10 Amendments of Maria Eleni KOPPA related to 2009/2216(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the geopolitical situation of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan in relation to Russia, Iran and Turkey, and considers it therefore of the utmost importance that cooperation with the South Caucasus be given the highest priority, not least in matters relating to energy with a view to the economic and commercial development of the region and in order to promote energy security;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that trade is one of the key components of the EU’s overall policy of fostering political stability, sustainable growth and prosperity in the Eastern Partnership countries in general and in the South Caucasus region in particular and that open markets and economic integration are of fundamental importance for the development of the partners and for their confidence in an expanding partnership with the EU;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the conclusion of the feasibility studies for Georgia and Armenia in May 2008, showing that deep and comprehensive free trade agreements (DCFTAs) would bring significant economic benefits to these countries and the EU, thereby allowing the Commission to enter into a preparatory phase for future negotiations on DCFTAs; calls on Azerbaijan to accomplish its accession to the WTO, removing the obstacles relating to lack of transparency, corruption and failure to implement legislative provisions on trade, as soon as possible, as WTO membership is a prerequisite before any FTA negotiations can be considered; encourages Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to improve their progress in fulfilling their respective ENP Action Plans and the Commission’s recommendations, particularly in terms of improving their institutional capacity and implementation of regulatory reforms (especially regarding the poor levels of intellectual property protection in all three countries), which is one of the necessary preconditions for effective implementation and sustaining the effects of such ambitious FTAs;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to explore the possibility of providing humanitarian aid and assistance to the region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the form of confidence-building measures and economic rehabilitation plans with a view to a peaceful settlement of the conflict in that region;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations, border opening and cooperation; stresses that it will help to consolidate peace and security in the wider region; 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 will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the region and that they can therefore not be seen in isolation; stresses that the longer Armenia continues to be geographically isolated, the more difficult its economic situation will be; 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;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that a clear commitment by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is of crucial importance for their future relations with the EU;
Amendment 175 #
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 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 profoundly 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 immediate 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 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes the strategic geopolitical location of the South Caucasus and its increasing importance as an energy, transport and communications corridor connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe; regrets the agreement between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan concerning the rail link which by-passes Armenia and has a direct impact on the cost of transporting exports;
Amendment 220 #
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 of the decision of Armenia to decommission the nuclear plant in Medzamor, but regretsis concerned that a new nuclear plant will be built in the same seismic area; encourages the Armenian authorities to seek alternative solutions for energy supplies;
Amendment 286 #
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 that trade policy is a fundamental factor in political stability and economic development and will lead to a reduction in poverty in the South Caucasus; believes that the negotiation and establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements 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 to negotiate and then implement and sustain the commitments provided for in possible future FTAs;