Activities of Syed KAMALL related to 2018/0091M(NLE)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership PDF (468 KB) DOC (62 KB)
Amendments (14)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the European Commission 15-point plan to make EU trade and sustainable development chapters more effective of 26 February 2018;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the implementation of the EU-Japan EPA will increase export opportunities for EU businesses, create greater competition, and boost economic growth, as well as bring advantages to consumers by lowering prices and increasing the consumer choice on goods and services;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers; stresses that this reduces compliance costs for EU businesses who export to Japan, and creates a more predictable regulatory environment for EU agricultural exports by addressing sanitary and phytosanitary measures;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights that more than two thirds of all Japanese-brand vehicles sold in the EU are manufactured in the EU, and that Japanese-brand vehicles made in the EU are exported to third countries; points out that the removal of tariffs can boost production and jobs;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat, beef and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications; points out that processed agricultural products such as pasta and chocolate will also enjoy duty-free entry to the Japanese market over a transitional period;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the elimination of tariffs on industrial products for sectors in which the EU is highly competitive, such as chemicals, plastics, cosmetics as well as textiles and clothing;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement; points out that the agreement stresses that labour and environmental standards cannot be relaxed or lowered to attract trade and investment;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions in accordance with the provisions of the EPA;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectivenessif necessary in order to uphold the commitments made ofn labour and environmental provisions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives; notes that the EPA secures fairer treatment of EU service suppliers operating in Japan comparable to that of Japanese suppliers;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the commitment of both the EU and Japan to work more closely together on developing international standards; points out that setting standards through regulatory cooperation is crucial as the EU and Japan account for more than 40% of global imports and exports;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism; notes that the EU has introduced the Investment Court System (ICS) in agreements with other partners;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Welcomes the publication of the draft adequacy decision on Japan, which established that Japan provides a comparable level of protection of personal data to that in the EU; stresses that the free flow of data across borders is a key enabler of the digital economy;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that 78% of the EU companies exporting to Japan are SMEs and that lack of access to information represents a trade barrier, especially for small businesses; welcomes that both the EU and Japan committed to setting up a website which will provide specific information to SMEs on how to access their markets;