14 Amendments of Emilio MENÉNDEZ del VALLE related to 2010/2233(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Regrets that the region has been neglected by the EU despite its strategic importance in terms of oil supplies, trade possibilities and regional stability;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Takes note that after 20 years of negotiations the Free Trade Agreement is not yet concluded. Is aware that the human rights and illegal migration clauses are rejected by some states of the Gulf Cooperation Council; believes however that the main reason for the rejection is their reluctance to seriously commit to move to market oriented reforms;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Considers that given the region´s strategic importance, the FTA should be seen not only as an instrument to enhance welfare through trade but also as a tool to foster geopolitical stability;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that given that the GCC countries are advancing towards economic diversification aimed at reducing their oil dependency, an increase in services trade and investment would be a supportive factor for the development of the GCC´s economies;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the bulk of the work on the FTA has already been done, and is of the opinion that the scope of the FTA as it stands promises great advantages to both parties; calls on both parties, therefore, to look upon this FTA as a major and important endeavour for both regions and their peoples; considers that there is a mutual interest and need between the EU and the GCC and that the EU´s experience in regional integration can be a source of inspiration for the Gulf; considers that in this respect, the EU can provide valuable technical assistance;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Draws attention to the fact that lack of transparency in public procurement procedures and barriers to entry for foreign investors in the service sector are important obstacles to conclude the agreement;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Recommends that the EU devote more resources to the GCC, i.e. through the instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high income countries (ICIHI) which should be made more visible and focus in trading programmes suitable for the training of local administrations, including trade matters;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Insists on the respect of democratic principles and fundamental rights established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; urges the GCC Member States to fight against discrimination against woman and child exploitation notably on the labour market and to effectively implement the UN conventions on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Woman and on the Rights of Child;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Considers that the ratification and full implementation by the GCC Member States of the framework established by the UN Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime, the UN Convention against Corruption, and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migration Workers and Members of their families should play an essential role in the FTA negotiation;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that a concluded FTA would greatly enhance the current relations between the EU Member States and the GCC countries, particularly the recent Joint Action Programme, by providing increased capacity and institutional framework building; regrets that the diplomatic presence of the EU in the GCC countries remains minimal and hopeinsists that under the new EEAS the EU will increase its diplomatic presence in the region, including a Union Delegation in each one of the six GCC countries; believes that a more significant diplomatic presence would greatly increase the chances of a speedy conclusion of the FTA and its subsequent implementation;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Reminds that lowering the GCC tariffs as an outcome of the FTA would increase attractiveness for outward investment by transnational enterprises; is convinced that the FTA will imply an increase in service-related investments which will favour GCC states' development;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Suggests the use of the euro in all types of trade between the EU and the GCC; welcomes that since its inception the GCC has expressed its will to create a customs and monetary union; notes that while the former entered into force in 2009, negotiations on a common currency are currently taking place;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that all six GCC countries currently benefit from preferential access to the EU market under the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP); stresses that all GCC States should, according to Article 15 (1) of the Council regulation of 22 July 2008, not only ratify but also effectively implement all 27 ILO and UN conventions listed in Annex III of the Regulation; is of the opinion that, given the level of economic progress in the region, the FTA would be a better tool to spread commercial benefits throughout the region;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reaffirms that the primary objectiveit is a goal of the EU in its relations with the GCC should be to conclude the FTA; but, until this happens, and following what some of the GCC major trade partners have already done, encourages the HR/VP , which should include a binding sustainable development chapter; understands the Commissioner for Trade to assess alternative approaches to future commercial relations with the GCC countries, inat because multilateral cooperation is so far limited, EU member states pursue state to state relations with individual GCC states; believes however theat form of bilateral agreements between the sake of integration - both of the GCC and the EU- and those of the Gulf States that already feel prepared to engage in a further commitment with the EU. special effort should be made to foster and deepen relations between the EU and the GCC as such;