BETA

105 Amendments of Ioannis KASOULIDES

Amendment 182 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Fully supports the Commission's new approach to open the chapters on the judiciary and fundamental rights and on justice and home affairs early on in the negotiation process and to close them as the very last ones; stresses that official benchmarks would provide a clear roadmap and would give a boost to the reform process; calls therefore on the Council and all parties concerned for renewed efforts forconducive to the opening of Chapters 23 and 24;
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 331 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Encourages Turkey to intensify its support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, in particular by facilitating the latter's access to all military zones as well as to archives of the Turkish army;
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 336 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24a (new)
24a. Emphasises that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has been signed by the EU, the 27 Member States and all other candidate countries and that it is part of the acquis communautaire; calls, therefore, on the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify it without further delay; recalls the full legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, in accordance with UNCLOS;
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 409 #

2012/2870(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the decision to enhance cooperation between the EU and Turkey on a number of important energy issues and calls on Turkey to commit to this cooperation; believes that, in view of Turkey's strategic role but also based on international law and UNCLOS, initial consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy with a view to furthering the EU- Turkey strategic dialogue on energy;
2013/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
- having regard to the establishment on February 2012 of the EU-China High- Level People-to-People Dialogue, which will accommodate all EU-China joint initiatives in this field
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
– having regard to the 14th EU-China Summit and the 15th EU-China Summit, which took place in Beijing in February 2012 and in Brussels in September 2012, and to the Joint Statements issued at the conclusion thereof,
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20
– having regard to its recent resolutions on China, in particular its resolution of 23 May 2012 entitled 'EU and China: unbalanced trade?’3 '[1], of 2 February 2012 on EU foreign policy towards the BRICs and other emerging powers: objectives and strategies4 [2], and of 11 May2 September 20112 on the aAnnual rReport from the Council to the European Parliament on the main aspects and basic choices of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in 2009, presented to the European Parliament in application of Part II, Section G, paragraph 43 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 20065 , [1] Texts Adopted, P7_TA(2012)0218. [2] Texts Adopted, P7_TA(2012)0017. [3] Texts Adopted, P7_TA(2011)0227
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 21
– having regard to its resolutions of 7 September 2006 on EU-China relations6 ,[1] and of 5 February 2009 on Trade and economic relations with China, [1] OJ C 305 E, 14.12.2006, p. 219.
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. wWhereas China emphasises social human rights (e.g., food, clothes, economic development), while the EU stresses in addition individual human rights (e.g., freedom of speech, religion, association);
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas China is a country that is passionate about the internet, with more than 500 million users, the country’s internet environment remaining, however, very restrictive;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the positive role of the PRC in South-East Asia in terms of economic regionalisation and dynamics is becoming increasingly overshadowed by territorial disputes in the East Asia and South China Sea with Vietnam (Paracel/Xisha islands) andJapan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan (Spratly/Nansha islands) – all areas rich in fish, as well as in oil and gas reserves;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas the relations between China and the USA are the world's most important bilateral ties, in particular owing to the phenomenon of ‘Chinamerica’, or the strong financial-economic entanglement of Beijing and Washington;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Joins with the public commitment made by the EU and China during their High- Level Strategic Dialogue of 9-10 July 2012 in Beijing to set a good example of international cooperation in the 21st century through their Strategic Partnership; supports and encourages the almost sixty sectoral dialogues and in particular the human rights dialogue, between the EU and China with the conviction that an enhanced and highly developed partnership will be mutually beneficial to both the EU and China; in particular, encourages efforts to actively seek synergies between China 12th Five-Year Plan and the Europe 2020 Strategy with a view to deepening pragmatic cooperation in various fields.
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 n (new)
(n) Welcomes the launch and successful first round of the EU-China High Level People-to-People Dialogue; expresses satisfaction with the progress and achievements of ''EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue'' and takes note of the agreement at the 15th EU-China Summit on a series of follow-up actions in various areas of education, culture, multilingualism and youth;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 p (new)
(p) Welcomes the call of both sides at the 15th EU-China Summit for a launch of a comprehensive EU-China Dialogue on Mobility and Migration at appropriate level and their mutual engagement to continue to explore ways of facilitating exchanges for Chinese and EU citizens, including mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the popular legitimacy of the CCPat the CCP enjoys a wider popular acceptance, although never verified by democratic elections, especially in view of its successful economic policy, but shares the criticism of independent Chinese scholars and observers that this legitimacyacceptance is seriously threatened by a 'red aristocracy' of close family members of former and present party leaders who possess enormous fortunes owing to their political and economic connections, a grave situation which was recently laid bare by the Bo Xilai affair;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the increasing contacts between the PRC and Taiwan; notes China's strong wish for reunification with Taiwan; stresses that this political aim is still seriously undermined by Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan and China's international isolation of Taiwan; expects that China, Taiwan and the EU will respect the free choice of Taiwanese citizens on the international status of their country;ir future; while any outcome must be based on mutually accepted and agreed arrangements through peaceful means.
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the PRC to use its regained global position in an enhanced responsible way by acting according to its own criteria of 'peaceful development' and 'a harmonious world’;', commensurate to its global contribution, at the UNSC on matters such as Syria, at G20 to deal with the world financial crisis, and on aligning itself on WTO rules.
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 280 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
(b) Calls on China to review its policy of "non interference in the internal affairs of countries" in cases of severe breach of international humanitarian law.
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Asks China to dispel growing international concerns about its non- transparent military budget, which officially increased by 11.2 % in 2012 to EUR 80.6 billion;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the global importance of the South ChinEast Asia Sea, through which one-third of the world's trade passes, and therefore urgently appeals to all involved parties to settle their confparties concerned to refrain from unilateral policting territorial claims in the South China Sea by international arbitration and to refrain from unilateral political and military actioncal and military actions and seek peaceful and cooperative solutions regarding the East Asia’s maritime areas, in accordance with international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and to clarify the basis for their claims; calls on all parties to take steps to calm the situation and agree on de-escalating measures of engagement in case of unforeseen incidents;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 215 #

2012/2025(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the EU to support efforts to resolve outstanding disputes, including border disputes, before accession; in line with the provisions of the UN Charter, encourages all parties to disputes whose continuation is likely to endanger the preservation of international peace and security to engage constructively in their peaceful resolution and, in case of proven inability to reach a bilateral agreement, to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice if appropriate or to commit themselves to a binding arbitration mechanism of their choice, or to work constructively within an intensive mediation mission;
2012/06/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2011/2316(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) assist both technically and financially Azerbaijan's parliament to fully develop its constitutional functions, bodies and services including an enhanced interaction with civil society;
2012/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2011/2316(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) emphasise the need to use the Association Agreement as a platform to promote regional synergies and cooperation by establishing a level playing field for all three countries in the South Caucasus; call on all parties to fully engage in the multilateral cooperation track of the Eastern Partnership without linking it to the conflicts;
2012/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2011/2316(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(h a) insist that the EU should play a stronger role in settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh by supporting the implementation of confidence building measures which will bring together Armenian and the Azerbaijani communities and spread the ideas of peace, reconciliation and trust among all sides; call on all parties for unconditional access for representatives of the EU to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions under the modalities and practice of the OSCE Minsk Group; strongly urge Armenia and Azerbaijan for full political commitment to achieving compromise based on the agreed basic principles elaborated by the Minsk Group;
2012/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2011/2316(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) urge Azerbaijan not to hamper visa issues for third country nationals of Armenian origin wishing to enter Azerbaijan and to lift the ban on international phone calls to Armenia;
2012/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2011/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas there is a wide public consensus in the Armenian society on the importance of the European commitment of Armenia;
2012/02/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2011/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(h a) insist that the EU should play a stronger role in settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh by supporting the implementation of confidence building measures which will bring together Armenian and the Azerbaijani communities and spread the ideas of peace, reconciliation and trust among all sides; call on all parties for unconditional access for representatives of the EU to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions under the modalities and practice of the OSCE Minsk Group; strongly urge Armenia and Azerbaijan for full political commitment to achieving compromise based on the agreed basic principles elaborated by the Minsk Group;
2012/02/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2011/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) emphasise the need to use the Association Agreement as a platform to promote regional synergies and cooperation by establishing a level playing field for all three countries in the South Caucasus; call on all parties to fully engage in the multilateral cooperation track of the Eastern Partnership without linking it to the conflicts;
2012/02/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2011/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) stress the importance of the ratification of the protocols, signed between Armenia and Turkey in Zurich in 2009, emphasizing that any precondition for their ratification is harmful to the process of the normalization of relations between the two countries; urge Turkey to open its border with Armenia;
2012/02/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2011/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(l a) welcome the incorporation of EU best practices and EU recommendations in Armenia during the preparation of national work plans in the field of Justice, Liberty and Security, note in particular the tangible results in the migration sector achieved by the signature of the Joint Declaration on Mobility Partnership;
2012/02/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 117 #

2011/2315(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(r a) assist both technically and financially Armenia’s parliament to fully develop its constitutional functions, bodies and services including an enhanced interaction with civil society;
2012/02/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2011/2306(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas following the revolutionary movements which took place in 2011 in the EU Southern neighbourhood, now known as the Arab Spring, EU interest has been very much focused on the southern neighbours; whereas the countries belonging tois by no means results in a diminished attention on the countries of the Eastern Partnership and the EU trade relations with them deserve just as much attention as the EU’s southern neighbours;
2012/03/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2011/2306(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas Belarus has so far participated only in a limited way in the different programmes and platforms of the Eastern Partnership; whereas deepening relations between Belarus and the EU would greatly contribute to the fulfilment of the ultimate goal of the Eastern Partnership, which is progress, stability and prosperity in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood due to blatant violations of principles of democracy and human rights; whereas deepening relations between Belarus and the EU will depend on the "more for more" policy on which the Belarusian authorities are expected to adhere to;
2012/03/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2011/2306(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Regrets that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still resonates in the closed borders of Armenia with Azerbaijan and Turkey,closed borders of Armenia by Turkey result in keeping the country economically isolated due to the lack of access routes; stresses that opening of the borders is, inter alia, an important condition for attracting foreign investment;
2012/03/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 127 #

2011/2306(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
60. Regrets the delays in signing the Association Agreement, which is the condition for entry into force of the DCTFA; expresses the hope that the obstacles to the signature will soon be overcome;deleted
2012/03/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 134 #

2011/2306(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Points out however that the application of the DCFTA will also bring about structural and political reforms; questioncommends in this regard the current EU position, which makes the political reforms a precondition for the conclusion of the Association Agreement and consequently the DCFTA; calls on the Commission to examine the possibilities of initialling and implementing the DCFTA regardless of concerning the conclusion of the Association Agreement, i.e. as an ad interim agreement;
2012/03/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2011/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned that the European External Action Service (EEAS) has not yet made public the details of the ‘more for more’ criteria that will determine, together with the commercial scoping exercise, whether a country is eligible for a DCFTA; asks the EEAS, therefore, to establish these criteria so that the process is transparent and so that partner countries know in advance where adjustments need to be made; insists that respect for democratic institutions and fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and, freedom of association and protection of religious minorities, must be central to this process and considers that it should be responsive to significant improvements or deteriorations in partner countries during the preparatory phase and the negotiations themselves; insists that these criteria should include an appropriate level of economic opening and an index of how all levels of society benefit from trade and foreign direct investment (FDI);
2012/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Strongly rejects the contention that, in viewsuggests that the West, rather than remaining passive ofn the emergence of new economic and foreign policy powers and potential rivals, the West should agree to relinquish its leadership and focus on managing its decline. Contends, rather, that the West and, in particular, the EU shoulnew world order that the emerging powers are bringing about, should strive to maintain its leading role in foreign policy, economic and monetary world order and focus oin achieving the necessary economies of scale and develop concerted efforts to enable it to interact with the emerging powers constructively and effectively; points out to the need to develop an inclusive system of global governance based on cooperation and coordination with the BRICS and other emerging countries, as appropriate; points further to the key role of the West and, particularly, the EU in promoting an inclusive system of global governance such as this;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the BRICS have embarkedoften appear to be on quasi-permanent coordination of foreign policy by abstaining from the vote on UNSC Resolution 1973 (2011) on Libya (South Africa was not yet part of the BRICS at that time), by deferring the vote on the EU's role in UNGA, and through their coinciding positions on Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan and the placement of weapons in outer space, as well as by coordinating their action through the BRICS Leaders' meetings; points out that the BRICS seem to be challenging the current system of international governance; believes that if the EU will duly take into account the new weight, in political and economic terms, of the BRICS and other emerging powers, this may contribute to an orderly reform of global governance without any destabilising effects;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Believes that the inclusiveness and convergence to be decided by the G20 is to correct East-West monetary imbalances, deficit in the West and commercial surplus in the East by deciding upper limits of deficit/surplus, and by fighting protectionism; a measure than can be taken inter alia in this respect could be the creation of a specific IMF special purpose vehicle (SPV) where emerging markets could mostly contribute, thus increasing the IMF firepower and robustness in dealing with the sovereign debt crisis of the EU, and of the USA if needed, and thus finding an acceptable way to all to channel back money from East to West;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls for a comprehensive evaluation and overall impact assessment of the EU Strategic Partnerships, including the emerging countries, and calls the High Representative to inform and consult with the European Parliament throughout this process;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2011/0300(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall establish a Union-wide list of projects of common interest. The list shall be reviewed and updated as necessary every two years. The first list shall be adopted by 31 July 2013 at the latest. The Commission shall also take into account the specific characteristics of small island member states to ensure that no EU Member State remains isolated from the European gas and electricity networks after 2015 or see its energy security jeopardised by lack of the appropriate connections, in terms of timely development of projects. The Union-wide list shall also include such projects.
2012/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 948 #

2011/0294(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 22/33
to add the Airport of Paphos (CY) and the Port of Larnaca (CY) and their interconnections to the core network
2012/10/11
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 7 #

2010/2269(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the European Council conclusions of 18/19 June 2009 on illegal immigration,
2011/02/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2010/2269(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. WSupports the ongoing negotiations for an EU-Libya Framework agreement, which will also include a re-admission agreement, and welcomes the recent agreement on an EU-Libya cooperation agenda on migration, particularly as regards joint efforts to provide financial support for African countries in order to create viable alternatives to migration and the development in Libya of a more efficient system to manage labour migration, by allowing the maximisation of the skills of the migrants already present in the country; believes that agreements on a cooperation agenda on migration should be reached with other countries in geographic proximity to the EU which can be valuable partners in providing support to fragile States in their neighbourhood and in offering migrants the skills required to access their job-market;
2011/02/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises that CSDP actions should be embedded in a comprehensive policy targeting countries and regions in crisis; stresses, further, the need for where the EU's values and strategic interests are at shift away from the current focus and emphasis on the successful deployment of CSDP mitake and where CSDP operations would provide a real added value in promoting peace, stability and rule of law; stresses, further, the need for a lessions and towards greater attention tolearnt process more accurate in assessing their successful implementation andof each operation and its lasting impact on the ground;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasises the need for optimal coordination between EU disaster responses and other EU instruments – such as CSDP civilian or military missions – which are already being deployed on the ground or which could be set up in the aftermath of a crisis; believes that a rigid distinction between military and civilian crisis-management operations reflects outdated institutional patterns rather than the reality on the ground, and therefore emphasises the fact that responses to certain crises may require a combination of military and civilian instruments;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Considers it an EU strategic priority to strengthen international crisis-management partnerships and enhance dialogue with other major crisis-management actors – such as the UN, NATO, the African Union (AU) and the OSCE and third countries such as the USA, Turkey, Norway and Canada – and to synchronise actions, share informabe there global or regional organisations or third countries – and share information and coordinate actions and pool resources whenever relevant in the fields of peacekeeping and peace-building, including cooperation on crisis management and, in particular, maritime security, and the fight against terrorism under international law;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the EU should take advantage of the adoption of NATO's new Strategic Concept in order to strengthen its partnership with NATO, bearing in mind the development of the EU's foreign, security and defence policies; points to the need to find pragmatic ways of solving theoutstanding difficulties and calls in particular, in this respect, on the EU to exercise its influence for a successful conclusion of the ongoing process for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, which will remove all the differences between Cyprus and Turkey which are hampering the development of closer cooperation between the EU and NATO, given the importance of ensuring that existing forces and capabilities which are shared to a large extent by both organisations are used as efficiently as possible;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the need for close and continuous coordination of EU foreign policy with the EU's closest ally and strategic partner, the US, ensuring a joint approach to global governance and to challenges such as nuclear non- proliferation and terrorism; calls on the VP/HR to coordinate closely and develop synergies with the US with a view to ensuring stability and security on the European continent, including on the basis of cooperation with Russia, and with regard to stability in the greater Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and PakistanReiterates its commitment to the transatlantic partnership as an important element and one of the main pillars of the EU's external action; urges the Vice- President/High Representative to ensure that the EU acts as a coherent, active, equal and yet autonomous partner of the US in strengthening global security and stability, promoting peace and respect for human rights, as well as adopting a united approach to global challenges such as nuclear proliferation, terrorism, climate change and energy security;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Encourages the VP/HR and the Commission to deepenpursue its commitment towards the Eastern Partnership with our eastern European neighbours, with a view to their political association and economic integration, including in the area of energy, on the basis of shared European values and within a framework of conditions and incentives intended to trigger reforms;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Believes that the EU should adopt a comprehensive approach to security and stability concerns in the Sahel region; insists that terrorism and transnational organised crime (drugs, arms, cigarettes, human smuggling) pose serious threats not only to the countries of the region but also directly to the European Union; deems necessary for the EU to help the countries of the region develop policies and instruments to tackle these growing security threats by employing all relevant EU instruments to eradicate poverty, guarantee sustainable development, address climate change concerns in the region, manage South- South and South- North migratory flows and ensure democracy and institution- building (notably for the security sector); believes that a process of consensus-building amongst the countries of the region, in cooperation with, and with the progressive ownership of, the AU, should also be put in place;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42b. Highlights the need for according the same degree of transparency and involvement to non-EU NATO members and non-NATO EU members when joint activities are conducted, as stressed out on the third chapter of the NATO 2020 report (``Albright Report``)
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2010/0821(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2011/03/03
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 121 #

2010/0816(NLE)

Proposal for a decision – amending act
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.
2010/07/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the international community has implicitly recognised that nine years of war and international involvement have not succeeded in eliminating the Taliban insurgency and bringing peace and stability to the country, and whereas a new counterinsurgency policy has been introduced from last year and around 45 000 troops dispatched as reinforcements,
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas an impasse has been reached in Afghanistan:it is difficult to see an obvious end in sight with a coalition of occupying powers in place but unable to defeat the Taliban only through military means, and an insurgency movement unable to prevail against these military forces; and whereas there is no obvious end in sight,
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas, with regard to the EU aid contribution to Afghanistan, Carl Bildt, in his capacity as Council President, stated before Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs in December 2009 that "We have no idea what the Union as a collectivity is doing in Afghanistan... We are spending more than a billion euros a year..., virtually uncoordinated",deleted
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 67 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas some poppy eradication in Afghanistan has been carried out using chemical herbicides, and whereas this practice results in serious harm to people and to the environment in terms of soil and water pollution,deleted
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Is aware however of the set of factors hampering progress in Afghanistan but, given space constraints, has chosen to focus in this report on four main elements where, it believes, efforts expended will result in very significant improvements that could turn the course of events: international aid; implications of the peace process; impact of police training; elimination of opium cultivation through alternative development;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Expresses support for the new concept of a counter insurgency strategy, which aims at the protection of the local population and the rebuilding of areas whose security has been assured, and support for the EU’s Action Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes, therefore, that a newthe EU strategy for Afghanistan will have to take as its starting point two premises: an acknowledgement of the continuing deterioration in security and socio- economic indicators in Afghanistan despite almost a decade of international involvement and investment; and the need to encourage a profound shift in the mindset of the international community, which has all too often in the past, in particular prior to the counter insurgency strategy, shaped plans and decisions with scant regard for Afghan involvement;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that these disappointing indicators are not compensated for byNotes however the limited progress made in infrastructure, telecommunications and basic education usually cited as achievements by donors and the Afghan Government;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the cost of eliminating poverty in Afghanistan is equivalent to the cost of five days of warfare;deleted
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes, too, that the cost of waging war for one week would provide 6 000 schools, enough to ensure a future without illiteracy for all children in Afghanistan;deleted
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that, contrary to the widespread perception that Afghan Government corruption is responsible for the lack of provision of essential services to its citizens, the majority of resources for socio-economic development have been channelled through international organisations, regional development banks, NGOs, international contractors etc,, and not through the central government;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is appalled by the absence ofCalls for coordination among international donors and of, for detailed evaluations on the impact of the international civilian and military intervention, by the lack offor transparency and by the limited mechanisms for donor accountability;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 173 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls, too, on all the main humanitarian and development bodies active in Afghanistan (from EU Member States and the US to the UNDP and UNOPS, and from the World Bank to the main NGOs) to drastically prune their operating expenses by allocating funds (at least 80% more than at present) directly to Afghan institutions; notes that, among Afghan institutions preference should be given to local and regional governments provided that at this level allegiance, the rule of law and democracy have been properly ascertained; points out that the allocation of funds at local and regional level shall require the approval of the central Government to enhance its role and responsibility;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Recognises the potential for local corruption but believes that this will be outweighed by the strengthened legitimacy the Afghan State will gain by begiving responsible for implementing aidapproval for the allocation of the funding and by ensuring that aid effectiveness indicators and effective monitoring mechanisms, agreed upon by both donors and the Afghan Government, are in place;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 196 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Is equally appalled by the fact that, since US and NATO military logistics follow similar lines, European taxpayers could end up funding the Taliban through the very entities that are supposed to combat them;deleted
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 213 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Believes that much of the blame for the present impassesituation in Afghanistan rests with early miscalculations prior to the new counter-insurgency strategy by coalition forces who foresaw a speedy military victory over the Taliban and an easy transition to a stable country run by a legitimate government with strong Western backing;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 234 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Recognises that the final stage would be a political solution; considers that in order to achieve this and for the Taliban to realize that they should sit at the negotiating table, the new counter insurgency policy must be given time to succeed according to the time table announced by President Obama; recognizes that once the conditions have been met, so that the Taliban do not negotiate under conditions of strength, then the only possible solution is a political one, and; strongly believes that negotiations with the Talibanall the Afghan sides engaged in the conflict – which should take place against the backdrop of a ceasefire – lie at the heart of thisa political process, with the aim of forming a government of national unity which can put an end to the civil war that has raged in the country for almost three decades;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Recognises that the Taliban are not one single uniform entity: there are at least 33 top leaders, 820 mid-level/junior leaders, and 25 000 - 36 000 "foot soldiers" distributed among 220 communities, some fighting for ideological, others for monetary, reasons; believes therefore, that negotiations should be encouraged from now on at local level between the democratically elected local government and members of the armed opposition "who renounce violence, have no links to international terrorist organizations, respect the Constitution and are willing to join in building a peaceful Afghanistan", according to paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Kabul communiqué of 20 July 2010;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 286 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Urges the EU to encourage the USallied forces to move away from itsthe policy of circumventing domestic institutions in the delivery of international aid and the privatisation of security, as well as its parallel and seemingly contradictory (to the peace process) attempt to "decapitate" the insurgency leadership usnd acknowledges the new orders by General Petraeus that due regard should be given to all military and security operations in avoiding civilian casualties as this is one of the factors alienating the local population against ISAF; pays tribute to the servicemen and women of all the Allied Forces who have lost their lives ing drones and US Special forces, which is of questionable legal status and results in frequent civilian casualefending freedom, and expresses its condolences to their families, as well as to the families of all innocent Afghan victiems;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 296 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Points out that the EU Member States and their allies' military presence in Afghanistan has the objective of combating the threat of international terrorism and tackling the fight against drug cultivation and trafficking;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 307 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Notes that there can be no stability or peace in Afghanistan without guaranteeing security for its citizens, and that part of the Taliban's early success in establishing themselves was due to an ability to maintain order and security;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 315 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Gives merit to the idea of General Petraeus that local, democratically elected authorities could be accorded with a local gendarmerie to maintain law and order and protect the local population;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Notes from ISAF sources that of the 94 000 men in the Afghan National Police almost 90%of them are illiterate, 20% and a substantial number are drug users, and over 30% or go missing after a year, not to mention the 1 000 or so killed in service every year;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Believes that one of the main factors behind the ineffectiveness of overall training has been the practice, predominantly by the US, of relying on private contractors to train the police;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 338 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Notes that, while the EU and its Member States do not share the US approach, their commitment to the creation of a professional Afghan police force risks being compromised by the prevalence of practices such as the "fast- track" approach (poor vetting of recruits, six weeks of training with no textbooks because of trainee illiteracy, minimal field training, recruits then given a badge, uniform and gun and sent out on patrol) implemented by a few big US security companies;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 341 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. Is equally disturbed to learn of the poor financial controls being applied to these private companies, and cites a 2006 joint US Defense and State Department report, whose findings are still valid today, which found that the police force in Afghanistan was incapable of carrying out routine law enforcement work and that no effective field training programme existed; acknowledges General McChrystal's attempts, during his tenure,the attempts by the general command and under the counterinsurgency policy to exercise some degree of control over the private foreign militias operating with impunity in Afghanistan;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 344 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
54. Recommends unequivocally, therefore, that responsibility for police training no longerthat police training should as soon as possible cease to be carried out by private contractors;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 358 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Recommends that salaries for the Afghan police be increased and that the whole recruitment process be reviewed, only admittinggive preference to recruits with a basic standard of literacy, who are not drug users and are better qualified psychologically and physically than the present cohort;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 362 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
57. Recalls that Afghanistan is the source of 90% of the world's illicit opium, and yet that when coalition forces entered Kabul in 2001, no opium poppies were being grown in Afghanistan owing to the UN's success in getting the Taliban to impose a ban on their cultivation in the 90% of the country under their controlcultivation has not diminished in recent years;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 368 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
59. Notes, however, that the opium problem was not considered a priority by the Bush AdministrationGeneral Command prior to the counter insurgency policy, which preferred to cooperate with the warlords in the name of the war on terror;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 370 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
62. Draws attention, however, to the findings of a recent UNODC report, whereby the Taliban only capture 4% of the annual narcotics trade, and local farmers 21%, with 75% going to government officials, the police, local and regional brokers, and traffickers; in short, notes that NATO allies are in fact getting the lion's share of the profits from the drugs trade;
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 385 #

2009/2217(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
70. Calls on the Government and Parliament of Afghanistan to enact specific legislation aimed at prohibiting all eradication practices that may involve the use of non-manual and non- mechanical means;deleted
2010/10/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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 feltfollowed by violent events, while internal stability has been gradually restored thereafter; is preoccupied about the continued detention of opposition activist Nikol Pashinian, despite the welcomed amnesty of 18 June 2009 leading to the release of a number of imprisoned opposition activists; takes note of the municipal 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 thereon; 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 position that elections and referenda in breakaway regions are illegitimate; defends the political rights of displaced persons;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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 limitations 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;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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; is concerned about the lack of any seriousnotes the PACE resolution 1677 (2009) regarding the investigation into the events following the presidential elections of February 2008 when 10 people were killed and which led to theich led to a 20-days long imposition of a state of emergency and 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;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2009/0155(NLE)

Draft opinion
last paragraph
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to draw up an interim report under Rule 81(3)propose that Parliament give its consent.
2012/04/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2008/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that sectoral and general budget support under the ENPI should be made available only to countriegovernments which are able to implement it in a transparent, effective and accountable manner; calls on the Commission to review the appropriateness of budget support in countries which have problems with budgetary management and control procedures and high levels of corruption;establish alternative mechanisms of payment to civil society or programmes under the direct control of Commission's agents
2008/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2008/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need for a country-specific approach with regard to political conditionality; emphasises the importance of the independence of the judiciary as a factor underlying conditionality as far as possible;
2008/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2008/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of enhancing the coordination and complementarityimpact comparison of the ENP initiatives, such as the Black Sea Synergy, the UfM and the future Eastern Partnership, and of the different Community assistance instruments; calls for improved synchronisation between ENPI programmes and the financial cooperation provided by the Member States;
2008/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2008/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15, first indent
– the ENPI financing to the UfM mustof each ENP initiative South or East should not be providused to the detriment of other regional programmes, particularly in the social field;each other,
2008/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2008/2236(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Endorses the Economic Recovery and Stability package under the Community budget, which will provide up to EUR 500 million over the years 2008-2010 to rebuild Georgia after a damaging war and to ensure the reintegreconomic rehabilitation of internally displaced people until their return to their homes and properties; underlines that, in order to guarantee that the assistance is allocated to the most urgent needs of Georgia, proper conditionality and monitoring mechanisms should be attached to the EU financing; emphasises that the aid should be targeted to supporting the reform agenda as defined in the ENP action plan and the ENPI programming documents, which remain highly appropriate;
2008/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2008/2212(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission's communications entitled “Facing the challenge of higher oil prices” and “Second Strategic Energy Review – an EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan”; points out that, despite the drop in oil prices in the second half of 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis, the slow progress in switching to more sustainable fuels, declining output from the world's oilfields and the continuing growth in demand, primarily driven by the emerging economies, inevitably mean a continuation inreturn, once the international crisis is over, to the tightening of the fossil fuel markets and increasing import dependency for the consuming countries;
2008/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2008/2212(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that the EU's nascent energy policy will remain weak as long as there is no suitable Treaty basiscommon EU policy for energy and energy security and it lacks a coherent strategy vis-à-vis its main external suppliers; supports the Lisbon Treaty, which contains an energy solidarity clause and makes energy policy a shared responsibility between the EU and the Member States, as a step in the right direction;
2008/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2008/2212(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. RDespite the welcome fall in oil prices, and in view of the cyclic behaviour of prices, expects that that prices will rise again once the present economic crisis is over; therefore reiterates the importance of greater diversification of the EU's energy sources and supply routes, in order to mitigate the effects of a possible future oil crunch, while recognising the diversity of situations in which various Member States find themselves when it comes to energy mix, import dependency and infrastructure availability, particularly for 'energy islands' in the EU; supports a greater use of sustainable biofuels and acknowledgonly those biofuels which meet sustainability criteria in their procurement and manufacture and regards strategies theo importance of nuclear energy in order to improve energy securitrove energy efficiency as far more promising than the revival of nuclear energy; notes that non- conventional oil is expected to play an important role in counterbalancing the decline in production from existing fields; underlines that new oil infrastructure projects such as the Odessa-Gdansk and Constan a-Trieste pipelines should continue to be high-priority projects of European interest;
2008/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2008/2212(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the role of the Arctic in the formulation of the Energy Policy for Europe, as proposed by the March 2007 European Council; notes with particular concern the ongoing race for hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic, which may lead to security threats for the EU as well asthe importance of an equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic in accordance with international law, for the sake of overall international instability; calls on the Commission to pay specific attention to hydrocarbons in its Communication on strategic issues related to the Arctic.
2008/12/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2008/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the GCCA must remain ais a distinct, complementary and supportive platform for the ongoing process in the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, serving to advance the implementation of the Convention and the Protocol and of agreements related thereto;
2008/07/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2008/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Regards it as vital for the EU to continue to lead the global fight against climate change, which may lead inter alia to security threats and substantial migratory movements, and for it to attain the targets set by the Kyoto Protocol; fully supports the ongoing efforts to forge a multilateral post-2012 framework for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; stresses the need for an improved Clean Development Mechanism that will be more suitable for use by the least-developed countries;
2008/07/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2008/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the EU should further step up its dialogue with its neighbours as well as major industrialised countries, in order to involve them in adaptation and mitigation efforts; suggests that the EU should further integrate climate change adaptation into its regional strategies, in particular the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Black Sea Strategy and the EU-Africa Strategyand the policies on ACP, ASEM and Latin America, while giving particular attention to the regions most vulnerable to security risks related to climate change;
2008/07/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2008/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. NotWelcomes withe preparaticular concern the ongoing race for hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic, which may lead to security threats for the EU as well as overall international instability; calls for a specific EU-Arctic Strategy to address these potential concernon of a specific EU-Arctic Strategy by the Commission for the equitable distribution of Arctic hydrocarbon resources.
2008/07/29
Committee: AFET