities PDF (153 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cameroon PDF (153 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Brunei PDF (152 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities PDF (152 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cameroon PDF (149 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Brunei PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the emergency situation in Venezuela PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the emergency situation in Venezuela PDF (139 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan PDF (154 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of human rights defenders PDF (150 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights in Guatemala PDF (161 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a European human rights violations sanctions regime PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Human rights situation in Kazakhstan PDF (166 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of human rights in Guatemala PDF (143 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the right of human rights defenders PDF (145 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a European human rights violations sanctions regime PDF (144 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the European Union PDF (153 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on women’s rights defenders in Saudi Arabia PDF (160 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (159 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chechnya and the case of Oyub Titiev PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the EU PDF (138 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia PDF (142 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (154 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chechnya and the case of Oyub Titiev PDF (144 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (145 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan, notably the case of Mehman Huseynov PDF (155 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (153 KB) DOC (60 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Togo PDF (151 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan, notably the case of Mehman Huseynov PDF (142 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (155 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania PDF (281 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (303 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh PDF (282 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (271 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania PDF (293 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh PDF (268 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Bangladesh PDF (293 KB) DOC (60 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Cuba PDF (286 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Vietnam, notably the situation of political prisoners PDF (286 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Bangladesh PDF (292 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Vietnam, notably the situation of political prisoners PDF (264 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Cuba PDF (273 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul PDF (288 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Sea of Azov PDF (148 KB) DOC (56 KB)
PDF (167 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Sea of Azov PDF (267 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, notably the case of Charter 97 PDF (155 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region PDF (361 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, notably the case of Charter 97 PDF (268 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the case of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo PDF (153 KB) DOC (60 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (158 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition PDF (148 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on autonomous weapon systems PDF (274 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the case of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (159 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition PDF (144 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (162 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (161 KB) DOC (64 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chișinău PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its terrestrial borders with Colombia and Brazil PDF (288 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (150 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (149 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chisinau PDF (144 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders PDF (268 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on autonomous weapon systems PDF (258 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of Rohingya refugees, in particular the plight of children PDF (291 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, notably the case of Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov PDF (161 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion PDF (282 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of Rohingyas refugees, in particular the plight of children PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, notably the case of Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion PDF (264 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad PDF (156 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation on women’s rights defenders in Saudi Arabia PDF (162 KB) DOC (61 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran PDF (159 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (154 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad PDF (151 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia PDF (160 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (256 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the elections in Venezuela PDF (260 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines PDF (159 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (155 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines PDF (137 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (166 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mercy killings in Uganda PDF (156 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize Laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman PDF (165 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (408 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in the Maldives PDF (141 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mercy killings in Uganda PDF (145 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (260 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on executions in Egypt PDF (292 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on child slavery in Haiti PDF (154 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Centre Memorial PDF (285 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (279 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on executions in Egypt PDF (350 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on child slavery in Haiti PDF (142 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Centre Memorial PDF (145 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (161 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (285 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the human rights activists Wu Gan, Xie Yang, Lee Ming-che and Tashi Wangchuk, and the Tibetan monk Choekyi PDF (290 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Democratic Republic of Congo PDF (158 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of human rights activists Wu Gan, Xie Yang, Lee Ming-cheh, Tashi Wangchuk and the Tibetan monk Choekyi PDF (157 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Nigeria PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on El Salvador: the cases of women prosecuted for miscarriage PDF (267 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: notably the dissolution of CNRP Party PDF (283 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Vietnam, notably the case of Nguyen Van Hoa PDF (280 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan PDF (401 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on El Salvador: the cases of women prosecuted for miscarriage PDF (149 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: the banning of the opposition PDF (139 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Freedom of expression in Vietnam, notably the case of Nguyen Van Hoa PDF (264 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan PDF (275 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (294 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Madagascar PDF (291 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine al-Abidine PDF (155 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on terrorist attacks in Somalia PDF (162 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Madagascar PDF (154 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine El Abidine PDF (151 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Terrorist attacks in Somalia PDF (155 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (287 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and the journalist Mykola Semena PDF (284 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of persons with albinism in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (287 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in the Maldives PDF (145 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and journalist Mykola Semena PDF (152 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of people with albinism in Malawi and other African countries PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Moldova PDF (265 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Laos, notably the cases of Somphone Phimmasone, Lod Thammavong and Soukane Chaithad PDF (148 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gabon: repression of the opposition PDF (162 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gabon, repression of the opposition PDF (271 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Laos: notably the cases of Somphone Phimmasone, Lod Thammavong and Soukane Chaithad PDF (137 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: notably the case of Mr Kem Sokha PDF (137 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (156 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak PDF (169 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-che PDF (153 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-Che PDF (146 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Indonesia PDF (157 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, notably the situation of human rights defenders and the death penalty PDF (278 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli PDF (151 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights situation in Indonesia PDF (142 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, notably the situation of human rights defenders and the death penalty PDF (147 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Afgan Mukhtarli and situation of media in Azerbaijan PDF (142 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina PDF (163 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan PDF (164 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East PDF (178 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU Strategy on Syria PDF (269 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (278 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (174 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (288 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh, including child marriages PDF (152 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors PDF (158 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh, including child marriages PDF (144 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (154 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors PDF (143 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines – the case of Senator Leila M. De Lima PDF (156 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of Pastor Evan Mawarire and other cases of restriction of freedom of expression PDF (150 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Ukrainian prisoners in Russia and the situation in Crimea PDF (157 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines, the case of senator Leila M. De Lima PDF (138 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia and situation in Crimea PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua – the case of Francisca Ramirez PDF (149 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Guatemala, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (165 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua, the case of Francesca Ramirez PDF (158 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Guatemala, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (149 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (152 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Central African Republic PDF (162 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Indonesia, notably the case of Hosea Yeimo and Ismael Alua PDF (148 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Central African Republic PDF (292 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (275 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Indonesia, notably the cases of Hosea Yeimo, Ismael Alua and the Governor of Jakarta PDF (265 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy and Ilham Tohti PDF (163 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar PDF (157 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves in Iraq PDF (158 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy and Ilham Tohti PDF (148 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves in Iraq PDF (144 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ildar Dadin, prisoner of conscience in Russia PDF (154 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Guarani-Kaiowá in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso Do Sul PDF (149 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China PDF (157 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (167 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (289 KB) DOC (83 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Guarani-Kaiowa in the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso PDF (263 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ildar Dadin, prisoner of consience in Russia PDF (274 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China PDF (275 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (268 KB) DOC (74 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (264 KB) DOC (65 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on nuclear security and non-proliferation PDF (159 KB) DOC (88 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on nuclear security and non-proliferation PDF (261 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Thailand, notably the situation of Andy Hall PDF (153 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (167 KB) DOC (89 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Rwanda, the case of Victoire Ingabire PDF (291 KB) DOC (83 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Thailand, notably the case of Andy Hall PDF (276 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (272 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Rwanda, the case of Victoire Ingabire PDF (464 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (289 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines PDF (289 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (295 KB) DOC (91 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (287 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Philippines PDF (265 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (418 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of the Rohingya PDF (164 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain PDF (157 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of people with albinism in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (162 KB) DOC (86 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the situation of Rohingyas PDF (173 KB) DOC (66 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain PDF (386 KB) DOC (70 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of albinos in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (271 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tajikistan: situation of prisoners of conscience PDF (164 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Vietnam PDF (167 KB) DOC (91 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia PDF (161 KB) DOC (87 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Djibouti PDF (176 KB) DOC (93 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on The Gambia PDF (163 KB) DOC (88 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Crimean Tatars PDF (158 KB) DOC (83 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Djibouti PDF (283 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gambia PDF (341 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Crimean Tatars PDF (283 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (167 KB) DOC (91 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Honduras: situation of human rights defenders PDF (162 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the attack in Lahore PDF (159 KB) DOC (85 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (372 KB) DOC (77 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Honduras: situation of human rights defenders PDF (161 KB) DOC (68 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the attack in Lahore PDF (272 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (164 KB) DOC (88 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the case of Giulio Regeni PDF (168 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Kazakhstan PDF (168 KB) DOC (88 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of the missing book publishers in Hong Kong PDF (157 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain: the case of Mohammed Ramadan PDF (149 KB) DOC (82 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Crimea, in particular of the Crimean Tatars PDF (155 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Yemen PDF (159 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’ PDF (168 KB) DOC (94 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (162 KB) DOC (88 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (263 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by ISIS PDF (310 KB) DOC (103 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (61 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Estonian and UK seamen under detention in India PDF (148 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on North Korea PDF (159 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ethiopia PDF (166 KB) DOC (91 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine PDF (166 KB) DOC (94 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the mutual defence clause (Article 42(7) TEU) PDF (150 KB) DOC (76 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the implementation of the Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine PDF (298 KB) DOC (96 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the mutual defence clause (Article 42(7) TEU) PDF (266 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Malaysia PDF (157 KB) DOC (79 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (285 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ibrahim Halawa, potentially facing the death penalty PDF (287 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement PDF (271 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement PDF (266 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political situation in Cambodia PDF (281 KB) DOC (78 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Afghanistan, in particular the killings in the province of Zabul PDF (286 KB) DOC (79 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Bangladesh PDF (292 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the mass displacement of children in Nigeria as a result of Boko Haram attacks PDF (158 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Thailand PDF (166 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Central African Republic PDF (170 KB) DOC (97 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr PDF (159 KB) DOC (80 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the displacement of children in Northern Nigeria as a result of Boko Haram attacks PDF (156 KB) DOC (76 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ali Mohammed al - Nimr PDF (143 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in Thailand PDF (142 KB) DOC (66 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Central African Republic PDF (156 KB) DOC (78 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Angola PDF (154 KB) DOC (84 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus in the light of the upcoming 2015 presidential elections PDF (262 KB) DOC (67 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Angola PDF (148 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of two Christian pastors in Sudan PDF (146 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in particular the case of the two detained human rights activists Yves Makwambala and Fred Bauma PDF (159 KB) DOC (89 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia’s draft laws on NGOs and trade unions PDF (153 KB) DOC (79 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of two Christian pastors in Sudan PDF (144 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain, in particular the case of Nabeel Rajab PDF (141 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in particular the case of two detained human rights activists Yves Makwambala and Fred Bauma PDF (141 KB) DOC (70 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia's draft laws on NGOs and trade unions PDF (136 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nepal following the earthquakes PDF (178 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Syria: situation in Palmyra and the case of Mazen Darwish PDF (191 KB) DOC (87 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Paraguay: legal aspects related to child pregnancy PDF (163 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent revelations on high-level corruption cases in FIFA PDF (162 KB) DOC (87 KB)
PROPOSITION DE RÉSOLUTION sur Syrie: la situation à Palmyre et le cas de Mazen Darwish FR PDF (166 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu PDF (145 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the plight of Rohingya refugees, including the mass graves in Thailand PDF (138 KB) DOC (68 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of human rights defender Itai Dzamara PDF (140 KB) DOC (68 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu PDF (129 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the plight of Rohingya refugees, including mass graves in Thailand PDF (128 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of human rights defender Itai Dzamara PDF (128 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Nadiya Savchenko PDF (136 KB) DOC (64 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria PDF (145 KB) DOC (70 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the imprisonment of human and workers' rights activists in Algeria PDF (136 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria PDF (127 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on persecution of Christians around the world in relation to the killing of students in Kenya by Islamist terror group Al-Shabaab PDF (324 KB) DOC (67 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide PDF (127 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide PDF (221 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania, notably the issue of land grabbing PDF (145 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan, including recent child abductions PDF (151 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent attacks and abductions by Da’esh in the Middle East, notably of Assyrians PDF (150 KB) DOC (75 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia PDF (150 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on relations between the EU and the League of Arab States and cooperation in countering terrorism PDF (142 KB) DOC (67 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania, notably the issue of land grabbing PDF (127 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan, including recent child abductions PDF (134 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent attacks and abductions by Daesh in the Middle East, notably of Assyrians PDF (133 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia PDF (236 KB) DOC (64 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and the League of Arab States to cooperate on counter-terrorism PDF (231 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves of the missing persons of Ashia in Ornithi village in the occupied part of Cyprus PDF (135 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi: the case of Bob Rugurika PDF (138 KB) DOC (74 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria, in particular in the IS context PDF (151 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on anti-terrorism measures PDF (160 KB) DOC (76 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi: the case of Bob Rugurika PDF (130 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Saudi Arabia, the case of Raif Badawi PDF (128 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves of the Missing Persons of Ashia at Ornithi village in the occupied part of Cyprus PDF (131 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria, in particular in the IS context PDF (234 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on anti-terrorism measures PDF (242 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Kyrgyzstan, homosexual propaganda bill PDF (141 KB) DOC (65 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the situation following the Peshawar school attack PDF (142 KB) DOC (66 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, in particular the case of Alexei Navalny PDF (142 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Turkey: Recent arrests of journalists, media executives and systematic pressure against media PDF (131 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt PDF (160 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (150 KB) DOC (77 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine PDF (150 KB) DOC (81 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the situation following the Peshawar school attack PDF (127 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, in particular the case of Alexey Navalny PDF (140 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Turkey: recent arrests of journalists and media executives, and systematic pressure against the media PDF (228 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (234 KB) DOC (63 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine PDF (251 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt PDF (232 KB) DOC (61 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan: the case of Dr Amin Mekki Medani PDF (144 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Mauritania, in particular the case of Biram Dah Abeid PDF (144 KB) DOC (69 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the persecution of the democratic opposition in Venezuela PDF (142 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani PDF (130 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Mauritania, in particular the case of Biram Dah Arbeid PDF (133 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the persecution of the democratic opposition in Venezuela PDF (137 KB) DOC (61 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj PDF (136 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan: blasphemy laws PDF (156 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iraq: kidnapping and mistreatment of women PDF (132 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj PDF (133 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan : blasphemy laws PDF (130 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the delays in the start-up of cohesion policy 2014-2020 PDF (126 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights in Uzbekistan PDF (137 KB) DOC (68 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the closing-down of the NGO ‘Memorial’ (winner of the 2009 Sakharov Prize) in Russia PDF (146 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights violations in Bangladesh PDF (137 KB) DOC (67 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi, in particular the case of Pierre Claver Mbonimpa PDF (137 KB) DOC (64 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine and the state of play of EU-Russia relations PDF (144 KB) DOC (75 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iraq and Syria, and the ISIS offensive, including the persecution of minorities PDF (134 KB) DOC (64 KB)
PROPOSITION DE RÉSOLUTION on Burundi, in particular the case of Pierre Claver Mbonimpa FR PDF (126 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan – the case of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim PDF (138 KB) DOC (66 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression and assembly in Egypt PDF (157 KB) DOC (81 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Iraq PDF (126 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine PDF (133 KB) DOC (63 KB)
Oral questions (7)
Animal welfare rules in aquaculture PDF (96 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Major interpellation - Violation of fundamental human rights of women in Pakistan PDF (195 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Minor interpellation - VP/HR - The conclusion of EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities PDF (189 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Commission's answers to written questions PDF (205 KB) DOC (19 KB)
Germany's law on minimum wage PDF (199 KB) DOC (19 KB)
Export of live animals outside the EU PDF (97 KB) DOC (26 KB)
Commission's answers to Written Questions PDF DOC
Written explanations (30)
Discontinuing seasonal changes of time (A8-0169/2019 - Marita Ulvskog)
I voted in favour of this report.I have been advocating an end to the practice of changing the clock twice a year for a long time. This practice was established in the US 101 years ago to maximise the light period of the day. 21st century workers no longer follow natural light cycles of the day, making this old habit redundant.For many people changing the clocks brings severe psychological suffering, causing sleeping troubles, constant tiredness and distress for several days, or even weeks. Not to mention the practical nuisance of changing the clocks: even if most of our devices are digital and change the time automatically, we still need to check whether we are in the real time and not the old time.Therefore, I very much welcome the adoption of this report and an early end to changing the clocks, namely on 1 April 2021, when the directive will enter into force. A coordination mechanism will be established with the aim of ensuring a harmonised and coordinated approach to time arrangements throughout the Union
Report on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance (A8-0170/2019 - Jeppe Kofod, Luděk Niedermayer)
I voted in favour of this report.This report not only serves to significantly step up the EU’s fight against financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance, but it looks self-critically at how the EU Member States could improve their efforts.Bringing corruption under control should be one of our main concerns. Corruption, money laundering and tax evasion do not only hamper European economic coherence, they also pose a threat to our societies, our security. The bloody Russian money being white-washed through European banks, or oligarchs purchasing EU passports, and insufficient exchange between national tax authorities is paralysing thorough investigations.I am glad that the report calls to phase out all ‘Golden Visa/Passport’ schemes. For a European financial police within the framework of Europol with own investigatory capacities, this clearly presumes extended and deepened cooperation and exchange between national tax authorities and respective law authorities.I do also think we should name and shame the Member States. Their practices harm us all, and this has to stop.I am also in favour of creating a concrete ECON subcommittee to continue this very important work of the current TAXE, TAX2, PANA and TAX3 committees. This is also showing European citizens that we take corruption seriously and we do aim to fight it to the bone.
Establishing the Connecting Europe Facility (A8-0409/2018 - Henna Virkkunen, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Pavel Telička)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the CEF regulation. I am especially pleased that Parliament approved the funding for the defence purposes, namely military mobility. Providing funds that would enable upgrading existing and constructing new transport links to ensure that they meet military requirements is crucial for the EU’s credibility in defending its citizens and territory.Another crucial aspect that the vote changed concerns transferring from the Cohesion Fund to the CEF which will help to realise EU added-value major infrastructure projects that Member States alone would not undertake from their normal Structural Funds. Using the Cohesion Fund transfer through the CEF by means of direct management by the Commission will guarantee the better use of EU funds, making sure that the funds are given to the best and most mature projects.To further guarantee the realisation of the TEN-T network by 2030 and finalise the major EU added-value cross-border projects and missing links, the Cohesion Fund transfer should be distributed based on the certain degree of competitiveness as proposed by the Commission and reintroduced by Amendment 2. This competitive approach is further helping with good management of EU funds.
Military mobility (A8-0372/2018 - Tunne Kelam)
. ‒ Parliament has with a great majority approved my report on military mobility. Military mobility is key to achieving European level of ambition in defence. Everything in defence comes down to practical execution of the tasks and the ability to react in crises, be they of a military or civilian nature.The EU and NATO should act in complementary manner, not duplicate each other’s efforts and fully ensure that all allied military contingents are able to move in and around EU territory without any political, administrative and physical obstacles.I call on Member States to act quickly and efficiently. Achieving an adequate level of military mobility is in the hands of Member States, in their willingness to cooperate and coordinate among themselves. It is crucial that they come forward with their national military mobility plans by latest the end of 2019.And I also call on the Member States and the Commission to strictly stick to the timeline in the Action Plan. If the EU cannot deliver in time, in a coordinated and efficient manner, this will send a very wrong message to our citizens, but even more it will very much please our adversaries.
Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (A8-0317/2018 - Frédérique Ries)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this report. Wildlife in the world’s oceans and seas, both in the water and above, is suffocating under the plastic burden. Europe can and should act now. According to estimates up to 70% of marine litter is plastic. Aiming to replace all single-use plastics with reusable and sustainable alternatives is the big goal.The directive will regulate the 10 most used single-use plastic items. The Commission predicts that by 2030 this will reduce marine litter on EU beaches by a quarter, and avoid the emission of 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent and EUR 22 billion in environmental damage, saving consumers a projected EUR 6.5 billion.Plastic pollution is also a lifestyle problem. If consumers collectively do not change their behaviour of fast consumption packaged in plastic, the measures taken will only do so much. Conscious consumption needs to be relearned. Hard measures in the directive will go hand in hand with soft, educational measures, targeting young people especially as future consumer generations.I hope in the future not to read news about plastic islands bigger than some countries, or see pictures of animals, fish, birds strangled in plastic.
The situation in Hungary (A8-0250/2018 - Judith Sargentini)
I voted in favour of the EP call on the Council to start the Article 7 procedure on Hungary. The lack of readiness of the Hungarian PM to show some flexibility and to take EU’s joint positions into account, left me with no alternatives. At the same time I did not support the general approach taken by the rapporteur that I find unbalanced and that presents several questionable arguments both in political and ideological sense.
State of EU-US relations (A8-0251/2018 - Elmar Brok)
I abstained in the final vote of this report. It is unacceptable for me to support a wording that so intrusively meddles with internal matters of our partner, such as the paragraphs 11 and 39 do. This is not an appropriate way to react. Also, the parts on Iran and Syria remain declarative and empty. Suggesting a more critical approach to Iran’s meddling in Middle-East, is close to anecdotal.
The future of food and farming (A8-0178/2018 - Herbert Dorfmann)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this report, the most important element in which is the request to modernise the calculation of the direct payments in Pillar I. The current calculation should be replaced by an EU payment calculation method. I support a uniform method based on support paid per hectare. This would ensure a level playing field in all Member States and end the discrepancy between the Member States which joined before and after 2004.Given the budget proposals from the Commission, Parliament and the Council need to take a strong stand on ensuring that citizens, including farmers, in all Member States can enjoy fair treatment in the distribution of financial resources. I also support the report’s call for fair pricing of European agricultural products. EU farmers are also business people and should be paid fair prices for their products that will enable them to earn a decent living. Farmers deserve a fair place in the food supply chain and should not be living off subsidises only.
Implementation of CAP young farmers’ tools in the EU after the 2013 reform (A8-0157/2018 - Nicola Caputo)
I voted in favour of this report.Europe can only fully guarantee its food security if we can ensure that our farmers keep farming and producing food products. Young and potential farmers often face bureaucratic and financial obstacles when seeking to take over the farms of their families or starting out with new ones. This report offers some recommendations on how these problems could be overcome.Access to financial means and land are the biggest obstacles when going into farming. Incentives to get loans more easily and greater flexibility in business plans are a good way forward. Farming depends not only on people, but also on economic, societal, environmental and meteorological circumstances, among others, and thus needs to be tackled in a flexible way, including by the authorities providing subsidies. Innovation, new approaches and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances should be rewarded and accepted. Business plans in farming cannot be seen as rigid plans that cannot be changed when, for example, the weather would dictate a change.I also support the proposals to provide young farmers with training so that they can acquire business skills, including on how to come up with business plans, on financial management and on how to market their products.
Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (A8-0319/2017 - Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, Agnes Jongerius)
I voted in favour of this report.The adopted revised posting of workers directive, is an appreciated step towards further integration of the single market and ensuring that social dumping is been reduced across the EU.Posted workers (posting up to 12 months, extendable with another 6 months) will need to be paid according to the standards of the host country, under provision that it would not be less than what they would earn at home. This means end to the practice of cheap labour where often next to the poorer remuneration to locals also healthcare and social rights were not taken care of. And this will also benefit the businesses, as local businesses in the host country can be reassured that social standards are the same for all workers regardless of their country of hiring for that period and would thus not create unfair market advantages due to dumping salaries compared to local businesses employing under local employment laws.I welcome also the practical provisions asking to set up a national homepage with all the information that applies to posted workers under the concrete national laws. This will increase transparency and enable businesses and workers to easily follow the rules.
Composition of the European Parliament (A8-0007/2018 - Danuta Maria Hübner, Pedro Silva Pereira)
I voted in favour of the report, which sets the rules for future composition of Parliament. I welcome the reduction in the total numbers and the reallocation of certain seats between the Member States.Nevertheless, I rejected all provisions that proposed to establish transnational lists for a joint constituency. Even if noble in its aspirations, the transnational list would not fulfil its promise of pan-European feeling and belonging. Quite the contrary, it would detach MEPs from real citizens on the ground. Transnational lists would create, de facto , a two—level election system that in reality would give those elected to transnational lists a so-called European mandate. Citizens of smaller Member States would face a situation where their voice would count less.In addition, the question arises: to whom would these transnationally elected MEPs be accountable? Who would they actually represent? Where would they connect with concrete people, their worries and wishes? In my view, this means no responsibility; no accountability at all. And in practical terms, would Guy Verhofstadt really be able to come to Estonia, to communicate in Estonian about the wishes and worries – large or small – of the Estonian people, and combine these with all the worries and wishes of citizens in the remaining 26 Member States?
Geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or place of establishment (A8-0172/2017 - Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein)
I voted in favour of this report.This report takes another step towards ending the discriminatory geo-blocking practices across the EU.This report represents the important agreement on how online purchasing of goods and electronically supplied services not protected by copyright can be pursued. It will open new possibilities for all EU citizens to purchase across Europe, it is especially important for citizens from countries who joined 2004 onwards who often have faced discriminatory treatment based on nationality or residence.I regret to see that the scope of the agreement between the institutions has been narrowed down and does not include any more digitally copyrighted content such as e-books, games, software, e-music, nevertheless I hope that the review 2 years after the entry into force will include the full scope of digitally copyrighted content. The copyright package, audio-visual services directive should be bold and enable Europe-wide access to content. Citizens are not asking for free access, but they are asking for access!I call on the Member States and on the EC to ensure that these rules, together with other recent agreements, such as prohibition of charging card payments and online payments, are known and applied by the commerce. Awareness, visibility, implementation!
Implementation of EU macro-regional strategies (A8-0389/2017 - Andrea Cozzolino)
I voted in favour of this resolution. The idea of macro—regional strategies comes from the European Parliament and was based on the idea of creating a strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The Baltic Sea Strategy became a pilot of the macro—regional strategies and has inspired the ones that followed.The current discussions of the post-2020 cohesion policy also need to focus, among other things, on the meaningful future of the MRS. The current situation means that projects and cooperation that would happen anyway are labelled as part of the MRS, without creating much added value nor giving visibility to the MRS.Parliament’s report rightly states that future of MRS needs to be anchored in a long-term vision, political commitment and needs to be backed by efficient cooperation and coordination mechanisms. It needs a commitment to adequate funding with fewer bureaucratic procedures, based on synergies and complementarity between regional, national and European funding. I echo the call to the Member States to pledge more funding for the MRS.Lastly, we can expect real added value only when all actors – from states, regions and local authorities to businesses, NGOs and citizens – claim strong ownership over the MRS and start to implement them accordingly.
Conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures (A8-0381/2017 - Gabriel Mato)
I voted in favour of AMs 304, 305, 306 which delete electric pulse trawl use from innovating fishing methods.I am fully against indiscriminatory ways of fishing that do not only aim at catching a particular stock of fish, but in its course cause significant damage to the entire ecosystem around.There are reports of desertification of oceans, in some areas traditional fishermen speak of cemeteries in the sea.Also, fish are living beings, electric pulse trawl causes significant physical damage to the fish, leaving injured fish, crabs, shell-fish and other elements of marine ecosystem lingering between life and death.I have voted in favour of banning electric pulse trawl as I do not see this being neither ecological, nor ethical. Marine ecosystems are extremely fragile and facing enormous challenges and we should not add one more.
2018 budgetary procedure (A8-0359/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan, Richard Ashworth)
I voted for the report. We can really be satisfied and feel much more secure as a result of successful cooperation between the three EU institutions. Congratulations to the Estonian presidency who managed to bring to satisfactory conclusion long and complex trilogue.The 2018 budget will enable the EU to meet the most important challenges. The overall budget growth is 2.3%, focusing on stimulating economic growth potential, jobs creation and security. Increasing investments in research, infrastructures, education and SMEs is vital. 11.2 billion for Horizon 2020 and 2.3 billion for Erasmus will provide positive boost to these important programs. I am especially satisfied that for the first time the efforts of strategic communication unit will be financed from the EU budget. The only problem is that although the budget was adopted by 2:1 votes, almost 200 MEPs, mostly socialists and Greens, decided to distance themselves from the common achievement by remaining neutral. This means in fact distancing yourself from strengthening measures to support employment, jobs for young people, innovation and security. All in all, the Estonian negotiators justified themselves as honest and successful brokers.
Saving lives: boosting car safety in the EU (A8-0330/2017 - Dieter-Lebrecht Koch)
I voted in favour of this report.95% of accidents occur due human action, 45% fatalities are accounted to car occupants, and 25% of annual fatalities in traffic are caused by consuming alcohol.In the very near future, in fact already next year for instance in Tallinn, we will observe also self-driving vehicles on European streets.We have to be prepared that in the future next to the human factor; vehicles themselves will play a much role in traffic.The report makes a timely call for safety-related driver assistance systems, with passive and active measures.I also support the call of the report to the EC to come up with no further delay with the review of the General Safety Regulation and the pedestrian protection regulation.The report also urges the MS to significantly improve their road network, by regular maintenance, uplifting where needed, providing efficient and safe signalisation.Considering the high number of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians, especially urban mobility plans should make this a priority. Separated lanes, modernisation, expanding cycling paths and pedestrian paths. This will not only serve safety, but would encourage citizens to use less cars and would by that also contribute to cleaner air and higher living standard in the urban areas.
The fight against cybercrime (A8-0272/2017 - Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi)
I voted in favour of this report, it is very timely and most needed.Last year 80% of European companies were faced with at least one cybercrime incident. In some Member States 50% of all crimes committed were cybercrimes. 69% of companies have no or no basic understanding of their cyber vulnerabilities, 51% of citizens do not feel well informed about cyber threats.The report rightly puts that the lines between cybercrime, cyber espionage, cyber warfare, cyber sabotage and cyber terrorism are becoming increasingly blurred targeting individuals, public or private entities and covering a wide range of offences.The most important thing is to maximise resilience as a joint effort. Member States need to adopt proactive policies and measures, educate companies and individuals on their behaviour. New technologies are an asset, not a threat, but we need to strive towards maximum cyber security to protect firstly our critical infrastructures, but more and more also our everyday life.I agree also that EU needs to streamline common definitions of cybercrime, cyber warfare, cybersecurity, cyber harassment and cyber-attacks to ensure that the EU institutions and EU Member States share a common legal definition and therefore could jointly pursue higher cyber security and take joint and appropriate measures against perpetrators.
2018 Budget - Mandate for the trilogue (A8-0249/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan)
I voted in favour of giving this mandate to negotiate the 2018 budget. The crucial point here is to underline the financing of defence research and more specifically the EUR 40 million for the preparatory action for 2018. This needs to be agreed on and I very much hope that the counterparts from the Council and Commission will agree without hesitation to that. Europe needs more security and defence and one of the first steps is to guarantee funds to support European defence research.
Addressing human rights violations in the context of war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including genocide (A8-0222/2017 - Cristian Dan Preda)
I voted in favour of this report. Atrocities and war crimes by state and non-state actors in Syria, but also in Iraq and elsewhere in the world, need to be brought to the ICC. I condemn in the strongest terms the veto exercised by Russia and China as Permanent Members of the UN Security Council against referral of the situation in Syria to the ICC Prosecutor under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and against adoption of a measure to punish Syria for using chemical weapons. I call on the EU to do its utmost to achieve a reform of the UN Security Council at least regarding the veto right, especially when evidence on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are at everyone’s disposal.I call also on Member States to fully support by providing documentation, but even more to provide financial support to the established Commission of Inquiry on Syria set up by the Human Rights Council and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) set up by the UN General Assembly to assist in the investigation of serious crimes committed in Syria. Lastly, I call on the EU to blacklist those Russians who have contributed to crimes against humanity in Syria.
Online platforms and the Digital Single Market (A8-0204/2017 - Henna Virkkunen, Philippe Juvin)
I voted in favour of this report. Online platforms are part of our everyday life: we search information online, we read news, we interact through social media, and we buy goods. Digital cannot be erased from our lives.The report sets a good basis for further discussion regarding online platforms and the digital single market. It is important that the EU tries to define at least the rules of the game that are adaptable to the concrete nature of different platforms.The European digital single market should mean unhindered access to digital offers, content and business-making regardless of geographic location or residency. It means also minimising local and also national rules to the advantage of common European rules for all counterparts starting from the consumer/end-user.I am confident that despite the natural lack of clarity of digital space, the EU is willing and able to ensure that online platforms are best integrated into the European digital single market. Perhaps a future European e-residency to overcome fragmentation and geographical positioning could be among the possible solutions.
Humanitarian situation in Yemen (RC-B8-0407/2017, B8-0407/2017, B8-0408/2017, B8-0409/2017, B8-0410/2017, B8-0411/2017, B8-0412/2017, B8-0413/2017)
I voted in favour of this resolution.Yemen is on the verge of a major humanitarian catastrophe. Every day the human tragedy gets worse. Yemen is a poor country that is been devastated by the warring factions. The EU and the international community as a whole need to step up their commitment immediately and call to an end of this conflict.Civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, water supply systems must not become targets! Nor can civilians be targets! Aid organisations need to have unhindered access to care for the people and provide them with necessary healthcare and food.Currently, 60% of the Yemeni population faces food insecurity. 3.3 million children, pregnant or nursing women are acutely malnourished, almost half a million children under the age of 5. Yemen is very close to a wide famine and it is our duty to prevent this with all means possible.I repeat my call from earlier to the EU, its Member States and the international community to significantly increase their financial support to medical and food aid programmes, such as the World Food Programme among others.
2016 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (A8-0055/2017 - Ivo Vajgl)
I voted in favour of this report.It is regrettable that the report had to be postponed for several times, but I believe it is a balanced report listing short-comings, but also the potential of the country for the future.The political stalemate that we have witnessed in recent years seems to have come to an end and I hope and encourage all parties and also all parts of the society to draw lessons from the recent past. Parliamentary democracy means first of all working together and not allowing boycots of legally elected democratic bodies. Now there is an opportunity to make a joint effort for a better future for Macedonia, to undertake needed reforms, especially those set out in Przino agreement, and to follow the path of national reconciliation. The EU must do its part and start long-delayed accession negotiations without further delay.Macedonia is a European country and belongs in the EU family!
Introduction of temporary autonomous trade measures for Ukraine (A8-0193/2017 - Jarosław Wałęsa)
I voted in favour of this report. This report grants additional trade facilitation for Ukraine to relieve some of Ukraine’s dire economic situation and support the economic reforms. The core of the benefits stemming from the facilitated trade should go directly to SMEs and will not entail any negative consequences for either European agriculture or industry.In the EPP Group we have always supported the efforts for Ukraine and the EU to enhance its cooperation and integration. Ukraine is, next to suffering from ongoing war in the Eastern parts and the annexation of Crimea, also facing tough restrictions from the Russian side, among others an embargo on agri-food imports and the banning of the transit of goods to Central Asia – this is a serious blow to Ukraine’s economy and trade. This is a heavy burden for any country and especially for Ukraine, which needs to reinvent its economy and structures after long years of abuse.I am encouraged that EU has found a flexible and mutually benefiting way to help Ukraine in this difficult situation and at the same time give incentives to rebuild its economy.
Resilience as a strategic priority of the EU external action (B8-0381/2017)
I voted in favour of this resolution. Resilience as an overarching strategic principle in the EU’s external policies can be only welcomed. Ensuring sustainability and resilience, especially in vulnerable countries and regions of the world, would prevent epidemic outbreaks, uncontrolled migration and hunger, crisis and conflicts. And it would/should eventually lead to self-resilience and self-sustainability that should be the desired aim of all the EU’s humanitarian policies – to empower the countries and regions to cope themselves. Nevertheless it is difficult to define resilience and I urge the Commission to take a holistic and horizontal approach, applying it in a strategic manner.Our external policies serve from one side diplomatic purposes, but even more so humanitarian purposes and it is our duty to ensure that the effort, policies and finances provided bring a long-term benefit for all counterparts, so strengthening their resilience.
Resource efficiency: reducing food waste, improving food safety (A8-0175/2017 - Biljana Borzan)
I voted in favour of this report.About 53% of food waste is generated by households, 19% in production, and 12% by retailers.Europe needs cross-cutting, horizontal approaches to minimise food waste at every stage. These must be worked out jointly with the involvement of all participants.The first priority is to revise the ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ labels. The report calls for the information to be diversified by adding, for example, ‘sell by’. Changes like this could encourage consumers to apply more common sense. That would mean comprehensive assessment to determine whether the food in question was still edible. Such renewed assessments would enable retailers to extend sales periods for several groups of food products.Consumer education should be taken up, especially at local and national level – salt does not expire, and less ‘pretty’ vegetables and fruit are not necessarily spoiled. Common sense should prevail.Lastly, governments need to provide better opportunities for food giveaways and food donations. In Estonia, the Toidupank (Food bank) has for several years been able to collect a large quantity for redistribution to poorer people. Redistribution of food should be rewarded, not restricted or even punished.
Addressing refugee and migrant movements: the role of EU External Action (A8-0045/2017 - Elena Valenciano, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
I voted against this report.I do not agree fully with the scope of the report. EU needs a clear, practical and realistic plan to tackle refugee and migrant flows. I also do not fully agree blurring the lines between defining who is a refugee and who is a migrant.There are aspects that I agree with, such as more cooperation with third countries in both managing refugee and migrant flows, but also in alleviating poverty, but unfortunately the whole report tries to tackle everything and has lost its focus.
e-Democracy in the EU: potential and challenges (A8-0041/2017 - Ramón Jáuregui Atondo)
I voted in favour of this report. Nobody today can imagine a future without being connected through internet and the cyber-sphere. Internet is not only a tool of information and for communication, but is also becoming more and more a direct interaction tool between the state and the citizen. This makes access to internet an imperative in the European mindset. I regret that this report does not state this clearly. In fact, free and fast access to internet should be seen as a fundamental right for every European citizen and further as a universal human right.The report highlights several important aspects and proposes various measures to improve e-democracy. I can with full certainty say that Estonian experience with e-voting has been very positive. No data or privacy breaches have been recorded and the participation rate of e-voting is increasing. The report suggest looking into ways in which e-voting could spread. I would recommend taking a closer look at Estonia’s 12 year-long experience.Raising cyber security to the highest level is another imperative where Member States still lag behind and the picture around the EU varies too widely. We cannot settle with minimum but need maximum common nominators in cyber security.
Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (A8-0251/2016 - Vicky Ford)
I voted in favour of this report. I think the outcome of the trilogue has struck a good balance between different opinions and has addressed initial worries on the partly very restrictive measures proposed by the Commission.Unfortunately, the Commission proposal was not accompanied by an impact assessment and did not provide the needed accuracy and clarity on definitions and categorisations. These issues have largely been answered in the final result after negotiations between the Parliament and the Council.The issue of categorising semi-automatic firearms without clear indications and needed exceptions as category A raised grave concerns, and I am glad that the compromise reached permit reservists, target shooters and others with a special license to continue holding semi-automatic firearms. For my own country, Estonia, this means that the Estonian Defence League, which in the new directive is clearly classified as part of the national defence forces, can calmly continue their task of defending Estonia together with regular forces.A grandfathering clause has been introduced, enabling existing owners to continue to own, transfer, inherit and sell these firearms to others with the corresponding authorities. Exceptions have also been made for museums and collectors.
Waste (A8-0034/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
I voted in favour of this report. Maximum utilisation of waste should be our goal for the future. EPP Group has supported the targets set by the Commission as realistic and desirable, although the report goes above those, I am sure we can work with it.I would also like to highlight the need for one calculation method for recycling. We need comparable and equally measurable data from across the EU to estimate how well the targets are being met. Currently this is still in several areas not possible, as the calculation method varies greatly depending on Member State.I am worried about Estonia not reaching the EU target of 50% in recycling municipal waste. Unfortunately in 2015 this remained 29% in Estonia. More competition in waste management is needed to offer best solutions and prices for the citizens and to encourage both citizens and businesses to sort waste. I would also like to see more waste being recycled instead of being burnt. It seems convenient to utilise waste for energy, but the principle of circular economy aims to reutilise and recreate materials, instead of a linear utilisation-annihilation.Our future lies in conscious consumption, less consumption and recycling, reutilizing our waste to maximum.
EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (A8-0009/2017 - Artis Pabriks)
. ‒ I voted in favour of CETA. CETA means opening up Europe, and taking the worries of our citizens seriously. CETA is, among other things, a means to solve some of the worries Europeans face – it means the creation of new jobs, new business opportunities, bringing significant benefit to citizens on both sides of the ocean. Europe has profited from opening up, from embracing free trade that has always led also to closer political cooperation.CETA is an opportunity to set transparent rules and standards for global trade, at the same time safeguarding our social, labour and environmental standards.As an Estonian, I am particularly happy to see CETA entering into force. Canada is home to the second—largest Estonian community outside Estonia. Canada embraced Estonian refugees in most difficult times for our history. Currently, Canada is Estonia’s 9th biggest goods export market outside the EU; eliminating duties on 99% of all tariff lines is very promising. We expect increased trade in services, movement of professionals, greater FDI inflows.CETA is a modern trade agreement, it ensures that no European standards are weakened and the EU continues to decide for Europe, not Canada as some suggest.
Major interpellations (2)
VP/HR - Recent state-terror activities by Iran in the EU PDF (53 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Violation of fundamental human rights of women in Pakistan PDF (194 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Written questions (22)
The decision not to include Russia on the list of high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money-laundering and anti-terrorism-financing regimes PDF (51 KB) DOC (20 KB)
Health risks to LED lighting PDF (43 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Health risks of LED lighting PDF (43 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Force-feeding in foie gras production PDF (100 KB) DOC (19 KB)
VP/HR - Syrian security official in Italy despite EU sanctions PDF (196 KB) DOC (17 KB)
VP/HR - Implementation of sanctions against Russia PDF (197 KB) DOC (19 KB)
VP/HR - Political prisoners and politically motivated prosecutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan PDF (6 KB) DOC (17 KB)
VP/HR - Politically motivated prosecution of Mukhtar Dzhakishev and Muratkhan Tokmadi in Kazakhstan PDF (102 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Anti-Jewish propaganda in the West Bank PDF (188 KB) DOC (16 KB)
Antitrust proceedings against AB Lietuvos geležinkeliai PDF (101 KB) DOC (16 KB)
VP/HR - Organ Harvesting in China PDF (102 KB) DOC (16 KB)
VP/HR - Sentencing of Kazakh journalist Guzyal Baidalinova PDF (190 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Rules on unbundling in the EU gas market - Directive 2009/73/EC PDF (191 KB) DOC (25 KB)
VP/HR - The case of President Omar al-Bashir before the International Criminal Court PDF (197 KB) DOC (26 KB)
Churches destroyed in Nigeria by Boko Haram PDF (101 KB) DOC (24 KB)
VP/HR - Prosecution of war crimes in Syria PDF (99 KB) DOC (26 KB)
VP/HR - Addition of the so-called 'Donetsk People's Republic' and 'Lugansk People's Republic' to the EU list of proscribed terrorist organisations PDF (194 KB) DOC (26 KB)
VP/HR - Situation of EU citizens in India PDF (7 KB) DOC (24 KB)
VP/HR - Diplomatic initiatives to save Asia Bibi PDF (100 KB) DOC (27 KB)
VP/HR - Case of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia PDF (192 KB) DOC (25 KB)
VP/HR - Political persecution of a Kazakh dissident PDF (104 KB) DOC (25 KB)
VP/HR - Vladimir Kozlov case PDF (190 KB) DOC (25 KB)
Written declarations (6)
Amendments (803)
Amendment 61 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas new areas of tension between the EU and Russia have arisen since 2015, includingthe adoption of the resolution on the state of EU-Russia relations in 2015, including, but not limited to: Russian intervention in Syria; large-scale military exercises (Zapad 2017); rRussian interference aimed at influencing elections and stoking tensions in European societies; restrictions on fundamental freedoms and extensive human rights violations in Russia, including the systemic targeting of human rights defenders and civil society in Russia, discrimination against the Tatar minority in occupied Crimea, and the politically motivated persecution of Alexei Navalny and many others; cyber attacks and assassinations on European soil carried out by Russian intelligence agents using chemical weapons; the intimidation, arrest and imprisonment of foreign citizens in Russia in breach of international law, including Oleg Sentsov and many others; the organisation of illegal and illegitimate elections in the Donbas; flawed presidential elections lacking any real choice and with restrictions on fundamental freedoms; violations of arms control agreements;
Amendment 99 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas Russia's actions breach against international law, international commitments and good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 112 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that Russia's direct and indirect involvement in armed conflicts and its illegal annexation of Crimea and continuous violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia constitute a deliberate violation of international order, democratic principles and fundamental values; strongly condemns human rights violations carried out by Russian representatives on the occupied territories; reiterates that Russia's attempts to redraw borders in Europe by force and its challenging of the European security order pose a significant threat to Europe;
Amendment 150 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that non-implementation of the Minsk Agreements demonstrates Russia's lack of good will; asks for consultations to be advanced within the Normandy format; reiterates that the Minsk Agreement needs to be fully and genuinely implemented by Russia in order to reinforce the relationship between Russia and the EU;
Amendment 159 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes in the importance of finding ways to de-escalate current tensions and of engaging in consultations with Russia to identify measures aimed at reducing the risk of misunderstandings and miscalculations; recognises, however, that the EU must be firm with its expectations on Russia;
Amendment 172 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes, however, that the Skripal case and malicious cyber attacks against EU Member States, orchestrated by the Russian intelligence services and aimed to destabilise public and private communication infrastructure, show an interest on the Russian side to further increase tensions in relations with the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 180 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that increased mutual transparency in military and border guard activities is important in order to avoid further tensions; calls for a clear code of conduct concerning airspace used by military and civilian aircraft; strongly condemns, in this regard, Russia’s repeated violations of territorial waters and air space of countries in the Baltic Sea region;
Amendment 185 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Is deeply concerned that Russia so manifestly demonstrates its military powers, articulates threats to other countries and in real action manifests the willingness and readiness to use military force against other nations, including advanced nuclear weapons as reiterated by President Putin on several occasions in 2018;
Amendment 209 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that while the EU's stance is firm, coherent and concerted with respect to EU sanctions on Russia, further coordination and coherence is required in its foreign and security policy approach to Russia; calls, in this context, on Member States to immediately end 'golden visa/passport' programmes; reiterates previous calls by the European Parliament for a European Magnitsky Act as well as the political consent given by the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 December 2018 to impose such sanctions;
Amendment 227 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Condemns Russia’s actions in the Sea of Azov in so far as they breach against international maritime law and Russia’s international commitments, as well as the building of the Kerch Bridge and the laying of underwater cables to the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula without the consent from Ukraine; remains deeply concerned about the Russian militarisation of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea region;
Amendment 233 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Underscores that Russia’s disrespect for international rules - in this case the freedom of the seas, bilateral agreements and the illegal annexation of Crimea - poses a threat to neighbours of Russia in all parts of Europe, not only in the Black Sea region, but also in the Baltic Sea region and the Mediterranean; highlights the importance to develop a firm policy towards Russia in all these respects;
Amendment 235 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Underlines that money laundering and organised criminal financial activities by Russia are being used for subversive political purposes and pose a threat to European security and stability; considers the magnitude of this money laundering as part of hostile activities meant to undermine, misinform and destabilise, while at the same time upholding criminal activities and corruption; notes that Russian money laundering activities within the EU constitute a threat to sovereignty and rule of law in all Member States where Russia operates these activities; states that this is a threat to European security and stability, and a main challenge to the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy;
Amendment 238 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Recognises that Russia is using various instruments as part of its hybrid warfare against Europe, aimed at weakening European democracies, economies and institutions; expresses concern of potential escalation of Russian hybrid warfare activities;
Amendment 240 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. Expresses deep concern on the independence of the media and restrictions to freedom of expression inside Russia; condemns the Russian regime’s growing use of subversive policies of propaganda and disinformation campaign abroad; underlines the importance of a joint EU response to such activities;
Amendment 266 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that Russia and the EU will remain key economic partners in the foreseeable future, but that Nord Stream 2 reinforces EU dependency on Russian gas supplies, threatens the EU internal market and is not in line with EU energy policy or its strategic interests, and therefore needs to be stopped; emphasises that the EU remains committed to completing the European Energy Union and diversify its energy resources;
Amendment 310 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the EU institutions and Member States to make greater efforts to build resilience, particularly in the cyber and media fields; calls for EU-wide support for the European cyber-security industry, a functioning digital internal market and a stronger engagement in research; encourages, in this context, the proactive promotion of European values in Russian by East Stratcom; recognises that, despite additional funding, the East Stratcom remains insufficiently funded and seriously understaffed;
Amendment 343 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a European version of the Magnitsky Act, which allows the imposition of visa bans and targeted sanctions, such as blocking property and interests in property within EU jurisdiction on individual public officials or persons acting in an official capacity, who are responsible for acts of corruption or serious human rights violations; stresses the importance of an immediate sanctions list in order to secure an effective implementation of a European Magnitsky Act;
Amendment 346 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the EU to verify the application of EU restrictive measures in force as well as the sharing of information between Member States, in order to ensure that the EU sanctions regime against Russia’s actions is not undermined, but applied in proportion to the threats posed by Russia; underlines the danger of weakening the sanctions without Russia demonstrating in clear action, and not only in words, that it respects the borders of Europe, the sovereignty of its neighbours and other nations, as well as international rules and agreements; reiterates that business as usual only can be possible when Russia fully respects the rules and restricts itself to act in a peaceful way;
Amendment 355 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on Russia to immediately release political prisoners, including foreign citizens, and journalists;
Amendment 370 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Condemns money laundering activities, illegal financial activities and other means of economic warfare by Russia; calls for competent financial authorities in the EU to increase cooperation with each other and with relevant intelligence and security services, in order to tackle Russian money laundering activities;
Amendment 373 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Condemns the support and financing of extremist parties and organisations in Europe by the Russian state, as well as attempts of election meddling in European national elections; urges the European Union and its Member States to take measures in the run up to the 2019 European Parliamentary elections, in order to strengthen resilience against Russian antidemocratic activities;
Amendment 375 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24c. Calls on the EU to strengthen the monitoring and analysis of Russian hybrid warfare activities targeting EU Member States, in order to ensure a proper response from the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 6 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital –A (new)
Recital –A (new)
-A. whereas the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence is laid down in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Common Position 2008/944/CFSP is a legally binding framework laying down eight criteria; whereas, wherever these are not met, the issuance of an export licence should be denied (criteria 1-4) or consideration should at least be given to doing so (criteria 5-8); whereas the decision to transfer or deny the transfer of any military technology or equipment remains at the national discretion of each Member State according to article 4(2) of the Common Position;
Amendment 14 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the latest figures14 show that arms exports from the EU-28 amounted to over 27 % of the global total in 2013-2017, which makes them, collectively, the second largest arms supplier in the world after the US (34 %) and followed by Russia (22 %); whereas years 2015 and 2016 have been the years in which by far the historicallyobserved the highest numbers of arms exports licences have been granted since the beginning of EU data collection, with a total value of EUR 195.95 billion in 2015 and, according to the most recent report by the Working Party on Conventional Arms Exports (COARM), EUR 191.45 billion in 201615 ; _________________ 14 Trends in international arms transfers, 2017 (SIPRI Fact Sheet, March 2018). 15 http://enaat.org/eu-export- browser/licence.de.html
Amendment 18 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas not all Member States make a full submission to COARM; whereas, because of the differing data collection arrangements and submission procedures of individual Member States and their different interpretation of the eight criteria, data sets are incomplete and vary, and arms export practices diverge widely;
Amendment 31 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the defence sector has become a focal point of EU policy since the European Global Strategy (EUGS) argustates that a ‘sustainable, innovative and competitive European defence industry is essential for Europe’s strategic autonomy and for a credible CSDP’17 ; whereas the main task of the European Defence Fund and, as a precursor, the EDIDP, which has recently been launched, is to ‘support the competitiveness of Europe’s defence industry’18 ; _________________ 17 A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and. Security Policy: ‘Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe’, Brussels, June 2016. 18 Launching the European Defence Fund, COM(2017)0295, Brussels, 7.6.2017.
Amendment 35 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph –1 (new)
Paragraph –1 (new)
-1. Underlines that states have the legitimate right to acquire military technology for the purposes of self- defence; notes that maintaining a defence industry serves as part of the self-defence of the Member States;
Amendment 36 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph –1 a (new)
Paragraph –1 a (new)
-1a. Notes that a European defence market serves as an instrument for guaranteeing the security and defence of Member States, Union citizens and contributes to the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and in particular the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); calls on the Member States to overcome the current lack of efficiency in defence spending due to duplication, fragmentation, lack of interoperability and to aim for the EU to become a security provider also by better controlling arms exports;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that the EU is the only union of states to have a legally binding framework through which arms export control is being improved, including in crisis regions and countries with a questionable human rights record; welcomes, in this connection, the fact that European and non-European third countries have joined the arms export control system on the basis of the Common Position; encourages also remaining candidate countries, countries in the process of attaining candidate status, or countries otherwise wishing to engage themselves on the path of EU accession, to apply the provisions of the Common Position;
Amendment 46 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that the eight criteria are applied and interpreted with varying degrees of rigour in the Member States; calls, therefore, for a standard, uniformly strict interpretation and full implementation of the Common Position with all its obligations;
Amendment 55 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. CriticisNotes the violations of the eight criteria by Member States and the fact that military technology does sometimes reach destinations and end users that do not meet the criteria laid down in the Common Position; considers that uniform and consistent application of the eight criteria should be promoted; regrets the lack of provisions on sanctions to be imposed on Member States that fail to comply with the eight criteria when granting licencesurges the Member States to improve the consistency of the implementation of the Common Position and advises the Member States to make provision for arrangements to conduct independent checks;
Amendment 66 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is alarmed by the fact that 97.2 % of licence requests for exports to Egypt and Saudi Arabia were granted even though exports into both countries violate at least criteria 1 to 6 of the Common Position, and bearing in mind that failure to meet criteria 1 to 4 must lead to a denial of the licence; regrets that almost all licence applications (95 %) for exports to Saudi Arabia have been granted as regards category ML919 (i.e. vessels of war) exports, which are used to enforce the naval blockade on Yemen, contributing to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and to the ongoing suffering of the population of Yemen; notes that some Member States have effectively halted their arms exports to Saudi Arabia; _________________ 19 Vessels of war (surface or underwater), special naval equipment, accessories, components and other surface vessels http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52016 XG0406(01)&from=EN
Amendment 72 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned that the proliferation of weapon systems in wartime and in situations of significant political tension may disproportionately affect civilians; is alarmed at the global arms raceunderlines that conflicts should be solved by diplomatic means as a priority; and that military approaches to solving political conflict and turmoil; underlines that conflicts should be solved by should be considered only once the diplomatic means as a priorityre exhausted;
Amendment 78 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Insists, in the light of the Common Position review process, that support should be voiced for powerful, clear and unambiguous wording in the Common Position in order to avoid differing interpretations and applications of the criteria;Notes that the Council conducts the reassessment of the implementation of Common Position and the fulfilment of its objectives in2018; , urges that the Common Position’s reviewassessment of the implementation examines how the Common Position is implemented at national level, including an assessment of the different ways in which the Common Position is implemented in states’ laws and regulations, the methods used to assess licence applications and the government agencies and ministries that are involved; stresses, in this connection, that projects funded with the newly launched EDIDP and the future Defence Fund, must come under national and EU control and reporting mechanisms/regimes and be subject to full parliamentary scrutiny;
Amendment 117 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Criticises the fact that a number of Member States did not make full submissions to the nineteenth annual report on the basis of detailed, country-specific data; notes that Cyprus submitted a ‘nil’ report; criticises the fact that Greece did not submit a report at all, Italy and France only reported total data on the value of actual exports and Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom did not report values of actual exports; is concerned that, as a result, important information is missing from the COARM annual report, which is therefore not up to date or able to present a complete picture of Member States’ export activities; considers that a standardised verification and reporting system should be established to provide more detailed and exhaustive information; reiterates its request that all Member States, especially the main arms- exporting ones which have not made full submissions, provide a full set of data regarding their past exports with a view to the next annual report;
Amendment 128 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that not all EU national parliaments scrutinise governmental licensing decisions by, inter alia, producing annual arms export reports; calls, therefore, for a general increase in parliamentary and public oversight; points to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which provide for the possibility of regular responses to the EU Annual Reports on Arms Exports;
Amendment 129 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes regular consultations with national parliaments, arms export control authorities, industry associations and civil society as central to meaningful transparency; calls on COARM, all the Member States and the EEAS to enhance dialogue with civil society and consultations with national parliaments and arms export control authorities; encourages national parliaments, civil society and academia to exercise independent scrutiny of the arms trade, and calls on the Member States and the EEAS to support such activities, including by financial means;
Amendment 130 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 135 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 152 #
2018/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Is of the opinion that an effective international arms control agreement should cover state-to-state transfers, state- to-privnon-state-end-user transfers and leases, as well as loans, gifts, aid or any other form of transfer;
Amendment 73 #
2018/2146(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on Serbia to progressively align itsincrease its alignment with the foreign and security policy tof that of the EU, including its policy on Russiae EU, emphasizes the importance to align with the EU’s sanctions policies, especially on Russia; urges the Serbian government to increase efforts and cooperation with the EU against Russian interference and influence operations; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
Amendment 97 #
2018/2146(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates the importance of intensifying the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show a clear commitment to tackle this issue and demonstrate non-tolerance against corruption and rule of law abuses; welcomes the adoption of the amendments made in the economic crimes section of the country’s criminal code; reiterates its call to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti- Corruption Agency to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; stresses that it is critical that the Agency receives and maintains the human and financial resources it needs to carry out its mandate in an independent manner; calls on the authorities to fill all open positions in the Agency; calls on Serbia to further improve its track record on investigations, indictments and final convictions in high-level corruption cases;
Amendment 230 #
2018/2146(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on Serbia to develop its energy policy in order to decrease dependence on Russian gas imports; calls on Serbia to implement fully the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market; welcomes the country’s efforts to promote investments in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 42 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Commends the positive diplomacy and active trust-building efforts leading to compromise and to the settlement of open bilateral issues; welcomes the entry into force on 14 February 2018 of the friendship treaty with Bulgaria that should provide for a long-lasting and conciliatory good-neighbourly relations;
Amendment 58 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Takes note of the referendum set to take place on 30 September 2018, posing the question 'Are you in favour of NATO and EU membership by accepting the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece?'; calls on all sides to encourage the citizens to go to the polls and exercise their democratic right to vote on the future of their country;
Amendment 61 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the formal invitation from NATO on 11 July 2018 to the country to begin the membership negotiations joining the North Atlantic alliance;
Amendment 68 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the country has already achieved a high level of alignment with the acquis; welcomes its continued alignment with EU declarations and Council decisions on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and notes that full alignment is a prerequisite for the Euro- Atlantic future of the country; emphasizes in this regard the importance to align with the EU’s sanctions policies; urges the government to increase efforts and cooperation with the EU against Russian interference and influence;
Amendment 91 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Appreciates the government’s efforts to prevent backsliding and eliminate the remaining elements of state capture and encourages intensifying these efforts; recalls that the country was a frontrunner in the accession process in the 2000s;
Amendment 105 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recommends that the country’s Parliament make full use of its oversight and legislative functions and strictly limit the use of urgency procedures; calls on all parties to refrain from any obstruction in regard to the effective functioning of the parliament;
Amendment 108 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on to effectively start implementing the public administration reform strategy and to establish clear lines of accountability; underlines the importance of merit-based recruitment and open competition for all recruitments and calls on increasing the capacity in human resources management; calls on enhanced measures to elevate the sector and financial planning capabilities across the public administration;
Amendment 113 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for sustained efforts in increasing transparency, accountability and inclusiveness of the decision-making process and improving interinstitutional coordination; Stresses citizens´ right to access public information and calls on further efforts to advance this; calls on further progress in digitalizing the availability of public information and encourages to find innovative e-solutions to further enhance transparency and easy access to public information;
Amendment 143 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for further improvements in the asylum system and migration management; encourages the country to step up regional cooperation and partnership with Frontex under a new status agreement with a view to dismantling human trafficking networks; acknowledges the efforts to address the challenges managing the European migration and refugee routes and encourages to further deepen this cooperation;
Amendment 178 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the substantial improvement in the operational environment for, and the consultations with, civil society organisations (CSOs) and stresses the need to enhance the legal, financial and policy framework, including through laws on foundations and donations and the structural involvement of CSOs;
Amendment 188 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines the crucial role of independent media for a democratic and enabling environment; Notes modest improvements in the media environment and conditions for independent reporting; calls for initiatives to create a climate that is favourable to investigative journalism; welcomes the termination of state- sponsored advertising in the media as an important measure to foster a level playing field in the sector and calls for further safeguards against politicisation of the media; stresses the need to strengthen the independence and capacity of the media regulator and the public service broadcaster; calls for measures to increase the protection of the labour and social rights of journalists that would also contribute minimizing the prevalent self- censorship among the journalists;
Amendment 193 #
2018/2145(INI)
27. Welcomes improvements in ensuring access to information; stresses the need to update regulations on media services and access to public information; stresses the need to effectively follow up on threats and intimidation against journalists; condemns any form of hate speech, inflammatory language and populist rhetoric; calls on effective measures to counter hate speech and violation of journalistic code of ethics online;
Amendment 200 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the government to make digitalisation as one of its crosscutting core priorities; urges to develop without further delay a long-term digital agenda, among others a e-governance strategy, ICT Strategy and a national Cyber Security Strategy; underlines that a comprehensive digital agenda will enhance the economic environment and performance, increase transparency and efficiency of the public administration and services;
Amendment 202 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Urges the government to tackle the long-term unemployment, youth unemployment and low participation rate of women on the employment market in a comprehensive and innovative manner; calls on urgent reforms in education to ensure that skills acquired match with the needs on the labour market and prevent the brain drain; encourages to come up with the digital skills strategy and to increase the digital literacy among the population;
Amendment 209 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls upon the authorities to focus on energy market reforms, while ensuring security of supply and diversification of energy sources; welcomes the adoption of the new Energy Law in May 2018, transposing the Third Energy Package and making it fully compatible with the Energy Community Treaty;
Amendment 52 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas Western democracies have become more protectionist and inward- looking, and are swinging to the extremes at a time when multilateral cooperation is the only way to respond to global challenges effectively; whereas this power vacuum is being filled by other powers such as China or Russiaundemocratic powers such as China or Russia are trying to fill this vacuum;
Amendment 92 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that no single EU Member State can respond effectively to today’s global challenges on its own; believes that, by pulling their weight together within the EU, the Member States can exert an influence on the world stage that they would not otherwise possess; is convinced that 28 Member States together, representing 500 million citizens, have more leverage in international negotiations and in setting international regulations and standards; believes, moreover, that under the protection of the EU, globalisation can represent an opportunity for EU citizens and not a threat and this needs to be clearly and positively communicated by the European and national leaders to address the existing fears among the citizens;
Amendment 102 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets the fact that the Member States all too often prioritise their national interests, regardless of the possible consequences at a European level, thereby undermining the EU’s credibility as a global player; calls for a greater division of responsibilities and enhanced coordination between the EU and its Member States; believes that good cooperation among the Member States is essential to safeguard our democracy, our common values, our freedom, and our social and environmental standards;
Amendment 232 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that investing in the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans means investing in the security and future of our Union; reiterates the indisputable European perspective for the countries in the Western Balkans; highlights that the enlargement process is merit-based and must depend on nothing other than the concrete results achieved by each individual country; reiterates the importance, throughout this process, of the rule of law, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, security and migration, socio-economic development, transport and energy connectivity and the digital agenda;
Amendment 284 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 e (new)
Paragraph 17 e (new)
17e. Emphasises that strengthening regional security in the Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to the interests of the EU and its Member States; stresses that all disputes should be settled through peaceful means based on international laws; takes note that official dialogue between China and Taiwan has been frozen over the past two years; encourages a quick resumption of bilateral talks to de-escalate tensions between the two sides and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; reiterates its firm support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, mechanisms and activities;
Amendment 307 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the steps taken to increase the EU’s military autonomy, namely the establishment of a European single command centre in Brussels for European military training missions, and removing obstacles to the deployment of EU Battlegroups; believes that the establishment of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) on defence projects and the coordinated review of national defence budgets will help the Member States to spend their defence budgets more effectively; welcomes commitment and political will to move forward with military mobility being a strategic tool to advance European strategic autonomy and to achieve the European level of ambition in defence and urges in this regard the Member States to move forward rapidly according to the set timeline;
Amendment 161 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas it is essential to ensure a level playing field for farmers in all Member States, fair standard of living across regions and Member States, affordable prices for citizens and consumers, and access to quality food and healthy diets, while delivering on the commitments for environmental care, climate action, and animal and plant health and welfare;
Amendment 183 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas there is a need for an updated and fairer system of payments, as in many Member States the currentthe system of entitlements is based in many Member States on historic benchmarksreferences, which are now almostnearly 20 years old and which constituteserve as an obstacle to generational renewal and hindeaccess for young farmers’ access to farm land, as given the fact that new entrants do not possess entitlements and are thus at a disadvantaged;
Amendment 365 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the intention to simplify and modernise the CAP, but emphasisunderlines that the integrity of the sSingle mMarket and a truly common and adequately financed by the EU policy must be the overriding priorities of reform;
Amendment 415 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that subsidiarity for Member States should only be granted within a common general set of rules and tools agreed at EU level as part of a uniform approach to all programming efforts and eligibility criteria, should cover both of the CAP’s pillars and ensure, in particular, a European approach in Pillar I without national co-financing and thus a level playing field;
Amendment 499 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to avoid renationalisation of CAP and grant more flexibility to Member States and regions within the framework of the agricultural de minimis rules ;
Amendment 535 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it necessary to maintain the current two-pillared architecture, particularly Pillar I, which is dedicated to income support for farmers; considers it necessary, at the same time, to compensate for the provision of public goods on the basis of uniformgeneral criteria, while allowing Member States to take specific approaches to reflect local conditions;
Amendment 553 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the current CAP architecture can only deliver its objectives if sufficiently funded; calls, therefore, for the CAP budget to be maintained in the nextonly if it remains a common, modern and well- funded EU policy which supports sustainable development of agriculture and is crucial for providing safe, high quality and diverse food, jobs and growth in rural areas; which contributes to further levelling of developmental gaps in agriculture and rural areas and which reflects social and economic cohesion in its financial and programming dimension as well as proposed instruments and thus calls for maintaining the CAP budget in the post-2020 MFF at at least athe current levels in order to achieve the ambitions of a revised and efficient CAP beyondafter 2020;
Amendment 619 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that more targeted support for family farms is necessary and that this can be achieved by introducing a compulsory higher support rate for small farms; considers, moreover, that and, at the same time and reflecting economies of scale considering different agricultural structures, support for larger farms should be digressive, reflecting economies of scale, with the possibility for capping to be decided by the Member States;
Amendment 673 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls forStresses that the existing system for calculating direct payments in Pillar I, which is often based on historic entitlements, to and not most recent data, should be replaced by an EU-wide uniform method of calculating payments, in order to based on support paid per hectare, in order to ensure a level playing field for farmers in all Member States and make the system simpler and more transparent;
Amendment 708 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Is certain that both the Basic Payment Scheme(BPS) and the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) should continue to apply and all Member States should be allowed to choose between them;
Amendment 740 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need for a fair and equal distribution of direct payments between Member States, which must take into account socio-economic differences, different production costs and the amounts received by Member States under Pillar II;
Amendment 761 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Amendment 764 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Underlines that all EU farmers have to meet the same standards and requirements and are facing the same challenges;
Amendment 780 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that, provided that a level playing field in the single market can be guaranteed, voluntary coupled support (VCS) payments should be maintained, and used as a tool to address needs of sensitive sectors and in a wider scope to address specific objectives related to environment, climate or quality and marketing of agricultural products, counteract specific difficulties, particularly those arising from the structural competitive disadvantage of less- favoured and mountainous regions, as well as those which are more temporary in nature and arise from a shift away from the old entitlement scheme, for example;
Amendment 795 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. In case of direct payments related to voluntary coupled support (VCS), more support should be given to small and medium-sized farms, and socio-economic considerations, that could be used in addition to statistical production figures, need to be taken into account;
Amendment 822 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that generational renewal is a challenge faced by farmers in many Member States and that consequently each nNational sStrategy must therefore address this issue through a comprehensive approach, including top-ups in Pillar I1 and targeted measures in Pillar II, as well as by means of new financial instruments and national measures, in ordernd also via national measures and wider use of new financial instruments as a tool to grant access to capital in the circumstances of limited resources, to incentivise famers to pass on their farming operations;
Amendment 857 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the investment support(non-repayable) should primarily be used in areas of EU-level added value;
Amendment 878 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the importance of rural development, including the LEADER initiative, in, to improve the synergy of different policies and to enhance competitiveness, promotes effective and sustainable economies and enhances development of rural areas, to supporting multi-functional agriculture and in fostering additional entrepreneurial activities and opportunities, in order to generate income from agri-tourism, and to secure community-supported agricultureby financially strengthening Pillar II, thus increasing potential to generate income, to tackle depopulation, unemployment, poverty and theo provision of social services in rural areasmote social inclusion;
Amendment 940 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to introduce a new and comprehensive legal framework which allows the integration of the various types of environmental actions at present, such as cross compliance, greening and the good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC) standards, as well as agri-environment measures (AEMs) for rural development, so that farmers can deliver effectively and with less bureaucracy on environmental care, biodiversity and climate action, receiving equal awards for provision of comparable services of public interest, while ensuring that Member States have adequate control and taking into account local conditions;
Amendment 1165 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Insists on the necessity tof strengthening the position of the producers within the food supply chain, in particular by guaranteeing them a fair share of the added value, by fostering inter-sectoral cooperation, and strengthencombating unfair trade practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain as a minimum by introducing EU legislative document as well as promoting transparency in the markets and crisis preventiontackling crises;
Amendment 1207 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to allow and indeed encourage – particularly in the dairy sector –Underlines the importance of new Omnibus regulation to encourage active crisis management instruments, such as voluntary sector agreements to manage supply in quantitative terms among producers, producers organisations and processors, and to examine the possibility of extending such instruments to other sectors;
Amendment 1252 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Believes that the compliance of farming in partner states with good and sustainable farming practices, climate measures and other means to minimise environmental impact of farming, which are applied in the EU, shall become an obligatory threshold for allowing access of goods manufactured in the third states to enter the EU market;
Amendment 5 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 22 November 2012 on Cyber Security and Defence (2012/2096(INI)),
Amendment 7 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas cyber and hybrid challenges, threats and attacks constitute a major threat to the security, defence, stability and competitiveness of the EU, its Member States and its citizens; whereas cyber defence clearly incorporates both military and civilian dimensions;
Amendment 8 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas the EU and the Member States face an unprecedented threat in the form of politically motivated state- sponsored cyber-attacks as well as cyber- crime and terrorism;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas cyber space is widely recognized as the 5th operational domain by the military enabling the development of cyber defence capabilities; whereas debates are held whether to recognize cyber space as the 5th domain of warfare;
Amendment 10 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A c (new)
Recital -A c (new)
-Ac. whereas the mutual defence clause, article 42(7) of the TEU provides a mutual obligation of aid and assistance by all means of power in case of an armed aggression on a territory of a Member State; whereas this shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States; whereas the solidarity clause, article 222 of the TFEU, complements the mutual defence clause providing that EU countries are obliged to act jointly where an EU country is the victim of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster; whereas the solidarity clause implies the use of both civilian and military structures;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A d (new)
Recital -A d (new)
-Ad. whereas while cyber defence remains a core competence of the Member States, the EU has a crucial role to play in providing a platform for European cooperation and in ensuring that these new endeavours are closely coordinated from the start to avoid the inefficiencies that mark many traditional defence efforts;
Amendment 39 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
Amendment 100 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas different state actors – Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, among others – have been involved in malicious cyber activities in pursuit of political, economic or security objectives that include attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber-espionage, disinformation campaigns and limiting access to the internet (such as Wannacry, NonPetya); whereas such activities could constitute wrongful acts under international law and could lead to a joint EU response, such as using the EU cyber diplomacy toolbox;
Amendment 107 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Underlines that common cyber defence policy and substantial cyber defence capability should constitute one of the cores of the development of the European Defence Union;
Amendment 109 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Recalls that cyber defence has both military and civilian dimensions and that this requires an integrated policy approach and close cooperation between military and civilian stakeholders;
Amendment 110 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 b (new)
Paragraph -1 b (new)
-1b. Strongly emphasises that, in the framework of the emerging European Defence Union, cyber defence capabilities of Member States should be closely integrated from the start to ensure maximum efficiency; urges, therefore, the Member States to cooperate closely in the development of their respective cyber commands;
Amendment 111 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 c (new)
Paragraph -1 c (new)
-1c. Recognises that many Member States consider possession of their own cyber defence capabilities to be at the core of their national security strategy and to constitute an essential part of their national sovereignty; stresses, however, that – as with other military branches, and also owing to the borderless nature of cyberspace – the scale required for truly comprehensive and effective forces is beyond the reach of any single Member State and therefore efforts to pursue a common cyber defence policy should be intensified;
Amendment 112 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 d (new)
Paragraph -1 d (new)
-1d. Calls on working towards coherent development of cyber capacities across all EU institutions and bodies, as well as in Member States and on providing needed political and practical solutions to overcome the remaining political, legislative and organisational obstacles for the cooperation on cyber defence; finds regular and enhanced exchange and cooperation between relevant public stakeholders on EU and national level in cyber defence crucial;
Amendment 124 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 139 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 178 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that streamlined EU cyber- defence education and training landscape would significantly mitigate threats and calls on the EU and Member States to increase their cooperation in education, training and exercises;
Amendment 185 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Strongly supports the Military Erasmus initiative aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces of the Member States through an increased exchange of young officers; stresses that there is a need for more experts in the cyber defence domain; calls on the military academies to pay more attention to, and create more possibilities in, the field of cyber defence education;
Amendment 189 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that there is a need for more experts in the cyber defence domain; calls on Member States to facilitate cooperation between military and non-military academia to bridge this gap and provide for integrated higher cyber education; calls on the military academies to integrate cyber defence education into their curricula;
Amendment 210 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Reminds that resilient cyber space requires impeccable cyber hygiene; calls on all public and private stakeholders to conduct regular cyber hygiene trainings for all members of their staff;
Amendment 213 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Reiterates that, on the basis of their common values and strategic interests, the EU and NATO have a special responsibility and capacity to address the increasing cyber security and cyber defence challenges more efficiently and in close cooperation by looking for possible complementarities, without duplication and with respect for their respective responsibilities;
Amendment 242 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Emphasises the need to mainstream cyber defence into external action and common foreign and security policy, and calls for closer coordination on cyber defence between the Member States, the EU institutions, NATO, the United States and other credible partners;
Amendment 243 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls on a clear proactive approach towards cyber security and cyber defence and the strengthening of the EU’s cyber diplomacy capacity and instruments across the board, so that they can effectively reinforce the EU’s norms and values, as well as help the parties concerned to reach consensus on rules, norms and enforcement measures in cyberspace globally;
Amendment 248 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Regrets that, after several months of negotiations, the UN Group of Governmental Experts failed to adopt a consensus report; recalls, however, that international law applies to cyberspace and that the 2013 and 2015 UNGGE reports still provide relevant guidelines, in particular as regards the prohibition for states to conduct or knowingly support cyber activities contrary to their obligations under international rules; calls on the EU to assume a leading role in the ongoing and future debates on international norms in cyberspace;
Amendment 273 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 286 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on all stakeholders to reinforce knowledge transfer partnerships, implement appropriate business models and develop trust between companies and defence and civilian end-users, as well as to improve the transfer of academic knowledge into practical solutions, in order to create synergies and port solutions between the civilian and military markets – in essence a European single market for cybersecurity;
Amendment 294 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recalls the importance of R&D, in particular in the light of the high-level security requirements in the defence market; urges the EU and the Member States to give more practical support to the EU cyber-security industry and reduce bureaucratic burdens , in particular for SMEs and start-ups (key sources of innovative solutions in the area of cyber defence), and to promote closer cooperation with university research organisations and large players with a view to reducing dependencies on cyber security products form external sources and to creating a strategic supply chain inside the EU; notes, in this context, the valuable contribution that can be made by the future EDF and other instruments under the MFF;
Amendment 302 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the protection of civilian critical infrastructure assets is becoming a vital defence task that should form part of the remit of national cyber commands; stresses that this will require a level of trust, and the closest possible cooperation, between military actors and the affected industries, and urges all stakeholders to take this into account in their planning processes;
Amendment 320 #
2018/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 17 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) In order to achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and to stimulate job creation and to guarantee the security of its citizens and territory, the Union needs an up-to-date, resilient and high-performance infrastructure to help connect and integrate the Union and all its regions, in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors. Those connections should help to improve the free movement of persons, goods, capital and services. The trans-European networks should facilitate cross-border connections, foster greater economic, social and territorial cohesion, foster military mobility and contribute to a more competitive social market economy and to combating climate change.
Amendment 27 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In order to achieve the objectives laid down in the TEN-T guidelines, it is necessary to support with priority the cross-border links and the missing links and to ensure, where applicable, that the supported actions are consistent with the corridor work plans established pursuant to Article 47 of Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 and, to the overall network development regarding performance and interoperability and enabling dual use of infrastructure by integrating the military mobility needs into the TEN-T networks.
Amendment 31 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Following the Joint Communication on improving military mobility in the European Union of November 20179 , the Action Plan on Military Mobility adopted on 28 March 2018 by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy10 highlighted that transport infrastructure policy offers a clear opportunity to increase synergies between defence needs and TEN- T, with the overall view of protecting and defending citizens and Member States territory, meaning improving mobility and military mobility across the Union and by that enhancing the EU's preparedness and increasing the EU's deterrence posture in the face of potential adversaries and crisis situations with the strategic aim of contributing to achieving the EU level of ambition in defence and security policy. By means of the Action Plan on Military Mobility, military mobility will be facilitated through concrete measures in a number of areas, in close cooperation and coordination between relevant institutions. The Member States should take the lead in coordinating the efforts to ensure full complementarity, especially vis-à-vis relevant actors, such as NATO, and in coordination with efforts under the Permanent Structured Cooperation. The Action Plan indicates that by mid- 2018, the Council is invited to consider and validate the military requirements in relation to transport infrastructure and that, by 2019 the Commission services will identify the parts of the trans-European transport network suitable for military transport, including necessary upgrades of existing infrastructure and bridging the gap for existing, but not yet constructed infrastructure projects. Union funding for the implementation of the dual-use projects should be implemented through the Programme on the basis of specific work programmes specifying the applicable requirements as defined in the context of the Action Plan. __________________ 9 JOIN(2017) 41 10 JOIN(2018) 5
Amendment 37 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The achievement of the digital single market relies on the underlying digital connectivity infrastructure. The digitalisation of European industry and the modernisation of sectors like such as transport, energy, healthcare, security, defence and public administration depend on universal access to reliable, affordable, resilient, high and very high capacity networks. Digital connectivity has become one of the decisive factors to close economic, social and territorial divides, supporting the modernisation of local economies and underpinning the diversification of economic activities. The scope of intervention of the Programme in the area of digital connectivity infrastructure should be adjusted to reflect its increasing importance for the economy and the society at large. Therefore, it is necessary to set out the digital connectivity infrastructure projects of common interest needed to meet Union's digital single market objectives, and to repeal Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council14 __________________ 14 Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on guidelines for trans- European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1336/97/EC (OJ L 86, 21.3.2014, p. 14).
Amendment 42 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) The Union should seek coherence and synergies with the Union programmes for external policies, including pre- accession assistance following the engagements taken in the context of the Communication "A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans"23. __________________ 23 and the future Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument. __________________ 23 COM(2018) 65 COM(2018) 65
Amendment 60 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6a Integration of military mobility needs into the TEN-T networks Proposals including only actions connected with military mobility shall be eligible in case of adding to an existing civil infrastructure, and bridging the gap for existing, but not yet constructed infrastructure projects.
Amendment 113 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. As regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund, 350% of these amounts shall be made available immediately to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation, with priority to cross-border and missing links. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 750% of the resources transferred. As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the Programme which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation.
Amendment 141 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii): actions, or specific activities within an action, supporting new and existing transport infrastructure on the TEN-T Network in order to adapt it to military mobility requirements with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual-use of the infrastructure.
Amendment 167 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for works relating to the specific objectives referred to in Article 3 (2) (a), the amount of Union financial assistance shall not exceed 30 % of the total eligible cost. The co-financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 650 % for actions relating to cross-border links under the conditions specified in point (c) of this paragraph, for actions supporting telematic applications systems, for actions supporting new technologies and innovation, for actions supporting improvements of infrastructure safety in line with relevant Union legislation and for actions located in outermost regions. The co-funding rates may be increased to a maximum of 65% for the specific objective referred to in Article 3 (2) (a) (ii) in case of Member States benefitting from the transfer from the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 184 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. The grant agreement may be terminated on the basis of the grounds specified in paragraph 1. In such case, the Commission will make the unused funds available to other projects without delay.
Amendment 191 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to improve the completion of transport projects in less developed parts of the network, a Cohesion Fund allocation should be transferred to the Programme to finance transport projects in the Member States eligible for financing from the Cohesion Fund. In an initial phase and within a limit of 750% of the transferred envelope, the selection of projects eligible for financing should respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund. The remaining 350% of the transferred envelope should be allocated on a competitive basis to projects located in the Member States eligible for financing from the Cohesion Fund with priority to cross-border links and missing links. The Commission should support Member States eligible for financing from the Cohesion Fund in their efforts to develop an appropriate pipeline of projects, in particular by strengthening the institutional capacity of the public administrations concerned.
Amendment 197 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) Implementation period of many large-scale cross-border projects with the high EU added value, which are selected in the previous CEF calls, goes much beyond one MFF planning period. These large projects need a guarantee that they, once works are started, will be carried through and finished. In order to ensure that ongoing projects are fully and consistently implemented, the same co- financing rates should be maintained as under previous financial period CEF.
Amendment 569 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. As regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund, 350% of these amounts shall be made available immediately to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation, with priority to cross-border and missing links. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 7050 % of the resources transferred. As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the Programme which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with this Regulation.
Amendment 612 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6a Integration of military mobility needs into the TEN-T networks 1. Projects of common interest shall contribute to the integration of military mobility needs into the TEN-T networks as defined by Regulation 1315/2013, with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual use of infrastructure, in accordance with the military-civilian dual-use requirements identified in the work programmes referred to in Article 19. 2. New and existing TEN-T infrastructure can be adapted to military needs through supporting the proposals on actions, or specific activities within an action. Such actions shall contribute to the implementation of the dual-use requirements and shall in particular focus (1) on the integration of multimodal nodes, like ports, airports and rail-road terminals, (2) on the deployment of interoperable railroads, in particular port- hinterland connections and the ensuing Core network corridors, and (3) on the upgrading or replacement of specific road infrastructures, such as bridges and tunnels. 3. All actions integrating the military mobility needs shall be financed from the funds provided in Article 4 (2)(a)(iii).
Amendment 776 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii): actions, or specific activities within an action, supporting new and existing transport infrastructure on the TEN-T Network in order to adapt it to military mobility requirements with the purpose of enabling a civilian-military dual-use of the infrastructure.
Amendment 939 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) as regards the amounts transferred from the Cohesion Fund as well as for works relating to the specific objective referred to in Article 3 (2) (a) (ii), the maximum co- financing rates shall be those applicable to the Cohesion Fund as referred to in the Regulation (EU) XXX [CPR]. These co- financing rates may be increased to a maximum of 85% for actions relating to cross-border links and missing links under the conditions specified in point (c) of this paragraph;
Amendment 978 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) expenditure related to the purchase of land shall not be an eligible cost;, except for funds transferred from the Cohesion Fund in the transport sector in accordance with a Regulation (EU) XXX [CPR].
Amendment 981 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) eligible costs shall not include value added tax ("VAT") .
Amendment 987 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) expenditure related to military requirements shall be eligible from the action eligibility start date regardless of the date of entry into force of the delegated acts referred to in Article 6 (a) (3).
Amendment 1004 #
2018/0228(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. The grant agreement may be terminated on the basis of the grounds specified in paragraph 1. In such case, the Commission shall make the unused funds available to other projects without delay, giving priority to the projects of common interest on the core network corridors of greater maturity. The Commission shall strive to leave sufficient time for the implementation of projects using reallocated resources.
Amendment 88 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The transnational cooperation and maritime cooperation component should aim to strengthen cooperation by means of actions conducive to integrated territorial development linked to the Union's cohesion policy priorities, and should also include maritime cross-border cooperation. Transnational cooperation should cover larger territories on the mainland of the Union, whereas maritime cooperation should cover territories around sea-basins and integrate cross-border cooperation on maritime borders during the programming period 2014-2020that extend geographically beyond those covered by cross-border programmes. Maximum flexibility shouldmay be given to continue implementing previous maritime cross- border cooperation within a larger maritime cooperation framework, in particular by defining the territory covered, the specific objectives for such cooperation, the requirements for a project partnership and the setting-up of sub- programmes and specific steering committees.
Amendment 94 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Based on the positive experience with the interregional cooperation programmes under Interreg, on the one hand, and the lack of such cooperation within programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal during the programming period 2014-2020, theon the other, interregional cooperation component should focus more specifically on boosting the effectiveness of cohesion policy. That component should therefore be limited to two programmes, one to enable all kind of experience, innovative approaches and capacity building foramong cities and regions is an important component with a view to finding common solutions in the cohesion policy field and building lasting partnerships. Existing programmes uander both goals and to, in particular, promotion of project-based cooperation, including promoteing European groupings of territorial cooperation ('‘EGTCs') set up or to be set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 and one to improve the analysis of development trends. Project-based cooperation throughout the Union should be integrated into the new component on interregional innovation investments and closely linked to the implementation of the Communication from the Commission 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth'25 , in particular to support thematic smart specialisation platforms on fields such as energy, industrial modernisation or agrifood. Finally, integrated territorial development focusing on functional urban areas or urban areas should be concentrated within programmes’), should therefore be continued. Through early measures for regional networking and coordination ahead of the programming process, support should be provided for interregional cooperation under the ‘Investment for jobs and growth’ goal and in one accompanying instrument, the ‘European Urban Initiative”. The two programmes under the interregional cooperation component should cover the whole Union and should also be open for the participation of third countries. _________________ 24 European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperRegulation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19). 25 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth' - COM(2017) 376 final, 18.7.2017.No 1082/2006 of the
Amendment 198 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iii a) exchange of experience concerning the identification, transfer and dissemination of good practices in relation to sustainable urban development, including urban-rural linkages between partners throughout the Union;
Amendment 262 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Amendment 276 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF resources for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall amount to EUR 8 430 000 000for components 1 to 4 referred to in Article 3 to 3 % (i.e. a total of EUR xx xxxxxx xxx) of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the ERDF, ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund for the 2021- 2027 programming period and set out in Article [1023(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
Amendment 404 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. An additionalUp to 15 % of the ERDF and, where applicable, of the external financing instruments of the Union allocations under priorities other than for technical assistance to each Interreg programme under components 1, 2 and 3, shallmay be allocated on the Interreg-specific objective of 'a better Interreg governance' or, where applicable, on the external Interreg- specific objective of 'a safer and more secure Europe'.
Amendment 418 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall be implemented through Interreg programmes under shared management with the exception of component 3, which may be implemented as a whole or partially under indirect management, and of component 5 which shall be implemented under direct or indirect management.
Amendment 465 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State hostingOn the basis of the monitoring committee decision the managing authority mayshall submit a motivated request for an amendment of an Interreg programme together with the amended programme, setting out the expected impact of that amendment on the achievement of the objectives.
Amendment 479 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The Member Stamonitoring committee may decide to transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 5% of the initial allocation of a priority and no more than 3% of the programme budget to another priority of the same Interreg programme.
Amendment 482 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Where all or part of an operation is implemented outside the programme area [inside or outside the Union], the selection of that operation shall require the explicit approval by the managing authority in the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee.
Amendment 486 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Amendment 495 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point e
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point e
Amendment 525 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The beneficiary of a small project fund shall be a cross-border legal body or an EGTC, a Euroregion, an EGTC or managing authority or existing institution in one country in accordance with agreement between countries or regions participating in the programme.
Amendment 553 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 555 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 557 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3
Article 27 – paragraph 3
Amendment 566 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The composition of the monitoring committee of each Interreg programme shall be agreed by the Member States and, where applicable, by the third countries, partner countries and OCTs participating in that programme and shall ensure a balanced representation of the relevant authorities, intermediate bodies and representatives of the programme partners referred to in Article [6] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] from Member States, third countries, partner countries and OCTs.
Amendment 574 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the methodology and criteria used for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto, after consultation with the Commission pursuant to Article 22(2), without prejudice to [points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 27(3)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR];
Amendment 577 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) the MC shall approve the document setting out the conditions for support to small project fund set up according to Article 24 (3);
Amendment 578 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Project application and implementation rules of the programme;
Amendment 579 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30
Article 30
Amendment 588 #
2018/0199(COD)
Each managing authority shall electronically transmit to the Commission cumulative data for the respective Interreg programme by 31 January, 31 March, 31 May, 31 July, 30 Septembery and 30 NovemOctober of each year in accordance with the template in Annex [VII] to Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
Amendment 610 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6
Article 35 – paragraph 6
6. Where the beneficiary does not comply with its obligations under Article [42] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] or paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Member Statemanaging authority shall apply a financial correction by cancelling up to 5% of the support from the Funds to the operation concernedconcerned activity of operation.
Amendment 614 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
However, where an Interreg programme selects operations based on calls for proposals, those additional rules shall be adopted before the firsteach call for proposals is published. In all other cases, those additional rules shall be adopted before the first operations are selected.
Amendment 681 #
Amendment 688 #
Amendment 696 #
Amendment 704 #
Amendment 711 #
Amendment 718 #
2018/0199(COD)
(f a) 2027: 1%
Amendment 719 #
Amendment 767 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 61
Article 61
Amendment 22 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned, however, about a variety of othersome findings, including the lack of political guidance and overarching vision, inconsistent implementation of EU values and partnership principles, the absence ofdeficiency in evaluation mechanisms and the lack of flexibility;
Amendment 29 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned that the EU and its instruments face significant challenges, including political trade-offs between the promotion of values and rights and short- term security interests, as well as numerous violent global conflicts and a decline in trans- Atlantic consensusround the world;
Amendment 76 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the needs for conflict prevention and to addressing security challenges have increased drastically in the recent perioddrastically increased in the recent period and therefore presuppose an instrument that can promptly act in the context of crises and conflicts;
Amendment 83 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the added value of the worldwide holistic approach of the EIDHR, despite its relatively small budget, and the importance of civil society organisations in achieving its objective;
Amendment 84 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that during the current period the EIDHR has been used more flexibly and within a more compleimentarityy manner than in the previous period, highlights that the call for proposals process is long, inconvenient and over-competitive; welcomes its complementarity with funding from other sources, such as the European Endowment for Democracy which enhances the effectiveness of EIDHR’s funding in urgent cases;
Amendment 92 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that the PI has been designedis specifically intended to pursue thematic EU and mutual interests with third countries as to build alliances and foster cooperation with current and emerging strategic partners;
Amendment 122 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recommends a stronger emphasis on democratisation, public administration reform, strengthening the rule of law and improving respect for universal human rights, thereby assisting in a complementary manner to achieve the EU´s enlargement policy;
Amendment 128 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recommends enabling the transfer of funds to civil society when state authorities are unwilling to meet the EU’s stated objectives and calls upon the Commission to suspend funding for countries not fulfilling the basic Copenhagen criteriatrongly take into account a country´s progress towards the basic Copenhagen criteria when deciding to suspend funds;
Amendment 130 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Insists on strong ownership of the beneficiaries from programming to monitoring and auditing; calls on the European Commission to provide targeted assistance to national audit authorities in terms of methodology, planning, recruitment training and supervision;
Amendment 131 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Regrets the lack of transparency regarding the absorption capacity of these funds;
Amendment 132 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Paragraph 22 c (new)
22 c. Calls for increased visibility of the IPA II in the region considering the crucial importance of the enlargement policy for the EU;
Amendment 144 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the need to take into account the linkinterconnection between stabilisation, conflict prevention, respect for human rights and socio- economic development; the importance of an incentive-based mechanism that supports tailor-made political and economic reforms where most needed, and the ability to respond more rapidly to challenges;
Amendment 152 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Calls for effective monitoring of ENI at instrument level;
Amendment 171 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Welcomes the Commission´s initiative to allow EU support of military actors under certain circumstances, and calls for a more long-term approach;
Amendment 176 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates the importance of supporting and promoting democracy and human rights in third countries, including the protection of human rights defenders;
Amendment 179 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Reiterates that the EIDHR should not merelyhave its scope limited or be used as an instrument merely to fill gaps left by other instruments, but that the targeted promotion of democracy and human rights should be a clear and strategic goal in itself;
Amendment 183 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recommends increased strategic planning in conjunction with political guidance from EU authorities and coherence with the other instruments, especially in countries experiencing a decline in human rights and democratic standards, and to counter the global trends of illiberalauthoritarianism;
Amendment 239 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Stresses that a single instrument cannot exist without the inclusion of clear and dedicated envelopes for the various goals, objectives and priorities of EU external action, including democracy, human rights, the rule of law, support to civil society, conflict resolution, fragiCalls for a streamlining of the EFIs, for example by merging all existing thematic instruments within the Foreign Affairs Committee’s remit (IcSP, PI and the EIDHR) into one single instrument; suggests that such a merger could include the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the budgetised European Development Fund (EDF) without the African Peace Facility (APF), subject to the agreement of the Committee on Development as the committee responsible; states, development policy, economic and social development, and support to countries in various resses, however, that safeguarding the independence of IPA II and ENI, is the best way to enact the EU´s Neighbourhood and Enlargement policies and influence our closesta ges of EU accessionographical and strategic partners;
Amendment 249 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Insists that any merger must be conditional on the new thematic instrument being policy driven and the predictability of long-term funding of all programmes being ensured to the greatest extent possible, while introducing a large amount of flexibility; considers, in addition, that the simplified structure calls for proper checks and balances and sufficient transparency, including enhanced strategic policy input and scrutiny of implementation by Parliament; calls for the inclusion of clear and dedicated envelopes for the various goals and objectives of EU external action, including the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, support to civil society, conflict resolution, fragile states, development policy, economic and social development;
Amendment 254 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls for the establishmentsetting up of solid and, consistent evaluation and monitoring procedures that are able to provide qualitative and quantitative evaluation analysis and to track progress in achieving set objectives by means of EU funding;
Amendment 268 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Underlines the importance of increasing the visibility and raising awareness of the EU external action - including through the utilisation of the EU’s Strategic Communication Task Force - and influence around the world; calls this to be seen as a policy objective, therefore stresses the imminent need for country- and/or region-specific strategic communication in the EU delegations and significantly increased coordination and information sharing between EU delegations and Member States;
Amendment 273 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Underlines the importance of the more-for-more and conditionality principles; considers that stronger conditionality mechanisms should be set up under which direct budget support to state authorities andor government bodies can be suspended or when possible re-targeted to civil society in cases where such institutions do not adhere to or comply with meeting the objectives of the dispersed funding, or are violateing the rule of law and human rights;
Amendment 61 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the EU-US relationship is the fundamental guarantor for global stability and has been the cornerstone of our efforts to ensure peace and stability for our societies since the end of the Second World War, and stronger multilateral economic cooperation and trade; believes that the ‘America first’ policy will harm the interests of both the EU and the US; stresses that protectionism should be avoided in the interest of all parties;
Amendment 74 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned about the diverging views on addressing global issues and regional conflicts that have appeared since the election of President Trump; seeks clarity as to whether the transatlantic relationbelieves that despite recent differences, the EU’s partnership, which was defined over decades, still has the same relevance todayith the U.S. is today as relevant as ever; stresses that the values- based overarching framework of our partnership is essential to securing the architecture of the global economy and security;
Amendment 128 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the ongoing and uninterrupted work of the TLD in fostering EU-US relations through parliamentary dialogue and coordination on issues of specific common interest, such as trade, security, economic and cultural issues; calls furthermore for a continued intensification of the dialogue and a strengthening of the transatlantic cooperation;
Amendment 133 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that both in the EU and the US, our societies are strong because they are built on a plurality of actors, including among others our governments, parliaments, various political institutions, civil society organisations, media and religious groups; highlights that we should foster links across the Atlantic to promote the merits of our transatlantic partnership, including by allocating appropriate funding, at different levels and not only focusing on the East and West Coasts;
Amendment 182 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. States that NATO is still the main guarantor for the collective defence of Europe; Welcomes the re-affirmation of US commitment to NATO and European security and underlines that deepening the EU-NATO cooperation also reinforces the transatlantic partnership;
Amendment 186 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of cooperation, coordination and synergy effects in the field of security and defence and insists that burden sharing should not be solely focused on the target of spending 2 % of GDP on defence; state, at the same time reminds thate NATO is still crucial for the collective defence of EuropeEU Member States that they have committed to the 2% target and should comply with it;
Amendment 210 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the EU to strengthen and speed up the European Defence Union with a view to creating more synergies in defence spending; insists that more defence cooperation at EU level strengthens the European contribution within the NATO alliance and reinforces our transatlantic bond; supports, therefore, the recent efforts to step up the European defence architecture, including the European Defence Fund and the newly established Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as well as expanding efforts of common European Defence Research in close cooperation with non-EU members of NATO;
Amendment 284 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the EU and the US to play a more active and effective role in the resolution of the conflict on Ukraine’s territory and to support all efforts for a lasting peaceful solution which unconditionally respects the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and foresees the return of Crimean Peninsula to Ukraine;
Amendment 301 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls that the EU is determined to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran as a key pillar of the international non-proliferation architecture, with relevance also for the North Korean question, and as aone of the crucial elements for the security and stability of the region; reiterates the need to address clearly and more critically Iranian activities related to ballistic missiles, including forceful development of ballistic missiles programme and regional de-stability, especially Iran´s involvement in various conflicts in the region, among others in Syria, in Yemen, Iran´s support to terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas and the situation of human and minority rights in Iran that are separate from the JCPOA, in theall relevant formats and forums; stresses that transatlantic cooperation in addressing this issue is key; criticises strongly President Trump's decision to leave the JCPOA unilaterally and to put extraterritorial measures on EU companies which are active in Iran;
Amendment 307 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls that the EU is determined to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran as a key pillar of the international non-proliferation architecture, with relevance also for the North Korean question, and as a crucial element for the security and stability of the region; reiterates the need to address more critically Iranian destabilising activities related to ballistic missiles and regional stability, including support for terror groups like Hezbollah, that are separate from the JCPOA, in the relevant formats and forums; stresses that transatlantic cooperation in addressing this issue is key; criticises strongly President Trump's decision to leave the JCPOA unilaterally and to put extraterritorial measures on EU companies which are active in Iran;
Amendment 333 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for enhanced cooperation between the EU and the US on the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts and the proxy war in Syria as the lack of a common strategy could undermine the peaceful resolution of conflicts and invites all parties involved to refrain from actions that might aggravate the situation; reaffirms the primacy of the UN-led Geneva process in the resolution of the Syrian conflict, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, negotiated by the parties to the conflict and with the support of key international and regional actors; calls for the full implementation and respect of the UN Security Council Resolutions which are being violated by the countries of the Astana negotiations; calls for joint efforts for independent, impartial, thorough and credible investigations and prosecutions of those responsible and to support the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) on international crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2012;
Amendment 345 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates that we have sharedcommon interests in Africa where we must coordinate and intensify our support for good governance, democracy, human rights and security issueefforts regarding stable good governance with respect of democracy, economy with respect to internationally agreed standards for sustainability and the protection of the environment as well as regarding human rights and security issues on local, regional, and multinational levels;
Amendment 353 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates that we have shared interests in Africa where we must intensify our support for good governance, sustainable development, democracy, human rights and security issues;
Amendment 77 #
2017/2123(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights that the Commission and an increasing number of Member States have committed themselves to launching the European Defence Union; underlines that this corresponds to Parliament’s long- standing demand and to numerous appeals expressed in its previous resolutions; urges the Member States in order to meet the ambition of the common and autonomous European defence, to increase their national defence budgets to at least 2% of the GDP;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that Member States must change their mentality from a national to a European perspective, as the most effective solution to protect Europe from increased threats is common EU action; is concerned about the EU’s security architecture, which remains fragile and fragmented in the face of continued and fresh challenges every day and in which a ‘hybrid peace’ has become an unsatisfactory reality; urges the Member States to take action and fulfil the wishes of those European citizens who have repeatedly stressed that EU foreign and security policy is the most important and most necessary of all EU policies;
Amendment 107 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines the need to intensify the fight against Islamist terrorism in the Southern neighbourhood and among the neighbours of our neighbours; urges the need for concerted diplomatic efforts on the part of the EU, the US and other international allies, to convince players in the region, such as Turkey, the Gulf states and Iran, of the need for a common strategy to address this global challenge; believes that these diplomatic efforts should be accompanied by the wide range of other tools and instruments at the EU’s disposal;
Amendment 117 #
2017/2121(INI)
7. Stresses that a sustainable political solution to the Syrian crisis needs to be based on an inclusive, Syrian-led political settlement involving all relevant national and international stakeholders; supports the call of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria on the ceasefire guarantor states to undertake urgent efforts to uphold the ceasefire regime; calls on all parties involved, inside and outside Libya, to support both the Libyan political agreement signed on 17 December 2015 and its resulting Presidential Council, which is the only authority recognised bystresses that all those responsible for breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights law must be held accountable and reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to explore, in close coordination with like- minded countries, the creation of a Syria war crimes tribunal, pending a successful referral to the iInternational community and by the UN; underlines that solving the Libyan crisis is a prerequisite for stability in the MediterraneanCriminal Court; stresses the need for the EU to demonstrate full commitment in assisting the reconstruction of the Syrian state after the conflict;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on all parties involved, inside and outside Libya, to support both the Libyan political agreement signed on 17 December 2015 and its resulting Presidential Council, which is the only authority recognised by the international community and by the UN; underlines that solving the Libyan crisis is a prerequisite for stability in the Mediterranean;
Amendment 160 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly believes that a new approach to the EU’s relations with its Eastern neighbours is needed; believes that supporting those countries that wish to have closer ties to the EU must be a top priority for EU foreign policy; welcomes the prolongation of sanctions against Russia and continues to see full implementation of the Minsk agreements as the basis for a sustainable political solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine; reiterates its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders; stresses that Russia’s decision of 21 March 2014 to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation remains illegal, and deplores the subsequent decision of the Russian authorities to give all inhabitants of Crimea Russian passports;
Amendment 170 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the prolongation of sanctions and calls on the EU to seriously consider to adopt further sanctions, including targeted personal sanctions against Russia and continues to see full implementation of the Minsk agreements as the basis for a sustainable political solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine; reiterates its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders; stresses that Russia’s decision of 21 March 2014 to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation remains illegal, and deplores the subsequent decision of the Russian authorities to give all inhabitants of Crimea Russian passports;
Amendment 205 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates the need for a strategic refocus on the Western Balkans, giving a fresh impetus to EU enlargement policy, also by reconfirming the commitment to enlargement perspective, and strengthening the rule of law and the resilience of state institutions; is convinced that regional reconciliation and integration through the transatlantic institutional architecture is the best means to address the dangers stemming from destabilising foreign interference, organised crime, disinformation and hybrid threats;
Amendment 258 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to adopt an EU comprehensive approach at every relevant opportunity, and believes that coherent, coordinated action across EU polices, in particular in the areas of humanitarian aid, development, trade, energy, climate and science, cyber security and cyber defence, should be applied in the EU’s external action in a consistent and structured manner; believes that energy security and climate diplomacy remain important aspects of the EU’s common foreign and security policy to be addressed as part of the comprehensive approach, and that the Energy Union should be further advanced;
Amendment 287 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is of the view that Europe’s power lies in its ability to build a community of values and culture that binds together all Europeans; believes in that context that the EU plays a major role as a promoter of democracy and human rights and should continue to promote its values outside the EU; underlines that mainstreaming human rights across the external policies of the EU must remain a top priority and the respect for and implementation of human rights should form a central conditionality in the external policies; highlights that cultural diplomacy should become a substantial part of the EU’s external action and urges the Commission to foster the development of ambitious science diplomacy;
Amendment 302 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the industrial and technological resources needed to improve cyber security to be developed, including through the promotion of a single market for cyber security products; calls for significantly increased financial and human resources to be made available within the EU institutions to increase the EU´s cyber security and cyber defence capacity; emphasises the need to mainstream cyber defence into external action and common foreign and security policy, and calls for closer coordination on cyber defence with NATO;
Amendment 305 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the industrial and technological resources needed to improve cybersecurity to be developed, including through the promotion of a single market for cybersecurity products; calls for significantly increased financial and human resources to be made available within the EU institutions to increase the EU´s cybersecurity and cyber defence capacity; emphasises the need to mainstream cyber defence into external action and common foreign and security policy, and calls for closer coordination on cyber defence with NATO;
Amendment 314 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the role of independent media in promoting cultural diversity and intercultural competences, and the need to strengthen such media as a source of credible information, especially in the EU and its neighbourhood, and to further strengthen the EU’s capacity to fight fake news and disinformation; highlights in this context the need to develop stronger resilience at EU level against such information spread over the Internet; calls on the Commission to coordinate better with the EEAS on those issues; underlines the need for the EU Strategic Communication Task Force to be reinforced by turning it into a fully- fledged unit within the EEAS, with adequate staffing and budgetary resources;
Amendment 357 #
2017/2121(INI)
22. Believes that Europe must buildfurther enhance a virtuous alliance between the private and public sectors and should develop areinforce the strategic relationship with the US;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
— having regard to its previous resolutions on Cuba, in particular the ones of 17 November 2004 on Cuba, of 2 February 2006 on the EU's policy towards the Cuban Government, of 21 June 2007 on Cuba and of 11 March 2010 on prisoners of conscience in Cuba,
Amendment 4 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regards to the findings of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Cuba issued on 17 March 2017,
Amendment 6 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
Citation 15 b (new)
- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties and instruments,
Amendment 11 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the historical, economic and cultural ties linkingexist between Europe and Cuba are characterised by their depth and strength;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas pursuant to Article 21 of the Treaty of the European Union, the external action of the Union should be guided by the principles of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and the respect for the principles of the UN Charter and the international law;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the European Union maintain's relations with the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean and there is broad consensus among its 33 member states on the desirability of expanding relations between the European Union and Cubaoffer an opportunity to expand relations between the European Union and Cuba on the basis of democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Cuba was the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean with which the EU had not signed any type of agreement; whereas 20 of its Member States have signed various types of bilateral agreements;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas what is known as the ‘cCommon pPosition of the EU’, adopted in 1996, has been superseded by the bilateral agreements with Cuba that have been signed during this period by 20 EU Member States96/697/CFSP was replaced by Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2233 of 6 December 2016;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas human rights feature in both the political dialogue and cooperation chapters; whereas in particular the protection of the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights is one of the main objectives of the European Union, both internally and in its relations with third countries; whereas in this sense the full compliance with human rights and the defence of democracy and the rule of law, must be an essential condition of the EU- Cuba Agreement;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba, led by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, began in 2015; whereas no tangible results have been achieved and the situation of human rights remains extremely worrying, despite the setup of the Human rights dialogue;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas on three occasions the European Parliament have awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Cuban activists, Oswaldo Payá in 2002, the Ladies in White in 2005 and Guillermo Fariñas in 2010;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas Cuba has been highly criticised for being elected as an UNHRC Member for 2016 - 2019 term due to the violations of all applicable Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Amendment 35 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas according to Freedom House Organisation, Cuba is one of the "least free" countries in the world;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2036(INI)
K. whereas issues discussed at the second meeting of the human rights dialogue held in Cuba in June 2016 with the participation of line ministries and agencies included freedom of association and human rights issues in a multilateral context, such as the death penalty; whereas the next meeting of the human rights dialogue is due to be held in Brussels during the first half of 2017; whereas the political dialogue between the EU and the Cuban Government, must include the direct 'intensive dialogue with civil society and the peaceful opposition' without any restriction, and must follow the EU's criteria on democracy, universal human rights and fundamental freedoms' such as freedom of expression, assembly and political association, as well as its 'worldwide policy of support to human rights defenders';
Amendment 41 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the PDCA includes a so- called ‘human rights clause’, which is a standard fundamessential element of EU international agreements that allows the PDCA to be suspended in case of violation of the provisions on human rights;
Amendment 42 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas on 20 March 2017 Eduardo Cardet Concepcion, national coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) was sentenced for three years imprisonment as a result of criticism of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro; whereas for decades the Cuban authorities have harassed and intimidated members of the Christian Liberation Movement in an attempt to silence and dissenting ideas; whereas such proceedings are in breach of freedom of speech and expression;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas independent journalists, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders, mostly members of the democratic opposition, are still persecuted, arbitrarily detained or being held in jail in Cuba for exercising the basic rights of expression, assembly and political association;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas a humane treatment must to be ensured for the political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba; whereas on 24 February 2017, political prisoner Hamel Santiago Maz Hernández, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), died in the great prison of Havana, known as Combinado del Este; whereas since 3 June 2016 he was in jail accused of disrespect to any government official, without being subjected to any trial; whereas on 9 March 2017, 10 Members of UNPACU were detained, including their leader Jose Daniel Ferrer;
Amendment 48 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas throughout March 2017 the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation verified at least 432 arbitrary detentions of peaceful dissidents in Cuba; whereas 11 cases of physical assaults and 8 cases of harassment by secret political police and para-police agents, of which peaceful opponents were also victims, were also documented;
Amendment 60 #
2017/2036(INI)
Qa. whereas the Cuban economic system is in need of trade liberalization, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms that would allow the island to modernize its economy;
Amendment 62 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q b (new)
Recital Q b (new)
Qb. whereas this economic and trade liberalization should enable the country to overcome the limitations to the population in the provision of goods and services and bring inevitably a progressive move towards free social spaces, coexistence, technology and communication, that the Cuban population appreciate and demand;
Amendment 65 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas Cuba is a signatory to 11 of the 18 United Nations human rights conventions and has ratified eight of them; whereas Cuba has not ratified the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
V. whereas the United Nations General Assembly has adopted 26 consecutive resolutions calling for the end of the United States embargo on Cuba, and the resolution was adopted unanimously for the first time in October 2016; whereas Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament decided to send a long -pending delegation to Cuba without any positive response from the Cuban authorities yet;
Amendment 81 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the signing in Brussels, on 12 December 2016, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba and states that it constitutes an instrument that will offer an appropriate new framework for relations, in keeping with the EU’s interests in its relationship with between the EU and Cuba;
Amendment 86 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Affirms the high strategymbolic value of the relationship between the EU and Cuba;
Amendment 89 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the structure, content and dynamic of the agreement match the principles and valuoutlines established by the EU institutions for its external relations;
Amendment 91 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. WelcomUnderlines the fact that the Council of the EU understood the nedecided to establish a new framework for relations with Cuba and took the decision to embark on negotiations and conclude them successfully within a significantly brief timeframe;
Amendment 93 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. RecogniStresses the high level of commitment that the Republic of Cuba is undertaking with the European Union in a wide range of fields and through a sophisticated system of political dialogueresponsibility which Cuba is undertaking with the European Union to meet the commitments set out in the agreement;
Amendment 97 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the Cuban authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, arbitrarily detained solely for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and strongly condemns such detentions; urges the authorities to stop harassing, persecuting and intimidating independent journalists, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders and to hold those responsible accountable; considers the civil society to be a vital part of democratic regimes;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 99 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the Cuban government to align its human rights policy with the international standards defined in the Charters, declarations and international instruments to which Cuba is a signatory; insists that the persecution and imprisonment of dissidents for their ideals and their peaceful political activity is in breach of the provisions set up in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Demands that the Cuban authorities permit members of the political opposition, human rights activists and all citizens to travel abroad and return freely to Cuba; calls for free and full access for the Cuban population to information in all forms;
Amendment 102 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Denounces imposed charges against Eduardo Cardet Concepcion, national coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL), for exercising his right of freedom of speech; condemns violent detentions of 10 Members of Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), including its leader Jose Daniel Ferrer; calls on the Cuban authorities for their immediate and unconditional release; urges to stop the harassment and intimidation of members of MCL as well as UNPACU;
Amendment 105 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Affirms the European Parliament’s aspiration to see relations between the EU and Cuba develop to the greatest possible extent, with full respect for the independence and autonomy of the partieStresses that the future of Cuba must be based on the sole will of its citizens; recalls that political reconciliation and mutual understanding must include all Cubans who are willing to peacefully work for freedom, democracy and adherence to human rights;
Amendment 111 #
2017/2036(INI)
7. Recognises the efforNotes the statements made by Cuba ton incorporateing the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
Amendment 120 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Supports the findings of the UN Committee on enforced disappearances in Cuba of 17 March 2017 urging Cuba to take the necessary measures to guarantee the full independence of its judicial system as well as to set up an independent National Institution of Human Rights in lines with the Paris Principles;
Amendment 122 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. WelcomNotes the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015;
Amendment 132 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the fact that the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba was launched before the conclusion of the PDCA negotiations; reiterates that the objectives of the European Union's policy towards Cuba has to continue to be the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouragement of a process of transition to a pluralist democracy and a lasting economic recovery aimed at improving the living standards of the Cuban population;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for a transitional provision establishing a graduated entry into force of the different areas of cooperation, postponing the economic and financial cooperation until the progress made by the Cuban government in the areas of human rights and economic freedoms is demonstrated;
Amendment 135 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises that the PDCA can contribute to the reform, adjustment and modernisation processes already proposed in Cuba, in particular with regard to the diversification of Cuba’s international partners and the establishment of a general framework of political and economic development; urges the European institutions and the Member States to assist the economic and political transition in Cuba, encouraging the evolution towards a fully democratic regime that respects the basic rights of all its citizen; supports the use of the various EU's foreign policy instruments, and in particular the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in order to reinforce EU's dialogue with Cuba's civil society and those who support a peaceful transition in Cuba;
Amendment 140 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the HR/VP Federica Mogherini to recognise the existence of a political opposition to the Cuban Government and to allocate all available tools to restore democratic and inclusive political dialogue in Cuba;
Amendment 143 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that the PDCA, as the first agreement between the EU and Cuba, will mark a turning point in bilateral relations between the two Parties; welcomes the fact that both Parties have agreed to develop this relationship in a structured manner, mutually subscribing to an agenda and binding obligations for both signatories;
Amendment 147 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights dialogue; urges the EU to promote and provide guarantees for the work of the human rights defenders and the active participation of civil society actors in this process, including all peaceful dissidents;
Amendment 153 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in case of violation of the provisions on human rights; calls to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding road map which should be aimed at safeguarding and monitoring all human ,environmental and labour rights provisions mentioned in this resolution; in this sense calls on the EU to closely follow and report back to the European Parliament about the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba within the provision of suspension of the agreement;
Amendment 156 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses that the PDCA should contribute to improving the living conditions and social rights of Cuban citizens, reaffirming the importance of working systematically in promoting the values of democracy and human rights, including freedom of expression, association and assembly;
Amendment 160 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Takes note of some liberalisation measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in the recent months, while emphasizing that the development of strong foreign investment to improve the physical and technological infrastructure of the country and build a competitive Cuban production system will require many other economic and financial measures with regulations that give legal certainty and economic stability to the country;
Amendment 167 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for Cuba to be included as an eligible country under the EIB’s external mandate provided it meets the requirements laid down by the EIB;
Amendment 170 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the PDCA’s explicit references to civil society as an actor of cooperation; voices its profound solidarity with the entire Cuban population and its support for needed progress towards democracy and respect and promotion of fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Confirms its decision to send an official long- pending delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament to Cuba, and urges the Cuban authorities to allow the entry of such a delegation without any further delays in the view of the upcoming PDCA; calls on the Cuban authorities to ensure unimpeded access to all venues and meetings with the requested interlocutors;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the high importance of enhancing political and economic relations of the EU with Kazakhstan, which should be based on shared commitments to international valuesdemocratic values, respect for human rights and the rule of law and guided by mutual interest;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomNotes the ambition expressed in the EPCA to enhance cooperation in diverse areas of concern and common interest;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. AcknowledgNotes that the EPCA introduced the possibility of negotiating a visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Kazakhstan;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. AcknowledgNotes some recent positive developments in the field of constitutional and administrative reforms as well as the establishment of a civil society consultative platform; is, however, gravely concerned about the restrictive effects of the Criminal and Administrative Codes that entered into force in 2015 on civil society organisations and their activities;
Amendment 41 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Urges the reversal of the negative trends in terms of freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and freedom of association and assembly, and freedom of religion; recommends Kazakhstan to apply the standards of the Council of Europe in its laws; urges the country to implement fully the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the outcome report on his mission to Kazakhstan in January 2015;
Amendment 43 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underlines that freedom of media and freedom of expression are essential in establishing and consolidating democracy, the rule of law and human rights; expresses concern on the draft media legislation aiming to implement rules for journalists to verify their information with state authorities; urges the Kazakh authorities to withdraw such amendments from their draft legislation and to ensure full independence of investigation and reporting for the journalists; further calls on Kazakh authorities to refrain from restricting access to state critical online and offline media in the land and from abroad;
Amendment 45 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Is concerned that number of activist have been imprisoned under the broadly worded Criminal Code provisions on “inciting national discord” and “spreading information that is known to be false”, including Maks Bokayev and Talgat Ayan, who serve 5-year prison term, following their participation in the peaceful land reform protests in Kazakhstan in Spring 2016; editor Guzyal Baydalinova, civil society activists Ermek Narymbaev and Bolatbek Blyalov and political activist Serikzhan Mambetalin; urges Kazakhstani government to release all of them and to drop charged against them;
Amendment 47 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Notes that domestic legislation on Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Association is extremely restrictive; several human rights groups have faced increased inspections from tax authorities, and some of these groups are facing excessive fines;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes Kazakhstan’s constructive cooperation in international relations and its multi-vector foreign policy;
Amendment 58 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Condemns the closure of the independent trade union CITUK and arbitrary sentencing of its president Larisa Kharkova in July 2017; reminds the Kazakh authorities the need to guarantee independent and impartial judiciary and to enable real social dialogue by also fostering the existence and functioning of independent trade unions;
Amendment 65 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. EncouragesCalls on Kazakhstan to take pro- active and concrete steps on political and democratic reforms, including a clearer separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, and introducing further checks and balances within the constitutional system, in line with the country’s international commitments under various UN, OSCE and Council of Europe instruments;
Amendment 67 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. RecommeFinds that the EU should consistently include in its political dialogue with Kazakhstan, the issues of the rule of law and democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights;
Amendment 77 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 121 #
2017/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Voices understanding forNotes the country’s multi-vector foreign policy, including building good neighbourly relations with Russia and China and other partners;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital –A (new)
Recital –A (new)
-A. whereas there is the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence according to the Art. 51 of the Charter of the UN;
Amendment 29 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the industrial landscape of defence in Europe is characterised by overcapacities, duplications and fragmentation, which consequently encourageshas led to expansiveding export policies;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2016 on the Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015 stressed that human rights as a criteria for export licences arshould be a priority, and called on the Member States to agree to move towards a more modern, flexible and human rights- based export policy, especially in relation to countries with proven track records of violent internal repression and human rights violations;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that states have the legitimate right to acquire military technology for the purposes of self-defence; underlines that maintaining and strengthening a defence industry serves as part of the self-defence of the Member States and collectively as of the EU; recalls that one of the motivations behind the establishment of the Common Position was to prevent European weaponry from being used against Member States’ armed forces; reiterates that the Common Position is a legally binding framework that sets minimum requirements which Member States have to apply in the field of arms export controls, and that it includes the obligation to assess a request for an export licence against all eight criteria listed in it;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that European defence technological and industrial base contributes to the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, in particular the Common Security and Defence Policy;
Amendment 51 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. StressNotes, however, that military technology is being exported tohas reached non- eligible destinations and end users; is alarmed at arms races and at the fact that military approaches to solve political conflict and turmoil are increasingly prioritised over diplomatic and other non- violent approaches, such as conflict preventionunderlines that conflicts should be solved by diplomatic means as a priority;
Amendment 61 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes that Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Macedonia, Montenegro and Norway have aligned themselves with the criteria and principles of the Common Position and by that pursue also further alignment with CFSP and CSDP; calls on EEAS to encourage especially European countries to align with the Common Position to ensure a securer wider European area;
Amendment 76 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that according to the Annual Reports, criterion 2 was invoked 72 times for denials in 2014 and 89 times in 2015; deplores the fact that the data reveal the lack of a common approach to the situation in Syria, Iraq and Yemen in particular; encouragescalls on the Member States and the EEAS to embark on a discussion on the extension of criterion 2 to include democratic governance indicators, as such assessment criteria could help establish further safeguards against the unintended negative consequences of exportsnsure consistent and strict application of criterion 2; believes, furthermore, that a more principled approach to risk assessment would focus on overall respect of international humanitarian and human rights law by the recipient;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Urges all the Member States to improve the quality of arms exports reportingcomply fully with their reporting obligations set out in the Common Position; stresses that high-quality data on actual deliveries is essential for understanding how the eight criteria are applied; calls on the Member States and the EEAS to explore how to use data generated by customs authorities, including by creating specific customs codes for military goods;
Amendment 138 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Commends the outreach efforts regarding the ATT and supports the further universalization and effective implementation of the ATT;
Amendment 141 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. UrgesCalls on considering the revision of the Common Military List and the lists annexed to the Dual-Use Regulation so as to ensure full coverage of all relevant armed unmanned systems; recalls the European Parliament resolution of 27 February 2014 on armed drones, which called in its paragraph 2(c) for armed drones to be included in relevant arms control regimes;
Amendment 143 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. SupportsEncourages the Member States to undertake a more detailed examination of licensced production by third countries and stronger safeguards on the possible undesired uses of weapons produced in such circumstances; encourages the Member States to consider the third country’s attitude and status with regard to the ATT when deciding on transfers that would enhance the manufacturing and/or export capacity of that country as regards military equipment;
Amendment 146 #
2017/2029(INI)
21. States thatFinds that the implementation of the Directive 2009/43/EC on the transfers of defence-related products within the EU should not be used in such a way as to circumventbe in coherence with the implementation of the Common Position, in particular where spare parts and components are involved;
Amendment 153 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that not all EU national parliaments scrutinise governmental licensing decisions by, inter alia, producing annual arms exports reports, and that in general there is a lack ofencourages in this regard to generally increase the parliamentary and public oversight; points to the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which encourage regular responses to the EU Annual Arms Exports Reports;
Amendment 156 #
2017/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes regular consultations with national parliaments, legitimate national control bodies and civil society as central to meaningful transparency; calls on COARM, all the Member States and the EEAS to enhance dialogue with civil society; encouragthese consultations; encourages national parliaments, legitimate national control bodies, civil society and academia to exercise independent scrutiny of the arms trade, and calls on the Member States and the EEAS to support such activities, including by financial means;
Amendment 28 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas in January 2017 ex- Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj was arrested in France based on the international arrest warrant issued by Serbia for alleged war crimes on the territory of Kosovo, based on the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings that allows Serbia to assume the role of a „little Hague";
Amendment 31 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas a Serbian train with inscription „Kosovo is Serbian" took of on January 14th from Belgrade to Northern Kosovo and was eventually stopped close to border with Kosovo;
Amendment 201 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on Kosovo to further efforts to stop gendersex-based violence and to ensure women’'s full enjoyments of rights; calls on Kosovo institutions to allocate adequate funding to the implementation of the national strategy on domestic violence, which includes international mechanisms such as the Istanbul Convention; welcomes the high-level political support for the rights of LGBTI persons; welcomes the holding of the second pride parade, but reiterates that fear remains widespread in the LGBTI community;
Amendment 217 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Kosovo authorities to address gender mainstreamingequality between men and women as a priority and to ensure that governing bodies and authorities lead by example; is concerned about the structural challenges hampering the implementation of the law on gender equality between men and women, and remains concerned about the under- representation of women in decision- making positions; is concerned that no progress has been made on combating domestic and gendersex-based violence; urges the authorities to encourage publicly and put in place protection mechanisms and shelter measures for women who break the silence and denounce domestic violence, and welcomes in this respect the NGO ‘'Be a Man’' founded by men in Pristina;
Amendment 259 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Stresses that the mandate of EULEX is undermined and questioned with acts such as the arrest of the ex- Kosovo prime minister Haradinaj due to the international arrest warrant issued by Serbia, based on the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings of the Republic of Serbia; emphasizes that with the application of the mentioned Law Serbia applied an arbitrary construction, unknown in theory and practice of comparative international criminal law , of a hybrid principle of territorial application of criminal legislation, which by its tenor and its essence does not correspond to the principle of universal jurisdiction, nor to any other known principle of territorial validity of criminal legislation; in this regards, calls on the Commission and Member States to invest additional efforts in addressing this issue in the process of EU-Serbia negotiations, particularly within the scope of Chapter 23;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regards to the address of ICTY President Carmel Agius to the United Nations Security Council in June 2016,
Amendment 16 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 c (new)
Citation 16 c (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament's resolution on Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj of 27 November 2014,
Amendment 30 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas Serbia and Russia held joint military exercises on Serbian territory close to the Croatian border in August 2016;
Amendment 31 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas the implementation of the legal framework on the protection of minorities needs to be fully ensured, notably in the areas of education, use of language, access to media and religious services in minority language, and adequate political representation of national minorities at local, regional and national levels;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas the application of Article 2 and Article 3 of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings of Republic of Serbia represents violation of commonly accepted principles of international criminal law;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
C d. whereas since January 2016 Serbia refuses to extradite three wanted Serbian Radical Party members to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for trial on witness intimidation charges;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
C e. whereas the ICTY President Carmel Agius stressed that Serbia is violating cooperation agreements and undermining justice efforts by not arresting three Serbian Radical Party members accused of interfering with witnesses and expressed the view that this development is a grave step backwards in matters of cooperation with the Tribunal and an unacceptable disregard of the primacy of Tribunal law over the domestic law;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)
Recital C f (new)
C f. whereas in January 2017 of ex- Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj was arrested in France based on the international arrest warrant issued by Serbia for alleged war crimes on the territory of Kosovo, based on the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings that allows Serbia to assume the role of a „little Hague";
Amendment 36 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C g (new)
Recital C g (new)
C g. whereas a Serbian train with inscription „Kosovo is Serbian" took off on January 14th from Belgrade to Northern Kosovo and was eventually stopped close to border with Kosovo;
Amendment 100 #
2016/2311(INI)
6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; stresses that the alignment of foreign and security policy is the precondition to join the EU and regrets the continued refusal of Serbian authorities to align its policy towards Russia with the pro-European orientation of the country; welcomes Serbia’'s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
Amendment 159 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Notes that the application of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings violates the generally accepted principles of criminal and international law - the principle of legal certainty and the principle of non- intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and hinders the process of reconciliation in South Eastern Europe; calls on the Serbian authorities to immediately repeal the relevant articles and abandon a concept of quasi-universal jurisdiction for war crimes in neighbouring countries; in this regards, calls on the European Commission and Member States to invest additional efforts in addressing this issue in the process of EU-Serbia negotiations, particularly within the scope of Chapter 23;
Amendment 210 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, and persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons;
Amendment 255 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Stresses that the progress in the field of ensuring rights of national minorities is not satisfactory and reiterates that the promotion and protection of human rights, including rights of national minorities is the basic precondition for joining the EU;
Amendment 273 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for fulldeeply regrets the lack of cooperation of Serbia with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and reminds that this is Serbia's basic obligation within the process of accession negotiations; urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;
Amendment 276 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Reiterates its call on the authorities to continue their efforts to eliminate the legacy of the former Communist secret services by making its files open to the public, as a step towards the democratisation of Serbia; calls on Serbia to intensify the process of succession and implementation of obligations relating to the division of the common archive of the former Yugoslavia; reiterates, in this connection, that full access to all archival materials, especially those of the former Yugoslav Secret Services (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People's Army Security Service (KOS) is of vital significance; reiterates its call to the authorities to facilitate access to those archives that concern the former republics of Yugoslavia and to return them to their respective governments if they so request;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to the European Council’s decision of 16 December 2005 to grant the country the status of candidate for EU membership, to the European Council conclusions of June 2008, and to the conclusions of 13 December 2016, which received the support of the overwhelming majority of delegations and expressed its strong commitment to the EU integration of the Republic of Macedonia,
Amendment 4 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to the European Council’s decision of 16 December 2005 to grant the country the status of candidate for EU membership, to the European Council conclusions of June 2008, and to the conclusions of 13 December 2016, which received the support of the overwhelming majority of delegations, and reiterated its unequivocal commitment to the EU accession process,
Amendment 24 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas early parliamentary elections held in Macedonia had a very high turnout and election day was generally well-administered and proceeded without major incidents, in line with OSCE/ODIHR recommendations;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a serious commitment by all political forces is required for the country to return tomaintain its EU integration and euro-atlantic path; whereas a new government needs to adopt and implement robust reforms;
Amendment 51 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas opening the accession negotiations should be openguaranteed upon the fulfilment of required conditions; whereas the country has been considered for many years as one of the most advanced countries in terms of alignment with the acquis;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the respect for fundamental freedoms shown at the elections of 11 December 2016; urgeswelcomes that all political parties to accepted its results in the interest of domestic stability and underlines their responsibility to ensure that there is no backsliding into political crisis; calls for a swift formation of a new governmenton all parties to refrain from any obstruction in regard to the effective functioning of the parliament; calls for a swift formation of a new government in line with the constitutional and legal requirements and procedures in order to make use of the mandate to carry on with necessary reforms; considers cross- party cooperation essential for addressing pressing domestic and EU-related challenges;
Amendment 90 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NotWelcomes that the electoral process has improved, including the legal framework, voters’ lists and the media environment; and welcomes civil society representatives observing the elections in a large majority of the polling stations; hopes that the alleged irregularities and shortcomings, including voter intimidation, vote buying, abmisuse of publicadministrative resources, will also be addressed effectively by the competent authorities in view of the local elections in May 2017; stresses the need for afurther de- politicisation of the electoral administration in order to increase the public’s trust in future elections;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Considers it important to conduct a population census (last census was conducted in 2002) provided that there is a country-wide consensus in the methodology to be applied, in order to obtain an updated and realistic picture of the constellation of Macedonian population to better meet the needs of and offer services for the Macedonian citizens, and to further update the voters list and minimize any irregularities and shortcomings for the future;
Amendment 111 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges once again that the political will be shown to fully implement the Urgent Reform Priorities and the Przhino Agreement; underlines that the implementation of the Przhino agreement is vital also beyond the elections to ensure political stability and sustainability in the future; calls on the Commission to assess, at its earliest convenience but before the end of 2017, the country’s progress on implementation and to report back to Parliament and to the Council; while recalling that long overdue reforms need to be launched and implemented, supports the continuation of the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) for systematically assisting the country in this endeavour; draws attention to the potential negative consequences of further delays in the country’s accession process and reiterates the strategic importance to provide tangible progress in the EU accession process of the country; further calls on the Commission and the EEAS to increase the visibility of EU-funded projects in the country in order to bring the European Union closer to the citizens of the country;
Amendment 129 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. NotWelcomes some progress in reforming public administration including the steps to implement the new legal framework on human resources management; calls for further commitment to implement the Commission recommendations; remains concerned about the politicisation of public administration and that civil servants are subject to political pressure; urges the new government to enhance professionalism, neutrality and independence at all levels including via merit-based recruitment earned through competitive procedures; stresses the need to complete the 2017- 2022 public administration reform strategy, including by making sufficient budget allocations for its implementation, and to strengthen relevant administrative capacity; calls for the incoming government to establish transparent and effective lines of accountability between and within institutions;
Amendment 136 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recommends the incoming government to develop a comprehensive e- governance strategy accompanied by further developing e-services for citizens and businesses in order to reduce bureaucratic burden for the state, citizens and business-making; underlines that e- governance and e-services would enhance the country´s economic performance and increase transparency and efficiency of the public administration and services; stresses citizens´ right to access public information and calls on further efforts to ensure that this right is not impeded in any way; encourages finding innovative e- solutions to ensure easy access to public information and reduce related bureaucracy;
Amendment 138 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the backsliding in the reform of the judiciary; deplores recurrent political interference in its work including in the appointment and promotion of judges and prosecutors, as well as the cases of selective justice; calls for greater political will to ensure the full independence of the judiciary; urges once again that the political will be demonstrated to progress in judicial reform including by improving transparency in the appointment and promotion procedures; and by reducing the length of court proceedings;cknowledges that some efforts were made to improve transparency; furthermore, calls on the authorities to ensure the professionalism of the Judicial Council;
Amendment 144 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the Special Prosecutor has raised the first criminal indictments concerning wrongdoings arising from the wiretaps; is concerned about attacks and obstruction against calls for Special Prosecutor and her team to be allowed to do their work and the lack of cooperationunhindered; calls on the criminal courts not adhering to official requests from other institutions Special Prosecutor's Office (SPO) that they have a legal obligation to assist the SPO; considers it essential for the democratic process to enable the Special Prosecutor’s Office to carry out thorough investigations in full autonomy; furthermore, highlights the need to adopt amendments on the Law on Witness Protection;
Amendment 158 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Remains concerned that corruption is prevalent in many areas and combating corruption is being undermined by political interference; highlights the need for strong political will to tackle corruption; stresses the need to strengthen the independence of the police, the prosecution and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC); calls for improving transparency in the selection and appointment of SCPC members; calls, as a matter of urgency, for efforts to be made to ensure the effective prevention and punishment of conflicts of interest and to establish a credible track record on high- level corruption including the implementation of the legal framework for the protection of whistle-blowers; calls on the authorities to support the work of the Ombudsman with adequate staffing and budgetary measures;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the fact that the legislative framework and strategies for fighting organised crime are in place; encourages further improvement of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the strengthening of the powers and resources of the courts; considers it importantessential to further develop the law enforcement capacity to investigate financial crimes and confiscate assets;
Amendment 174 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Appreciates the continued efforts to fight Islamic radicalisation; welcomes the adoption of the 2013-2019 strategy to fight terrorism, which also defines the concepts of violent extremism, radicalisation, prevention and reintegration; calls for more cooperation between security agencies and civil society organisations (CSOs) and local communities; further calls for continued monitoring of returning foreign fighters by security services and proper reintegration into society - where appropriate;
Amendment 178 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Remains concerned about radical and unjustified public attacks on CSOs and foreign representatives by politicians and the media; is concerned about limitedinsufficient government commitment and insufficientlack of cooperation with CSOs at all levels; highlights that both government and CSOs should cooperate more constructively; urges the competent authorities to include CSOs in policymaking in a regular and structured manner;
Amendment 196 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. ICalls concerned about the lack of the authorities to improve the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities and the limited effectiveness ofo strengthen the institutional mechanisms to advance gender equality; urges the competent authorities to make sufficient budget allocations for its implementation and to improve support services to victims of domestic violence;
Amendment 210 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates that the interethnic situation remains fragile; urges all political parties and CSOs to actively promote an inclusive and tolerant multi-ethnic and multi-religious society and to strengthen coexistence and dialogue; reminds the government and party leaders of their commitment to fully implement the OFA and to complete its review with no further delay, including policy recommendations, in a transparent and inclusive manner and to ensure sufficient budget for its implementation;
Amendment 219 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is concerned over freedom of expression and the media, the use of hate speech, political interference and pressure, including through government advertising; calls on the government to ensure that intimidation or violence against journalists is duly investigated and that those responsible be brought to justice; underlines the need for the sustainability and autonomy of the public service broadcast; notes the polarisation of private media; calls on establishing a professional code of conduct accepted both by public and private media; encourages joint work between government officials and journalist organisations on the media reform;
Amendment 234 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the maintenance of macro-economic stability but is concerned, the reduction of thate unemployment remains high with very low labour market participation, especially among youth and women; further urges competent authorities to tackle long-term and structural unemployment, to promote economic policy cooperation, to better align education with labour market demands and to develop a targeted strategy on how to better integrate young people and women into the labour market; is concerned about the outflow of highly educated young professionals; strongly calls on the government to dedicate particular attention to improvate and that the government remains committed to promoting growth and employment by market-based economic policies; calls on improving fiscal discipline and transparency and increasing the budget planning capacity; encourages the principle of balanced budget; notes that reliable and predictable regulatory environment for businesses leads to increased macro-economic stability and growth; calls on proper consultation with all stakeholders ing the perspectives of youthis regard;
Amendment 242 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the maintenance of macro-economic stability and the reduction of the unemployment rate, but is concerned that unemployment remains high with very low labour market participation, especially among youth and women; further urges competent authorities to tackle long-term and structural unemployment, to promote economic policy cooperation, to better align education with labour market demands and to develop a targeted strategy on how to better integrate young people and women into the labour market; is concerned about the outflow of highly educated young professionals; strongly calls on the government to dedicate particular attention to improving the perspectives of youth;
Amendment 246 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Is concerned that unemployment still remains high with very low labour market participation, especially among youth, women and people with disabilities; further urges competent authorities to tackle long-term and structural unemployment, to promote economic policy cooperation, to better align education with labour market demands and to develop a targeted strategy on how to better integrate young people and women into the labour market; is concerned about the outflow of highly educated young professionals; strongly calls on the government to dedicate particular attention to improving the perspectives of youth;
Amendment 247 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Commends the good level of preparation in the field of electronic communications and information society; calls on further advancement in the area of cyber security and underlines the need to develop and adopt a national cyber security strategy in order to increase cyber resilience;
Amendment 256 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Welcomes the progress that was made on the security of supply as well as in the area of electricity transmission interconnectors and gas interconnections; notes the agreement signed with the Western Balkans countries on the development of a regional electricity market; highlights the need to progress on the opening of the electricity market and to align the country's legislation with the EU's third energy package;
Amendment 265 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Urges the authorities to strengthen the administrative and financing capacities in order to procureensure transparent, efficient and effective public procurement regime, prevent any irregularities and implement EU funds properly and in a timely manner; notes with concern that the Commission has yet again reduced the IPA financial assistance by approximately EUR 27 million;
Amendment 276 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Commends the country for constructive cooperation in addressing the migration crisis thus substantially contributing to the security and stability of the European Union; in this regard, calls on the Commission to provide the country with all necessary tools to alleviate the crisis; recommends further actions to ensure capacities to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling;
Amendment 297 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes Macedonia’s continued constructive and proactive role in regional and international cooperation; commends the increased alignment with EU foreign policy (73 %); however encourages the country to align its foreign policy with the EU on restrictive measures related to Russian invasion to Ukraine and occupation of Crimea; reiterates the importance of finalising the negotiations on a bilateral treaty with Bulgaria;
Amendment 312 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. WReiterates that the Republic of Macedonia has remained constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States and positively notes its engagement in regional initiatives; welcomes the activities in the framework of the Berlin Process, which demonstrate strong political support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries; welcomes the tangible results from joint initiative for the confidence- building measures with Greece; strongly reiterates its invitation to the Vice- President/High Representative (VP/HR) and the Commission as a matter of urgency to develop new initiatives to overcome the remaining differences and to work, in cooperation with the two countries and the UN Special Representative, on a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue and to report back to Parliament thereon;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
Amendment 10 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 15 April 2015 on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide1a _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0094
Amendment 36 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
- having regard to the Russian involvement in Syria, including support of the Syrian military's use of chemical weapons, which further destabilises the country and increases the number of refugees seeking protection in Turkey and the EU,
Amendment 66 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines, however, that measures taken under the state of emergency had large-scale, disproportionate and long- lasting negative effects on the protection of fundamental freedoms in the country; condemns the collective dismissal of civil servants, police officers, the mass liquidation of media outlets, the arrests of journalists, academics, judges, human rights defenders, elected officials and ordinary citizens, and the confiscation of property and passports on the basis of emergency decree laws without individualised decisions, and without the possibility of timely judicial review;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the strategic importance of good EU-Turkey relations for both sides; recognises that both Turkey and the EU have gone through their own internal transformation processes since the accession negotiations were opened in 2004; regrets that the accession instruments have not been used to the fullest extent and that, over the years, Turkey’s full integration into the EU has lost public support on both sides; remains committed to cooperating and maintaining an open dialogue with the Turkish Government, in order to address common challenges; recommends that the Council urgently invite the Turkish Government to a summit to discuss the obvious crisis in EU-Turkey relations that we are faced with;
Amendment 98 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of the outcome of the referendum that took place on 16 April 2017, held under the state of emergency and in circumstances that prevented a fair campaign; supports an independent evaluation of all claims regarding irregularities; notshares the remarkconcerns of the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform, and underlines that the proposed constitutional amendments do not respect the fundamental principles of the separation of powers and sufficient checks and balances, and are not in line with the Copenhagen criteria; notes the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to reopen the monitoring process for Turkey;
Amendment 135 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that measures undertaken following the declaration of the state of emergency have targeted alleged members/supporters of the Gülen movement, dissent in general and political parties of the opposition in particular; strongly condemns the imprisonment of 13 MPs belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including its co-chairs, and of 90 Kurdish municipal mayors; urges the Turkish Government to lift the state of emergency immediatelyis deeply concerned about the detention conditions resulting in a hunger strike of more than 110 Kurdish prisoners; urges the Turkish Government to lift the state of emergency immediately; stresses that the presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle in any constitutional state; urges the Turkish government to officially prove the alleged links to the Gülen movement and its involvement in the coup attempt; underlines that the reintroduction of the death penalty would violate Turkey’s international commitments and lead to an immediate end to the EU accession talksmembership bid;
Amendment 157 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Condemns strongly the violations of freedom of expression and the serious infringements of media freedom, including the disproportionate bannings of media sites and social media as well as the recent blocking of Wikipedia; notes with concern the closure of around 170 media outlets - including almost all Kurdish-language outlets - and the jailing of more than 150 journalists; recalls that a free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy and urges the Turkish government to release all journalists immediately; notes the continuous deterioration in the press freedom index from Reporters without borders, ranking Turkey now 155 out of 180 countries;
Amendment 172 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its serious concern at the continuously deteriorating situation in south-east Turkey, especially in the areas where curfews were imposed, where some 2 000 people were reportedly killed in the context of security operations and an estimated half a million people became displaced in the period from July 2015 to December 2016; notes that local prosecutors have consistently refused to open investigations into the reported killings; recalls that the Turkish government has a responsibility to protect all people living on its territory, irrespective of their cultural or religious origins; is convinced that only a fair political settlement of the Kurdish question can bring sustainable stability and prosperity both to the area and to Turkey as a whole; notes that a series of laws have created an atmosphere of ‘systematic impunity’ for the security forces; regrets the decision of the Turkish Parliament to waive the immunity of a large number of MPs unconstitutionally, paving the way for the arrests of opposition politicians; deplores the widespread expropriations, including properties belonging to the municipalities and also church properties, which would be a violation of the rights of religious minorities;
Amendment 176 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its serious concern at the continuously deteriorating situation in south-east Turkey, especially in the areas where curfews were imposed, where some 2 000 people were reportedly killed in the context of security operations and an estimated half a million people became displaced in the period from July 2015 to December 2016; notes that local prosecutors have consistently refused to open investigations into the reported killings; is convinced that only a fair political settlement of the Kurdish question can bring sustainable stability and prosperity both to the area and to Turkey as a whole; therefore calls on both sides to lay down their weapons and return to the negotiation table; notes that a series of laws have created an atmosphere of ‘systematic impunity’ for the security forces; regrets the decision of the Turkish Parliament to waive the immunity of a large number of MPs unconstitutionally, paving the way for the arrests of opposition politicians;
Amendment 194 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on Turkey to protect the rights of the most vulnerable groups and of persons belonging to minorities; regrets that the LGBTI marches in Ankara and Istanbul weris seriously concerned about violence bannsed for the second consecutive year; is seriously concerned about gender-based violence, discriminationon religious grounds, continuous discrimination, also against Christians, hate speech against minorities, hate crime and violations of the human rights of LGBTI persons; calls on Turkey to harmonise its domestic legislation with the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, which it ratified in 2014; welcomes the government’s national strategy and action plan for Roma and encourages the authorities to address key obstacles to the social inclusion of Romacalls on the Turkish government to start implementing the strategy and to set up a monitoring and evaluation mechanism; encourages the authorities to address key obstacles to the social inclusion of Roma; expects the Turkish government to treat every Turkish citizen without any prejudice towards his or her religious belief; deplores the plans to turn the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque;
Amendment 238 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that strengthening trade relations could bring concrete benefits to citizens in Turkey and the EU, and therefore supports the Commission’s proposal to start negotiations on the upgrading of the Customs Union; reiterates that the EU is Turkey’s main trading partner and that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States; is seriously concerned about the legal uncertainty and the lack of guarantee for property resulting in numerous expropriations of private companies for vague and unproved reasons; considers the involvement of social partners in negotiations as crucial; calls on the Commission to include political benchmarks on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the upgraded Customs Union; underlines that the Customs Union can only reach its full potential when Turkey fully implements the Additional Protocol vis-à-vis all Member States; recalls the finding from the 2016 Report on Turkey that duty relief, free zones, surveillance measures and management of tariff quotas are not fully in line with the acquis; notes the Commissions' conclusion that further trade integration with the EU would be stimulated by Turkey's elimination of impediments to the functioning of the Customs Union;
Amendment 262 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that visa liberalisation is important for the Turkish populationcitizens, particularly for business people, and will enhance people-to-people contacts; encourages the Turkish Government to comply with the final outstanding criteria, including revision of its anti-terrorism legislationfully and in a non-discriminatory manner meet the final outstanding criteria identified in the visa liberalization roadmap towards all Member States, including revision of its anti-terrorism legislation; stresses that visa free travel will only be possible when all standards have been met;
Amendment 288 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Stresses the importance of the fight against corruption and recalls the findings of the Commission that Corruption remains prevalent in many areas and continues to be a serious problem; is concerned that the track record of investigation, prosecution and conviction in high-level corruption cases remained poor; underlines that progress in trade relations and in the visa-free regime is only possible if Turkey effectively steps up its fight against corruption;
Amendment 294 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Condemns in the strongest terms all terrorist attacks carried out in Turkey, and stands firmly by Turkey’s population in our joint fight against terrorism; welcomes the close bilateral relations between EU Member States and Turkey in the field of anti-terrorism cooperation, including on ‘foreign fighters’; underlines that strong cooperation between Europol and Turkish law enforcement authorities is key to effectively combat terrorism; reiterates its condemnation of the return to violence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU’s list of terrorist organisations since 2002; invites the Member States to enforce legislation banning the use of signs and symbols of organisations which are on that list;
Amendment 318 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Commends the engagement by the Turkish Government and the hospitality shown by the population in hosting around 3 million refugees; notes the EU-Turkey statement on migration, and urges the Member States to initiate the voluntary resettlement scheme for the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey; calls on the Commission to ensure long-term investment in both refugees and their host communities in Turkey; encourages the Turkish Government to grant work permits to all Syrian refugees; calls on Ankara to keep up itsTurkey and the EU to keep up their coordinated patrolling efforts in the Aegean and to implement fully the bilateral readmission agreements signed with Bulgaria and Greece;
Amendment 333 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Reiterates the need to strengthen good neighbourly relations; calls on Turkey, in this connection, to step up efforts to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, including unsettled legal obligations and disputes with its immediate neighbours over land and maritime borders and airspace, in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter and with international law; calls on the Turkish Government to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); urges the Turkish Government to end the repeated violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters, as well as the practice of Turkish military aircraft flying over Greek islands; expresses its regret that the casus belli threat declared by the Turkish Grand National Assembly against Greece has not yet been withdrawn; urges Turkey and Armenia to proceed to normalise their relations by establishing diplomatic relations without preconditions, and calls for opening the Turkish-Armenia border, which could lead to improved relations, with particular reference to cross-border cooperation and economic integration;
Amendment 348 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that a settlement of the Cyprus problem would have a positive impact on the entire region, while first and foremost benefiting both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; praises the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus for having achieved major progress in the settlement talks; welcomes the exchange of preferred maps, thus far unprecedented, and the first international conference held with the guarantor powers; supports the settlement based on a bi- communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, a single international legal personality, single sovereignty and single citizenship with political equality between the two communities and equal opportunities for all its citizens, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and on the basis of respect for the, the EU acquis, and the values and principles upon which the EUnion is founded; welcomes the intensified engagement by the parties to achieve the settlement of the Cyprus problem; expects Turkey to show active support for the negotiations, and reiterates that Turkey’s commitment and contribution to a comprehensive settlement remain crucial; praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), and; expects rapid implementation of the declared intention to grant access to the Committee on Missing Persons to all relevant sites, including military areas; calls on Turkey to allow full access to all relevant sitarchives and to assist the CMP by providing information from its military archivemilitary zones in the northern part of Cyprus for exhumation and to provide all relevant information that will lead to the discovery of relocated remains; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons;
Amendment 370 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls on Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to transfer Varosha to its lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550(1984); as an effort to pave the way for a democratic comprehensive settlement;
Amendment 381 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Deplores Turkey´s refusal to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-a-vis all member states, including the Republic of Cyprus;
Amendment 386 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Deplores Turkey's policy of settlement and calls on Turkey to refrain from further settlement of Turkish citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus, which is contrary to the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law; urges Turkey to terminate all actions that alter the demographic balance on the island thus impeding a future solution;
Amendment 5 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the PCA is testimony to the growing importance of EU - Mongolia relations based on shared principles such as equality, mutual benefit, democracy, the rule of law and human rights;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises Mongolia’s peculiarstrategic geographical position between China, Russia and the countries of Central Asia and North-East Asia countries, with their great potential for global economy and at the same time with their risks of political instability,, acknowledges its regionally rather exceptional established democratic credentials, and the constructive role it plays by assisting and facilitating peaceful solutions to the conflicts and confrontation in the region and by promoting regional economic integration;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the deepening and expanding nature of the EU-Mongolia relationship, as manifested in the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and taking in areas including political dialogue and human rights, trade and development assistance, as well as cooperation in the fields of agriculture and rural development, energy, climate change, research and innovation and education and culture, which are of great importance for economic diversification and resolving the current economic problems, as well as for the long-term transformation of an originally nomadic society;
Amendment 17 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the establishment of a Joint Committee, to be responsible underprovided in Article 56 of the agreement for implementation of the PCA, and encourages it to report regularly to both the European Parliament and the Mongolian Parliament;
Amendment 23 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned at the fact that diplomatic relations with Mongolia are currently still being run from the EU Delegation to China; calls, accordingly, on the Council and the VP/HR to agree on transforming of the EU Liaison Office in Ulaanbaatar into a EU Delegation, as a measure that is of the utmost importance with a view to facilitating political dialogue and cooperation on human rights and democracy, boosting capacity to implement and oversee EU assistance projects, and promoting trade in goods and services, as well as exchanges of people as well as cultural exchanges, to the benefit of both parties;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Underlines that freedom of media and freedom of expression are essential in further consolidation of democracy, rule of law and human rights; urges the Mongolian authorities to refrain from penalizing and restricting government critical offline and online media;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. AcknowledgPraises that there is general respect for electoral rules in the countrywas proved by the recent elections; calls on the Mongolian authorities to address the recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR, following the parliamentary elections of 29 June 2016, including stabilising the electoral legislation, restrictions on campaigning, media independence, and impartiality and comprehensiveness of information available to voters;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Remains concerned about the situation of trafficking in human beings and urges Mongolia to fully implement the 2012 anti-trafficking law and the national plans on combatting trafficking and on protecting victims;
Amendment 55 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recognises that deepened regional economic integration will open up opportunities for Mongolia in terms of a more prosperous future and economic success, and that Mongolia is simultaneously looking for economic alliances and partners that would allow it to fully exploit its cooperation potential without at the same time undermining national political and economic interests, the long-standing commitment to multidirectional diplomacy, traditional identity and lifestyle or the democratic foundations of Mongolian society;
Amendment 58 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. DeploresIs concerned, nevertheless, the fact that in some areas poverty is becoming entrenched and that the reported economic boom of 2010-2012 did not sufficiently contribute to poverty reduction in the country;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages Mongolia in its efforts to achieve sustained economic growth; expresses its concern at the sharp slowdown of GDP growth, which in 2011 stood at record levels (17.3 %) but was only 2.3 % in 2015, with the 2016 figure forecast to be 1.3 %; is concerned that the current economic crisis and the means chosen - mainly spending cuts - to tackle the budget deficit, which has risen to 20 % of GDP, may have a negative impact on poverty alleviation;
Amendment 67 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Is of the opinion that investing into future technologies and digitalisation could help bridging the development gap between different regions in Mongolia and diversifying the economy; encourages the EU and Member States to intensify the cooperation in the area of digitalisation and new technologies;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes note of the decline in foreign direct investment (FDI), related mostly to the legal, environmental, and political issues related to the mining sector that dominates the economy, which remains a key divisive factor, as well as to China’s economic slowdown and to low performance in other sectors;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Urges Mongolia, with the help of foreign investment and a more transparent legal environment, to diversify its economy in order to help it withstand further shocks and avoiding vulnerability to volatile mineral markets; welcomes, in this context, the new legislation on FDI;
Amendment 82 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Encourages the further integration of Mongolia in the global and regional economy, by means of connecting its Prairie Road project with China’s Silk Road/’One Belt One Road’ initiative, and Russia’s Trans-Eurasian Belt Development; asks the EU to consider participation in infrastructural and investment programmes in the region, should conditions be conducive;
Amendment 87 #
2016/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that Mongolia is seriously evaluating the impact ofIs concerned, however, that potential membership of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) for the modernisation and diversification process of its economy; is concerned, however, that such a move might hinder further political and trade relations with the EU, as well as damaging Mongolia’s extensive trade with China, as long as the nature of relations between the EU and the EEU remains to be determined;
Amendment 2 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that European territorial cooperation, including cooperation across the EU’s external borders, is important for the regions in the Arctic; highlights that the EU funding supporting the cooperation creates clear added value and should be maintained post-2020notes that this cooperation contains in additional to regional impact, important geopolitical and security implications; calls on the Commission to develop a full-fledged EU Arctic Strategy taking into account all aspects of the cooperation;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Highlights that the EU funding supporting the cooperation creates clear added value and should be maintained post-2020; commends the coordination and building complementarities between different funding programmes and supports further efforts in this regard that could set example also for other regions in and outside the EU;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the EU to be included in the Arctic Council with full observer status in order to reinforce the Arctic cooperation and to tackle the common challenges affecting the Arctic; regrets that Russia as the main net beneficiary in the Arctic region has been impeding EU in progressing to obtain the full observer status, with adverse effects across a range of policies, including territorial cooperation;
Amendment 36 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Suggests exploring the possibilities to develop cyber connectedness between the regions; recommends the EU as part of its digital agenda to facilitate setting up cross-border e-governance and e-services structures for the region;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 22 November 2012 on cyber security and defence; having regard to the Commission communication of 07 February 2013 on Cyber Security strategy of the European Union: An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace; having regard to the Council EU Cyber Defence Policy Framework of 18 November 2014,
Amendment 33 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that Europe is now compelled to react to an arch of increasingly complex crises: from West Africa, through the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, East Ukraine and to the Caucasus;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with concern that terrorism has brought guerrilla warfare toe increasing potential of hybrid and cyber threats and that terrorism, carried out by organised groups and individuals has reached European streets; underlines that, consequently, security of the individual has become paramount, eroding the traditional distinction between its external and internal dimensions;
Amendment 108 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Reminds that conflicts and crises in Europe and around are happening both in physical and cyber space and underlines that therefore cyber security and cyber defence must be integrated as the core elements of the CSDP and fully mainstreamed throughout all EU’s internal and external policies;
Amendment 118 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the presentation by the VP/HR of the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS) as a necessary and positive development for the institutional framework in which the CFSP and the CSDP will operate and develop; stresses that further work ismaximal efforts are needed to ensure the implementation of the EUGS’s political level of ambition, priorities and comprehensive approach;
Amendment 166 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that, as internal and external security are becoming more and more integrated and the distinction between physical and cyber space harder to define, the integration of their respective inventories is also becoming necessary, empowering the EU to act along the entire spectrum of instruments, up to the level of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union;
Amendment 193 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 (establishing an Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace) in order to extend the Union’s assistance to equip military actors in partner countries, considering this an indispensable contribution to their resilience, thus diminishing their chances of becoming once again the object of conflict and sanctuaries for hostile activities against the EU; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure full coherence and coordination between different foreign policy, development and security policy instruments to achieve best results and to avoid duplication on the ground;
Amendment 207 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes, to that effect, that the Petersberg tasks should be revised as soon as possible and the Battlegroups should become an employable military instrument through increased modularity and more functional financing;
Amendment 247 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the recent Joint Declaration signed by the EU with NATO in Warsaw and fully supports the fields of collaboration mentioned therein; underlines the need to especially deepen the cooperation and further complement the capacity building in regard of hybrid and cyber threats;
Amendment 271 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Is convinced that enhancing the EU’'s status as a global security provider needs adequate, sufficient capabilities and a competitive defence industry ensuring a sustainable supply chain; notes that the European defence sector is chacalls on the Council to introduce regular biannual defence debates to provide stracterised by fragmentation and duplication, which need gradual elimination through a process providing incentives and rewards to all national componentsgic guidance and political impetus for the CSDP and European defence cooperation;
Amendment 272 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Underlines the need for further deepening the cyber defence cooperation and ensuring full cyber resilience of the CSDP missions; urges the Council to incorporate cyber defence as integral part in their defence debates; sees a strong need for national cyber defence strategies; calls on the Member States to take full use of cyber capacity building measures under EDA and make use of the CCDCOE of NATO;
Amendment 280 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. RNotes that the European defence sector is characterised by fragmentation and duplication, which need gradual elimination through a process providing incentives and rewards to all national components; recalls that a robust European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, which includes facilities for SMEs, is a fundamental underpinning of the CSDP and a prerequisite for a common market, which should supply all buyers with adequate and affordable means, responding to their individual needs;
Amendment 89 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the current crisis is also an opportunityn important momentum for the EU if it is used to make the EU work and cooperate better; recalls that European citizens see an effective common foreign and security policy as a priority area of action for the EU and that this is one of the areas where European cooperation can yield most value added; emphasises, therefore, that Member States must change their mentality since nowadays thinking about foreign policy and security in a narrow minded national perspective is obsolete; is convinced that no single Member State alone is able to tackle any of the challenges we face today; urges Member States to finally show sufficient levels of political will and trust in one another to make it possible to use the tools at hand in a concerted manner in order to pursue our interests and values; reiterates that the EU can only be a strong global player on an equal footing with other major powers if all Member States speak with one voice and act together in the framework of a strong EU foreign policy;
Amendment 106 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that an effective implementation of the EU Global Strategy presented by the VP/HR in June 2016 is not possible without strong commitment, ownership, political will and leadership from the Member States; highlights that the appropriate human and financial resources need to be allocated to the implementation of this strategy, in particular in the crucial area of security and defence;
Amendment 158 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that the EU must strengthen its security and defence capabilities, as it can only use its full potential as a global power if it combines its unrivalled soft power with hard power; recalls that stronger civilian and military capacities are key elements for the EU to fully respond to crises, build the resilience of partners and protect Europe; notes that since power politics is again dominating international relations, defence and deterrence capabilities are critical for our leverage in diplomatic talks; in this regard, reiterates that the Common Security and Defence Policy needs to be strengthened, as the only realistic way to strengthen our defence capabilities in a time of budgetary constraints is to increasemong others increasing synergies by stepping up defence cooperation;
Amendment 234 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the ongoing work on the European Defence Action Plan and the Commission’s efforts to maximise defence cooperation, including through incentives in areas such as research, transport, space, cyber, energy and industrial policies; notes the proposal by the French President for a European Security and Defence Fund, and supports the development of new and innovative financing and investment concepts, including through the European Investment Bank and public private partnerships; supports the proposals for a ‘European Semester for Defence’ and calls on the VP/HR to present concrete proposals to this effect; commends the European Defence Agency’s role in fostering and coordinating capability development, and calls for its strengthening, notably by increasing its budget;
Amendment 241 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the increasing interdependence between internal and external security, and takes the view that the current security challenges require a profound overhaul of our security policies with a view to creating a consistent and unified policy covering both internal and external dimensions, including aspects such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, energy security, hybrid threats, strategic communication, and critical infrastructures; urges Member States’ security services to enhance coordination and cooperation, and calls on all Member States to comply with their legal obligation to share intelligence with Europol and Eurojust in the fight against terrorism and organised crime; urges the EU to further strengthen its cooperation with third countries in the fight against terrorism;
Amendment 248 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines that cyber and hybrid threats and attacks do not stop at physical borders and constitute a major threat to European and national security and stability; stresses in this regard the urgent need to mainstream cyber security and cyber defence across EU´s internal and external policies, and in its relations with third countries; calls on the Member States to establish an automated information sharing system regarding cyber and hybrid threats and attacks;
Amendment 321 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Urges the EU to step up its cooperation with its Eastern partners in order to strengthen their resilience and independence; calls on the EU to develop strategic communication plans vis-à-vis its Eastern neighbours; calls on the EU and Member States to turn EU East StratCom into a permanent EU structure, and to allocate adequate human and financial resources for its better functioning;
Amendment 335 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. BelievUnderlines that a further deepening of the relationship with the US and Canada is ofshould constitute the central strategic interestgoal to the EU, while at the same time it is important for the EU to strengthen its relationship with Central and South America; emphasizes that in current geopolitical security context, we can only rely on building closer and reliable relations with like-minded democratic powers with whom we share the same value-base and with whom we jointly can deter attempts to de-stabilize not only the European, but global stability;
Amendment 348 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes that at the same time it is important for the EU to strengthen its relationship with Central and South America and to support where needed the consolidation of democracies;
Amendment 384 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines also the need to intensify the fight against Islamist terrorism, which affects ever larger parts of the Middle East and North Africa and has also been creeping into Europe; urges the EU to undertake concerted diplomatic efforts, together with the US and other international allies, to convince partners in the region, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran, of the need for a common strategy towards this global challenge; and urges state and non-state actors in the region to abstain from fuelling any further sectarian and ethnic tensions;
Amendment 412 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Highlights the importance of finding a sustainable solution to the conflict in Syria; supports the UN-led efforts to facilitate negotiations between all parties to the Syrian conflict on an inclusive political settlement; calls on the EU to use its leverage over key actors such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia to ensure that they take a constructive position and refrain from contributing to further escalation of the situation; emphasises that the use of sanctions should be considered in case some of the actors involved do not deliver on their commitments;
Amendment 499 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the need of speeding up the consolidation of the fully-fledged European Diplomatic Service, and in particular strengthening its thematic expertise and strategic policy planning and forecasting, as well as the area of intelligence; calls on developing strategic communication strategies for each region and where needed for each country; insists on the need for a fair balance between diplomats seconded from the Member States and EU officials in the EEAS, including in management positions;
Amendment 29 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU is under growing, systematic pressure to tackle the information, disinformation and misinformation campaigns and propaganda from the east and from the south by the state and non-state actors both online and offline;
Amendment 89 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Da’'esh and many other Islamic terrorist groups have often used communication strategies and direct propaganda both offline and online as part of their actions against the West and to boost recruitment of European youths;
Amendment 96 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas especially online tools, such as online media outlets and social media are being used to disseminate information, misinformation, disinformation and for propaganda purposes directly and through proxies;
Amendment 118 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that strategic propaganda against the EU comes in many different forms and uses various tools, often tailored to match Member States’' profiles, with the goal of provoking doubt, paralysing the decision-making process, discrediting the EU institutions in the eyes and minds of its citizens and eroding western values and, undermining the European political narrative based on democratic values, human rights and rule of law; and eroding transatlantic ties;
Amendment 127 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls onReminds the EU institutions to recognise that information warfare is not only an external EU issue but also an internal one; calls on sensitizing the staff of the EU institutions to better recognize and counter misinformation and propaganda;
Amendment 170 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia has been aggressively employing a wide range of tools and instruments, such as special foundations (Russkiy Mir,) multilingual TV stations (Russia Today, RIA Novosti), news agencies (Sputnik), social and religious groups (including the Orthodox church), social media and internet trolls to challenge Western values, divide Europe, gather domestic support and create the perception of failing states in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood; points out the omnipresence of Russian media outlets to impose Russian point of views on world affairs;
Amendment 206 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is seriously concerned by the rapidly growing Russian activity in Europe seeking to increase Russian influence and hegemony and to weaken and split the EU; stresses that a large part of Russian strategic communication is aimed at describing countries in central and eastern Europe as belonging to its traditional sphere of influence, thereby trying to undermininge their sovereignty; notes that falsifying history is one of its main strategies; stresses the need for close cooperation with NATO to counter Russian propaganda;
Amendment 274 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines the importance for the EU and Member States to cooperate with social media providers to counter Da´esh propaganda spread through social media channels;
Amendment 316 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Underlines the central role of online tools, especially social media; calls on significantly increasing online media literacy on all levels to increase awareness and effectively counter propaganda;
Amendment 344 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes the importance of cyber dimension in information warfare; underlines the crucial need to ensure resilience of the information systems on EU and Member State level, especially against denial and disruptions that can play a central role in hybrid conflict and countering propaganda; calls on close cooperation in this regard with NATO, especially with the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence;
Amendment 1 #
2016/0298(NLE)
Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. GDeclines to gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular those of 10 March 2011 on the EU’'s approach towards Iran1[1], 17 November 2011 on Iran – recent cases of human rights violations, 14 June 2012 on situation of ethnic minorities in Iran, and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339.
Amendment 18 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; having regard to the EU Annual reports on Human Rights,
Amendment 20 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
– having regard to its previous resolutions on EU Annual reports on Human Rights; having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on death penalty,
Amendment 55 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-buildingparticular attention to fundamental human rights, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;
Amendment 74 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter- parliamentary dialogue on counter- terrorism; wWelcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strongthe ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles, human rights and rule of law; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur when the conditions laid down by Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are fully met within the timeframe agreed and by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU; notes the proposal discussed between Parliament and Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter- terrorism;
Amendment 105 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes andCondemns Iran on the continuous and frequent use of the death penalty, especially death penalty against juveniles; sees ending the application of death penalty as one of the core objectives, especially on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’'s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question;
Amendment 109 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;
Amendment 124 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as one measure addressing the issue of executions related to drug offences in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;
Amendment 127 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 144 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Ir, and to guarantee that financial flows to terrorists and terrorist groupings are prevented, detected and halted; calls on the EU to support Iran’s efforts in this process; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran once the FATF has concluded after its twelve months review confirming that Iran would have had implemented the Action Plan; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO after it has been removed from the FATF black list;
Amendment 158 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Is worried about the extensive control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps over the Iranian economy, urges the Commission to find mechanisms for EU companies to be able to verify before signing contracts with Iranian partners that the money will not be transferred to the war zones in the region;
Amendment 169 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls the impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters in line with FATF recommendations to create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;
Amendment 254 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Takes note of the June 2016 U.S. State Department annual report on global terrorism listing Iran as the top state sponsor of terrorism;
Amendment 256 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself; leads attention to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) interferences in the region, particularly in supporting the Syrian regime; remains concerned about Iran's financial and arms support for Hezbollah;
Amendment 275 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. BelievNotes that the nuclear deal could opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran;
Amendment 301 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region as long as there is an on-going military interference by various countries; calls therefore on Iran as a gesture of good will and building confidence to withdraw all its military forces particularly from Syria and Iraq to let the people of those countries to have a chance to find long term solutions;
Amendment 319 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, this should include withdrawing its military forces from Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;
Amendment 363 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that the February 2016 parliamentary elections in Iran did not meet the standards free and fair elections, as the opposition was banned and thousands of candidates were filtered by the 'Guardian Council' under orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei;
Amendment 369 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Notes that the situation of women has been deteriorating in recent years with new laws that further restrict their rights; is alarmed about reports of recent deployment of 7000 plain-clothes 'morality police' in the capital Tehran to repress women for 'improper veiling';
Amendment 384 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; is alarmed by reports that the number of executions have continued to rise since the beginning of the nuclear negotiations with almost 1000 people hanged during 2015; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould dramaticallyhelp to decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly- elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;
Amendment 403 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; notes with concern that Iran still remains a leading executioner of juvenile offenders; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders;
Amendment 413 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Is deeply concerned about the rising number of individuals imprisoned from religious minority communities due to their beliefs, including Sunnis, Sufi Muslim dissenters, Baha'is, Christian converts and Jews, since President Hassan Rouhani took office in 2013; deplores that religious minority activists have been sentenced to death for "enmity against God";
Amendment 417 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Believes that EU should use its improving relations with Iran to urge the country to grant access to the UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran to visit Iran;
Amendment 81 #
2015/2254(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union is a community of values, based on democracfounded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and fundamentalrespect for human rights, enshrined in its core principles and objectives in the first articles of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), and in the criteria for Union membership;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2254(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in accordance with Article 2, Article 3(1) and Article 7 TEU, the Union avails itself of the possibility to act in order to protect its "constitutional core", reflected by the common values it shares with its Member Statesthe values on which it is founded;
Amendment 341 #
2015/2254(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Considers that the DRF Scoreboard may draw on the expertise of a variety of actors, including academics, representative associations and civil society, Churches and religious associations or communities, professional and sectoral associations;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas there is an inherent right of individual or collective self-defence according to Art. 51 of the Charter of the UN;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas in the interests of international stability, it is important to provide a balance of deterrence on a case- by-case assessment;
Amendment 27 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Supports the supply of defensive arms in case of a legitimate self-defence; welcomes the decision of some Member States to supply defensive arms to the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan and to Ukraine;
Amendment 33 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, armed groups and violent non-state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are used toConsiders that developments in the last two years in the neighbourhood of the Union have demonstrated the need to adopt effective arms export control regimes; condemns the use of arms with the aim of fuelling insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considerNotes that the defence industry should aims to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security andconsiders it essential to further develop the EU industrial defence base, ensuring that the EU´s defence innovation and technology is not defpenceding ofn the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countrieird countries; underlines that research and development in the defence industries have an important spill-over effect contributing to numerous civilian applications;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that, while denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the Arab Spring are a positive sign, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in chaconsiders that the Member States should fully take into account EU´s stracter; considers that a more thorough assessmentgic interests and be based on a thorough assessment according to the Common Position of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owimain a challenge to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16 be addressed; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol
Amendment 72 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that arms export controls are an integral part of EU foreign and security policy and shall be guided by the principles enshrined in Article 21 of TEU, notably the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and preservation of peace, prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security; recalls that arms exports might affect the credibility of the EU as a global human rights advocate; calls for the new EU global strategy on foreign and security policy to properly consider arms export issues in view of the changed European interests in current security environment and associated risks and threats;
Amendment 80 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Deplores that irresponsiblellicit or unregulated arms transfers continue tomay hinder democratic, economic and social development in manycertain parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight would be a decisive contributione to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives;
Amendment 92 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the requirement that states parties to the ATT take into account in the licence decision-making process the risk that the weapons to be transferred may be used to commit or facilitate serious acts of gender-based violence or serious acts of violence against women and children; calls on the Member States to introduce this conditwelcomes the fact that this condition is covered by the second criterion into the Common Position;
Amendment 93 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Commends the fact that the EU has a legally binding framework, unique in the world, through which arms export control is being enforced, including in crisis regions and countries with questionable human rights records; and welcomes the fact, in this connection, that several European and third countries have joined the arms exports control system on the basis of the Common Position;
Amendment 94 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Welcomes the fact that Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro and Norway have aligned themselves with the criteria and principles of the Common Position 2008/944CFSP; notes that a special information exchange system between the EU and the aligned third countries has been in place since 2012;
Amendment 97 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that the Common Position does not affect the right of Member States to operate more restrictive national policiesshould lead to a coordinated approach to arms trade and that the common standards set by the Common Position are to be regarded as the minimum standard for the management of transfers of military technology according to recital 3; points out that harmonisation at the European level should only lead to a more restrictive arms export policy at national level and not be used as a pretext for watering down stricter national rulenotes, however, that the eight criteria are applied and interpreted with varying degrees of rigour in the EU Member States; calls, therefore, for more uniform interpretation and implementation of the Common Position with all its obligations;
Amendment 104 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes COARM’s review of Common Position 2008/944 and the conclusion that it properly serves the objectives set by the Council, and that it is in line with the ATT; expresses concern that Member States thought that no change was necessary despite weaknesses in arms exports policies exposed by the Arab Spring;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes note of the update of the User’s Guide to the Council Common Position and of the EU Military List; looks forward to the adoption of a new online information-sharing mechanism by COARM; welcomes the new references made to aspects of the ATT which are not yet included in the Common Position and the changes to the elaborative guidance to Criterion Seven; is disappointed that changes to the guidance on implementing the other criteria have been limited, in particular with regard to Criterion Eight despite widespread difficulties in its effective implementation;
Amendment 112 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to ensure a stricteruniform application of the eight criteria; believes that Member States including at European level in COARM should broadenare making their assessments to include a focusin full compliance with the Common Position on the situation in the country of destination as well as on the specific military technology in question; encourages Member States to apply stricter national criteria;
Amendment 121 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the need to ensure a more coherent policy on embargos; calls on Member States to eliminate any ambiguities in their systems but also at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement concerning the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms, which could lead to small arms transfers being able to circumvenclarify national and international provisions relating to the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms in order to control more effectively the transfer of arms regarded as ‘non- military’; recalls that rRegulation systems through being described as ‘non-military’(EU) No 258/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council implementing Article 10 of the United Nations’ Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms is intended to control effectively transfers of firearms for civil use;
Amendment 124 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 132 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned by the possible diversions of exports and by the lack of effective controls on end users, and calls on Member States to establish an effective control system (common monitoring system, non-misuse clause in end-user certificates, mandatory physical inspections of end users); cCalls on the Council to better align Criterion Seven to Article 11 of the ATT to avoid diversions of exports;
Amendment 136 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Finds regrettable the veryRegrets the late adoption of the Sixteenth Annual Report making it the most delayed ever;
Amendment 141 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Finds regrettableNotes that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregatedcalls on the remaining Member States to fulfil their obligation to report annually and provide data for the 16th Annual Report retrospectively and for the forthcoming Annual Reports in due time;
Amendment 151 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for enhancedWelcomes the consultations between the Member States with regard to transfers to fragile and unstable regions or countries; calls on the Member States to establish and publish a list of persons (including entities and individuals) that have been convicted of violating arms- export-related legislation and of cases of identified diversion; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information in due time on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo;
Amendment 160 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Strongly believes that theCalls for the reports to be kept public; considers that parliaments and citizens have the right to be informed about the arms export decisions of their governments asin they affect the security and well-being of their nation interests of transparency and greater public scrutiny;
Amendment 164 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls for parliamentary oversight to be strengthened both at national and European level through annual reports in Parliament; calls for European arms exports as part of the European industrial defence policy to be discussed at the next Inter- Parliamentary Conference on CFSP/CSDP;
Amendment 166 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses also the essential role ofWelcomes the regular consultation with civil society in increasing transparency; calls on the Commission and the EEAS/COARM to continue to deepen ithis dialogue with civil society and relevant think tanks;
Amendment 169 #
2015/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers that technological developments make it increasingly more difficult to distinguish between pure military and pure civilian use; calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Commission to ensure that there are no loopholescoherence at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement and between the Military List and the Annexes of the Dual-Use Regulation and to pay particular attention to new technology of strategic importance such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and surveillance technology;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas Russia suspended its participation in the Treaty of Conventional Arms Control of Europe in 2007 and has declared 10th of March 2015 about stopping its engagement also in the consultative group of the Treaty and by that fully pulling out of CFE;
Amendment 166 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Expresses hope that the Minsk ceasefire agreement reached on 12 February 2015 will hold, although there are signs of violation by the Russian side and the separatists and thereby provide the time for a negotiated political solution;
Amendment 176 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that, in the event thatuntil Russia does not honourfully implement the Minsk ceasefire agreement, and continues the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea, the sanction regime should be continued and even strengthened;
Amendment 205 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on Russia to respect the rights of the local population in Crimea, especially the native Crimean Tatars, thousands of whom have left their homeland for fear of persecution and have sought refuge in other regions in Ukraine; condemns the systematic persecution of especially Crimean Tatars who have participated in demonstrations to support Ukrainian territorial integrity; calls on Russian authorities to immediately stop harassing the executive body of Crimean Tatars, the Mejlis;
Amendment 37 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 34 a (new)
Citation 34 a (new)
– having regard to nine rounds of talks from 2002 to 2010 between high ranking representatives of the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama,
Amendment 38 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 34 a (new)
Citation 34 a (new)
– having regard to ‘Tibet’s Path of Development Is Driven by an Irresistible Historical Tide’, China’s White Paper on Tibet, published by China’s State Council Information Office, 15 April 2015,
Amendment 40 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 34 b (new)
Citation 34 b (new)
– having regard to the 2008 Memorandum and the 2009 Note on Genuine Autonomy both presented by the Representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama,
Amendment 257 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is concerned that China will extend government's control over civil society via upcoming NGO regulations by banning non-registered NGOs "from overseas" to fund Chinese individuals or organisations, and vice versa by prohibiting Chinese groups from conducting "activities" related to non- registered NGOs;
Amendment 298 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the urgency of environmental protection measures, bearing in mind, for example, that in 2014 only eight out of 74 major cities reached the national standard of PM 2.5 air pollution concentrations; warns that the double water crisis (massive pollution combined with increased water usage) could cause major political and social instability; welcomes the fact that under the new environmental protection law local cadres are accountable, also retroactively, for environmental damage caused during their tenure; is deeply concerned about the destruction of Tibet's environment as a result of China's policies of fast-track development in the region since 1999, underlines in this respect that the Tibetan plateau is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, which may cause the melting of Tibet's estimated 46,000 glaciers;
Amendment 305 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Observes that in recent years China's anti-terrorism policy has evolved rapidly from a somewhat reactive ‘defence against terror' approach to a proactive ‘war on terror', along with permanent ‘crisis management' entailing action to an unprecedented extent in affected regions and in society; is concerned about the upcoming Chinese law on 'counter- terrorism', which may lead to further violations of human and freedom rights, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang as regions with minority populations;
Amendment 394 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that a strong contradiction exists between the official Chinese aspiration to the universality of human rights and the worsening human rights situation; notes that the recent worsening of the situation of human and freedom rights in China has started in 2013; is worried that the situation will become even worse with Chinese laws foreseen to be adopted in 2015 on 'counter-terrorism', 'national security' and NGOs;
Amendment 419 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Criticises the fact that in China freedom of religion is not a right, but a matter for the state, which sets the limits of what is permissible; supports the resistance of Chinese churches against the government's renewed strategy of ‘sinicisation' of Christianity; condemns, in particular, the ongoing anti-Christian campaign in the province of Zhejiang, during which dozens of churches were demolished and more than 400 crosses removed in 2014; shares the concerns of churches about other provinces where there is a strong Christian presence; condemns moreover anti-Buddhism campaigns via the "patriotic education" approach, including measures to state-manage Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, condemns "legal education" programmes for Buddhist monks and nuns; cannot understand and accept a ban on images of the Dalai Lama in China; is concerned that China's Criminal Law is being abused to persecute Tibetans and Buddhists, sees its concerns confirmed as monks and nuns make over 40% of the political prisoners in Tibet;
Amendment 444 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. is deeply concerned that the Chinese government continues its hard-line policies against the Tibetan people, especially by rejecting the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way Approach" and to defame it as a separatist strategy as recently happened in the official Chinese 'White Paper on Tibet of April 2015'; strongly underlines and supports the Middle Way Approach which seeks neither independence nor separation from the People's Republic of China; emphasises that the Middle Way Approach calls for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China;
Amendment 446 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Is deeply concerned that Lama Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, imprisoned since 2002 for 20 years, died on 13 July 2015 due to denial of access to medical care; is deeply concerned that 10 other prominent Tibetan prisoners also died due to such reasons and as a result of torture in 2014; demands a detailed investigation of all these death cases;
Amendment 451 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Is deeply concerned about the fact that over 142 Tibetans have resorted to self-immolations to protest against the suppression of the Tibetan people; rejects any linkage between self-immolations and terrorism, as no Chinese citizen has ever been injured by such dramatic and desperate acts;
Amendment 452 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Strongly condemns any kind of state measures which aim to collectively punish people associated with self-immolators - such as friends, colleagues, families or entire villages - as violations of international law, which clearly bans collective punishment;
Amendment 455 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Is deeply concerned about the forceful re-settlement of more than 2 million Tibetan nomads and herdsmen since 2006 to 'New Socialist Villages', as they are cut off from medicare, education and prosperity; is deeply concerned about the continued transfer of Han Chinese population into Tibet as well as the state goal to increase the population in Tibet by 30 percent till the end of 2020;
Amendment 461 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Highly recommends and urgently calls on China to resume the currently stalled Sino-Tibetan Dialogue as the best political instrument to achieve a mutual and realistic solution for the current instability in Tibet; is extremely worried that the current tensions may lead to an even worse situation in the near future;
Amendment 292 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that enlargement and neighbourhood policies are separate policies with different objectives; reiterates, however, that European countries within the ENP can apply for membershipshould have a clear membership prospective if they satisfy the criteria and conditions of admission under Article 49 TEU;
Amendment 310 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers support for democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and to the territorial integrity to be central to the ENP; stresses that the EU should be willing to offer incentives and know-how to help overcome the social challenges and economic costs of undertaking democratic reforms;
Amendment 351 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers media freedom, freedom of religion and belief and freedom of assembly essential political elements that the ENP countries need to guarantee to demonstrate their commitment to democracy, human rights and rule of law;
Amendment 377 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to implement conditionality in relation to reform processes; emphasises that the EU cannot compromise its fundamental values and should avoid creating double standards; stresses that countries that are making progress in implementing reforms, andre following European policy and respective the fundamental values of democracy, human rights and rule of law should be granted more substantial support;
Amendment 437 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the need for an overarching political strategy to restore the European political order while ensuring full compliance with international law and commitments, as laid down in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, based on respect for human rights, minority rights and fundamental freedoms, independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states, and peaceful resolution of conflicts; notes that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as the biggest regional organisation responsible for security, can play an important roleshould be given a new impetus by taking a role of a mediator in this regard;
Amendment 535 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses that the EU should realistically consider the different policy options that its partners face and how to build bridges with their neighbours on different levels and how to address the foreign policy of third countries in its neighbourhood; underlines that every ENP country should be free in their choice of European integration; calls on the Commission to stress this aspect vis-a-vis non-ENP countries that are active in respective regions and cooperate with the ENP countries;
Amendment 616 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the Commission to explore and offer to the ENP countries different levels of participation, cooperation and engagement in its policies, programmes and agencies, such as in EUROPOL, customs management and the Energy Community; encourages the Commission to promote the Budapest convention to fight cybercrime among the ENP countries and call them to join if not done yet;
Amendment 659 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns against the EU and its Member States both in the ENP countries, but also in the wider European neighbourhood;
Amendment 232 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is of the opinion that, in the long run, a constructive and predictable relationship between the EU and Russia is possible, for the benefit of both partners, especially in view of the existing political, trade and energy relations, people-to- people contacts and of the common challenges and interests on the world scene;
Amendment 233 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Condemns, as contrary to the international law and code of conduct, the official Russian doctrine under which Kremlin claims the right to intervene by force in the neighbouring sovereign states to ‘protect’ the safety of Russian compatriots living there; underlines that such a doctrine means usurping unilaterally the position of highest arbiter of international law and has resulted in justification of manifold acts of political, economic and military intervention;
Amendment 36 #
2015/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The placing on the market of seal products shall also be allowed provided that all the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the person placing the seal products on the market can provide evidence that the seal products would otherwise be discarded; (b) the nature and quantity of seal production provided by the hunter indicate that trading opportunities of seal material are occasional, small scale and that such trading has been conducted for a non-commercial purpose; (c) the seal products result from hunts conducted on seal populations with favourable conservation status; (d) the seal products result from hunts that have been conducted in a way that respects animal welfare.
Amendment 8 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2015 on relations between the European Union and the League of Arab States and cooperation in countering terrorism,
Amendment 40 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Citation 24 a (new)
- whereas violence in Yemen is deteriorating; whereas extremist rebel groups in Yemen, some of them supported by Iran, have seized large territories; whereas attacks have been launched targeting refugee camps, hospitals, schools and civilian facilities;
Amendment 108 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that faith based violence against religious minorities, especially against Christians in several MENA countries and Yezidism in Iraq has reached extreme levels in the last couple of years and is presenting existential danger for the minorities in question; calls on the European Union to step up its efforts in advocating for active protection of religious minorities and providing for safe havens;
Amendment 150 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses also the importance of regional dialogue with Turkey and Iran; stresses the need to reintegrate Iran into the international community once it has provided definitive assurances and cast- iron guarantees of its intention to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes only and has demonstrated credible political will to end exporting terrorism and arms into neighbouring countries in the region which has further destabilized the situation there;
Amendment 189 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the crucial importance of promoting improved cooperation between the EU Member States and the MENA countries in combating terrorism; underlines the need to overcome still existing shortcomings in cooperation with countries of origin, transit and destination through which foreign fighters and resources to support them have been channelled with the aim of uniting efforts in the fight against terrorism, especially through increased sharing of information, tackling illicit firearm trafficking, tracing terrorist financing and developing new narratives to counter extremism and fundamentalism; calls for closer cooperation with the Europol and Interpol countries, providing them with assistance in developing the necessary anti- terrorist structures and resources;
Amendment 224 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need for the Iraqi Government to continue to promote theimplement sharing of political responsibilities, power and oil profits, encompassing all religious and ethnic communities in that country; calls for this to be made an essential condition for implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Iraq; calls on the Iraqi Government to provide protection for ethnic and religious minorities without delay, to prevent shia militias exercising violence against sunni minorities and to provide refugees who have fled ISIS terror with safe havens and essential aid; calls on the EU to contribute to capacity building by the Iraqi Government;
Amendment 232 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Condemns strongly attacks on civilian infrastructure and population in Yemen that have resulted in high number of casualties and serious worsened the already dire humanitarian situation; calls on the EU together with international and regional actors to mediate an immediate seize-fire and end of violence targeting civilians; calls on additional funds in coordination with other international donors to be made available to prevent a humanitarian crisis and provide essential aid to the ones in need;
Amendment 295 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is convinced that cultural and sectarian cooperation is essential in combating terrorism and any form of radicalism; stresses the utmost importance of promoting cultural and academic exchanges; urges partner countries to participate in EU cultural programmes; calls on the Commission to act on the European Parliament’s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro- Mediterranean Erasmus programme distinct from the Erasmus+ programme;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 22 November 2012 on Cyber Security and Defence,
Amendment 116 #
2014/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Welcomes the adoption by the Council of 18 November 2014 of a EU cyber defence policy framework setting out 5 priorities for the CSDP cyber defence and clarifying the role of different actors; underlines the importance of achieving common level of cyber security among Member States in order to adequately advance with cooperation in cyber defence; points out the imminent threat in cyber domain and underlines the need for resilience and readiness in the EU to respond to cyber crisis also in the CSDP context and thus encourages all Member States to significantly level up their development of cyber defence capabilities with no delay; stresses the need for synergies and complementarities of the civilian and military domains of cyber security and defence in the EU; underlines the importance of stepping up cyber defence cooperation with NATO;
Amendment 39 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
– supporting security, stabilisation and the rule of law in the EU’s southern neighbourhood,
Amendment 169 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – indent 2
Paragraph 16 – indent 2
– strengthening the European Defence Agency by providing it with the necessary resources and political impetus, so that it can play its full role in coordinating and stimulating armaments cooperation;
Amendment 207 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the industrial and technological resources needed to improve cyber security to be developed, including by promoting a single market for cyber security products; emphasises the need to mainstream cyber defence into external action and the CFSP, and calls for closer coordination on cyber defence with NATO; welcomes the EU’s Cyber Security Strategy; urges the European Defence Agency to strengthen coordination on cyber defence among Member States and calls on the Member States to provide the EDA with the means to achieve this goal; underlines the need to significantly increase the cyber defence capabilities of the Member States, i.e. by developing comprehensive cyber defence strategies;
Amendment 246 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that a solidarity mechanism should be put in place in order to deal with possible energy disruptions; whereas the EU internal energy market was due to be completed by 2014, calls for its completion and eliminating the remaining isolated energy islands within the EU without any further delays, accompanied by the external common energy policy; believes that an interconnected energy infrastructure should be further developed and that efforts to diversify the EU’s energy supply should be accelerated in order to strengthen the energy independence of Member States;
Amendment 263 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes the view that an overarching political strategy is needed, aimed at reinvigoratstoring the European political and legal order, which w as laid down with the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and which binds all European states, including Russia; and which has been damaged by the Russian invasion to Ukraine; insists that this order is based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts; seeslooks forward to the development of a constructive dialogue with Russia on cooperation to strengthen this order as a basis for peace and stability in Europe, provided that Russia fully implements the Minsk agreement from September 2014;
Amendment 283 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes the conclusion in 2014 of Association Agreements including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, which is a major step in their political and economic convergence towards the EU; takes the view that the association process should be used by the countries concerned to modernise democratic governance, strengthen the rule of law, reform public administration and undertake economic and structural reforms; urges a substantial increase in EU political, financial and technical assistance to support these reforms; insists, however, on strict conditionality and the need to achieve significant success in decreasing corruption and to guarantee accountability for resources spent;
Amendment 312 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Supports the sanctions adopted by the EU in reaction to the Russian aggression against Ukraine and stresses that these are scalable and reversible, depending on the fulfilment of the Minsk agreementonly full fulfilment of the Minsk agreement should lead to any re-thinking of the EU´s sanctions policy;
Amendment 318 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Emphasises the needcrucial importance for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice vis- à-vis Russia; calls on the HR/VP to develop, as a matter of priority, a common EU strategy on Russia, aimed at securing a commitment from Russia on peace and stability in Europe; believes that a including unconditional respect of its neighbours sovereignty and territorial integrity; whereas good relationship between Russia and the EU wouldhas always been in the common interest and hopes that Russia will show itselfurges Russia to open up to such a development by fully respecting international law and by contributing to restoring of the territorial integrity of its neighbours;
Amendment 401 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. BelieveConfirms that the US is the EU’s key strategic partner, and encourages closer coordination with the US on EU foreign policy, pursuing common approaches to challenges in the EU neighbourhood and at global level; underlines the strategic nature of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which has the potential to enable the transatlantic partners to set global standards and strengthen global governance; believes that Latin America is an important partner for the EU and that various modalities of triangular transatlantic cooperation should be developed;
Amendment 413 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Underlines the need for a strategy, in coordination with the US, on how to draw Russia, China andmore efficiently draw also other major powers into responsibility for the peace and stability of the global political and economic order; to this end, urges the HR/VP and the Council to re-think strategic partnershipsreiterates that strategic partnerships should be based on respecting international laws and common values such as democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law;
Amendment 60 #
2014/0285(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
Amendment 160 #
2014/0285(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point f
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point f
Amendment 195 #
2014/0285(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16
Article 16
Amendment 84 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Observes with serious concern the recent corruption scandal; regrets the statements by Turkish authorities on alleged mini-coup d'état carried by conspiracy allegations and that has resulted in mass arrests and partial investigations purging about 350 police investigators and blocking a second wave of investigations in the corruption case; underlines the fundamental importance of impartial judicial system and separation of powers as the core values of a democratic regime based on the rule of law;
Amendment 130 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that efforts have been made to intensify dialogue with non-Muslim religious communities, nevertheless discrimination and on-going disputes over property rights remain unresolved in practice; calls upon Turkey to put in place with no delay a ECHR compatible legal framework on matter of belief and conscientious objection;
Amendment 119 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need to enhance youth cooperation within the framework of the Youth in Action Programme’'s EaP Youth Window, thus strengthening young people’'s active citizenship, developing solidarity and promoting tolerance among young people; welcomes in this regard the Eastern Partnership Youth Summit that took place in October 2013 facilitating political dialogue and networking with decision makers and young people from EU and EaP countries;
Amendment 138 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that difficulties have emerged in promoting and implementing the EaP, and stresses that the EU’'s engagement should go beyond political dialogue to tackle and develop social, economic and cultural dialogue; calls upon the EU to increase its presence in the partner countries using more interactive audio-visual means and social media in respective local language to reach the whole society;
Amendment 176 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that more efforts should go into sharing experiences of democratic reforms and processes rather than imposing EU standards, and acknowledging the uniqueness of individual countries and highlighting the equal status of partners and potential mutual benefits; suggests looking into possibilities of peer-to-peer learning both on political and technical level which would increase awareness and knowledge about democracy building and rule of law;
Amendment 236 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Highlights the importance of promoting and supporting joint efforts in research and innovation, including exchange programmes for students, in virtual multilingual projects, in dialogue between cultures, through joint film productions and joint resources for literary translations, in joint research on the legacy of Nazism and Communism, and of totalitarian regimes and on common history in Europe; invites the participating actors in this regard to promote and make use of the networks provided by the European Platform of Memory and Conscience;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9a (new)
Citation 9a (new)
- having regard to the increasing violations of freedom of expression; having regard to the continuous unsatisfactory situation of religious and cultural minorities,
Amendment 77 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Commends the Commission and Turkey for the implementation of the positive agenda, which proves how, in a context of mutual engagement and clear objectives, Turkey and the EU could advance their dialogue, achieve common understanding and produce positive change; believes that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating the conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understanding; notes that this should be based on common values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights;
Amendment 158 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are core European values and that a truly democratic society requires true freedom of expression, including the right of dissent; expresses great concern about the growing numbers of violations of freedom of expression and its de facto further restriction; underlines the importance of abolishing legislation providing for disproportionately high fines on the media, leading in some cases to their closure or to self-censorship, and the urgent need to reform the internet law;
Amendment 237 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the continued implementation of legislation amending the 2008 law on foundations and broadening the scope of the restoration of the property rights of non-Muslim communities; calls on the relevant authorities to assist the Syriac community in clarifying the difficulties faced with property and land registration; calls for a solution for the large number of properties of the Latin Catholic Church which remain confiscated by the State; recalls the urgent need to continue vital and substantial reform in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, in particular by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality, by eliminating all restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, by recognising Alevi places of worships and by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR and the recommendations of the Venice Commission; calls on Turkey to remove the reference to religion from national identity cards in order to reduce administrative harassment of members of non-Muslim communities; calls on Turkey to ensure that the Saint Gabriel monastery is not deprived of its lands, and that it is protected in its entirety;
Amendment 275 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is concerned about the disproportionally high poverty rate among children, particularly in rural areas; stresses the need for a comprehensive strategy and considerably raising administrative capacity to combat child poverty and labour and promote access to education; welcomes the establishment of an Ombudsperson for children's rights and the adoption of Turkey's first strategy on the rights of the child; is concerned that the number of active juvenile justice courts has decreased and urges Turkey to provide alternatives to detention for minors; recalls the importance of independent monitoring and protection mechanisms to protect rights and prevent abuse;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Underlines that US is and will continue to be the most important strategic partner for the EU, further deepening and widening of the relations must therefore follow without further delay;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Calls for an EU-US summit to be held as soon as possible to decide on a common agenda of short and long-term goals with regard to both bilateral matters and global and regional issues;
Amendment 41 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Congratulates Barack Obama on hisInvites the re-election ased President of the United States of America; invites him, Barack Obama to address the European Parliament at its plenary session in Strasbourg during his next visit to Europe;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 47 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the agenda will include the launching of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); stresses that this agreement will reinvigorate the EU-US relationship and that its global impact will go beyond its bilateral implications; stresses the need for strong political will and constructiveness to pursue the negotiations in an efficient manner;
Amendment 59 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice- President of the European Commission (HR/VP), the Council, the Commission and the EU Member States to enhance their coordination of EU policy vis-à-vis the US administration, in such a way as to allow the EU to be consideredto send a convincing message that the EU is a coherent and efficient international player; highlights the importance of also strengthening the common security and defence policy, givenalso in regard to the different crises that may arise in the EU's neighbouring regions and the US's ‘"leading from behind’" doctrine;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. AppreciateHighlights the contribution of the TLD to theas a content based, constructive body in strengthening of EU-US relations; welcomes the opening of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington and invites the US Congress to follow suit in Brussels;
Amendment 81 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the creation, at the 2010 Summit, of the Working Group on Cyber- Security and Cyber-Crime; believes that the EU and the US should give special priority to their cooperation on cyber security with special regard on countering cyber -attacks and cyber-crime;
Amendment 92 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on both partners to study fields and frameworks through which broader transatlantic cooperation could be carried out in a pragmatic way, and to explore with other Atlantic countries the usefulness of this extended cooperation; underlines that possible fields areexplore the feasibility of a broader pragmatic transatlantic cooperation in the areas of economic issues, global governance, development cooperation, climate change, security and energy, and to consider the possible extended cooperation with other Atlantic countries; calls on the partners to analyse the possibility of making use, for the purpose of these triangular dialogues, of the structures created in Latin America which the EU has traditionally encouraged;
Amendment 102 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Suggests that the partners engage in regular exchanges of views between themselves regarding their respective summits with Latin-American countries in a regional framework;
Amendment 108 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the EU and the US to work in a coordinated manner with a view to ensuringcontribute to a stable international order of peace and cooperation, based on effective multilateralism with emerging players, including those of the South Atlantic rim; urges the partners to continue working on the UN reform programme while engaging the other Atlantic countries;
Amendment 124 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses the importance of coordination to combat the risks to global security, such as terrorism, failed states, trafficking of human beings, arms and drugs, organised crime and piracy, cyber security, all of which constitute current threats in the Atlantic Basin; underlines the need to deepen comprehensive cooperation between the countries of the whole Atlantic Basin in the fight against drug trafficking, which is increasingly taking place throughout West Africa and the Sahel; welcomes the partners' support for the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on Drugs;
Amendment 148 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the EU and the US to adoptgree on a common strategy inagenda on the international fora, especially the UN, on the reduction of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms and to involve the Atlantic countries in these endeavours; expects the US and Russia to make further progress on nuclear disarmament;
Amendment 180 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Highlights the importance of the EU Eastern Partnership to the EU; stresses the need to bring the countries of this neighbouring region closer to the EU and to the common values of the transatlantic partnersin strengthening the common values of the transatlantic partners in the Eastern Partnership region and calls on the EU and US to join their efforts in this regard;
Amendment 185 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Urges both partners to better coordinate their policies towards a critical engagement with Russia; calls on the EU and the US to contribute encourage and to closely monitor the process of Russian modernisation and base any further deepening of the relations with Russia on convincing improvements regarding rule of law and the human rights situation;
Amendment 193 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Notes the shift of international attention towards the East due to the political and economic growth of the Asia-Pacific region; welcomes the fact that closer consultation between the EU and the US on that region has recently been established and calls for upgrading the level and scope of these consultations;
Amendment 199 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls on the EU and the US to make a coordinated effort to commit the new Chinese leadership to dealing more actively with global agenda issues and conflicts; recalls the importance of sustaining an open dialogue on good governance and respect for human rights;
Amendment 64 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the adoption of the EU strategic framework for human rights on 25 June 2012; urges the EU institutions to work together to ensure its timely and proper implementation in order to credibly meet the EU treaty commitment to pursue external policies based on human rights, democratic values and the rule of law in a principled and unfaltering manner;
Amendment 161 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the new emphasis in EU policy towards the Southern Neighbourhood on mutual accountability and a shared commitment to the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law; calls for consistency in EU's human rights policy approach to the South and the East; underlines the need to avoid in the East the same kinds of policy mistakes that were made in the South prior to the Arab Spring of 2011; observes with great concern growing religious intolerance, especially against Christians in the South region and calls upon the Commission and EEAS to pay special attention to freedom of religion in the Southern Neighbourhood;
Amendment 216 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes EU efforts to include a human rights clause in all EU political framework agreements, but reiterates its call for all contractual relationships with third countries – both industrialised and developing, and including sectoral agreements, trade and technical or financial aid agreements – to include clearly worded conditionality and clauses on human rights and democracy, without exception;
Amendment 239 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Recognises that increasing dependence on information and communications technology infrastructure is likely to create new vulnerabilities and security concerns internationally; recalls, however, that many of the decentralised characteristics that make the internet a cyber-security concern are also the very reasons that it is a powerful tool for human rights defenders living under repressive regimes; stresses, therefore, the importance of a comprehensive policy approach to cyber- security with a clear human rights dimension, including an impact assessment on human rights consequences, in the development of policies and programmes relating to cyber security, the fight against cyber crime, internet governance and other EU policies in this area; calls in this regard on the Commission and the EEAS to take a proactive approach and to mainstream the aspect of cyber security in its interaction with third countries;
Amendment 271 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Amendment 376 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. StressesWelcomes the inclusion of the freedom of religion or belief in the training provided to the EU staff; Strongly reiterates its call on the need for a toolkit to advance the right to freedom of religion or belief as part of EU's external policy; notes that this toolkit should include a checklist on the necessary freedoms pertaining to the right of freedom of religion or belief, in order to assess the situation, as well as a methodology to help identify infringements of freedom of religion or belief; encourages the EEAS to involve civil society organisations in the preparation of the toolkit;
Amendment 398 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83 a (new)
Paragraph 83 a (new)
83a. Deplores the growing intolerance against religious minorities in the world, especially increasing violence against Christians in Middle-East, North-Africa, Pakistan and Nigeria; welcomes the efforts of HR/VP on international level in this regard; calls on the EEAS and HR/VP to step up their efforts in protecting freedom of religion or belief and consider imposing sanctions on countries tolerating violence against religious minorities;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the European Union has a duty to respond by speaking with one voice, ensuring political consistency and acting in a spirit of solidarity between Member States,
Amendment 25 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the EU should be a global political player on the international scene in order to promote international peace and security, to protect its interests in the world and to ensure the security of its citizens; believes that the European Union should be able to assume its responsibilities when confronted with international threats, crises and conflicts, especially in its neighbourhood, underlines in this regard the need for the EU to be consistent in its policies and faster and more efficient in taking up mentioned responsibilities;
Amendment 40 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that, despite the continuing validity of its assertions and analyses, the European Security Strategy, which was drawn up in 2003 and finalised in 2008, is beginning to look outdated, since a strategic vision formed in 2003 is no longer sufficient to understand today's world; calls therefore on the High Representative / Vice-President of the Commission and the Council rapidly to present a White Paper on the Security and Defence of the EU, which precisely defines the EU's strategic interests and takes account of changing threats and the development of relations with our allies and partners, but also with emerging countries; stresses the importance of such a strategic framework to guide the external action of the Union European, channel the foreign policies of Member States towards common goals and also guide the medium and long-term strategic planning of the civilian and military capabilities to be developed and acquired within the context of the CSDP;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Expresses its utmost concern at the development of a zone of instability in the Sahel, characterized by criminal activities and armed operations by radical terrorist groups which are undermining the territorial integrity of States in the region and whose actions could lead to the establishment of a permanent zone of lawlessness in part of the territory of Mali, and its spreading to the neighbouring countries;
Amendment 120 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Emphasizes the positive role played by the EUMM Georgia observation mission, particularly in supporting dialogue and the restoration of confidence-building measures between the parties, but regretsis seriously worried that this mission is still not allowed to visit the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and urges the HR/VP to demand that the access for the EUMM to the occupied territories is granted without any further delay according to the agreement;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Notes the importance of learning from the experience of missions and operations conducted within the framework of the CSDP and commends the work done in this direction by the CMPD and the EUMS; calls on the High Representative / Vice- President of the Commission to report regularly to Parliament on the results of this work;
Amendment 158 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Notes with concern the reduction in the appropriations allocated to research and technology, which in the long term will affect the ability of Europeans to maintain a credible defence capability; reminds the Member States on their commitment to increase the allocation to defence related research and technology to at least 2% from the defence budget;
Amendment 159 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)
Paragraph 63 a (new)
63a. Welcomes the recent initiatives and projects related to cyber defence; urges the Member States to engage even closer with EDA in developing their cyber defence capabilities, especially in view of trust-building and pooling and sharing; welcomes the fact that cyber defence will be one the priorities in the area of Defence Research and Technology in EDA;
Amendment 169 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
68. Urges the Council and Member States to provide the European Defence Agency with adequate funds and qualified staff so that it is able to perform all the tasks assigned to it by the Treaty of Lisbon; believstresses that this must be taken into account in the context of the next multiannual financial framework;
Amendment 188 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82 a (new)
Paragraph 82 a (new)
82a. Underlines the importance of cyber security and defence related practical cooperation building on the existing complementarity in defence capability development and emphasizes the need for closer coordination, especially concerning planning, technology, training and equipment in this regard;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the repression and control of citizens, civil society organisations and activists, media and business involves a growing technological component, through the blocking of content and the monitoring and identification of human rights defenders, journalists, activists and dissidents, as well as through the criminalisation of legitimate expression online and the adoption of restrictive legislation to justify such measures;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the promotion and protection of digital freedoms should be mainstreamed and annually reviewed so as to ensure accountability and continuity, in all the EU's external actions, financing and aid policies and instruments; urges the Commission and EEAS to take a proactive approach in this regard and ensure a horizontal cooperation and coordination between and within relevant EU institutions and agencies;
Amendment 82 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers transparent and collaborative decision-making to be essential to ensure respect for the open and participatory nature of the internet; believes the EU should play a leading role in the development of digital freedom ground- rules and norms of behaviour in the cyber space, including dispute settlement mechanisms, also taking account of conflicting jurisdictions;
Amendment 107 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the Commission and Council to upgrade their in-house ICT knowledge base and train all members of staff on e- skills and safe use of internet and ICTs;
Amendment 110 #
2012/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Considers that governments which restrict digital freedoms should become ineligible for EU aid, except countries in acute conflict and disaster and immediate post-conflict and post-disaster situations while those receiving EU aid should be required to use ICTs in order to increase transparency and accountability;
Amendment 139 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
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, and 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 independent media, and the formation of pluralist political parties within a secular system;
Amendment 173 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls for greater efforts towardsReminds that Eastern Neighbourhood is of strategic importance; calls for greater efforts and more political commitment achieving the objectives of the Eastern Partnership, as stated in the Prague Declaration and the Warsaw Summit Conclusions, particularly by pursuing the negotiations on, and conclusions of, Association Agreements with the Eastern Partners, by promoting mobility through mobility partnerships and visa dialogues, by ensuring continued progress in adoption and implementation of reforms, in close association with the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly;
Amendment 199 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Considers Russia as an important strategic partner, but continues to haveremains greatly concernsed regarding Russia's commitment to the rule of law, pluralist democracy and human rights; calls on EU to be consistent in their messages in this regard; Notes that further negotiations on deepening the relations between the EU and Russia, and on possible visa freedom, should be strictly conditional on Russia's achievements regarding respect for human rights, rule of law and pluralist democracy;
Amendment 229 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Supports the EU's promotion of a regional approach in Central Asia, which is essential to tackling the regional dimension of issues including organised crime, trafficking in drugs, radioactive materials and human beings, terrorism, natural and manmade environmental disasters and management of water resources; calls for such engagement to be differentiated and conditional upon progress in democratisation, human rights, good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, the rule of law and the fight against corruption; notes that the EU cooperation Strategy for Central Asia identifies seven priorities, but provides resources too limited to have an impact in all policy areas; calls therefore for the EU to define priorities better according to the resources available, whilst ensuring that development cooperation is not subordinated to economic, energy or security interests; suggests the EC to look into possibilities to pool resources with Member States active in the region;
Amendment 233 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Notes that the overall situation in human rights, labour rights, lack of support for civil society and the status of the rule of law remain worrying; calls for the human rights dialogues to be strengthened and made more effective and result-oriented, with the close cooperation and involvement of civil society organisations in the preparation, monitoring and implementation of such dialogues; calls on the EU and HR/VP to raise publicly the cases of political prisoners and imprisoned human rights defenders and journalists and to call for their immediate release; calls for the Rule of Law Initiative to improve transparency towards civil-society organisations and to include clear objectives to make possible a transparent assessment of its implementation and results; calls on the EU and HR/VP in cooperation with ILO to jointly take action against wide-spread child labour in the region;
Amendment 247 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Strongly believes that US is the most important strategic partner for the EU; therefore urges the EU to give clear political priority to deepening the transatlantic relations on all levels;
Amendment 252 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Takes the view that regular EU-US summits would provide an opportunity to identify common objectives and coordinate strategies on matters of global relevance, including economic governance and developing a common approach towards the emerging powers; considers that the Transatlantic Economic Council and the Transatlantic Legislators‘ Dialogue should include a reflection on strategic engagement by the EU and the US with the BRICS and other relevant emerging countries and on how to foster regulatory convergence with such countries; recalls the need to set up a Transatlantic Political Council with no further delay as an ad hoc body for systematic, high-level consultation and coordination on foreign and security policy between the EU and the US;
Amendment 93 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the EU continues to be attractive, also because of its unique combination of economic dynamism with a social model, and regrets that this social dimension has been largely neglected in the enlargement process; invites the Commission to reflect on possible options, including developing a set of social criteria, to address this deficiency and foster positive social transformation in the future EU Member States; stresses that failure to comply with the EU's common basic social standards constitutes a form of social dumping which is detrimental to European enterprises and workers;
Amendment 169 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Encourages greater participation by civil society and non-state actors in the accession process and thus urges the Commission to keep up continuous dialogue with civil society and non-state actors; stresses that civil society can work as an engine of approximation with the EU and create bottom-up pressure for the implementation of the European agenda; calls for additional financial support, inter alia via the Civil Society Facility;
Amendment 244 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls the need to accompany EU enlargement with a concerted and more effective and transparent communication policy involving all EU institutions, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and representatives of civil society; stresses that a similar communication policy should also be applied in the candidate countries in cooperation with all actors;
Amendment 2 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The imposition of the visa requirement on the nationals of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu is no longer justified. These countries do not present any risk of illegal immigration or a threat to public policy for the Union in accordance with the criteria set out in recital 5 of Regulation (EC) N° 539/2001. Consequently, nationals of those countries should be exempt from the visa requirement for stays of no more than three months in all and references to those countries should be transferred to Annex II.
Amendment 4 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Exemption from the visa requirement for nationals of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu should not come into force until bilateral agreements on visa waiver between the Union and the countries concerned have been concluded in order to ensure full reciprocity.
Amendment 6 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) in point 1, the references to Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu are deleted and a reference to South-Sudan is inserted;
Amendment 7 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
"Tuvalu*", "United Arab Emirates*" and "Vanuatu*"
Amendment 24 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas freedom of conscience, religion, opinion and expression without the risk of state punishment is aare core universal right, for which the availability of diverse sources of information is a necessary parts;
Amendment 124 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its conviction that all EU external actions must combine a political dimension which supports pluralism, democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law and a development dimension which focuses on socio- economic progress for all based on sustainable development, and a political dimension which supports pluralism, democracy and respect for human rights;
Amendment 133 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Considers that the EU should only grant partner countries advanced status if clear human rights and democracy requirements are met; serious consideration in this regard should be made in further negotiations with Russia on the new advanced Partnership Agreement;
Amendment 145 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses the importance of a political support process not simply focussed on the period immediately before and after elections, but based on continuity; welcomes the HR/VP's attention to ‘deep democracy’, which links democratic processes with human rights, freedom of expression and association, the rule of law and good governance; underlines that in this context the right to religious freedom should also be assigned a duly prominent role; in fact such a right is generally recognized as one of the most fundamental of all human rights;
Amendment 172 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Expects a comprehensive human rights chapter with a special focus on social and environmental chapterissues in all future Free Trade Agreements and, in the context of negotiations currently underway, regrets the objections to this principle expressed by some of the partners, such as India and Canada; calls for the chapter on sustainable development in agreements to be strengthened through the inclusion of a complaints procedure open to the social partners and civil society, the establishment of an independent body to settle pertinent disputes and the possibility of recourse to a dispute settlement mechanism with provision for fines and the suspension of trade benefits in the event of an aggravated breach of the environmental and labour standards concerned, equivalent to mechanisms for market access provisions;
Amendment 178 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Considers that the ‘Arab Spring’ has served to demonstrate the inadequacy of the EU's policies hitherto to effectively support people's strong desire for accountable and representative government in countries where this is denied; welcomes therefore the Joint Communications by the Commission and the HR/VP on ‘A new response to a changing Neighbourhood’ and ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean’, and the approach taken of shared commitments and mutual accountability, stronger conditionality, differentiation of policies, the advancing of multilateral and sub-regional cooperation and the principle of further involving civil society; takes the opportunity to stress that the 'Arab Spring' would become a paradox and fail in the face of the expectations of many if it developed in a direction that denies the rights of religious minorities, including Christians;
Amendment 189 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Emphasises the crucial importance of active civil society participation in and contribution to processes of governance, and insists that, in future, civil society must be engaged so as to contribute directly through an institutionalised ‘civil society monitoring mechanism’; underlines the need for an independent structural and financial support for civil society which should be allocated with no interference from the state;
Amendment 225 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55 a. Welcomes the reference to the Sakharov Prize in the Annual report on Human Rights; nevertheless regrets the mere descriptive nature of the paragraph and therefore repeats its call on the Council and the Commission to stay in touch with the Sakharov Prize candidates and laureates to ensure continuous dialogue and monitoring of the situation of human rights in respective countries and to offer protection to those being acutely persecuted, and to report back on this to the European Parliament;
Amendment 251 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. UrgesReiterates its call on the Council and Commission to urgently develop a toolkit on the advancement of the right to freedom of religion or belief in the EU's external policy, including mechanisms to identify infringements, and to involve civil society organisations in its preparation; welcomes the inclusion of the aspect of freedom of religion or belief in the human rights training provided to EU staff; welcomes the EU's action in various UN forums against intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief and its unwavering and principled stance against the resolutions on combating defamation of religions; stresses in particular the importance of engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on this issue; reiterates the need to take into account the aspect of religion and the dialogue with religious authorities and bodies engaged in inter-faith dialogue in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and reconciliation; calls on the Council and the Commission to pay special attention to implementing the right to freedom of religion of belief in candidate countries and ENP countries, especially in the light of the Arab spring;
Amendment 256 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Urges the Council and Commission to develop a toolkit on the advancement of the right to freedom of religion or belief in the EU's external policy, including instruments to concretely support all religious and ethnic minorities in the different areas and to foresee mechanisms to identify infringements, and to involve civil society organisations in its preparation; welcomes the EU's action in various UN forums against intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief and its unwavering and principled stance against the resolutions on combating defamation of religions; stresses in particular the importance of engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on this issue;
Amendment 285 #
2011/2185(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)
Paragraph 68 a (new)
68 a. Urges the Council and the Commission to include in accession negotiations, human rights dialogues and in any contact regarding human rights, the call to end any hate speech in media as for example tolerated in the public media of Turkey against Christians;
Amendment 13 #
2011/2177(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with grave concern the unprecedented cuts in the defence budgets of the majority of EU Member States in the wake of the financial crisis and the potential negative impact of these measures on their military capabilities; underlines that defence constitutes a public good that affects the security of all European citizens and that all Member States need to contribute in a spirit of pooling and burden-sharing;
Amendment 70 #
2011/2177(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates its call on the Member States to conduct systematic security and defence reviews according to common criteria and a common timetable building on principles of the Open Method of Coordination; suggests that this could be developed into a regular exercise which is linked to budgetary procedures, a sort of ‘European semester’ of security and defence reviews;
Amendment 104 #
2011/2177(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that, in particular in areas such as strategic transportation, logistical support, maintenance, cyber defence, space capabilities, medical support, education and training, as well as certain niche capabilities, Member States can greatly profit from pooling or sharing of some functions and assets without creating significant dependencies that would limit their sovereign decision- making; strongly encourages initiatives addressing capability gaps in areas such as air-to-air refuelling, maritime surveillance, UAVs, CBRN protection, countering IEDs, satellite communication, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and platforms, and combat and information systems, joint cyber defence exercises and burden sharing on cyber incident analysis and sharing of best practices on critical information infrastructure protection;
Amendment 124 #
2011/2177(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises bilateral and regional initiatives such as the 2010 UK-French defence agreements and, the Nordic Defence Cooperation and the Baltic Defence Co- Operation as important efforts to rationalise the use of resources and fill short-term capability gaps; encourages further progress in promising cooperation projects in other regions, such as among the Visegrád Group countries; takes the view, however, that significant structural gaps remain which need to be addressed in a coordinated fashion at EU level, and that the EDA should be given a role in ensuring overall coherence; encourages further reflection on how the Treaty provisions on the Permanent Structured Cooperation could be used to provide an overall coordination framework, building also on the ‘European semester’ exercise as proposed under (A);
Amendment 202 #
2011/2177(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
Amendment 206 #
2011/2177(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Encourages further development of the role of the European Security and Defence College as a forum for cooperation between national defence academies and civilian security training institutions, in order also to identify and develop cost-saving pooling and sharing projects between them; calls on the Member States to transform it into a real academic institution, and, given its strong civilian-military focus, suggests it be funded by the EU under the next Multiannual Financial Framework;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU's evolving common foreign and security policy should include Russia as a strategic partner; whereas Russia is a country whose cultural roots lie in Europe and which provided that this partnership is based on common values of democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law; whereas Russia is an important global and regional player, with membership in the United Nations Security Council, the G8, the G20 the Council of Europe and OSCE;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and Russia are mutually interdependent, both economically and politically, and whereas enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are therefore of majorpractical importance for the stability, security and prosperity of both Europe and Russia;
Amendment 31 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas these changes, along with the new challenges and opportunities facing the EU-Russia relationship, have to be addressed on both the bilateral and the multilateral level; whereas the basis for a genuine strategic partnership should be an ambitious and comprehensive new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement covering the most important areas of cooperation and founded on common values of democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law; whereas the need for building a genuine partnership between the EU and Russian societies should be emphasised;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ensure that the new agreement provides a comprehensive and forward-looking framework for the further development of relations based on common values of democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law with Russia in upcoming years, and take the necessary action to ensure that the negotiations with Russia continue at a steady pace;
Amendment 68 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) seek the broadest possible consensus among the EU Member States, at the same time take into consideration grounded specific concerns of the EU Member States on the objectives and on the conduct of the negotiations of a new agreement with Russia;
Amendment 105 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) strengthenpoints out that the EU-Russia human rights dialogue, so that ithould becomes an effective tool for advancing human rights in Russia; call, in particular, on the Russian authorities to refrain from undue restrictions on peaceful assembly, ensure protection of human rights defenders, stop impunity for past abuses and for murder of activists, particularly in the North Caucasus, create a climate in which of civil society organisations can operate without fear of harassment or intimidation, and ensure full compliance with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;
Amendment 128 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) promote strategic partnership between the EU and Russia in meeting global challenges, such as, inter alia, non- proliferation, counter-terrorism, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the security of energy supply, the Arctic dimension, climate change, poverty reduction; insist on Russia to stop pro- liferation with immediate effect to countries that are under arms embargo by EU, OSCE and UN;
Amendment 145 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) pursue the efforts for full implementation of common steps towards visa-free short-term travel, with a view of a gradual phasing out of the visa regime between the Schengen countries and Russia dependent on strengthening of the rule of law and independence of judiciary in Russia; facilitate as much and as quick as possible visa facilitation for academics, students and researchers;
Amendment 155 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) take into due consideration the deep, growing and irreversible economic interdependence of the two partnerseconomic cooperation between EU and Russia, as reciprocal import markets and suppliers of goods, services and energy;
Amendment 167 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) encourage the Russian counterparts to show theclear political will to reach an agreement on ‘trade and investments’ provisions that are to be built on the provisions already included in the PCA and that are in line with WTO accession; recall that EU's objective in this area is to improve and stabilise the business environment, as this would be beneficial to both parties and further promote the objectives set by the Partnership for Modernisation launched in 2010;
Amendment 177 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) ensure the inclusion of a substantial and legally binding chapter on energy to secure a reliable and cost-efficient energy supply to the EU, and to organibase such an energy partnership on the principles of transparency, fair competition, exclusion of monopolistic behaviour, reciprocity and non-discrimination;
Amendment 183 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) promotenhance further mutual cooperation in the fields of research, education, culture and science;
Amendment 186 #
2011/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Remain vigilant on the requirements that the EU intends to set as regards respect for democratic principles, and consider this respect as an absolute prerequisite for the signature of a EU- Russia Agreement;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the sustainable development of any country is possible only if protection of human rights, establishing and implementing democratic institutions, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, as well as a strong civil society, are ensured,
Amendment 5 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas serious deficits are found regarding democracy, human rights and rule of law and fundamental freedoms in Central Asian states,
Amendment 17 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas several of the Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) are rich of natural resources such as gas, oil, minerals and therefore have the potential of good social and economic development; whereas all these states are facing the risk of becoming rentier states,
Amendment 21 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Underlines the importance for the EU to demonstrate clear will and commitment to pursue good relations with the states in Central Asia based on common values such as democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law;
Amendment 25 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines the need to explain and promote the EU concept of security and stability in case it differs from theirs; Stresses that the EU is duty-bound to be critical of governments that violate the fundamental rights of their citizens in the name of national security, and to point out to them that such actions often lead to extremism and radicalisation;
Amendment 32 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. WelcomStresses the existence ofcontinuous need for regular human rights dialogues with all five countries, even thoughregrets that the overall progress on the ground has been scarce and in some instances regression can be observed; considers that the existence of human rights dialogues should not be used as an excuse for excluding human-rights-related questions arising in other fields of cooperation or for not engaging in further actions; calls for the systematic involvement of NGOs and civil-society actors in the preparation of these dialogues and for the outcome of these dialogues to be made public so as to allow for an assessment of their effectiveness and of the commitment of the parties;
Amendment 45 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Deplores the difficulty encountered by the EU in engaging with independent civil society in the area of human rights and good governance in the context of the continued harassment of NGOs in the region; calls for support for genuinely independent NGOs so as to help them play an effective role in the development and consolidation of civil society; regrets especially that the dialogue with civil society in Turkmenistan has proven to be impossible;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Underlines that including Afghanistan structurally in sectoral cooperation, especially regarding security/border management, human security and water management is crucial to guarantee stability and security in the region;
Amendment 99 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. Is of the opinion that ensuring coherent and comprehensive reinvestment of the national revenues from natural resources is crucial for sustainable development and achieving wide-ranging social and economic development;
Amendment 170 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Takes note of the legislation adopted in the political, economic, social and educational field and expects words to be followed by deeds; urges, in this regard, the Council and the HR/VP to encourage the Turkmen authorities to implement fully the new legislation and to continue the process of engagementengage more actively with international and regional organisations;
Amendment 172 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Is particularly worried of the situation in Turkmenistan where the current authorities have been systematically applying repressive policies which target all forms of opposition, independent NGOs, human rights activists;
Amendment 188 #
2011/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. DeploresIs alarmed by the recent decision of the Uzbek authorities to close down the office of Human Rights Watch in Tashkent, reminds them of their obligations towards OSCE and calls on them to allow unhindered access and operations by national and international NGOs throughout the country;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the Convention on Cluster Munitions of 3 December 2008, which entered into force on 1 August 2010,
Amendment 10 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
- having regard to its most recent resolution from 6 July 2010 on the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and the role of the EU,
Amendment 32 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
M a. whereas there are clear indications on inefficient use of allocated funds for mine action,
Amendment 34 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly welcomes the fact that 156 countries have now acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty including 26 EU member states but regrets that some 37 countries have still not signed; calls on all non-party states to accede the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions with no delay;
Amendment 38 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Calls on the EU to actively facilitate negotiations with the goal to achieve the accession of more countries and especially of all its Member States to the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned that that China and Russia have the largest stockpiles of APL with an estimated 100 million and 24.5 million respectively; urges the EU to include in the negotiations with Russia and China the issue of destroying their existing stockpiles and rapid accession to Mine Ban Treaty;
Amendment 54 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that some $80 million was donated by the international community for mine action in Afghanistan in 2009; underlines the need to focus on victim assistance and mine risk education;
Amendment 56 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned by the many structural problems highlighted by the European Commission's 2009 evaluation, for example the inefficiencies of the €2.7 million spent on 22 personnel at CNIDAH; urges the EU to monitor, control and evaluate the effective use of money and to ensure that the allocated budget is used in efficient and targeted manner to achieve the needed result of cleared land;
Amendment 68 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Recognises that the lives and livelihoods of APL/ERW/IED casualties are blighted for ever, that these innocent victims often come from the poorest elements in some of the poorest countries, and require highly specialised and continuing support and assistance, and; underlines that this will be necessary evenessential in short and long term perspective, also when there are no further casualties anymore;
Amendment 71 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Underlines the need for targeted victim assistance and mine risk education for children and their needs;
Amendment 79 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Is concerned that some of the countries which suffer from APL affliction are relying too much on international financial assistance for mine action and not deploying sufficient of their own resources in manpower or revenue; calls on the EU to ensure greater involvement of the affected countries and to remind those countries of their responsibilities;
Amendment 84 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Urges donors to maintain funding with more effective targeting, monitoring and evaluation;
Amendment 91 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Calls for donors to standardise their methods of monitoring and evaluating the cost effectiveness of mine actions, so that they are more open to comparison and scrutiny on a country by country basis, and through the agency of MASG, to identify and propagate best practice;
Amendment 92 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Underlines that mine action should form a compulsory element of country strategies where mines are known to exist and/or to be stockpiled;
Amendment 93 #
2011/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Is convinced that through better international coordination and prioritisation, improved management, survey and demining practices, better monitoring and reporting, and more astute and better use of funds, a world free of the APL threat to life, livelihood and economic development, is a realistic possibility within a finite period;
Amendment 72 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Preserving peace, preventing conflicts, strengthening international security and assisting populations, countries and regions confronting natural or man-made disasters of a scale threatening security and stability of the country or region are among the prime objectives of the Union's external action as defined in article 21 of the Treaty on European Union. Crises and conflicts affecting countries world-wideand regions, and other factors such as terrorism, organised crime, climate change, cyber security challenges and threats andsecurity threats emanating from natural disasters pose a risk to world stability, peace and security. In order to address these issues in an effective and timely manner, specific financial resources and financing instruments are required that can work in a manner complementary to humanitarian aid and long-term cooperation instruments.
Amendment 85 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In order to ensure the visibility of the Union's assistance towards the citizens of the beneficiary countries and those of the Union, there should be where appropriate proper, targeted communication and information by adequate means, with due account to the specificities of this instrument. Appropriate minimum requirements should be defined in this regard by the Commission in close cooperation with beneficiaries, and the respect of those requirements should be monitored.
Amendment 98 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. Measures taken under this Regulation may be complementary to, and shall be consistent with measures adopted under Title V of the Treaty on European Union and Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Measures taken under this Regulation shall be consistent with the positions adopted by the European Parliament.
Amendment 127 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a Evaluations shall be carried out, where relevant and appropriate, on the basis of pre-defined, clear, transparent and measurable indicators and shall be sent to the European Parliament and the Council with due account to the specificities of this instrument. Proposals by the European Parliament or the Council for independent external evaluations will be taken into due account.
Amendment 135 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. However, in exceptional situations of urgency referred to Article 3(1), the Commission may adopt Exceptional Assistance Measures costing up to EUR 3 000 000 without prior information tohile ensuring timely information to the European Parliament and the Council..
Amendment 145 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 a (new)
Article 8 a (new)
Amendment 151 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. An observer from the European Parliament and the European External Action service shall take part in the Committee's proceedings.
Amendment 184 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
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 9a current level of direct payments per hectare below 80 % of the EU 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 UnionMember States with a level of direct payments above 80% but below the EU average should close this gap by 10 %. This convergence should be financed proportionally by all Member States with direct payments above the Union average. However, the maximum level of direct payments per hectare in the Member States should not exceed 120% of the EU average. In addition, all payment entitlements activated in 2019 in a Member State or in a region 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 period.
Amendment 1418 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 29 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Farmers complying with the requirements laid down in Article 29(1) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards organic farming shall be entitled ipso facto to the payment referred to in this Chaptershall be entitled ipso facto to payment referred to in this Chapter when they fall within the following categories: - farmers which have at least 20 % of forest areas; - farmers with more than 50 % of the eligible agricultural area covered by grassland; - farmers which are 100 % certified as using sustainable farming methods, including of integrated farming.
Amendment 1550 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The first paragraph shall not apply to farms: - where the arable land is entirely used for grass production or other herbaceous forage, entirely left fallow, entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year or a combination of these, or; - where the arable land of the farmer covers up to 50 hectares and more than 50% of the eligible agricultural area of the holding is covered by permanent crops.
Amendment 1625 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall ensure the maintenance of the ratio of the land under permanent grassland in relation to the total agricultural area. That obligation shall apply at national or regional level. The reference ratio shall be established as relation between the land under permanent grassland and total agricultural area declared by the farmers in 2014.
Amendment 1643 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
2. Farmers shall be allowed to convert a maximum of 5 % of their reference areas under permanent grassland. That limit shall not appMember States shall ensure that the ratio under this Article shall not decrease to the detriment of land under permanent grassland by more than 10 % relatively into the case of force majeure or exceptional circumstancesratio for the relevant reference year.
Amendment 1667 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 3
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 as laid down in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, the renewal of permanent grassland, the reconversion of agricultural area into permanent grassland in case the authorised decrease referred to in paragraph 2 is exceeded, as well as the modification of the reference areas under permanent grassland in case of transfer of land. For the purposes of paragraph 2, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 55 laying down rules on maintenance of permanent grassland, in particular to ensure that measures are taken to maintain the ratio, including individual obligations to be respected such as obligation to reconvert areas into permanent grassland where it is established that the ratio of land under permanent grassland is decreasing.
Amendment 1728 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1
Article 32 – paragraph 1
1. FWhere the arable land and area covers more than 20 hectares, farmers shall ensure that at least 7 % of their eligible hectares as defined in Article 25(2), excluding areas under permanent grassland and permanent crops, is ecological focus area such as land left fallow, terraces, landscape features, buffer strip like hedges or stone walls, buffer strips, land planted with nitrogen-fixing crops, land cultivated according to environmentally friendly methods and afforested areas as referred to in article 25(2)(b)(ii).
Amendment 1763 #
2011/0280(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the minimum percentage indicated in paragraph 1 is reduced to: - 5% in cases of joint undertakings of groups of farmers putting in place continuous, adjacent ecological focus areas; - 1,5% in the Member States with at least 45% of their total terrestrial area covered by forests or; - 1,5% in the Member States where utilised agricultural area constitute is less than 35% of the total terrestrial area.
Amendment 15 #
Amendment 22 #
2010/2299(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that strategic autonomy in security affairs entails, for the EU, the capacity to agree common political objectives and strategic guidelines, to establish strategic partnerships with a wide range of international organisations and trustful states, to collect adequate information and generate joint analyses and assessments, to harness and where necessary pool financial, military, and civilian resources, to plan and run effective crisis management operations across the entire range of the Petersberg tasks, and to frame and implement a common defence policy, laying the first tangible foundations on which to build common defence;
Amendment 99 #
2010/2299(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Deplores the scant results achieved by the Civilian Headline Goal 2010 process regarding civilian capabilities, and in particular the discrepancy between the personnel assigned by Member States on paper and the numbers actually available for missions, the modest progress as regards the training of human resources (no common standards, limited number of training programmes uploaded to the Schoolmaster training opportunities programme within the Goalkeeper software environment); calls on the High Representative, the Council, and the Member States to take coordinated steps to reactivate the development of civilian capabilities, especially where recruitment, training, and deployment are concerned; calls on establishing a community mechanism for enhancing civilian capabilities, especially training and increasing the civil part of the European Security and Defence college;
Amendment 235 #
2010/2299(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Points out that clear-cut progress is needed urgently as regards technical, legal, operational, and above all political and strategic aspects; maintains in particular that every mission should be encompassed within a clear (medium- and long-term) political strategy and underlines that missions are not taken as substitute for policy; considers such linkage to be essential in order to ensure the operational success of interventions and, more generally, break the vicious circle in which the CSDP, rather than being a tool of the CFSP, is tending to replace it, with all the inconsistencies which that entails;
Amendment 248 #
2010/2299(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 – indent 2 a (new)
Paragraph 61 – indent 2 a (new)
- between development cooperation projects and CSDP missions as a part of CFSP;
Amendment 271 #
2010/2299(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74
Paragraph 74
74. Recognises that NATO still constituteConfirms NATO´s role as the bedrock of collective defence for thoseboth for its Member States which belong to itand Europe as a whole; welcomes France's return to the integrated command structure of the Atlantic Alliance and considers that this should help to dispel any resistance to the development of a common defence policy at EU level;
Amendment 274 #
2010/2299(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
Paragraph 75
75. Welcomes the agreement in NATO's new strategic concept on further strengthening the EU-NATO strategic partnership; reaffirms the importance of enhancing EU-NATO cooperation in crisis management in the spirit of mutual reinforcement and with respect for their decision-making autonomy; draws attention to the necessity ofinsists on applying concentrated measures to avoiding unnecessary overlapping of effort and resources and inviturges the EU and NATO to deepen their cooperation, through their by pooling as much as possible respective means, in the context of a comprehensive approach to crises in which both are engaged in the field;
Amendment 198 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41a (new)
Paragraph 41a (new)
41a (new). Strongly supports the full integration into the discourse on violence on women of grave forms of violence like genital mutilation, forced sterilisation, forced abortion and sex-selective abortion, forced marriages, or any other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment;
Amendment 224 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that 2009 marked the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child; notes with satisfaction that accession to the Convention is now almost universal, and urges countries which have not joined the Convention to so without delay; remains deeply concerned that full realisation of the rights entailed is still widely violated; calls for an increase in the attention devoted to the child's needs for special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after the birth, as foreseen by both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and by the Declaration of the Rights of the Child; welcomes the appointment of the Special Representative to the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children and underlines the importance of the mandate;
Amendment 246 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Calls, in the context of the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, for the EU institutions to establish an interinstitutional cooperation mechanism on human rights defenders; understands that the creation of such a mechanism could be eased by the setting up of focal points for human rights defenders in all the EU institutions and organs, with such focal points working in close cooperation with those responsible for human rights and democracy in EU missions and delegations, calls on the Commission to establish a mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines and to report back to the EP on the results of these evaluations;
Amendment 248 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Acknowledges conclusions in many human rights reports that human rights defenders have been suffering from increasingly strong attacks in various forms, such as attacks in various forms, such as attacks on freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of expression or freedom of association, arbitrary arrests, unfair trials and closure of the offices of civil society organisations;
Amendment 260 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Expresses its deep indignation and regret at the assassinations of, among others, Stanislav Markelov, Anastasia Baburova and Natalya Estemirova in Russia, the arbitrary detention of Roxana Saberi and Abdolfattah Soltani in Iran, and the trial of Liu Xiaobo in China, all of which took place during the reporting period;
Amendment 303 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66a (new)
Paragraph 66a (new)
66a (new). Underlines that freedom of religion and belief constitutes, amongst all human rights, an essential and basic right which must be respected, and that conditionality's related to respect for human rights which feature in the bilateral agreements with third-countries need to be enforced stronger and more effectively;
Amendment 307 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67a (new)
Paragraph 67a (new)
67a (new). calls to give a thorough evaluation of the situation of religious freedom in the Annual Report on Human Rights;
Amendment 308 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67b (new)
Paragraph 67b (new)
67b (new). calls on the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission to mainstream religious freedom to the EU Human Rights Policy;
Amendment 309 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67c (new)
Paragraph 67c (new)
Amendment 310 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67d (new)
Paragraph 67d (new)
67d (new). calls on the Council and Commission to take into account the aspect of religion and the dialogue with religious authorities and bodies engaged in interfaith dialogue in the conflict prevention, conflict resolution and reconciliation;
Amendment 379 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Welcomes the establishment of human rights dialogues with each of the Central Asian states – Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan –in 2008; welcomes the first EU-Uzbek civil society seminar on human rights dialogue in October 2008; regrets that the EU-China human rights dialogues have consistently failed to deliver any improvements as regards specific human rights abuses in China; is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation of the Uighur minority in China; expresses its disappointment that EU-Russia human rights consultations have not yielded any substantial results; welcomes the launch in 2009 of human rights dialogues with Indonesia, and the holding of the first dialogue meetings with Georgia and Armenia;
Amendment 422 #
2010/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98a (new)
Paragraph 98a (new)
98a (new ). Reiterates the need to give greater visibility to the Sakharov Prize of Freedom of Thought annually given out by the EP; regrets that a proper follow-up is not being done on the well-being of the candidates and laureates, nor on the situations in their countries; calls also on the Council and the Commission to give visibility to this prize, among others including it in the annual report on Human Rights; furthermore calls on the Council and the Commission to stay in touch with the candidates and laureates of the Sakharov Prize to ensure continuous dialogue and monitoring of the situation of the human rights in respective countries and to offer protection to those acutely persecuted;
Amendment 26 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the new momentum also needs to lead to the definition of a new paradigm for the EU's strategic partnerships, both new and old, based onthis should be based on shared basic values such as drive for democracy, respect for human rights, basic freedoms and rule of law, and mutual benefits and interests,
Amendment 39 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that coherence will need to be soughte need for coherence between the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the Commission, calls for improving synergies improved between the EU and the national level and that coordination be enhanced between institutional actors, with a view to better integrating all relevant instruments and policies and delivering a single EU message on key political issues; considers cooperation at all levels between the EEAS and the relevant services in the Commission to be essential with a view to shaping a strategic approach to our neighbourhood and to candidate and partners countries with membership prospects, as well as to policy areas such as trade, development, energy security and justice and home affairs;
Amendment 53 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes, however, that full coherence and consistency across EU foreign policy will not be achieved simply by setting up the EEAS, but will also requirparallel to setting up the EEAS, achieving full coherence and efficiency of the EU common policy will require, first and foremost, the political will of the EU Member States to overcome their differing outlooks on key foreign policy issues; considers it essential, in this regard, that EU Member States not only agree on a common strategy for foreign and security policy, but also ensure that their national policies are supportive of EU positions;
Amendment 62 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls itEP's Treaty prerogative to be consulted in the CFSP and CSDP spheres, have its views duly taken into account and make recommendations; calls on the VP/HR to consolidate the consultation and reporting duties carried out to date by the Commission and the Council in the area of external action; expects Parliament's right of democratic scrutiny of the strategic programming of EU external assistance instruments to be fully acknowledged and strengthened;
Amendment 101 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Underlines the need to coordinate the preparation to counter unconventional threats, such as cyber threats; calls upon the Commission and the Council to conduct a thorough analysis of the threats and the needs in this field resulting in a multidimensional and comprehensive European cyber security strategy which should include contingency plans in case of cyber attacks;
Amendment 111 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Takes the view that, in order to be consistent, EU foreign policy must give absolute priority to promoting democracy, given that a democratic society is the basis for upholding human rights as well as for enhancing stability; thus reiterates its position that human rights need to be firmly mainstreamed into EU foreign policy; believes that the new institutional structure of the EU, with particular reference to the EEAS and its dedicated department, offers an opportunity to enhance the EU's coherence and effectiveness in this area; reiterates Parliament's strong determination, and recalls its longstanding efforts, to defend human rights and democracy in the world through bilateral relations with third countries and active participation in international forums, as well as support for international and local civil-society organisations; further calls upon the VP/HR to ensure the effective implementation of the Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in all its aspects; considering the growing grave violations of freedom of belief, calls upon the Commission to conduct a thorough evaluation and to mainstream freedom of belief into the EU human rights policy;
Amendment 123 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that effective multilateralism should be the overriding strategic concern of the Union and that, in this context, the EU should take a leading role in international cooperation, facilitate international consensus and advance global action; emphasises the urgent need to address global issues of common concern for EU citizens, such as terrorism, organised crime, energy security, climate change, cyber security, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the eradication of poverty, the non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament, migration management and the promotion of human rights and civil liberties; takes the view that, in order to speak with a strong single voice on global issues within the UN system, the EU, while retaining its observer status, should be granted complementary rights at the UN as a natural consequence of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty; calls on the EU to improve its strategy and tactics for consultations with UN member countries, including by giving clear explanations concerning the nature of the EU and how, on the basis of its Treaty-based powers, it differs from other regional organisations; recommends placing the issue of the EU's rights at the UN high on the agenda for bilateral and multilateral summits with strategic partners; considers it essential to engage with the EU's strategic partners in order to find solutions to major regional and global problems; recommends, furthermore, that strategic partnerships be given a multilateral dimension by including global issues on the agendas for the EU's bilateral and multilateral summits;
Amendment 194 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the VP/HR to ensure that the EU's approach towards Russia, including in the negotiations on a new EU-Russia Agreement, is coherent and driven by a commitment to the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, including international law; notes the grave short-comings in respecting human rights and points to unsatisfactory success in fighting corruption, especially in judiciary; condemns the recent disproportional use of power against peaceful demonstrators; is deeply concerned about the politically motivated second trial against M. Khodorkovsky which ignored several elementary principles of judiciary; stresses the importance of the Partnership for Modernisation in this context; underlines at the same time the need for a reinvigorated partnership with Russia, based on mutual respect and reciprocity, on the issues of the fight against terrorism, energy security and supply, climate change, disarmament, conflict prevention and nuclear non- proliferation, including with reference to Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East, in pursuit of the goal of strengthening global security and stability; takurges the view that cooperation on such issues should form the basis for the new EU-Russia Agreement, and therefore looks forward to speedy progress in the current negotiations on a new comprehensive agreement that is expected substantially to enhance EU-Russia relationsEU to ensure that democratic values, rule of law, principles of reciprocity and transparency constitute the core of the new comprehensive agreement;
Amendment 203 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the VP/HR to intensify talks with Russia to assure the unconditional fulfilment of all the provisions of the agreement of 2008 between Russia, the European Union and Georgia; takes the view Russia that should, in particular, guarantee full unlimited access of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Abkhazia and South Ossetia; underlines the necessity to provide stability in aforementioned Georgian regions;
Amendment 228 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Reiterates its full support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) as an independent court, created by UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1757 and meeting the highest judicial standards; reaffirms its strong support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon and for the full functioning of all Lebanese institutions; stresses that internal stability and respect for international law are not infully compatible; calls on all the Lebanese political forces to continue to engage in an open and constructive dialogue to foster the welfare, prosperity and security of all Lebanese citizens; commends the crucial role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and calls for the implementation of all the provisions of UNSC Resolution 1701;
Amendment 244 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
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 and should be conditional of free access to visit political prisoners and human rights activists; urges the Iranian regime to abstain from interference to Iraqi internal affairs;
Amendment 249 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Expresses its satisfaction at the intensification of sectoral dialogues with China and calls for concerted joint work on the controversial issues highlighted at the recent EU-China Summit; regrets, however,welcomes thate progress towards better economic and judicial governance; is not reflected in a willingness to tackledeeply worried about the continuing severe and systematic violations of human rights in the country and the suppression of national identity and culture of Tibetans, Uighurs and Mongols and calls upon the VP/HR to wind up the human rights dialogue and to ensure that human rights are constantly on the agenda; points out that relations with Japan, a country which shares the EU's democratic values and concern for human rights, remain extremely important both in economic terms and as regards working together in multinational fora and that the current focus on China must not overshadow the necessary efforts to step up cooperation with Japan and remove the remaining barriers to economic interpenetration;
Amendment 188 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that representatives of EU institutions should make their official visits to Iran conditional and request inter alia the possibility of meeting political prisoners, especially those sentenced to death; furthermore should include in the programmes of their official visits to Iran meetings with opposition leaders/representatives of the Green Movement, and prominent Iranian human rights dissidents; stresses also that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the EP and the Majlis should be conditional on concrete improvements in human rights;
Amendment 198 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges official representatives of the EU and its Member States, when meeting their Iranian counterparts, to insist on an indefinite moratorium on the death sentence, and to insist on the re-opening of the many daily newspapers closed down in recent years, as well as the release of political prisoners, by presenting lists of names in both cases;
Amendment 283 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Underlines the fact that Russia has been one of the major suppliers of modern weapons and enriched uranium to Iran; welcomes the decision by the Russian Federation this year to halt the sale of the S-300 to Iran and its support for the UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme; demands that Russia stop any kind of proliferation of weapons and export of uranium to Iran in order that the effectiveness of the sanctions against Iran and the fulfilment of the NPT may be ensured;
Amendment 50 #
2010/0821(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the European stability mechanism, and the strict conditionality incorporated therein, involves all Member States whose currency is the euro, even the small ones whose economy may be seen as not "indispensable" for the purposes of safeguarding the euro area as a whole;
Amendment 121 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. All appoinRecruitments in the EEAS shall be based on merit and on the broadest possible geographical basiswhilst ensuring adequate geographical and gender balance. The staff of the EEAS shall comprise a meaningfuln adequate presence of nationals from all the Member States. Concrete measures analogous to the Council regulation 401/2004 should be taken to ensure adequate geographical representativity in all grades within the EEAS, both in Headquarters and in Delegations. These measures should apply to nationals from under-represented Member States.
Amendment 26 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) There is a need for coordination at the level of the Union to help integrate different initiatives, programmes and activities.
Amendment 27 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4b) A Union Cybersecurity Coordinator should be appointed in order to facilitate the integration and coordination of the Union institutions’ initiatives, programmes and activities.
Amendment 32 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The Council and the Commission should call on those Member States which still need to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime to do so without delay.
Amendment 35 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) Closer cooperation should be envisaged both with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and with the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), in particular in the field of capacity building and training.
Amendment 43 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16a (new)
Recital 16a (new)
(16a) The Council and the Commission should insist, in negotiations and cooperation with third countries, on minimum requirements for preventing and fighting cybercrime and cyber attacks as well as on minimum standards for information system security.
Amendment 44 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16b (new)
Recital 16b (new)
(16b) The Commission should consider options to facilitate and assist third countries in their efforts to develop their cyber security and cyber defence capabilities.
Amendment 50 #
2010/0273(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall assist Member States in promoting the resilience and stability of the internet and shall undertake other activities aiming at achieving information security.
Amendment 1 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is convinced that the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the accompanying action plans proposed by the Commission will be more successful only if constructive cooperation takes place with external partners in the region; reiterates the Council conclusions of 11 November 20091 adopting the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, constituting that this strategy shall be an EU internal strategy whereby the external aspects of cooperation will be dealt with within the Northern Dimension Framework;
Amendment 9 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the Northern Dimension framework should provide the main fundamentalan important basis for the external aspects of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region; underlines, in this context,notes the importance of close sectorial cooperation with Norway, Belarus and in particular Russia, the only non-EU country with direct access to the Baltic Sea; specifically notes the status of the Kaliningrad Oblast enclave, which is surrounded by EU Member States;
Amendment 11 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Believes that the implementation of the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region can only prove to be successful if there is coherent coordination on European and macro regional level;
Amendment 12 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Underlines the importance of allocating adequate funds to the EU budget line foreseen for implementation of the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region to ensure cooperation and coherence on European level and macro regional level;
Amendment 13 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Notes that the finances of the Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region cannot be the financing instrument for any external cooperation with third states in the Baltic Sea Region;
Amendment 15 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that cooperation with Russia could be stepped up; wWelcomes, therefore, the intention efforts of the Commission and the Member States in the region to have a renewed engagementcooperate with Russia on a vast number of areas, such as transport connections, customs and border controls; believes that the EU-Russia common spaces will provide a valuable framework in this regardunderlines especially the need for coordinated effort to improve the environmental situation and to develop safe maritime transport; expects all actors around the Baltic Sea to join the Espoo Convention;
Amendment 19 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need for an objective and reliable environmental impact assessment of the Northern Stream Gas Pipeline under the supervision of the European Commission before actual construction of this and other similar projects can begin as well as the need to ensure that the construction of the pipeline doesin question will not affect shipping conditions adversely or pose risks to the security of the countries around the Baltic Sea;
Amendment 25 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Draws attention to the strategic significance of the Baltic Sea Rregion for diversification of energy production and supplies as well as for the development of renewable energy projects such as wind farms or biofuels available in the region;
Amendment 34 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Draws attention to the still significant economic disproportion that exists in the Baltic Sea Region and in terms of innovation, and the necessity to increase the potential of highly developed areas and eliminate inequality in order to create a permanent area of common prosperity with adisproportion in the field of economic development and innovation that exists in the Baltic Sea Region and to the opportunity to take use of the Baltic Sea Strategy to reach a new level of synergy which can reduce the existing inequalities and will create an area of high level of competitiveness, and sustainable prosperity which is also crucial in the face of anfacing the problem of aging population;
Amendment 48 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Notes that deepening of relations with third countries is possible on the basis of shared responsibilities for the environmental challenges and of equal commitments to transparency, reciprocity and international rules; expects all actors around the Baltic Sea to join the Espoo Convention; notes that external relations with third states in the Baltic Sea Region beyond the sectoral cooperation within the Strategy must be financed from instruments meant for external relations of the EU;
Amendment 87 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. ConsiderNotes that the idea of macro- regions should combines the considerable potential for optimising the response to the challenges and problems appearing inof a given region with that of using the resources available, relying to use of resources available with the EU level financial approach, coordinated by the European Commission;
Amendment 11 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 2009 has seen intensification of Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks mediated by the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Amendment 41 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that conflict management and conflict resolution necessitate inter alia the recognition of the rights and legitimate interests of all relevant parties and communities, openness to review perceptions of past events, serious willingness to overcome hatred and fear, preparedness to give up maximalist ambitions, interest in innovative approaches, including to the exercise of sovereignty, and readiness to make real concessions;
Amendment 62 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Fully supports the Minsk Group Co- chairs’ mediation, the Madrid Principles and the Moscow Declaration; condemns the idea of a military solution and calls on both sides to avoid militant rhetoric; furthermore calls on both sides to show a more ambition in the peace talks and to abandon the tendency to prefer perpetuating the status quo created through military conquests in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions; calls on the international community likewise to show courage and political willconstructive attitude in the peace talks; calls on the international community to assist to overcome the remaining sticking points which hinder an agreement;
Amendment 84 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that interim status for Nagorno- Karabakh could imply interim legitimisation of the de facto authorities there; believes that inter alia in order to raise their credibility with a view to such a prospect, these authorities should rapidly abandon the positions that Nagorno- Karabakh includes all Armenian- occupied Azerbaijani lands and that displaced persons’ right of return cannot even be discussed at the present stage; calls on the Government of Armenia to exercise its influence in this respect and on the Council and Commission to join this calloffer a solution until the final status will be determined;
Amendment 97 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that security for all is an indispensable element of any settlement; recognises the importance of robust peace- keeping arrangements; calls on Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan, to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co-chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the coming months;
Amendment 104 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the protocols on the establishment and development of diplomatic relations, border opetween Armeninga and cooperationTurkey, which i.a. foresee the prospect for the opening of the joint border; calls on both sides to seize this opportunity to mend their relations through ratification and implementation; does not support the introduction of conditions for ratification not mentioned in the protocols, but notes that if implemented, they without preconditions and in reasonable timeframe; and notes that this will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the region and that they can therefore not be seen in isolation; calls on Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan, to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co- chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflictwhole region of South-Caucasus;
Amendment 122 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is seriously concerned about the use of ethnic cleansing as a prelude to the Russian recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhazian statehood; notes with satisfaction that the international community remains united in its rejection of the unilateral declaration of independence; calls on Russia to honour its commitment in the Ceasefire Agreement to withdraw its troops to the positions held before the outbreak of the August 2008 war and to ceaselift immediately its blocking of EUMM access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia;
Amendment 145 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the importance of engaging in democratic reforms and the essential role of political dialogue and cooperation as the key to developing national consensus; welcomes the adoption of significant legislation related to the judiciary in Armenia and calls on the authorities to ensure the effective implementation thereof, especially strengthening the independence of judiciary; welcomes the progress in Azerbaijan in the field of reform of the judiciary and calls on the authorities to work on the independence of judges; welcomes the announcement by the Georgian President regarding a ‘new wave of democratic reforms’, calls for such reforms to be effectively adopted and implemented, such as strengthening parliamentary control over the executive and increasing independence of the judiciary, and considers that democratic reforms need to be pursued and democratic institutions consolidated;
Amendment 159 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underscores the importance of free and fair elections to be held in accordance with international commitments and standards; notes that the last presidential elections held in Armenia in February 2008 were once again violent and that repercussions of the internal crisis in their aftermath are still being felt; takes note of the municippresidential elections held in a peaceful manner in Azerbaijan on 23 December 2009 and awaits the report of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities observation delegation thereonon the 15th of October in Azerbaijan which took place in peaceful manner, but failed in general to meet international standards; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the local elections scheduled for 30 May 2010 take place in accordance with international standards and that the electoral law is amended accordingly, and reaffirms that securing direct election of mayors is crucial; confirms its and the EU’s positionunderlines that the EU does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework in which thate elections and referenda in breakaway regions are illegitimathave taken place; defends the political rights of displaced persons;
Amendment 174 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers freedom of expression to be a fundamental right and principle and the role of the media essential, is disturbed by the limitastrongly regrets the restrictions on freedom of expression and the lack of media pluralism in the countries of the South Caucasus and calls on the authorities to ensure both; is preoccupied about attacks on journalists in Armenia and in particular about the continued detention of opposition journalist Nikol Pashinian, despite the welcomed amnesty of 18 June 2009 leading to the release of a number of imprisoned opposition activists; is concerned about the deterioration of the media climate in Azerbaijan with cases of harassment and intimidation of media professionals and deplores the detention and sentencing of the two youth activists and bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade; accordingly calls for their release following the appeal procedure in accordance with international standards and with respect for the principles of a fair trial as set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights;
Amendment 184 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes the view that freedom of assembly must be guaranteed, as it is instrumental to the development of a vibrant civil society; is worried about the difficulties, direct and indirect, which civil society faces in organising itself and disturbed by the adoption of laws and practices that might indirectly limit freedom of assembly, including through administrative harassment, such as the intensified checks by the fiscal authorities in Armenia; icalls concerned about the lack of any serious investigation i the authorities of Armenia to fully consider and implemento the events following the presidential elections of Februaryrecommendations of the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee regarding the investigations into the events of 1-2 March 2008, whenre 10 people were killed and which led to the imposition of a state of emergency anda temporary restriction of a number of freedoms and rights; calls on the authorities in Azerbaijan, including the local authorities, to implement in a non- restrictive manner the legislation on freedom of assembly which, as amended, meets most international standards; is concerned that in Georgia the 2009 amendments to the Law on Assembly and Manifestations may limit freedom of assembly and curtail the ability of the opposition to mobilise; underlines the important role of civil society for the peace and reconciliation processes in the region;
Amendment 204 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underscores the importance of building a favourable business climate and the development of the private sector; commends Azerbaijan on its noteworthy economic growth and the reform process, which makes the economy more attractive to foreign investors, and hopes that Azerbaijan will continue and eventually compleaccelerate its negotiations on accession to the WTO; welcomes the progress in implementing market-made in economyic reforms aiming at liberalisation of the market in Armenia and Georgia; notes however that the economic development of Armenia and Georgia has been affected by the generlobal economic crisis and welcomes the decision by the Council at the end of 2009 to provide macrofinancial assistance to the two countries;
Amendment 222 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underscores the importance of investing in renewable energy sources and ensuring that environmental concerns are catered for; welcomes the establishment of the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus; considers the plans proclaimed by Azerbaijan to make the development of alternative energy sources a government priority praiseworthy and encourages the pursuit of such objectives; is glad to take note ofwelcomes the decision of Armenia to decommission the nuclear plant in Medzamor, but regrets that a new nuclear plant will be built in the same seismic area;
Amendment 227 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that promoting social cohesion and social dialogue, investing in education and health and building and developing human capital, ensuring adequate standards of living, are essential in order to build vibrant democratic societies; takes positive note of the adoption by the three countries of their respective programmes on poverty reduction and encourages their thorough implementation;
Amendment 231 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes the Eastern Partnership and takes note of the related initiatives that have been activated and the meetings that have been held; intends to develop further the parliamentary dimension of the Partnership; expects the implementation of association agreements by all South Caucasus countries to accelerate the process of economic integration and political cooperation with the EU;
Amendment 234 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that the ENP Action Plans and the implementation thereof constitute an essential basis for evaluating respect for commitments, in accordance with the principle of conditionality, for evaluatingand the progress of bilateral relationships with the EU and for considering upgrading of agreementcontractual relations with the countries concerned; takes the view that the European Parliament should be involved in this process; notes the different progress made by the three countries in the implementation of the respective ENP Action Plans; believes that negotiations on the new association agreements should take into account this diversity and the different objectives but at the same timeand hopes that the process of negotiation should preferablywill move at the same pace for all three countries, taking into account the regional dimension;
Amendment 253 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Takes note of the current EU involvement in conflict resolution processes in the region and believes that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty justifies a more prominent role for the EU; welcomes the work of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and calls for increased EU action to persuade Russia and the relevant de facto authorities to stop blocking the EUMM from entering South Ossetia and Abkhazia; considers that the EU now has the opportunity to play a greater role insupport the solution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict and could do so by participating in the negotiations through the establishment of an EU mandate for the French Co-chair of the Minsk Group, by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes and by supporting civil- society projects that aim to promote reconciliation and contacts between individuals in the region and by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes once a political solution is found; therefore finds it inevitable for the EU´s role in the Minsk Group to be upgraded;
Amendment 264 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission to grant substantial financial and technical support to measures building confidence and promoting trust between and among the populations and to participate in rehabilitation and reconstruction in the conflict affected region, such as income- generating projects and projects on socio- economic integration of IDPs and returnees, on the rehabilitation of housing and aiming at dialogue and mediation;
Amendment 267 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the work of the EU High Level EU Advisory Group to Armenia; believes that, welcomes the possibility of increased financial assistance within the framework of the Eastern Partnership and, including for the preparation for the negotiation of new association agreements with the EU has the opportunity to offer technical assistance and calls on the Commission to study the possibility of offering suchtailor-made assistance also to Azerbaijan and Georgia;
Amendment 283 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Considers that the EU should continue to support economic development, trade and investment in the region, and believes that the negotiation and establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreementsa plays a very important role in this respect; calls on the Commission to consider possible ways to assist the countries in the region to prepare them and enable them toin their preparation, negotiateion and then implement andation in the future, including sustaining the commitments provided for in possiblderiving from the future DCFTAs;
Amendment 291 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Reiterates the significance of people- to-people contacts and mobility programmes, especially aimed at youth; calls on the Council and Commission to make progress towards visa facilitation with thewelcomes the conclusion of the visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Georgia and calls on three cCountries and welcomes the initialling of thecil and Commission to make progress towards visa facilitation and readmission agreements with GeorgiaArmenia and Azerbaijan;
Amendment 40 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that three EU Member States are Arctic States, acknowledges that the EU has no Arctic Ocean coastline, but reaffirms the legitimate interest of the EU as a stakeholder by virtue of its rights and obligations under international law, its commitment to environmental, climate and other policies and its funding, research activities and economic interests, including shipping and the exploitation of natural resources;
Amendment 80 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges that the EU, like other developed areas of the world, may contributes to climate change and hence bears special responsibility;
Amendment 163 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Emphasises that, in order to objectively determine the nature and rate of the changes occurring in the natural environment of the Arctic, it is vital that international teams of scientists be given full access to carry out research in this particularly sensitive area of our planet; points out that the EU is stepping up its presence and involvement, particularly in the European sector of the Arctic, by building joint infrastructure for research and increasing the number of research programmes carried out in the Arctic; takes the view that these activities could be developed further by setting up research teams made up of scientists from many different fields and representing all the countries involved; takes the view that this research should be open and not restricted along territorial or national lines, because it is in the interests of and for use by the international community as a whole;
Amendment 166 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Requests the Commission to put forward proposals as to how the Galileo Project or projects that have an impact on the Arctic could be developed to enable safer and faster navigation in Arctic waters, thus investing in the safety and accessibility of the North-East Passage in particular, to contribute to better predictability of ice movements as well as to better mapping of the Arctic seabed, better mapping of the Arctic seabed and an understanding of the main geodynamic processes in the area, which are of major importance for the geodynamics of the Earth, for the water cycle in polar regions and in order to enhance our knowledge of unique ecosystems;
Amendment 29 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the efforts of Member States to counter cyber threats; urges the Council and the Commission to come forward with an analysis of the challenges of a cyber nature and measures for an efficient and coordinated response to such threats based on the best practices, resulting, in the future, in a European Cyber Security Strategy;
Amendment 40 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Council to enter into a debate with the European Parliament and the national parliaments in 2010 on the implementation of the new provisions in the Lisbon Treaty concerning the CSDP, including: a. the clause on assistance in the event of armed aggression on the territory of a Member State, b. the clause on solidarity in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster; c. the creation of the post of Vice- President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, coupled with the establishment of a European external action service (EEAS) incorporating the crisis management units, bd. a broader remit for the CSDP, ce. permanent structured cooperation for those Member States that meet higher standards in terms of military capability and have made more binding commitments in this area in preparation for the most demanding missions, together with enhanced cooperation procedures, df. the establishment of a start-up fund for preparatory activities in the lead-up to operations, e. the clause on assistance in the event of armed aggression on the territory of a Member State, f. the clause on solidarity in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster;Points a, b, c, d, e and f have become points c, d, e, f, a and b.
Amendment 127 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Recalls the Union’s decisive role in averting an escalation of the conflict between Georgia and Russia, inter alia thanks to the rapid deployment of an observation mission to supervise the implementation of the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008; regrets that the Russian Federation has until now not fulfilled its commitments in the Agreements of 12 August and 8 September signed by President Medvedev; emphasises that the role of the EU observation mission in Georgia has become particularly crucial following the departure of the OSCE and United Nations missions;
Amendment 129 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Is in favour of extending the mission for a further year, and views it as regrettable that mission personnel have not yet been able to visit the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia; finds it absolutely essential that the EUMM is provided unhindered and complete access to the occupied areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;
Amendment 152 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Reiterates its misgivings about the situation in Iran and North Korea, pointing out that the Union has undertaken to use every means at its disposal to prevent, deter, halt and, where possible, eliminate proliferation programmes, which are a source of global concern; recalls, however, that the disarmament process started by some states has no direct bearing on whether other states choose to halt or continue their proliferation programmes, meaning that a firm approach is needed in respect of states or organisations prepared to embark on, or having already embarked on, programmes for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; underlines the importance of all Member States acting accordingly, in line with the Union approach to this matter;
Amendment 220 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
71. Takes the view that the new version of the anti-missile shield envisaged by the American administration should be based on a common European approach to the matter, in coordination with Russiaa dialogue on a continental scale, and with efforts being made to involve the European defence industry in its development;
Amendment 7 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The visa liberalisation dialogue initiated by the Commission with a regional approach and a European perspective, includes countries of the Western Balkans, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia on an equal footing and without any discrimination. The composition of the lists of third countries in Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15 March 2001 should be, and should remain, consistent with the criteria laid down in recital (5) thereto. Some third countries, for which the situation has changed as regards these criteria, should be transferred from one Annex to the otherThe same criteria laid down in the roadmaps for visa liberalisation should be applied to all countries concerned.
Amendment 8 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) All of the Western Balkan countries that have met the benchmarks should be admitted to the visa-free travel regime from the beginning of 2010. Those countries that, despite having made substantial progress, have not fully met the benchmarks should be granted the same privilege as soon as they meet the benchmarks as set out in the corresponding roadmaps for visa liberalisation.
Amendment 11 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) With the aim of furthering the implementation of the Thessaloniki agenda and as part of its regional approach, the Commission should start a visa dialogue with Kosovo and establish a tailor-made roadmap for visa facilitation and liberalisation similar to those established with other Western Balkan countries. This should be without prejudice to Member States' competence as regards the recognition of Kosovo as an independent state.
Amendment 15 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) As regards Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commission should, without delay and not later than in the spring of 2010, present its report on the achievements made by those two countries in meeting all the benchmarks set in the roadmap.
Amendment 16 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
Amendment 17 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 c (new)
Recital 4 c (new)
(4c) The Council, while commending the relevant recent progress achieved by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina towards meeting the benchmarks, calls on the relevant Albanian and Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities to adopt, without delay, the necessary reforms to fully meet the benchmarks.
Amendment 18 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 d (new)
Recital 4 d (new)
(4d) The Council asks the Commission to assist the relevant authorities of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina in this respect.
Amendment 21 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 - paragraph 1 - point a a (new)
Article 1 - paragraph 1 - point a a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 539/2001
Annex I - part 1
Annex I - part 1
(aa) in Part 1, the references to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are replaced by the following: "Albania**, Bosnia and Herzegovina ** ------------------- ** The exemption from the visa requirement granted to holders of biometric passports will apply in accordance with Community law"
Amendment 16 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
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;
Amendment 56 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates the importance of promoting human rights and the rule of law; notes that there are still very serious violations, especially in the areas of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and discrimination against women; calls for an assessment of what has been achieved so far and for adjustment of the instruments implemented under the partnership, including as regards other international organisations such as the Council of Europe;
Amendment 61 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 85 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas there is a need to establish relations on a basis of paritybased on a close partnership, founded on respect for human rights and the rule of law, between the European Union and the Mediterranean countries of the Mediterranean basin in its entirety,;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the work of the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) needs to continue so as to integrate the transatlantic market; whereas joint leadership is needed to conduct a decisive reform of the international economic institutions in the current crisis,
Amendment 47 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that EU-US coordinated action is very beneficialof essential importance for the international community; urges the Czech presidency of the Council and the Commission to work with the new US administration on a common agenda of close cooperation with regard to both bilateral matters and global and regional issues and conflicts;
Amendment 55 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the current momentum should also be used in order to improve and renew the framework of the transatlantic relationship; insists on the urgent need to replace the existing NTA of 1995 with a new Transatlantic Partnership Agreement, providing a more stable and a more up-to-date basis for the relationship;
Amendment 77 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the Joint Parliamentary Committee should be regularly consulted and kept informed by the TEC and the TPC about the work done by them, and that it should be able to submit proposals to those Councils and to the EU- US summit; is of the view that both co- chairs of the Committee should be involved in the opening of meetings of both Councils;
Amendment 80 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that this transatlantic partnership must be backed up by a deep understanding of the parties' civil societies; insists on the need to increase exchanges among students, young people in general and other civil society actors from both sides so as to ensure that present and future generations remain committed to this partnership;
Amendment 86 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on both partners to promote respect for human rights in the world as a key element of their politics; underlines the need for intensive coordination in preventive and crisis diplomacy, as well as in responding in a coordinated and efficient way to pandemics and humanitarian emergencies; encourages the new US administration to ratify and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; repeats its appeal for the abolition of the death penalty;
Amendment 95 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for closer cooperation between the EU and the US in the field of energy,; urges that efficient coordinatingon of their approaches towards the producing countries and strengthening diversity in supply, resources and transportation be regarded as a priority; advocates closer scientific and technological cooperation on energy and energy efficiency;
Amendment 108 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that a just and peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict is vital, and hopes that it will represent one of the most urgent priorities of the new US administration, coordinating closely with the EU and engaging in the Quartet; emphasises that both partners should strive for intensification of the negotiations based on the road map and the Annapolis Conference achievements, aimed at arriving at two-state solution; urges both partners to redouble their efforts, also within the Quartet and in their dealings with Arab countries, so that a ceasefirelong-term peace agreement in Gaza maycan be quickly achievednegotiated in near future;
Amendment 128 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Urges both parties to closely coordinate their policies towards Russia; conscious of Russia's relevance as a neighbouring country, and of its interdependence with the EU and of its role as a global playerrole in the international arena, emphasises the importance of building up constructive cooperation with Russia, without compromisingbased on respect for democratic principles or, international law and human rights; calls on both transatlantic partners to closely coordinate their approach towards any reform of the European security architecture, while insisting on the OSCE principles as its inalienable base and maintaining the coherence of NATO;
Amendment 149 #
2008/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Invites the EU and the US to adopt a common strategy in all international fora, in particular the UN, on disarmament of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weaponry; urgessuggests that the new US administration toshould look into the possibilities of re-engageing with Russia in the area of arms control and disarmament, with a view to possibly extending the countries' current bilateral agreements; stresses the need for closer cooperation in order to ensure progress in the run-up to the NPT Review Conference in 2010, welcomes the commitment of the new US President to ratification of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the peacefulNotes the rise that has made China a key global player; supports the positive role it plays in several international peace- keeping efforts and in the DPRK 6-party talks; believes that increased global influence and increased responsibility go hand-in-hand; asks that China reconsider its "no-strings" aid to dubious regimes, including as regards arms supplies; believes that some of the world's most intractable problems, such asand therefore calls on China to seriously consider measures to tackle climate change, to fight poverty and to stop nuclear proliferation, cannot be solved without China;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that Chinese society has changed much during the last 30 years and that lasting progress can happen only slowly; believes that democracy requires an effective civil society, which is in turn strengthened by trade and economic relations w; notes that despithe the EU; therefore believes that "change through trade" is a way to aid China's transformationis progress there are still major steps to take towards being an open and democratic society benefiting all sections of societyand respecting human rights;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is concerned about the ongoing persecutions and murders of Christians in India; calls on the EU to tackle this issue in the human rights dialogue;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Citation 6
Citation 6
– having regard to the European Energy Charter signed on 17 December 1991 and the subsequent Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which was opened for signature on 17 December 1994 and which entered into force in April 1998, and which is legally binding between all Contracting Parties that have ratified the ECT and those which did not opt out of applying the ECT provisionally until ratification pursuant to Article 45(1), and to the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue instituted at the sixth EU- Russia Summit held in Paris on 30 October 2000,
Amendment 22 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU is based on common values, such as democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, whereas full respect for these values must be of first priority in pursuing enhanced cooperation with any third state,
Amendment 59 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Russian Federation is a member of the Council of Europe and thus has committed itself to the objectivesto meet its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, which are, in particular, to promote democracy and respect for human rights, and to consolidate democracy and stability in Europe,
Amendment 71 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the most serious and long- time cutting of gas deliveries from Russia in January 2009 raises urgent questions whether Russia can be seen as a reliable partner,
Amendment 74 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas there is information about progressive deterioration of the situation of human rights defenders, lawyers and independent journalists,
Amendment 75 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas, in terms of energy security, relations between the EU and Russia offer great potential for positive and constructive mutual interdependencepartnership and cooperation, provided that the partnership is based on the principle of non-discrimination and fair treatment, and on equal market conditions,
Amendment 94 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point a
Paragraph 1 - point a
a) continue to insist on a broad and wide- ranging and legally binding agreement covering the whole range of cooperation between the parties and representing a step up from the current PCA;
Amendment 112 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point b
Paragraph 1 - point b
b) raise with the Russian Government concerns about the shrinking space for Russia’s civil society and urge it to uphold freedom of expression and association by bringing legislation regulating civil society into line with Russia’s European and international commitments, and to take prompt and effective steps to foster a favourable working climate for human rights organisations, and to stop harassment and administrative violence against, human rights organisations and human rights defenders in general;
Amendment 114 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point b a (new)
Paragraph 1 - point b a (new)
ba) call on the Russian Government to fully respect media freedom and guarantee independent media political and economic conditions for normal functioning; urge the Russian Government to put an end to the continuous violence and persecution against journalists;
Amendment 115 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point b b (new)
Paragraph 1 - point b b (new)
bb) call on Russia to unequivocally implement and follow its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe;
Amendment 128 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point d
Paragraph 1 - point d
d) insist that the principles of the ECT and the Transit Protocol thereto should be incorporated in the new agreementenergy section of the new agreement must follow the legally binding principles of the ECT, while reiterating its call on Russia to ratify ithem, bearing in mind Parliament’s opinion that the partners should be free to negotiate wording that goes beyond that of the ECT, as to the depth of cooperation and the areas covered by it, but that the agreement should in no circumstances be less comprehensive than that already subscribed to by the parties within the framework of the PCA;
Amendment 129 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 - point d a (new)
da) within the framework of the negotiations for the new agreement, finalise negotiations on the Transit Protocol to the ECT and call on Russia to sign it in order to put in place a legal framework governing transit of energy supplies between the parties that follows from that already in place under the ECT;
Amendment 142 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point h
Paragraph 1 - point h
h) insist that the goal of visa-free travel vis-à-vis Russia be pursued in the light of Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, which states that exemption from a visa requirement should be subject to a considered assessment of a variety of criteria relating inter alia to illegal immigration, public policy and security and the EU’s external relations with third countries, consideration being also given to the implications of regional coherence and reciprocity, bearing in mind that relations between the Union and white-listed third countries are typified by a special political dimension in providing that these third countries must attain an appropriate level in terms of democratic values and fundamental rights;
Amendment 165 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 - point o a (new)
oa) address with the Russian Government concerns about the congestion on the EU common border, which is a continuous serious obstacle to EU-Russia trade and economic relations and which does not comply with the general aims of the strategic partnership;
Amendment 167 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point o b (new)
Paragraph 1 - point o b (new)
ob) while recognising the positive aspects of the intensification of scientific cooperation between EU and Russia, call for further comprehensive analyses of the (i.e. security-related) impacts of Russia’s possible association with the 7th Framework Programmes;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the efforts of Member States to counter cyber attacks; urges the Council and the Commission to present an analysis on the challenges posed by cyber attacks and measures for an efficient and coordinated response to such threats based on best practices;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines that unresolved regional conflicts and disputes in the neighbourhood of the EU are to be seen as a matter of major and immediate concern for the EU also; calls on the Council and the Commission to enhance the EU's capacity to devise roadmaps for the resolution of such conflicts, inter alia by giving additional support to the EU Special Representative responsible;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Regards it as important to strengthen the conflict resolution civil capacity, therefore calls on the Council and the Commission to reinforce the CPCC and to consider the establishment of an EU Civil Peace Corps as requested by Parliament;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Regards it as important for the EU to make a greater effort to enhance and consolidate its policies promoting worldwide support for democracy; considers, therefore, that it is essential to place support for democracy at the heart of the CFSP and to ensure coherence between the actions of the EU Institutions and the Member States;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Considers that, in order to impart greater coherence and visibility to EU efforts in support of democracy, it might be useful to coordinate efforts by various existing democracy-supporting organisations, inasmuch as this would enhance human and societal capacity and security over the long term, and furthermore to provide sustainable support for all fragile and conflict-prone states;
Amendment 15 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, whilst previous enlargements have undoubtedly been a success both for the European Union and for the Member States which joined it, this is no guarantee that such accelerated pace can be sustained further,
Amendment 34 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the recent enlargements have not reduced the functionality of the EU, which is continuing to operate adequately; whereas there have been no major clashes between the interests of the EU and the new Member States resulting from enlargement,
Amendment 70 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the citizens of Europe fervently desire a stronger European Union, equally competitive on the global scale; whereas enlargement is one of the ways to ensure that EU remains globally competitive,
Amendment 128 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 141 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 163 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Warns, therefore, that further enlargement without adequate consolidation could lead to a Union of multiple configurations, with core countries moving towards closer integration and others lying at its margins, and that this scenario would have seriously detrimental implications for the Union's capacity to act - since it would weaken its institutions, for the stability of some of its Member States - since it would make them more vulnerable to external pressure, and for its credibility as global actor - since it would undermine its already precarious unity in external affairsAlso notes, on the other hand, that the Union is in the process of constant development and that institutional changes should therefore not be regarded as a barrier to further enlargement;
Amendment 188 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is also convincedNotes that the Enlargement Strategy shcould be flanked by a more diversified range of external contractual frameworks and that these frameworks could be structured as mutually permeable concentric circles, with countries being offered the opportunity, under strict but clear internal and external conditions, to move from one status to another if they so wish and if they fulfil the criteria pertaining to each specific framework; underlines that offering membership prospects while providing the necessary incentives for all forms of integration should be the long-term goal of these frameworks;
Amendment 41 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is of the view that the importance of the foreign policy dimension of energy security, including the Union´s dependence on energy and other strategic supplies from unstable or undemocratic countries and regions, will continue to increase in 2008; recommends wide-ranging diversification of energy sources and energy transport routes and increased energy efficiency as well as solidarity in energy policy among EU Member States; calls for full ownership unbundling of energy giants; deplores the use of energy by third parties as a political instrument and the uncoordinated signing of bilateral energy agreements by Member States, which undermine the interests of the EU as a whole and of other Member States; reiterates its call for the creation of the post of High Official for Foreign Energy Policy under the authority of the future double- hatted High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, with the responsibility for coordinating the Union´s activities in this field;
Amendment 62 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Considers it important for the EU to make a greater effort to enhance and consolidate its policies for worldwide support of democracy; therefore regards it as essential to place such support at the heart of the CFSP and to ensure coherence between the actions of the EU institutions and the Member States;
Amendment 107 #
2007/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Also considers it important that during 2008 the Union should review its relations with Russia on a new basis of a balanced, wide-ranging partnership, encompassing international challenges, trade and energy, but also including human rights and respect for democracbased on respect for human rights and the rule of law, encompassing international challenges, trade and energy;
Amendment 15 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the need for the international community to better coordinate its efforts to provide efficient and sustainable civilian aid; therefore also calls for a balanced budget allocating sufficient funds for civil reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, inasmuch as the creation of security and respect for the rule of law are matters of core importance;
Amendment 73 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Is extremely concerned that various areas of Afghanistan, especially the south and south-east regions, remain almost inaccessible for humanitarian aid and involve a great security risk for any actions taken by the international community or by civil society organisations in those regions; calls on the Council and the Commission to draw up a strategy plan in cooperation with other international actors on how to access those regions and provide sustainable humanitarian aid and furthermore to assist those regions in implementing the rule of law and guaranteeing access to education and healthcare;
Amendment 80 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises that media freedom is essential in creating a democratic society; is very concerned about the rising number of attacks on journalists and calls on the Afghan authorities to seriously investigate these violations; expresses its concern about President Karzai’s refusal to sign the new mass media draft on 15 December 2007 following its approval in the two houses of parliament; calls on the President to clarify the status of the draft media law and recalls the government’´s commitment in the Afghanistan Compact to develop ‘independent and pluralistic’ media;
Amendment 110 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in the violent insurgency, a seriously deteriorating security situation, increased opium production, and growing popular discontent over corruption and government failures; whereas despite the efforts of the international community and the partial success as regards civil reconstruction, the living conditions of considerable sections of the Afghan population have not improved,; whereas the current threat Afghanistan is facing requires short-term action but long-term solutions will only come about through comprehensive improvements in governance and the emergence of a stronger state,