430 Amendments of Emilio MENÉNDEZ del VALLE
Amendment 18 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas media reporting and advertising have a bearing on consumption patterns;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas the training given to gastronomy-sector workers contributes to the process of passing on knowledge about, raising the profile of, safeguarding and developing European gastronomy;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas it is important to preserve the rites and customs linked to gastronomy and to foster the development of European gastronomy;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas it is important to pass on to future generations an awareness of the gastronomic riches of their regions and of European gastronomy in general;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)
Recital N a (new)
Na. whereas gastronomy is a source of both cultural and economic wealth for the territories which make up the European Union;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N b (new)
Recital N b (new)
Nb. whereas the quality, reputation and diversity of European gastronomy make it essential that sufficient food of sufficient quality should be produced in Europe;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N c (new)
Recital N c (new)
Nc. whereas the longevity, diversity and cultural richness of European gastronomy are founded on the availability of high-quality local produce;
Amendment 51 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points to the need to also enhance the school curriculum with information about gastronomic culture, in particular at local level, food preparation, production, conservation and distribution processes, the social and cultural influence of foodstuffs and consumer rights;
Amendment 60 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that dietary habits acquired in childhood can influence food preferences and choices in adulthood, that childhood is therefore the best time to educate a person's taste and that school offers an ideal opportunity to introduce pupils to the diversity of products and gastronomies;
Amendment 67 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that nutritional educationeducation in nutrition and gastronomy should include the participation of families, teachers, the educational community, information channels and all professionals involved in education;
Amendment 69 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to consider stricter control of content and advertising dealing with food products, especially in terms of nutrition;
Amendment 76 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to look into the systems for training gastronomy professionals; encourages Member States to promote such training; stresses the importance of this training covering local and European gastronomy, the diversity of products, and the processes for the preparation, production, conservation and distribution of food;
Amendment 77 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stresses the importance of training for gastronomy professionals highlighting "homemade" produce and local and varied produce;
Amendment 78 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Welcomes the opportunities for mobility offered by the Erasmus+ programme for training in gastronomy, and encourages all partners to promote the mobility of learners and professionals;
Amendment 90 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes initiatives to promote Europe’s gastronomic heritage, such as local and regional gastronomic fairs and festivals; encourages the inclusion of a European dimension in these initiatives;
Amendment 101 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Encourages the Commission, the Council and the Member States to make the importance of supporting sustainable and varied European food production of high quality and in sufficient quantity an integral part of their deliberations on food policy in order to sustain European culinary diversity;
Amendment 102 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen measures for the recognition and labelling of European food production in order to enhance the value of their products, provide better information to consumers and protect the diversity of European gastronomy;
Amendment 103 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Encourages the Commission, the Council and the Member States to study the impact of the laws they adopt on the capacity, diversity and quality of food production in the European Union;
Amendment 106 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Supports such initiatives as may be developed by Member States and their regions to promote and preserve their local gastronomic heritage; encourages the recognition and protection of European products through protected geographical indications, official labels, etc.;
Amendment 108 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Highlights the importance of identifying, cataloguing, transmitting and disseminating the cultural richness of European gastronomy; advocates the establishment of a European observatory for gastronomy;
Amendment 109 #
2013/2181(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Points out that it is important to recognise and enhance the value of high quality gastronomic produce; urges the Commission, the Council and the Member States to consider the introduction of information for consumers from caterers on dishes prepared on the spot from raw products;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU is not only an economic area or a market power;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines the importance of the EU as an unprecedented and successful social and cultural project that aims to shape the perceptions of third countries in the world;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on Member States and EU institutions to strengthen the cultural component of the foreign policy of the EU as an instrument to protect the diversity of cultures, traditions and languages within the EU and abroad;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Calls on the EU to promote the principle "united in diversity" to shape the mentalities of third countries so that they commit themselves to protect their culture diversity;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Urges Member States in cooperation with stakeholders in the culture industry of the Union to elaborate a cultural policy and strategy for EU external relations;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges the EEAS and the EU Delegations to further complement the cultural initiatives carried out by Member States;
Amendment 41 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the EEAS and the EU Delegations to promote Europe's rich cultural diversity and heritage without the establishment of hierarchies among the Member States;
Amendment 42 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls on the EU institutions to strengthen cultural cooperation with third countries to promote the visibility of the Union and its Member States, market access for cultural goods and services from developing countries, tourism, investment, as well as expertise in heritage;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Urges the EU to develop cultural cooperation programmes with the aim of increasing people's access to culture and people-to-people contacts;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights that the Union must continue its efforts to be a relevant 'soft power' and a 'civilian power' founded on norms and values that inspire the world of tomorrow;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2167(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Highlights the importance of an EU framework policy on culture in external relations to promote the founding values of our democratic societies and combat the ideologies of emerging populist movements within the Union and abroad.
Amendment 10 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas many industries in the less developed ASEAN countries could fail if unable to keep up with Asian and EU competitors; whereas this could cause mass migration and social unrest;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas in the ASEAN countries it is widely believed that he European Union is acting above all like a trading power out to defend its own interests;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration continues to give individual countries the freedom to adopt their own legal instruments for the protection of human rights, while establishing a general framework for the protection of human rights in the region as a whole;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas Doctor Ojea Quintana, special UN rapporteur on human rights situation in Myanmar, referring to attacks on Rohingya properties, indicated that Muslims were being targeted with brutal efficiency and that he had received reports suggesting state involvement in certain acts of violence, some of them with fatal consequences, attributed to highly organised Buddhist gangs;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G d (new)
Recital G d (new)
Gd. whereas in recent years there have been virulent recurrences of infectious diseases in Asia, most recently the H7N9 influenza virus in China; whereas the serious impact of these infectious diseases could also have consequences terms of economic, political and social stability;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G e (new)
Recital G e (new)
Ge. whereas the pollution caused by forest fires in Indonesia has been a source of controversy and diplomatic discord between Indonesia and its neighbours, prompting concern in the ASEAN countries at what are considered to be non-traditional security threats;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G f (new)
Recital G f (new)
Gf. whereas the high pollution levels caused by smoke from major forest fires in the region, particularly Indonesia, not only are having major environmental consequences, constituting a non.- traditional security threat, but could also engender a serious crisis of regional proportions if countries such as Malaysia and Singapore are affected;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recommends that the Union endeavour to heighten public awareness in these countries of the fact that its external policy is governed by its role as a regulatory power seeking to promote regional integration through political dialogue, preferential trade accords and partnership agreements;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Warmly welcomes the negotiations of seven Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU and individual ASEAN member states, which will be the cornerstones for deepening mutual relations; nevertheless takes the view that PCAs between individual countries should not obstruct, or serve as a pretext for undermining, overall relations between the EU and ASEAN as such, since they also encourage integration between ASEAN member countries;
Amendment 50 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that the EU should support ASEAN in developing its own space within the conflicting economic and security interests of China, Japan and the United States; believes that the EU shcould be an active partner for ASEAN in its pursuit of solutions to important security and geostrategic challenges, in order to enhance peace and regional stability;
Amendment 52 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges the Union to help alleviate geo- political regional tensions by means of a close relationship with ASEAN, which will mean stepping up conflict resolution mechanisms;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Takes the view that joint cultural actions and initiatives should be promoted within UNESCO;
Amendment 75 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Urges the ASEAN Member States to reach agreement on coordinated measures for the prevention and containment of environmentally devastating fires; urges Indonesia to ratify the 2002 agreement on haze pollution resulting from fires in the region;
Amendment 83 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Observes that, despite its significant commitment to this area, the European Union is above all considered as a provider of humanitarian assistance or development aid donor and that, if it is to increase its credibility as an active player in the field of security, it must accordingly step up its efforts in the field of food, security, disaster prevention, environmental management, climate change and counterterrorism;
Amendment 85 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls on the Union to consider the harmful consequences that might arise should the less developed ASEAN industries prove unable to compete, possibly leading to mass migration or social implosion, thereby compromising the stability of the region;
Amendment 86 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Welcomes the awareness shown by ASEAN leaders of the impact of the 2007- 2008 food crisis and its effects in terms of food security, threatening peace and stability and generating conflict and possibly violence, as indicated in their declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit held in 2012 in Phnom Pen in Cambodia, recognising that 'food security remains a major challenge for ASEAN and the world as a whole at a time of high commodity prices and economic uncertainty';
Amendment 97 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on ASEAN, given that the human rights declaration is not binding in nature, to draw up precisely worded rules and regulations to facilitate implementation thereof;
Amendment 104 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Urges the Council and ASEAN to make it clear to the authorities of Myanmar/Burma that, by virtue of the responsibility to protect, it is essential for countries to defend their people from crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide and war crimes and that, if a country fails to fulfil its responsibility to protect, the international community, with the authorisation of the United Nations Security Council, may intervene;
Amendment 111 #
2013/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 26 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Urges ASEAN, in response to the significant emergence of infectious diseases in Asia, to initiate and reactivate individual centres , organisations and programmes existing in the region with relevance to this problem, in particular the ASEAN Plus Three Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, the ASEAM Plus Three Field Epidemiology Training Network and the ASEAN Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Taskforce;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the history of Europe is inextricably linked with the tragedy of wars and the experience of various forms of totalitarianism, such as Communism, National Socialism, Fascism and otherdictatorial criminal systems which brought persecution, death and unimaginable suffering to millions of Europeans;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the European Union was constructed against the backdrop of the traumas brought about by two all-powerful totalitarianism systems: National Socialism and Communism, which, although they differed in ideology and form, were both characterised by brutality and claimed the lives of millions; whereas it is inappropriate to argue that one was better or worse than the other; andgreat wars, which were both characterised by brutality and claimed the lives of millions; convinced that gradual economic and political integration, respecting our cultural diversity, is the best way of ensuring that we do not repeat the tragic mistakes of the past; whereas united Europe is founded on the basis of Judaeo- Christian ethics, Greek aesthetics and Roman law;
Amendment 50 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas, while the dark episodes of Europe's 20th-century-history are crucial elements of the continent's collective memory, positive historical developments such as the emergence of welfare systems throughout the continent should also be remembered;
Amendment 62 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas for many European countries the end of the Second World War did not lead to full freedom; whereas for many years after the war Europe was divided, and its central and eastern parts not fully liberated until after 1989 and that dictatorial regimes in Southern Europe persisted until the 1970s, when the opportunity presented itself for genuine integration across the entire continent;
Amendment 73 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the traumas of 1939-45the two world wars and the Balkan wars must not be allowed to be repeated, and in that regard remembering and accurately portraying the past is of vital importance; whereas, also, the acceptance of historical lies or the denial of difficult episodes in history can lead to xenophobia and hatred; whereas the claim made for many years that the Katyń massacre was a German crime is a classic example of a historical licurrent crisis has caused alarm bells to ring in Europe at the emergence of various forms of populism, and the best recipe against them is education and culture;
Amendment 83 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas many European countries and nations have histories that have been shaped by Colonialism and Imperialism; whereas they exercised the role of colonial power, either inside or outside Europe, or that they themselves were under hegemonic foreign rule by another power;
Amendment 89 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. considers Colonialism and Imperialism as part of European historical memory, together with the dictatorial regimes and all crimes against humanity that have caused the deaths of human beings throughout the history of Europe;
Amendment 98 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas education plays a key role in understanding history and promoting historical truthperspectives, especially among young people, whose knowledge of history often comes solely from electronic media and whereas history education contributes to the acquisition of key and transversal competences which are essential to develop young people's curiosity, autonomy, open- and international mindedness, spirit of inquiry and ability to think independently and to resist manipulation;
Amendment 100 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas education plays a key role in understanding history and promoting historical truth, especially among young people, whose knowledge of history often comes solely from electronic media; y, since ignorance of history can lead to fear and hatred, especially among young people; mindful also of the potential offered by electronic media and new technologies as a tool for conveying history;
Amendment 106 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas colonialism and slavery are part of Europe's conflictive past and their dramatic consequences must be taught;
Amendment 116 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
Amendment 133 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas non-governmental organisations and the voluntary sector play a major role in documenting and uncovering the truth of totalitarian crresearching, analysing and documenting dictatorial regimes;
Amendment 147 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the presentation and teaching of history should be based not on political interpretation butrigorous, based on solid research work; whereas the full opening up of historical archives will make it possible to carry out diligentfacilitate better research and tohe verify ‘ication of historical linaccuracies’;
Amendment 194 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Pays tribute to all the heroesmen and women, known and unknown, who, acting out of a profound sense of humanism and faithfulness to their values, opposed the totalitadictatorianl regimes and demonstrated their humancourage and moral integrity, often paying with their own lives;
Amendment 202 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that a European historical memory should not only be based on a negative foundation myth that includes past experiences of mass violence, genocide or population displacement;
Amendment 205 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on Council, Commission and Member States to provide European historical memory with a positive approach based on European common values such as human dignity, tolerance, freedom and equality, solidarity and democracy, which were acquired through brilliant historical periods of Europe during Humanism, Renaissance and Enlightenment;
Amendment 207 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 221 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 222 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 224 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 232 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reminds that any attempt to rank guilt and suffering among crimes as well as to establish hierarchies among competing historical memories is counterproductive;
Amendment 243 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that all countries implement their own history policy, which helps to build a sense of national identity, but which, in combination with ignorance and selective memory, can sometimes lead to falsifications of history that are dangerous and hurtful to victims and their families, as is the case when referring to Auschwitz- Birkenau, the Nazi German concentration camp in occupied Poland, as a ‘Polish death camp’;
Amendment 255 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that historical truth and memory, nurtured among other things by educational activities and cultural events, will reinforce genuine reconciliation between nations and authenticfacilitate greater European integration based on truthhe ability to interpret history in different ways without hatred or violence;
Amendment 258 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that historical truth and memorya responsible approach to the past, nurtured among other things by educational activities and cultural events, will reinforce genuine reconciliation between nations and authentic European integration based on truthhe ability to disagree about interpretations of the past without resorting to hatred and violence;
Amendment 266 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 268 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 269 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 284 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on Member States to support ambitious history teaching programmes which do not gloss over the most difficult episodes; recognises that Member States have complete autonomy as regards the content of their teaching syllabusesencourages Member States to take significant steps towards European convergence in their curricula, which is the best way of promoting the rigorous study of our history and preventing its possible manipulation;
Amendment 295 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on Council, Commission and Member States to strengthen the efforts to promote education, remembrance and research about European historical memory through school and textbooks, museums, historic monuments, music, theatre, cinema and literature, among other means;
Amendment 297 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Calls on Member States to entrust teachers and students with the means required to scrutinize their own countries' history objectively; encourages young Europeans to become actively involved in discussing history and contribute to an informed historical memory;
Amendment 299 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Calls on Member States to revise existing curricula and teaching methodologies, with a view to shift focus from national towards European and global history; encourages the promotion of bi- and multilateral history textbooks projects, such as the German-Polish Text Book Commission;
Amendment 300 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Urges Council, Commission and Member States to further promote awareness, especially among young people, of the history and lessons of the crimes and atrocities committed in the past without neglecting the promotion of the values that are part of the European cultural heritage;
Amendment 302 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that modern media can play a vital role in promoting historical truthmemory, both by accurately portraying historical events and by granting appropriate funding to historical productions and educational history programmes;
Amendment 314 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the importance of EU funds in promoting historical memory, not only for the historical remembrance of tragic events in European history, but also for the intellectual and cultural events which have created the Europe of today; notes that such funds should be used for projects linked to history education, promotion, research, archiving and digitisation;
Amendment 324 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Deplores the planned reduction in funds for the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme, and calls on the Commission to guarantee funding for national and transnational educational and cultural projects which raise awareness of the darker episodes in Europe's history; encourages the promotion of other relevant EU-funded projects such as Developing Competence-Orientated Teaching of Historical Memories and Sharing European Memories at School;
Amendment 341 #
2013/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Supports citizens’ initiatives and non- governmental organisations, including those outside the EU, which are actively engaged in researching the history of nationsEuropean history and gathering documents on the crimes committed under totalitarianism, and supports transnational partnerships and networks with the aim of promoting mutual relations between EU citizens; supports, in that context, cooperation between Member States and countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A a (new)
Paragraph A a (new)
Aa. Having regard to the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on "Technical assistance and capacity building for South Sudan in the field of human rights" on 27 June 2013;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A b (new)
Paragraph A b (new)
Ab. Whereas certain measures have been undertaken in the area of the Security Sector Reform (SSR), such as the establishment of the South Sudanese National Police Service (SSNPS), the National Security and Disarmament Council (NSDC), and the Demobilisation and Reintegration Council (DRC);
Amendment 5 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph B a (new)
Paragraph B a (new)
Ba. Whereas South Sudan's economy remains dependent of oil, the domestic production is limited and there is a heavy dependence on imports;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Urges the South Sudanese authorities, in line with Resolution 2109 of the UN Security Council on 11 July 2013, to comply with the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) in the light of the inter- tribal and inter-ethnic conflicts in the South Sudanese state of Jonglei;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Congratulates the European Union on the financial aid (€4.9 million) given to the International Organisation for Migration so that it can set up channels of communication and understanding between the various clans and tribes which are clashing over the use of scarce resources (water, pastureland) in a context of growing communal violence;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Applauds the work carried out by Unesco in conserving and organising archives and historical documents, which provide a vital tool for nation building in South Sudan; welcomes, in this context, the holding of a symposium on 'The role of archives in nation building' in Juba on 18 February 2013;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Urges the authorities of Sudan and South Sudan to fully implement the stipulations of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was adopted in 2005 stipulating that a referendum should be held on the status of Abyei and that the conflicts in the two Sudanese states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile should be resolved; the CPA also called on the two States to tackle issues concerning power sharing, citizenship, oil revenues and debt sharing;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out that – despite the continuing deep divisions between the governments in Khartoum and Juba, notably regarding the thorny matter of the referendum in Abyei, which is to be held in October 2013 – there are some positive signs of cooperation between the two, such as the Republic of Sudan's initiative launched in September 2013 with the aim of establishing border crossings as part of preparations for the signing of trade agreements between the two Sudans;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on the European Union to extend the mandate of the EU Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan beyond 31 October 2013 due to the volatile nature of the current situation between the two countries;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for the harmonisation of customary and statutory law, with consideration to human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, addressing the contradictions within the current South Sudanese legal system due to the use of both types of law;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the South Sudanese government, given the increasingly sensitive nature of the chemical weapons issue at international level, to sign and ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction as soon as possible;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses the need to stop child marriages and child labour; emphasises the importance of a separate judicial system for minors in order to prevent unlawful imprisonment and protect children's rights;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the progress achieved in September 2013 following an initiative by the African Union, as a result of which – despite the still evident animosity between the two Sudans – the President of the Republic of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, and the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, committed themselves to a close relationship with the aim of pressing ahead with the implementation of the cooperation agreements signed between the two states;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Urges the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan to press ahead with the joint communiqué signed on 7 September 2013, which calls for the obstacles hampering the implementation of the cooperation agreements to be overcome, promises to activate the committees necessary for those agreements to operate and tasks the two foreign ministers to coordinate and supervise all activities;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Regrets that, only a short time after the birth of South Sudan as an independent state, it was forced in September 2013 to deal with major corruption cases in which two ex- ministers were implicated, the former cabinet affairs minister, Deng Alor, and the former finance minister, Kosti Manibe, who are accused of having stolen €6 million from the state treasury; without prejudice to the necessary judicial clarification, welcomes the fact that in 2012 President Kiir obliged 75 serving and former public officials to repay $4 billion that had been taken from the public purse;
Amendment 27 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Notes the study produced in August 2013 by the United States National Democratic Institute and the University of Juba entitled 'From a Transitional to a Permanent Constitution: Views of Men and Women in South Sudan', which brings together opinions, assessments and suggestions expressed by public opinion regarding the role and functions of a range of different individuals, institutions and local leaders, including traditional village chiefs who, in the view of most participants, should be given a constitutional role, including authority on cultural matters and minor offences, even though respondents were divided on the question of whether these figures should be integrated into levels of government;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Paragraph 3 f (new)
3f. Takes the view that the Commission should provide aid so that the transitional Constitution of South Sudan – a key instrument for the cohesion of a recently created state – can be translated from English, the language in which it was drafted, into the various indigenous languages, also bearing in mind that many members of parliament do not speak English;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 g (new)
Paragraph 3 g (new)
3g. Notes the recommendation made by the African Union to the governments in Khartoum and Juba that a referendum on the disputed region of Abyei be held in October 2013; calls on the South Sudanese authorities to ensure that Misseriya nomads are able to participate in the referendum, as Khartoum is otherwise opposed to its holding; welcomes the statement by the authorities in South Sudan pointing out that the Misseriya have always had free access to water and pastureland in Abyei and that they will continue to have this right in the future; announces its intention to pay particular attention to the meeting on this subject to be held in New York on 23 September 2013 between the 15 Heads of State of the African Union;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the international community, in particular the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union, to implement a comprehensive strategy based on the Security Sector Reform (SSR), a paradigm which links security and development in Post-conflict Peacebuilding scenarios; urges the UNMISS Security Sector Reform Section to strengthen border and migration management, civilian disarmament, control and registration for Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), as well as the judiciary system;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 37 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Urges the South Sudanese authorities to ratify key international and regional human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC);
Amendment 38 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the South Sudanese authorities to redouble their efforts to prevent or at least reduce the large-scale thefts of cattle and the accompanying violence and deaths that have traditionally occurred in the country, particularly in remote and hard-to-access areas, involving various opposing ethnic groups; regrets that hundreds of animals were stolen in 2012 and more than 200 people died in this type of incursion;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Encourages the Government of South Sudan to foster economic diversification and reduce hydrocarbon dependence; encourages South Sudan to increase local food production, export industries and transport infrastructure with the aim of facilitating access to markets;
Amendment 41 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Calls on the Government of South Sudan, following the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council, to implement legally binding international and regional human rights instruments to which it is party, improve the justice system and strengthen the independence of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission;
Amendment 42 #
2013/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Calls on Sudan and South Sudan to resume negotiations on the supply of oil to the North; regrets the use of oil as a weapon by both the North and the South, a harmful strategy that impedes normality in relations between the two countries;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the persistent economic crisis is leading to an unprecedented lack of opportunities for young people in the European Union; whereas there is a serious risk of having a "lost generation" in a significant part of Europe; whereas this alarming situation requires urgent measures, policies and action;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas existing tools at EU level can deal with the challenges the new generation faces, but little has been done so far; whereas the EU Strategy for Youth is a comprehensive framework and the Member States must take full advantage of it;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the crisis in the EU may lead tois increaseding poverty and social exclusion; whereas the impact of the crisis on young people is leading in extreme cases to malnutrition or mental health problems;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas economic and social problems, exacerbated by an austerity-driven response to the crisis by the EU, are increasing Euroscepticism among citizens; whereas young people are the most vulnerable segment of society;
Amendment 66 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the Member States should invest more in linkadapting educational curricula to labour market demands; stresses the importance of enhancing youth mobility;
Amendment 77 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recognises that the new ‘Horizon 2020’ programme is an appropriate toolframework for boosting research, innovation and excellence in science, alerts, however, that spending cuts in education in some Member States are jeopardising its objectives; calls on the Member States to set out the key priorities under the programme and to take full advantage of it;
Amendment 115 #
2013/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the new EU initiative for a Youth Guarantee scheme and asks the Commission to extend it to young people under 30; calls on the Member States to fully exploit it;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to the negotiations authorised by the Council in November 2004 and opened in Brussels in October 2010, at the occasion of the ASEM8 summit, on an EU-Malaysia partnership and cooperation agreement,
Amendment 2 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
– having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2010 on 'recent attacks on Christian communities'4 ,
Amendment 5 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Malaysia is an active member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Colombo Plan promoting economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM); whereas Malaysia has also been a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) since its establishment in 1995, and is a member of the Group of 77 (G77) developing countries and, the Developing Eight (D-8), the G15 and the UN Human Rights Council (2010-2013), among others;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Malaysia is a frequent contributor to UN and other peacekeeping missions, including to Lebanon, Timor- Leste, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Western Sahara, Nepal and Kosovo, and has deployed a medical unit to Afghanistan;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Malaysia has a multicultural , multi-faith and multi-faithethnic society, with a Malay- Muslim (bumiputra) majority and minority communities of Indians, Chinese and non- Malay indigenous people;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Malaysia has to hoheld parliamentary elections ion April or5 May 2013;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to elevate the EU's relations with countries in Southeast Asia, including and in particular Malaysia, through the timely conclusion of the negotiations on partnership and cooperation agreements with fiseven ASEAN countries; to raise awareness in the EU of the significant potential and the multi-faceted nature of those relations; to stress the importance of active and frequent EU participation in high-level meetings and summits of organisations in the region, where the EU has been invited to take part;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) Strengthen the EU negotiating team during negotiation rounds to match the thematic expertise available on the Malaysian side and besides facilitating the negotiations also showing appropriate EU interest towards the negotiations;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to commend the results of Malaysia's subregional cooperation with Singapore and Indonesia, the Asia Maritime Security Initiative (AMARSECTIVE) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), and of cooperation within the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), in significantly improving maritime security in both the Malacca Strait, through which more than 50 000 vessels pass annually, and Malaysia's coastal waters; to express appreciation for the fact that the Malaysian Armed Forces have joinedtaken part in the anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to reiterate the global importance of the South China Sea and to appeal to all the parties involved to settle their conflicting territorial claims, including those relating to the Spratly/Nansha Islands and Sabah, by means of international arbitration, in accordance with international law (in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), in order to ensure regional stability; condemns recent violent events in Sabah and calls for the peaceful resolution of the situation; commends Malaysia and Singapore for having peacefully solved long-standing territorial and water disputes in 2010;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to recall that Malaysia enjoyed an extraordinarily high degree of political stability over a long period up until the 2008 elections; to suggest that the new government taking office after the 2013 elections should respond to the growing ethnic and political tension, the wider distribution of popular support among a number of political parties and the increasing civil unrest and growing number of demonstrations, and open up an active dialogue with the opposition and with all ethnic groups; to stress also the importance of taking measures to address public discontent over corruption; to call on the government to continue with the economic and political reform agenda, including electoral reform;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) Seek Malaysia's commitment to developing socio-economic policies which ensure fair treatment of all ethnic and religious groups and assuring that all feel that they have full rights as citizens of Malaysia including access to the civil service, education and business opportunities; promote inclusiveness of Malaysian economic growth also for the poorest in the society, while acknowledging the achievements in the development of the country and in the reduction of poverty achieved;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to encourage the government to further involve Malaysia's prolific and active civil society in its decision-making through consultation, and to lift restrictions on civil society; to commend the work of civil society in drawing attention to environmental issues, women's rights, consumer protection, the rights of indigenous people and other ethnic groups, media freedom, social justice and human rights;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) to stress the importance of active and frequent EU participation in high-level meetings and summits of organisations in the region, where the EU has been invited to take part;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to welcome Malaysia's statement at the UN Human Rights Council in 2009 that it was considering replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment, and the establishment of an independent Malaysian Law Commission in 2011 to review laws to be repealed; urge the government to establish an immediate moratorium on executions and take the legislative steps to abolish the capital and corporal punishment;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) Stress the importance of making progress in media freedoms, as the main media are still exposed to censorship; welcome the High Court ruling of 2012 in the case of the internet media Malaysiakini that a license to publish print media is a right, not a privilege. regret that freedom of assembly is still limited, especially in urban areas; express concerns about the Evidence Act which creates legal liability to owners, administrators and controllers of computers which are used to publish a publication;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) to welcome the progress made in many areas when the Internal Security Act (ISA) was replaced in July 2012 by the Security Offences Special Measures Act (SOSMA), which has limited the maximum detention period without trial or charge to 28 days; to express disappointment, however, that some provisions of the SOSMA still have shortcomings, for instance as regards the appeal system, which could nevertheless result in indefinite detention if bail is not allowed, and the fact that the SOSMA restricts basic rights such as privacy of communications and allows the source of evidence to be concealed, thereby preventing cross-examination during trials;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) Calls on Malaysia to comply with the international agreed social standards; underlines the importance of compliance with, and rapid implementation of, all International Labour Organisation rules, including the right to freely form independent trade unions; urges both the Malaysian authorities and European investors and companies operating in Malaysia to observe international labour standards and to guarantee decent pay and working conditions in Malaysia;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to call for Malaysia to protect the constitutional rights of all Malaysians to freedom of religion and to promote interreligious good relations and tolerance; to condemn, in this connection, the demolition of Hindu temples in 2006 and the attacks on Christian churches and the desecration of mosques in 2010, and to express regret at the recent political and judicial interventions in relation to well- established linguistic uses; to call for the Christians to be able to exercise fully their constitutional right to practise their religion according to their traditions and without interference or fear of prosecution; to call for all Malaysians to enjoy the right to decide their own religious affiliation freely and without administrative or legal hindrance;
Amendment 51 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) express the opinion that while Malaysia is undoubtedly one of the most successful Southeast Asian economies, it needs to invest progressively in academic and scientific knowledge to get to the next level of standard of living and becoming a highly developed country; support the pursuit for increased academic exchanges and cooperation through the Erasmus Mundus programme and MYEULINK project, and suggests that the exchanges should be two-way; encourage closer cultural cooperation including introducing Malaysian culture to the European public;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) Encourage further developing tourism between the EU and Malaysia; is of the opinion that eco-tourism has vast potential in Malaysia;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
(oa) encourage the EU negotiating team to continue its close cooperation with the EP, providing ongoing information on the progress of the negotiations pursuant to Article 218(10) TFEU;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A a (new)
Paragraph A a (new)
Aa. whereas the European Investment Bank can provide funding for investments in countries where the rates of youth unemployment are above the EU average;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A b (new)
Paragraph A b (new)
Ab. whereas the European Investment Bank could have a regional focus in strategic investments for improving and expanding employment opportunities and for developing innovation capacities;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A c (new)
Paragraph A c (new)
Ac. whereas a standalone agency of the Union —"Ulysses Agency"— or internal development board of the European Investment Bank —"Ulysses Unit"— could be established with the aim of carrying out the tasks related to regional development and to realize concerted actions to the attainment of those ends;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is strongly concerned at the budget cuts by Member States in the field of education, training and youth, and recalls that budget allocations to education and training should be perceived as a necessary and invaluable investment for the future and therefore proposes to the member states to deduct investments in education and training from the national deficit calculation;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for an increased use of dual education systems which combine theoretical and practical teaching; calls on Member States to guarantee legal quality frameworks for internships and apprenticeships, including decent remuneration and recognition of the acquired knowledge as work experience in order to facilitate youth access to labour market; highlights the importance of VET in striking the right balance between education and labour market demand; considers that the promotion of VET should not be done at the expense of higher education; emphasises the importance of improving quality standards in higher education;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for an increased use of dual education systems which combine theoretical and practical teaching; highlights the importance of VET inenhancing the quality in VET with the aim of strikinge the right balance between education and labour market demand; considers that the promotion of VET should not be done at the expense of higher education; emphasises the importance of improving quality standards and accessibility in higher education;
Amendment 58 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on Member States to strengthen in the educational curricula fundamental skills for jobs, such as IT, languages and entrepreneurial skills;
Amendment 66 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Emphasises the need to strengthen cooperation between the education and business sectors through the establishment of university business partnerships with the aim of facilitating the access of young people to labour market;
Amendment 75 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission and Member States to further improve the transparency and recognition of qualifications within the Union, in particular through the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training, Europass and the European Qualifications Framework and to give full implementation to the Council Recommendation on the validation on non formal and informal education;
Amendment 81 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Youth Guarantee Scheme; calls on Member States to commit themselves to implementing the scheme in an efficient and timely manner; highlights the need for sufficient funding for the initiative through the European Social Fund and other EU structural funds.; emphasises the need to extend the guarantee to all young people up to the age of 30 years;
Amendment 84 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Youth Guarantee Scheme; calls on Member States to commit themselves to implementing the scheme in an efficient and timely manner; highlights the need for sufficient funding for the initiative through the European Social Fund and other EU structural funds and to create partnerships among public employment services and educational institutions as a way to support young people immediately after they have left education; .
Amendment 88 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls for the establishment of a standalone development agency of the Union —"Ulysses Agency"— or for an internal development board of the European Investment Bank —"Ulysses Unit"— , that will have a holistic Union- wide approach to investment, with a particular regional focus on those Member States and regions that are experiencing the most severe asymmetric shocks of the economic crisis; believes that the role of this entity must be to draw up investment projects, assess the creditworthiness of joint ventures and provide technical assistance in addressing coordination and knowledge problems;
Amendment 91 #
2013/2045(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that EU education systems should promote the principle of fair and equal opportunities; calls in addition for the necessary skills to be fostered with a view to facilitating access to lifelong learning, a sine qua non in the knowledge society.
Amendment 45 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) to promote that an actual case of violence or threats of violence against civilians must be deemed to be a threat to international peace and security;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to work with partners to ensure that the conceptfollow-up on the Parliament's proposals in its recommendation to the Council on the UN principle of the r'Responsibility to pProtect' ('R2P') and to work with partners to ensure that the concept of R2P focuses on prevention, protection and post-conflict reconstruction involving situations of concern of genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes or crimes against humanity, but is never used as a pretext to advance particular or national interests, or those of international coalitions based on geostrategic or economic considerations with the aim of regime change; to assist states in building capacities to this effect; _____________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0180.
Amendment 59 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Recital P a (new)
P a. whereas the High Level Traineeship Programme in the Delegations of the European Union was established on 12 June 2012; whereas the EEAS adopted a list of EU Delegations for the 54 EEAS trainees financed by the EEAS in 2013, which was regrettably reduced to 27 afterwards;
Amendment 155 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. to enhance and promote the use of the High Level Traineeship Programme in the Delegations of the European Union, which is of paramount importance to enable European youth to experience the EU external relations' policy-making and to spread European ideas and values; to fulfil the commitment of deploying Junior Professionals financed by the EEAS in 2013 to the original list of 54 EU Delegations and adequately address this issue together with the Member States in the future;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 19 February 2009 on the European Security Strategy and ESDP,
Amendment 5 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 11 May 2011 on ‘the EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations’,
Amendment 29 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to the Brazilian initiative submitted to the United Nations on 9 September 2011 entitled ‘Responsibility while protecting: elements for the development and promotion of a concept’,
Amendment 35 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the principle of R2P is based on three pillars: (I) the protection responsibilities of each individual statestate bears the primary responsibility to protect its population from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing; (II) the international assistance and capacity- bucommunity must assist states in fulfildling to assist states; (III) a timely and decisive collective response; heir protection obligations; (III) when a state manifestly fails to protect its population or is in fact a perpetrator of these crimes, the international community has a responsibility to take collective action;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas an actual case of violence or threats of violence against civilians must be deemed to be a threat to global peace and security;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas, in cases where the Security Council has authorised the use of legitimate force, violence, damage and institutional disruption should be kept to a minimum;
Amendment 40 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas, in such cases, legitimate force should only ever be used in a prudent, proportionate and limited manner;
Amendment 41 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas, if the R2P doctrine to be receive widespread support among UN member states, it must be used to guard against, prevent or halt possible genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes or crimes against humanity, but never as a pretext for regime change;
Amendment 52 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the most effective form of prevention lies in the promotion of good governance, human security, rule of law, inclusiveness, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and democratic values and practices;
Amendment 58 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas a more consequent implementation of R2P's prevention component (R2prevent), including mediation measures and preventive diplomacy at an early stage, would reduce the potential for conflicts and help avoid their escalation and thus might help prevent international intervention under the responsibility to react (R2react);
Amendment 68 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas more recent experiences with specific crises such as those in Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, Libya and Syria have produced mixed results in terms of the international capacity and a lack of common political will to prevent or stop genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity committed by national and local authorities or non-state actors;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas a narrow but deep approach to implementing R2P should restrict its application to the four mass atrocity crimes and violations specified and should exclude the use of the principle to obtain humanitarian access; whereas humanitarian action should not be used as a substitutn excuse for political action, and whereas humanitarian space needs to be respected by all actors involved;
Amendment 98 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to adapt policy planning, operational concepts and capability development goals within the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) for the Union's ability to fully implement the R2P;
Amendment 111 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) to launch and promote the EU internal debate on the reform of the United Nations Security Council, which is the only internationally legitimate body that can sanction R2P interventions without the consent of the target state;
Amendment 121 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) to advise the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to adopt a voluntary code of conduct to limit the use of the right of veto to cases other than where there is a major humanitarian crisis;
Amendment 124 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) to work towards establishing R2P as a new norm of international law, within the scope agreed to by UN member states in the 2005 World Summit;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a b (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a b (new)
(ab) to advise the Security Council that enshrining the R2P, now an emerging standard, as a standard of international law would not limit its decision-making capacity;
Amendment 127 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a c (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a c (new)
(ac) to call on the Security Council to adopt the Brazilian initiative on ‘responsibility while protecting’, which lays down a set of fundamental principles, guidelines and procedures with a view to ensuring that the R2P is as effective as possible and causes the least possible harm;
Amendment 128 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a d (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a d (new)
(ad) to call on the five permanent members of the Security Council – in close coordination with the Secretary General – to promote the R2P doctrine, particularly ‘responsibility while protecting’, given that the latter initiative provides guarantees which may persuade countries that are currently reticent about or opposed to the R2P doctrine of its usefulness as a key instrument in bringing about fair and decent international relations in which neocolonial ambitions play no part;
Amendment 129 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a e (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a e (new)
(ae) to urge the Security Council, particularly in its dealings with the BRICs (some of which aspire to become permanent members of the Security Council of a reformed UN), to stress the importance of the aforementioned values, guarantees and requirements enshrined in the ‘responsibility while protecting’ initiative;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the decision of the European Council of 27 June 1989 which imposed an arms embargo on China,
Amendment 16 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 27 a (new)
Citation 27 a (new)
- having regard to the report on 'EU and China: Unbalanced Trade?', adopted by the European Parliament on 20 April 2012,
Amendment 23 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-China strategic partnership is of great importance for relations between the EU and China, and this relationship is paramount for finding answers to global concerns, such as global and regional security, nuclear non- proliferation and climate change;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. wWhereas China emphasises social humanshows its preoccupation regarding the economic and social rights (e.g., food, clothes, economic development), while the EU stresses individual humanhas a broader approach to human rights, including and underlining particularly the civil and political rights (e.g., freedom of speech, religion, association);
Amendment 79 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. Whereas, although the opening up of the Chinese economy has brought major benefits such as better access to the employment market and a fall in rural unemployment, not all segments of the Chinese population have equally benefited from the economic growth and there are large disparities emerging between urban and rural parts of the country;
Amendment 80 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. Whereas inequalities in incomes, access to employment, social welfare, health and education between the urban and rural populations constitute a significant cohesion policy challenge for China;
Amendment 96 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. Whereas there is mounting tension between China and Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands /Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea;
Amendment 98 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas China maintains close relations with North Korea, graphically described by Mao Zedong as being ‘as close as lips and teeth’the latter being largely economically dependent on the former;
Amendment 105 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
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 thevery important and hold a strong financial- economic entanglement of Beijing and Washington, but Europe is for China its first trading partner;
Amendment 113 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas nowhere in the world is China's explosive growth more visible than in Africa, as illustrated by the impressive rise of China's mutual trade volume by 80 % to USD 166.3 billion between 2009 and 2011, according to Chinese statistics;nd Latin America,
Amendment 128 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 f (new)
Paragraph 1 f (new)
(f) Calls on Member States to coordinate their foreign policy with China, and refrain from implementing bilateral foreign policy initiatives that can jeopardize the efforts made by the European Union External Action;
Amendment 156 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the populareconomic legitimacy of the CCP, especially in view of its successful economic policyderived from China's fast and profound development, but shares the criticism of independent Chinese scholars and observers that this legitimacy 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 thecorruption scandals and lack of transparency, as the scandal surrounding Bo Xilai affair has exposed;
Amendment 167 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Looks forward to the speedy implementation of the repeated calls ofor democratisation and political reforms inside the CCP by means of an open- minded new party leadershipand democratisation in China; believes that only effective political reforms will curb the semi-independence of high-handed provincial, district and local party bosses, who badly damage the reputation of China's national leadership both internally and externally with their abuses of power, with particular reference to the very costly and endemic cases of corruption;
Amendment 195 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
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, in line with its "One China" policy, will respect the free choice of the Taiwanese citizens on the international status of their countryTaiwan;
Amendment 207 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Admires the courage and the social responsibility of numerous Chinese citizens for defending precious social and human rights in their country, but denounces the tragic state of affairs whereby several of them are being officially persecuted and punished for their efforts to correct well-known social dangers/criminal acts such as corruption, abuse of office, environmental damage, AIDS infection, food poisoning, construction fraud concerning schools, illegal land and property expropriation, often committed by local party authorities; urges the Chinese leadership to encourage civil responsibility for observing social human rights and to rehabilitate officially persecuted and punished defenders of these rights; also expects a responsible Chinese leadership to comply strictly with individual human rights;
Amendment 214 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
(e) Calls on China to comply with minimum social standards; stresses that observance of human rights, in all their complexity, is essential in the cooperation between the EU and China; underlines the importance of compliance with, and a rapid implementation of all rules of the International Labour Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, including the right to freely form independent trade unions; supports the pursuit of decent pay and working conditions; calls for mutual respect for labour legislation, especially the prevention of illegal forms of labour such as child labour and prison labour; notes the improvements made by the Chinese government regarding better conditions for employees, yet observes that workers' rights are not always respected due to poor enforcement of labour laws and employers frequently failing to comply with environmental, health and safety standards, which thus leads to dangerous work environments; calls for a thorough improvement of the legislation concerned;
Amendment 312 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Observes that the new American strategy of ‘rebalance’ or ‘pivot’ towards Asia is perceived as a threat by the Chinese leadership; encourages China and the USA to avoid tensions and an arms race in the Pacific; urges China to honour America's vital interest in ensuringe freedom of circulation on the seas;
Amendment 323 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on China and the European Union to continue to work together and develop a relationship based on trust, in order to prepare the ground for a review of the decision of the European Council of 27 June 1989;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to the final report of the European Union Electoral Observation Mission on the Ethiopian elections of 23 May 2010,
Amendment 27 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas two events of great significant for the region took place on 20 August 2012: firstly, the death of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, and, secondly, the establishment of the first formal parliament in Somalia in more than two decades;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas upon coming to power, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) promised to lead the country to democracy, yet no real democratisation has taken place, and all public institutions remain under government control;
Amendment 61 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas at the general elections of May 2010, the EPRDF won 545 of the 547 seats available, prompting the EU Electoral Observation Mission to declare that the elections did not meet international standards;
Amendment 65 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas Ethiopia receives more foreign aid from the USA and the European Union than any other country in Africa;
Amendment 67 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas irrationality and political extremism take root in situations of poverty or famine; whereas fourteen months after United Nations officially declared the first famine of the 21st century, in the Horn of Africa, the humanitarian situation has improved relatively, but remains critical;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas in March 2012 FAO estimated that more than eight million people were in need of assistance in the Horn of Africa, of whom 3.2 million lived in Ethiopia, 2.5 million in Somalia, 2.2 million in Kenya and 180 000 in Djibouti; whereas in 2011, the region suffered its worst drought in 60 years, which affected over 13 million people, forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and killing tens of thousands more;
Amendment 71 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Recital D f (new)
Df. whereas to continue its humanitarian work and to invest in recovery efforts in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, UNICEF needs USD 273 million for 2012, of which, as of the end of July 2012, it had received only 33%;
Amendment 120 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the European institutions to remain vigilant and active in response to the political transition under way in Ethiopia and the first steps towards democracy in Somalia;
Amendment 124 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Takes the view that, despite the serious difficulties caused by the involvement of powerful clans, the European Union must make an effective contribution to strengthening Ethiopia’s institutions, which were for decades under the thumb of the late prime minister;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Stresses, similarly, that the Union should play, in close cooperation with the United States and the African Union, an important role in the future of Somalia;
Amendment 152 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes the view that Ethiopia in particular has a strong democratic potential and a long-standing tradition of civil society engagemen, although its leaders have not done enough to make the most of it; andds that renewed efforts should be made to promote dialogue with the Ethiopian authorities on further democratic reforms; stresses the importance of continuous assistance to South Sudan with a view to creating and sustaining an effective civil society; strongly believes that the new instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights should include ad hoc financing lines for the Horn of Africa;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that Ethiopia currently has neither an independent judiciary nor an independent media as a result of a concerted campaign to undermine and obstruct its judges, control its media, intimidate its opposition and silence human rights organisations;
Amendment 155 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Points out that many journalists have been prosecuted under the anti-terrorism law of 2009; deplores the recent campaign of legal harassment that has culminated in the Federal Supreme Court sentencing blogger Elias Kifle in absentia to life imprisonment, and Wubishet Taye, deputy editor of a local newspaper, and columnist Reeyot Alemn, to 14 years in prison; welcomes, however, the resent pardoning of the Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson after the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi; urges the new government to extend the same clemency to all victims of arbitrary justice;
Amendment 156 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Calls on the international community to put pressure on the Ethiopian Government to abandon its policy of expelling, deporting and forcibly displacing populations from different parts of the country in order to sell their legally held ancestral lands to multinational corporations;
Amendment 157 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Deplores the attitude of the Indian agri-food company Karuturi, which opened a plantation in the Western Ethiopian region of Gambella after the native population was forcibly displaced; congratulates UNICEF on its detailed and thorough report on this situation published in 2006; stresses in this connection that the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Article 7(1)(d)) defines deportation or forcible transfer of population as a crime against humanity;
Amendment 158 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
Paragraph 9 e (new)
9e. Calls on the USA and the European institutions, as Ethiopia’s principal donors of foreign aid, to urge its government to carry out the process of democratisation it promised in 1991;
Amendment 200 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Takes the view, given both the faltering resources of the World Food Programme – whose funding has been cut in the past two years – and the inability of the UN and NGOs to address major disasters, that the United Nations Human Rights Council should make a formal statement with a view to encouraging reflection and mobilising political will at the highest level;
Amendment 205 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Stresses that, while the food crisis in the Horn of Africa (as in the Sahel) is attributable to repeated droughts, crop failures and rising prices, other very significant factors, aside from these cyclical elements (although drought can now be considered to be structural), should also be taken into account, such as the breakdown of communities and the headlong rush to promote the export of agricultural products, to the detriment of food sovereignty and of production for domestic consumption and sale;
Amendment 208 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Deplores the ineffectiveness of the international community’s efforts to address the humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa; points out that early- warning systems had forecast a probable crisis in August 2010, but that a large- scale response was not forthcoming until July 2011; calls, therefore, on the EU Member States to undertake to review their food crisis response models and address the underlying causes of starvation;
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 1 #
2012/0000(RSP)
Citation -1 a (new)
– having regard to its resolutions of 5 May 2010 on the EU strategy for relations with Latin America and of 21 October 2010 on EU's trade relations with Latin- America,
Amendment 2 #
2012/0000(RSP)
Citation -1 b (new)
– having regard to the resolutions of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, and in particular that of 19 May 2011 on the prospects for trade relations between the European Union and Latin America,
Amendment 31 #
2012/0000(RSP)
Paragraph 1
1. regrets that, although the chapter on trade and sustainable development includes legally binding provisions, there is no binding dispute settlement mechanism for theis chapter on trade and sustainable development in the TA and that the use of the measures and sanctions foreseen in the TA's binding general dispute settlement mechanism in cases of violations of the standards set forth in the chapter on trade and sustainable development are excluded, thus constituting a weakening of the current binding conditions under the EU's GSP+ scheme; notes, nevertheless, that this TA goes further than the GSP+ provisions and other EU Agreements, as it allows its unilateral and immediate suspension in the event of human rights violations;
Amendment 72 #
2012/0000(RSP)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the dissolution of the highly controversial Intelligence Agency (DAS) and the condemn of this former director to 25 years in prison as an important signal of the change of attitude and openness of the Colombian Administration and the independence of the judiciary;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2246(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that free and independent media are one of the foundations of democracy and the rule of law; notes that it is in the common interest to maintain and improve a free and independent media across Europe; notes the role of free media and the free exchange of information in the democratic transformations taking place in non- democratic regimes, such as those taking place in the Arab countries; calls on the Commission to support independent media whose activities are restricted by authoritarian regimes, with special focus on the North of Africa;
Amendment 22 #
2011/2246(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes that, under the Copenhagen criteria, countries wishing to accede to the European Union must comply with the acquis communautaire which includes the Charter of Fundamental Rights and, more particularly, Article 11, thereof which requires respect for the freedom and pluralism of the media; Notes, conversely, that although existing Member States of the European Union are also required to comply with the Charter, no mechanism exists for ensuring that they do so;
Amendment 23 #
2011/2246(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Notes that to ensure genuine pluralism in the media, regard must be had to the level of concentration of media- ownership in Member States;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2246(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on Member States to be more robust in their assessments of threats to media pluralism, media freedom and freedom of expression in general and to tackle these threats at source. Member States should take steps to dismantle overly powerful media concentrations within their jurisdictions;
Amendment 60 #
2011/2246(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Notes with regret that the Commission has not proceeded to the third stage of its three-step process to address concerns over media concentrations in the European Union; In that regard, calls on the Commission to immediately publish a Communication on indicators for media pluralism in EU Member States;
Amendment 61 #
2011/2246(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Reminds the Commission that the European Parliament has already called for the Commission to propose a legislative initiative pursuant to Article 225 TFEU on media freedom, pluralism and independent governance, to overcome the inadequacies of the EU's legislative framework on the media;
Amendment 102 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Underscores the importance of China as a major economic power and highlights its essential role in global economic recovery; in this regard, recalls the necessity for China to fulfil its agreed WTO obligations, ten years after its accession; furthermore, calls on the European Union and its Member States and China to tackle common challenges and threats to international peace and security, including improved cooperation on a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear crisis; urges both sides to foster a more balanced trade among them, notably by intensifying their efforts to conclude negotiations on new partnership and cooperation agreement, in order for this framework to fulfil the potential of EU- China strategic partnership;
Amendment 190 #
2011/0436(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – indent 6
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – indent 6
– Debates/studies and interventions on defining moments in European history, in particular to keep the memory alive of the crimes committed under Nazism, Fascism and Stalinism, and all the dictatorships that have afflicted Europe;
Amendment 237 #
2011/0436(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – part 1 – section 1 – paragraph 2
Annex – part 1 – section 1 – paragraph 2
It will support activities that invite to reflection on common values in the broadest sense, taking into account diversity. Funds may be available for initiatives reflecting on causes of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes in Europe'’s modern history (especially but not exclusively Nazism and Stalinism) and to commemorate their victims. The strand should also encompass activities concerning other reference points in recent European history. In particular, it will give preference to actions which encourage tolerance and reconciliation with a view to reaching the younger generation.
Amendment 13 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) As a signatory to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Union should seek to ensure that respect for the Convention by partner countries informs all decisions taken by the Union under this Regulation.
Amendment 26 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) creating conditions for well managed mobility of people and promotion of people-to-people contacts, in addition to exchanging cultural values with a view to ensuring cultural diversity;
Amendment 248 #
2011/0370(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) The programme ought take into account the fact that culture has intrinsic value that is separate from the economic aspects of cultural goods and services. This duality that culture has should be borne in mind when the programme is being drawn up to ensure that the focus is not placed solely on economic competitiveness.
Amendment 275 #
2011/0370(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point 1
Article 2 – point 1
1. ‘cultural and creative sectors’ means all sectors whose activities are based on cultural values and/or artistic and creative expressions, whether these activities are market or non-market oriented and whatever the type of structure that carries them out. These activities include the creation, the production, the dissemination and the preservation of goods and services which embody cultural, artistic or creative expressions, as well as related functions such as education, management or regulation. The cultural and creative sectors include in particular architecture, archives and libraries, artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television, video games and multimedia), cultural heritage, design, fashion, festivals, music, performing arts, publishinggastronomy, the circus, publishing, visual arts, radio, and udiovisual artsmedia (including film, television, video games and multimedia);
Amendment 293 #
2011/0370(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the transnational character of its activities and their impact, which will complement regional, national, international and other Union programmes;
Amendment 344 #
2011/0370(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – point c
Article 5 – point c
(c) to strengthen the financial capacity of the cultural and creative sectors, and in particular micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises and organisation, self-employed workers’ organisations and organisations in Europe’s cultural and creative sectors;
Amendment 383 #
2011/0370(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) facilitate access to finance for micro- enterprises, self-employed workers’ organisations, small- and medium-sized enterprises and organisations in the European cultural and creative sectors;
Amendment 599 #
2011/0370(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – introductory wording
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – introductory wording
1. The Commission shall ensure regular monitoring and external evaluation of the Creative Europe Programme against the following performance indicators. It has to be taken into account that the achievement of performance results depends on the complementary impact of other activitpolicies at European, national and natregional level affecting the cultural and creative sectors:
Amendment 879 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Annex I – Volume 16/33
add the following rail freight transport sections to the core network: – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Granada – Motril – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – León – Gijón / Avilés – Palencia – Santander – Madrid – Cáceres – Mérida – Mérida – Badajoz – Portuguese border – Mora – Ciudad Real – Mérida
Amendment 881 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Amendment 891 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the core network: – Madrid – Toledo – Madrid – Alcázar – Albacete – Murcia – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Avilés – Oviedo – Bilbao – Santander – Oviedo – El Ferrol – A Coruña – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – Mora – Alcázar – Linares – Moreda/Jaén/Córdoba – Ourense – Vigo (via Cercedo) – Ourense – Monforte – Lugo – A Coruña – Palencia – Santander – Segovia – Ávila – Sevilla – Cádiz – Sevilla – Huelva – Portuguese border – Valencia – Alicante (along the coast) – Motilla – Albacete – La Encina – Santiago – Vigo – Portuguese border – Granada – Motril – Antequera – Málaga – Madrid – Ávila – Salamanca – León – Monforte – Torralba – Soria – Castejón – Plasencia – León – Gijón
Amendment 892 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the comprehensive network: – Almendricos – Águilas – Barcelona – Massanet – Barcelona – Puigcerdá – Játiva – Alcoy – Lleida – Manresa – Barcelona – Los Rosales – Zafra – Madrid – Burgos – Villalba – Segovia
Amendment 33 #
2011/0117(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The general arrangement should be granted to all those developing countries which share a common developing need and are in a similar stage of economic development. Countries which are classified by the World Bank as high- income or upper-middle income countries have per capita income levels allowing them to attain higher levels of diversification without the scheme’s tariff preferences and include economies which have successfully completed their transition from centralised to market economies. Those countries do not share the same development, trade and financial needs as the remaining developing countries; they are at a different stage of economic development, i.e. they are not similarly-situated as the more vulnerable developing countries; and, so as to prevent unjustified discrimination, they need to be treated differently. Furthermore, the use of tariff preferences provided under the scheme by high-income or upper-middle income countriescountries or those sufficiently integrated into the global economy increases the competitive pressure on exports from poorer, more vulnerable countries and therefore could impose unjustifiable burden on those more vulnerable developing countries. The general arrangement takes account of the fact that the development, financial and trade needs are subject to change and assures that the arrangement remains open if the situation of a country changes. For the sake of consistency, the tariff preferences granted under the general arrangement should not be extended to developing countries which are benefiting from a preferential market access arrangement with the European Union, which provides at least the same level of tariff preferences as the scheme for substantially all trade. To provide a beneficiary country and economic operators with time for an orderly adaptation, the general arrangement should continue to be granted for two years as from the date of application of a preferential market access arrangement and this date should be specified in the list of beneficiary countries of the general arrangement.
Amendment 59 #
2011/0117(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
a) it has been classified by the World Bank as a high-income or an upper-middle income countrycountry or has had a share of world goods exports of over 1% during three consecutive years immediately preceding the update of the list of beneficiary countries;
Amendment 157 #
2011/0117(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 5
Article 35 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall forward to the Commission, every month, details of the quantities and values of products released for free circulation under the tariff preferences, not later than three months after such release. Using this information, the Commission shall submit a quarterly report to the European Parliament and Member States.
Amendment 189 #
2011/0117(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – point 2
Annex VI – point 2
2. The provisions of Article 8 shall apply for each of the GSP Sections 11(a) and 11(b), when the percentage share referred to in Article 8(1) exceeds 14,5 0%.
Amendment 198 #
2011/0117(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VII – point 1 – point b
Annex VII – point 1 – point b
(b) of which the imports of products listed in Annex IX into the European Union represent less than the threshold of 2 1% in value of the total imports into the European Union of products listed in Annex IX originating in countries listed in Annex II, as an average during the last three consecutive years.
Amendment 22 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the imbalance in bilateral trade between the EU and China has been in China's favour since 1997, and whereas this trade deficit amounted to 168.8 billion euros in 2010 compared to 49 billion in 2000; whereas nearly 85 % of export trade focusing on assembly operations is made by foreign companies settled in China;
Amendment 30 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. Whereas the impact of the EU Common Commercial Policy is sometimes undermined by the diverging national interests pursued by Member States towards China;
Amendment 35 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas China's accession to the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) should be eased by the revision of the GPA's rules and the broadening of its scope agreed on 15th December 2011 during the last WTO Ministerial Conference;
Amendment 39 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas in 2010 over 103 million products suspected of infringing intellectual property rights (IPR) of a value totalling 1.11 billion euros were seized at the EU's external borders and China is the country of origin for 85 % of these goods; whereas an important feature of intellectual property protection is the proper enforcement of existing laws and international commitments, including penalties;
Amendment 43 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas the implementation of environmental policies in China is still in its infancy and China still relies on high energy intensity production coupled with low efficiency levels; whereas China and the EU could develop strong cooperation on renewable energies;
Amendment 65 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that China deplores the existence of trade barriers to the European market such as the EU's significant agricultural subsidies for European farmers, the complex system of agricultural tariffs, technical obstacles to trade, as well as barriers to third country investments in certain Member States;
Amendment 67 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Deplores that China is developing discriminatory measures vis a vis foreign companies, namely the "buy Chinese" initiative and "indigenous innovation";
Amendment 76 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned aboutNotes the problems foreign businesses encounter in accessing Chinese public procurement whereasile substantial access to European public procurement is guaranteed; regrets that China has not acceded to the plurilateralwelcomes the revision and the broadened scope of the Agreement on Government Procurement (AGPA) even though it committed to do soagreed on 15th December 2011 during the last WTO Ministerial Conference; therefore encourages China to make an accession offer to the GPA which is comparable to the level of other Parties to the GPA in line with its commitment in its protocol on accession to the WTO; calls on the Commission to make haste in developing a European instrument to ensure better access for European businesses to foreign public procurement markets and to encourage the EU's trading partners, such as China, to open up their public procurement markets and eliminate protectionist measures;
Amendment 85 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that the main form in which foreign companies are allowed to set up in China is through joint ventures – a mechanism which is very restrictive and too often associated with strategic technology transfers that may favour the competitive development of China to the detriment of European industry in fields in which the EU is at the forefront; is convinced that further openness by China on joint venture combined with better IPRs protection will certainly be beneficial for both sides;
Amendment 99 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Deplores the inadequate protection of IPR in China and regrets the lack of specific means available to European businesses, and particularly SMEs, to counter IPR infringements effectively; welcomes the Commission's decision to proposer a review of the directive on the enforcement of IPR; calls on the Commission to better defend IPR in all the multilateral organisations where China is a member (the WTO, the World Health Organisation and the World Intellectual Property Organisation); wants China to continue to transpose current international law on the protection of IPR into its national legislation to close the substantive IPR protection gap between the EU and China, and more specifically to combat counterfeiting, and urges the Chinese authorities to appensure enforcement, especially iat correctlya regional level; regrets that China ihas not takingen part in the negotiations on the next international agreement to combat counterfeiting (ACTA); urges the Commission and the Member States to step up customs cooperation in the EU and with third countries, particularly on the seizure of counterfeit goods, and to simplify customs procedures; asks the Commission and the Member States to cooperate more closely in third countries on copyright issues and licensing;
Amendment 103 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. urges China to renew its fight against corruption and to improve its legal system to ensure the correct enforcement of contractual obligations;
Amendment 106 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Encourages China to align technical regulations and standards with international standards and avoid "home- grown" standards embodying unique Chinese technologies;
Amendment 121 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that China holds sovereign debt of Member States in the eurozone; stresses that this fact has taken on a new political dimension as a result of the serious debt problems within the eurozone; calls on the Commission to start discussions with the ECB and Member States on the creation of a coordinated system to identify which parties hold sovereign debt; wonders about the EU's capabilities in trade negotiations with China in view of the latter's contribution to the financial stabilisation of the eurozone;
Amendment 135 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Member States to demand that foreign enterprises respect European social and environmental standards and ensure the sustainability of employment when they purchase European businesses or set up subsidiaries in the EU; asks the Commission to set up a body entrusted with the ex ante evaluation of foreign strategic investment, along the lines of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), in order to obtain a clear picture of businesses operating and investing in the territory of the EU and to report to the Parliament on a regular basis;
Amendment 149 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Emphasises China's growing influence in the theatre of international trade; calls on the EU therefore to remain vigilant concerning the economic, social and environmental impact of increasing Chinese investment in developing countries, particularly in Latin America and in Africa;
Amendment 153 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Reaffirms the need for Chinese investments in Latin America and in Africa, particularly in Special Economic Zones (SEZ), to contribute to economic development and to the development of local production chains by using the local labour force;
Amendment 166 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Acknowledges that some efforts have been made by the Chinese authorities to promote social and labour rights; encourages them to continue on this path;
Amendment 178 #
2010/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Urges the EU to strengthen its economic, budgetary, fiscal and political governance to give it a credible and imposing voice on the international stage; calls on the Council and the Commission to speak with one voice in order to prevent partnerships and bilateral agreements weakening the EU position; urges on the Member States to work closely with the Commission when defining their commercial policy; asks the EU to implement a long-term strategy with regard to China;
Amendment 3 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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 #
2010/2233(INI)
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;
Amendment 10 #
2010/2110(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 16 #
2010/2110(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that the outermost regions are an integral part of the territory of the European Union and must be fully covered by the trade agreements; emphasises the importance to their economies of the agriculture sector, which is in competition with similar products from Latin American producers benefiting from the lowering of customs tariffs; points out that Article 349 TFEU allows for the tailoring of Community policies to suit the geographical and economic realities of those regions; calls on the Commission to take into account the specific interests of the outermost regions in the negotiations so that the development of those regions is not affected;
Amendment 1 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to its resolutions of 1 December 2005 on preparations for the sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong1, of 4 April 2006 on the assessment of the Doha Round following the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong2, of 1 June 2006 on trade and poverty: designing trade policies to maximise trade’s contribution to poverty relief3, of 27 April 2006 on a stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America4, of 12 October 2006 on economic and trade relations between the EU and Mercosur with a view to the conclusion of an Interregional Association Agreement5, of 23 May 2007 on the EU's Aid for Trade6, of 12 July 2007 on the TRIPS Agreement and access to medicines7, of 29 November 2007 on trade and climate change8, of 24 April 2008 on the Fifth Latin America and Caribbean-European Union Summit in Lima9 and on 'Towards a reform of the World Trade Organisation'10, of 20 May 2008 on trade in raw materials and commodities11, of 25 March 2010 on the effects of the global financial and economic crisis on developing countries and on development cooperation12 and of 5 May 2010 on the EU strategy for relations with Latin America123, 1 OJ C 285 E, 22.11.2006, p. 126. 2 OJ C 293 E, 2.12.2006, p. 155. 3 OJ C 298 E, 8.12.2006, p. 261. 4 OJ C 296 E, 6.12.2006, p. 123. 5 OJ C 308 E, 16.12.2006, p. 182. 6 OJ C 102 E, 24.4.2008, p. 291. 7 OJ C 175 E, 10.07.2008. 8 OJ C 297 E, 20.11.2008, p. 193. 9 OJ C 259 E, 29.10.2008, p. 64. 10 OJ C 259 E, 29.10.2009, p. 77. 11 OJ C 279 E, 19.11.2009, p. 5. 12 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2010)0089. 13 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2010)0141.
Amendment 2 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the Joint Statements of the Fifth EU-Mexico Summit (16 May 2010), the Fourth EU-MERCOSUR Summit (17 May 2010), the Fourth EU- Chile Summit (17 May 2010), the Fourth EU-CARIFORUM Summit (17 May 2010), the Fourth EU-Central America Summit (19 May 2010), the EU-Andean Community Summit (19 May 2010),
Amendment 4 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
– having regard to the re-launch of the EU- MERCOSUR negotiations on an ambitious and balanced Association Agreement between the two regions, which would strengthen relations between the parties and be greatly beneficial to them in both political and economic terms,
Amendment 7 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
A. whereas Latin America and the European Union not only share common values and a common history and culture, they also form a strategic partnership,
Amendment 8 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas over the past three decades Latin America has undergone a major process of diversification in its international trade relations, thus reducing its level of dependence,
Amendment 10 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the great dynamism of Asia’s economies explains why, despite being rich in natural resources, Latin America hasis one of the regions that have not been able to expand itstheir share of international trade and has been losing out to more dynamic economies in Asia,
Amendment 15 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, despite the significant reduction in poverty over recent years, one third of the inhabitants of Latin America are poor; whereas according to ECLAC and UNICEF almost 63% of children and adolescents in the Latin America suffer from poverty,
Amendment 18 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas EU trade withthe disparity in levels of development explains why trade between certain EU countries and the Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) is asymmetric in terms of the type of goods that are exported by each region; whereas trade exchanges between the two regions are highly concentrated and, although they have more than doubled since 1990, are developing at a slower rate than those between the two regions and other parts of the world,
Amendment 20 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas EU-LAC trade flows have greatly increased in recent years; whereas trade flows in 2009 were dramatically affected by the financial crisis,
Amendment 22 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU-LAC Summit held in Lima in 2008 resulted in the definition of the main axes of the bi-regional strategic partnership, with the aim of creating a network of association agreements between the EU and the various sub-regional integration groups; whereas the EU-LAC Summit held in Madrid in May 2010 movedarked a major step forward with this approach and led to the resumption of all EU-LAC trade negotiations that had been on ice for the last few years,
Amendment 24 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the current fragmented situation could create a network of agreements operating at different speeds and could complicate bi-regional relanetwork of agreements in force, finalised or under negotiation is likely to strengthen bi-regional relations and enhance regional integration, in keeping with the spirit of the times and in line with the interests of the countries in questions,
Amendment 27 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the burden of often illegitimately accumulated debt inherited from previous governments remaindebt is one of the most serious obstacles to trade- related investments, development and sound state finances in a number of Latin American countries,
Amendment 30 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas there is a general desire in Latin America tohas reduce the region'd its economic dependence on the United States (process of 'second independence') andby actively seek to diversifying its economic relations; whereas Europe should avoid offering merely a 'second dependence'and Latin America remain committed to further strengthening their strategic partnership underpinned by their shared principles, values and interests,
Amendment 32 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas, in the export of smart and high- quality products promoted in the Europe 2020 strategy requires solvent customers; whereas it is in the interests of European economies to increase the absorption capacities of Latin American marketinterests of both parties, the agreements between Latin America and the EU must continue to bring tangible benefits for their respective societies,
Amendment 44 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the aim of closer integration of the European and Latin American economic spheres must bis to create a win-win situation for both sides; stresses that intensified trade relations shcould create more and better jobs in both regions and must support the aim of more resource- efficient and greener economies;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fact that the Madrid Declaration explicitly recognises the principle of the sovereign right of States to manage and regulate their natural resources, while stressing that due attention should be paid to sustainability criteria;
Amendment 54 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that, in order to benefit from its trade relations with the EU, Latin America needs to increase welfare through trade performance, both the EU and Latin America could use their trade relations as a basis to improve social welfare by equitably distributeing the gains from trade, promoteing ownership of trade reforms and further expanding and enhancing trade- related institutional capacity;
Amendment 59 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the developments in Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia, where new trade and resource policies which seem to have contributed to the reduction ofcreating a more robust economy whilst reducing poverty and inequality, as illustrative of the conditions under which trade reforms may have progressive distributive effects;
Amendment 64 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it crucial forthat Latin America must continue to move forward from trade in raw materials towards trade in processed materials and parts; considers that global transport towards sustainable trade in products and services with grelated to current supply chains and labour division is excessive and environmentally unsustainablr added value;
Amendment 72 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for closer cooperation between the EU and the Latin American countries with a view to concluding a fair WTO Doha Agreementso as to jointly push for the swift conclusion of a fair, ambitious and comprehensive WTO Doha Agreement, in accordance with the commitments made in the Madrid Declaration, that must effectively contribute to poverty reduction and help the economy to recover from the crisis;
Amendment 76 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Emphasises that the attainment of all eight UN MDGs should be regarded as the overriding task in the current multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations; stresses that keeping the promises reiterated in the Madrid Declaration on attaining the MDGs and comberadicating global poverty will require a trade environment in which developing countries in Latin America have real access to the markets of developed countries, more equitable trade practices and strong and enforced rules governing protection of the environment and social rights;
Amendment 88 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is concerned by the fact that in the past cases of misconduct by EU-based companies operating in Latin America have occurred, involving ecological degradation, cases of exploitation of labour, as well as serious human rights violations; warns that the misconduct of certain EU-based companies doePoints out that EU-based companies operating in Latin America should display exemplary behaviour in environmental, social and employment-related matters within a wider framework of transparency and respect for human rights that ensures the protection of all involved; stresses that European multinationals harm to the image of the EU as a whole and negatively affects the business opportunities of all competitors whoe responsible to a great extent for the EU’s image in the region and must promote its values, whilst observeing the principles of corporate social responsibility;
Amendment 91 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 97 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Points out that the differences in the tariffs applying under the WTO banana agreements, theWelcomes the WTO banana agreements, which have marked the end of over 20 years of disputes, given a boost to the Doha Round of talks and facilitated the conclusion of the EU’s agreements with Columbia and Peru and Central America and the commitments madewhilst proving satisfactory to ACP partnroducers in the Caribbean could create new controversies; calls and still providing particular for fair treatment for Ecuador following its struggles in nine WTO panelsrotection for producers in the EU’s outermost regions (ORs);
Amendment 105 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that the implementation of the EU-Central America Association Aall agreements must take into account the interests of the people concerned; stresses that parliaments still have to ratify the Agreement;
Amendment 107 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Amendment 112 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that Bolivia has presented a claim at the Andean Community Court of Justice regardingPoints out that negotiations for a Multi-Party Trade Agreement between the EU and Colombia and Peru have come to a satisfactory conclusion; without losing sight of the ultimate aim of signing an Association Agreement with the Andean Community, calls on the relevant parties to study how best to incorporate Ecuador and Bolivia into the Multi-Party Trade Agreement concluded by the EU with Colombia and Peru;
Amendment 118 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Strongly supports the resumption of negotiations towards an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, since a partnership of this magnitude would affect 700 million people and would, if concluded swiftly, constitute the most ambitious bi-regional agreement in the world; stresses that it should be closely involved at all stages of the negotiations on an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and that the negotiating mandateSustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) should be updated to take full account of recent developments in the global economy and demands and concerns put forward bybates in Parliament;
Amendment 124 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Strongly supports the approval of the Joint Executive Plan for the Mexico-EU Strategic Partnership and the negotiations with a view to fundamentally modernising trade relations so as to unlock the full potential of the EU-Mexico Association Agreement, which since entering into force has led to a rise of 122% in trade flows;
Amendment 127 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission and its Latin American partners to involve civil society in the assessment of compliance with labour, human rights and environmental standards included in trade agreements and promote the regular dialogue with civil society enshrined in the Association Agreements;
Amendment 131 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Draws attention to the increasingly important role that the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) couldis play ing the future;
Amendment 141 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes the decision to establish an EU-LAC Foundation, which will promote trade and contribute to strengthening the bi-regional partnership, raising awareness of it and realising its full potential;
Amendment 144 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Is concerned that over-ambitiousBelieves that the wording of chapters on investment protection in trade agreements can diminish the policy space that governments need in order to be responsivemust help shore up the legal certainty of investments made without affecting the responsiveness of governments to the environmental, health and social demands of their populations;
Amendment 150 #
2010/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the right of indigenous communities throughout Latin America to decide by themselves the degree to which they want to be integrated into the global market economy; reiterates the need to protect indigenous traditional knowledge and rare species on their territories from patenting conflicts with European companiesby intensifying work under the Convention on Biological Diversity in accordance with the commitments made in the Madrid Declaration;
Amendment 34 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In the interest of EU investors and their investments inand third countries, and of Member States hosting foreign investors and investments, bilateral agreements that specify and guarantee the conditions of investment should be maintained in force and remain binding on the parties under public international law unless replaced by new agreements that provide for at least the same level of investor protection. This will be applied not only to BITs already in force but also to BITs concluded and/or signed by the time of the entering in to force of this Regulation.
Amendment 44 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) This Regulation lays down the conditions under which Member States should be authorised toa notification procedure in order to provide transparency on all bilateral agreements of the Member States that are maintained in force or to permit to enter into force international agreements relating to investment. The notification may be withdrawn by a Member State if the respective agreement is terminated.
Amendment 57 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
Amendment 72 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Agreements authorised under this Regulation or authorisations to open negotiations to amend an existing or to conclude a new bilateral agreement with a third country should not in any case be allowed to constitute an obstacle to the implementation of the Union'’s policies relating to investment, in particular common commercial policy.
Amendment 80 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
Amendment 86 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
Article 1
This Regulation establishes the terms, conditions and the procedure under which Member States are authorised to maintain in force, amend or conclude bilateral agreements with third countries relating to investment. This procedure is without prejudice to the respective competencies of the European Union and of the Member States.
Amendment 90 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – title
Chapter 2 – title
Amendment 98 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3
Article 3
Authorisation to maintain agreements in force Notwithstanding the Union's competences relating to investment and without prejudice to other obligations of Member States under the law of the Union, Member States are authorised in accordance with Article 2(1) of the Treaty to maintain in force bilateral agreements relating to investment that have been notified in accordance with Article 2 of this Regulation.rticle 3 deleted
Amendment 103 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Amendment 119 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Amendment 135 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6
Article 6
Amendment 160 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Where a Member State intends to enter into negotiations in order to amend an existing agreement or to conclude a new agreement falling with ain third country relating to investmente scope of this Regulation, it shall notify the Commission in writing of its intentions in writing at the earliest possible moment before the opening of formal negotiations is envisaged.
Amendment 197 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11a Refusal to authorise the conclusion of the agreement 1. If, on the basis of its assessment under Article 11(3), the Commission intends not to authorise the conclusion of the negotiated agreement, it shall give an opinion to the Member State concerned, within 90 days of receipt of the notification referred to in Article 11(1). 2. Within 30 days of receipt of the opinion of the Commission, the Member State concerned may request the Commission to enter into discussions with it with a view to finding a solution. 3. If the Member State concerned does not request the Commission to enter into discussions with it within the time limit provided for in paragraph 2, the Commission shall give a reasoned decision on the application of the Member State within 130 days of receipt of the notification referred to in Article 11(1). 4. In the event of the discussions referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission shall give a reasoned decision on the application of the Member State within 30 days of the closure of the discussions. 5. The Commission shall notify its decision to the Member State concerned within 30 days of the decision.
Amendment 209 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the AdvisorTrade Policy Committee for the Management of Transitional Arrangements on International Investment Agreementson Services and Investment.
Amendment 211 #
2010/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Amendment 89 #
2010/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The investigation shall, whenever possible, be concluded within six months of the initiationone hundred and eighty days of the invesitigation. In exceptional circumstances duly justified by the Commission, that time limit may be extended by a further period of three months of the investigation.
Amendment 3 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Amendment 7 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) – despite differing in nature from the other South American integration processes (ACN, Mercosur and CAIS) – can lend impetus to those integration processes,
Amendment 9 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas, when faced with potential inter-American disputes, now or in the future, the governments involved – in line with the principle of subsidiarity – should exhaust all Latin American sources of legal remedy before turning to others outside the southern hemisphere,
Amendment 10 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas – according to the Institute of Strategic Studies in London – military expenditure in Latin America has increased by 91% over the past four years, to USD 47 200 million in 2008,
Amendment 19 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas, before the economic and financial crisis which struck the planet, Latin America was relatively strong in macroeconomic terms but suffered from social deficits,
Amendment 22 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Amendment 23 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas, although significant progress has been made, the child and maternal mortality indicators for the region are disconcerting,
Amendment 24 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
Recital H d (new)
Hd. whereas drugs production and trafficking continue to be a very serious problem in the region; whereas the cultivation of coca leaves has increased in South America and there is a political and cultural disparity between the United Nations' conventions and resolutions - which consider it to be a prohibited crop - and the official doctrine of governments in countries such as Bolivia, which claim that the plant is part of their indigenous culture,
Amendment 25 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H e (new)
Recital H e (new)
He. whereas in some countries of the region which have adopted a policy of eradicating coca production, human rights violations have sometimes occurred which serve to exacerbate social conflicts,
Amendment 26 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H f (new)
Recital H f (new)
Hf. whereas, according to a report by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (January 2010), indigenous peoples in the world as a whole, and in Latin America in particular, are facing a bleak future; whereas in Latin America indigenous peoples account for 15% of the region's total population and whereas, according to the above report, to be indigenous in Latin America means to be poor; whereas poverty indicators for indigenous peoples are much higher than for the rest of the population; whereas in Mexico indigenous people are 3.3 times poorer, in Panama 5.9 times, and in Paraguay 7.9 times; whereas in Honduras 95% of indigenous children under the age of 14 are undernourished,
Amendment 27 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H g (new)
Recital H g (new)
Hg. whereas among the energy, water, communications and telecommunications sectors, it is only in the latter sector that any significant progress has been made,
Amendment 28 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H h (new)
Recital H h (new)
Hh. whereas development in Latin America and the region's ability to take part in integration processes will be held back unless infrastructures are properly developed,
Amendment 34 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the efforts made by the Spanish Presidency to secure the signing of the EU-Central America Association Agreement and the multi-party trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, as well as its clear desire and commitment to relaunch negotiations between the EU and Mercosur;
Amendment 41 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 46 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 50 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Commends UNASUR on the work it has carried out and the diplomatic successes it has achieved on the continent, even though it was only established very recently;
Amendment 52 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Points out that an efficient and independent judiciary and an effective policy of respect for human rights as part of a responsible administration subject to controls and operating transparently, will give citizens a sense of security, build their confidence in the representative parliamentary system and prevent them from becoming alienated from that system;
Amendment 57 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Deplores the fact that in Latin America military budgets have increased proportionately more than they have in the rest of the world, opening the way for a dangerous arms race in countries which should be devoting their financial resources to fighting underdevelopment, pandemics, malnutrition, crime and natural disasters;
Amendment 72 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. In order to complete the first phase, firmly supports the resumption and stepping up of negotiations on the EU- Mercosur Association Agreement, given that an Association Agreement of this kind, which is of the utmost importance and affects seven hundred million people, would, if concluded swiftly, be the world's most ambitious biregional agreement, the conclusion of negotiations on the EU- Central America Association Agreement and the multi-party trade agreement between the EU and the countries of the Andean Community, during the first half of 2010, before the Madrid summit, the revision of the 2003 political and cooperation agreement with the Andean Community and the deepening of the existing Association Agreements with Mexico and Chile;
Amendment 79 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Points out that, unless there is a substantial change in the socio-economic environment, it will be impossible for Latin America to join the knowledge society, which is the key strategic tool for development;
Amendment 81 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Suggests that Latin American countries with potential or actual disputes with neighbouring countries – whether they be over borders or other issues – make every effort to bring those disputes before the courts established under the various integration processes or dealing with Latin American matters, and to avoid their transfer to courts outside the southern hemisphere;
Amendment 86 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out that regional integration, which is being sought by many Latin American governments and fostered by the European Union, is facing the serious problems of a lack of infrastructure, insufficient intra-regional trade and limited knowledge in individual countries of the leading political, social and economic actors in the other countries;
Amendment 88 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Points out once again that a strategy based on practical pro-integration measures (covering roads, oil and gas pipelines and the promotion of inter- regional trade, among other things) and measures to raise public awareness of the leading actors in the region would give integration a boost and bolster the region's sense of community;
Amendment 90 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Paragraph 22 c (new)
22c. Stresses that a coordinated strategy is needed in the energy, water and communications sectors, to prevent the region’s growth from stagnating and ensure that sustainable development is not held back;
Amendment 91 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 d (new)
Paragraph 22 d (new)
22d. Recommends that the Latin American governments - hoping also that the EU will offer all possible support for this huge task and aware of the difficult social situation despite a reasonably sound economic outlook - adopt firm and consistent policies including investment in public works, strengthening of the internal market, support for SMEs, extension of credit facilities, greater investment in health and education, and more decided steps to deal with youth unemployment and gender discrimination in the workplace;
Amendment 92 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 e (new)
Paragraph 22 e (new)
22e. Recalls, in this connection, that - although it may not be easy to obtain suitable funding for the above objectives - there are areas where action is obviously possible, such as fighting tax avoidance, creating a modern and equitable tax system, and reviewing military expenditure, which has risen by 30.54% over the last decade in the region;
Amendment 93 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 f (new)
Paragraph 22 f (new)
22f. Urges the governments of the Latin American countries with indigenous populations to implement - with EU aid and cooperation if necessary - effective plans for eliminating hunger, underdevelopment, illiteracy and chronic disease in those communities;
Amendment 405 #
2009/0064(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point g w (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point g w (new)
(gw) Internally-managed AIF which have legal personality, do not grant their shareholders any redemption or repurchase rights, invest predominantly in transferable securities, use no or only limited leverage and have their shares traded on a regulated market in the European Union;
Amendment 1286 #
2009/0064(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 26
Article 26
Amendment 19 #
2008/2289(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point c a (new)
Paragraph 1 − point c a (new)
ca) reiterates its support for the Mexican Government and President Calderón in their vital work to clean up certain institutions of the State, in the Federal District and in other parts of the country, in which the level of corruption and functional and organisational disarray are not only affecting Mexico’s prestige but also threatening the normal institutional development of the State and often leaving society unprotected;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
Amendment 5 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, as a result of the 2006 reform of external assistance instruments, the European Parliament gained greater control over the implementation of Community assistance,
Amendment 6 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas in 2006 the Enlarged Bureau of the Committee on Foreign Affairs set up working groups in relation to the ENPI South and ENPI East, in order to hold a structured dialogue with the Commission on the implementation documents, which set out the policy framework for the delivery of assistance under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI),
Amendment 13 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Council to develop in conjunction with the Parliament a flexible and transparent instrument for information in this field and to forward promptly to the Parliament minutes of the decisions adopted in this field;
Amendment 43 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15, first indent
Paragraph 15, first indent
Amendment 4 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the proposal ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’ (BP:UfM), adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Summit for the Mediterranean that took place in Paris on 13 July 2008, is an instrument for peace and prosperity and constitutes a step towards economic and regional integration between the Mediterranean countries; welcomes the opening-up to countries not involved in the partnership and the objective of establishing parity relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean partner countries;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the proposal ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’ (BP:UfM), adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Summit for the Mediterranean that took place in Paris on 13 July 2008, constitutes a step towards economic and regional integration between the Mediterranean countries; welcomes the opening-up to countries not involved in the partnership and the objective of establishing parity relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean partner countries; points out, however, that continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may threaten achievement of several of the goals set out in this resolution, and therefore urges the parties directly and indirectly involved to redouble their efforts and display genuine political will to put an end to that conflict by securing a just and lasting peace;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the fact that the Union for the Mediterranean has been promoted within the framework of the EU institutions; points out that the city which hosts its seat should be selected on the basis of its Euro-Mediterranean vocation and its historical role as the birthplace of the process of cooperation between the Mediterranean countries;
Amendment 22 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the Member States and the Commission to propose strategies for developing intercultural dialogue and promoting the Alliance of Civilisations, in their areas of competence, and to provide continued political support for these;
Amendment 44 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Emphasises that peace and political stability in the Mediterranean are crucial for collective and individual security far beyond its shores;
Amendment 70 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses the need formally to continue cooperation in combating international terrorism, drugs trafficking, organised crime and the trafficking of human beings;
Amendment 84 #
2008/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the 27 EU Member States, the Commission, the League of Arab States, and other Mediterranean states are part of the Group of Friends of the Alliance of Civilisations;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Commission and, Member States and the Afghan Government to ensure that their programmes and activities, particularly at provincial level, are fully in linecoordinated with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2152(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of the Afghan authorities to improve their management and financial mechanisms, which would lead to Afghan ownership, but believes that a more concerted effort is needed for this process to become sustainable; stresses the need for Afghanistan's institutions to continue to fight corruption and to put in place effective policies to improve the social situation and living conditions for the population;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Strongly supports closer ties between the EU and India; encourages the Indian authorities, therefore, to engage in negotiations on a partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU as a sign of further upgrading and deepening the relationship; believes that the conclusion of such an agreement would improve the quality of the partnership, and invites both sides to engage in the negotiations as equal partners;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Recognises that India plays a major role in conflict prevention and peacekeeping in its neighbourhood and beyond; is concerned by the current volatile political situation in Pakistan and the increasingly insecure situation in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and expresses the hope that India, as predominant country in the region, will act as a promoter of stability and peace; would like India and the EU, particularly through the intermediary of the EU Special Envoy for Burma/Myanmar, to work together to prevail upon the Burmese military junta to release political prisoners and respect human rights and to study together all the options for moving from dictatorship to democracy;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the India-US civil nuclear partnership agreement and the Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver, which enables other nations to cooperate with India on nuclear issues and opens the way for EU firms to compete in India's nuclear energy market; stresses that this waiver reaffirms India’s commitment to non-proliferationfears nevertheless that this deal creates a dangerous precedent, because India, while abiding by it, has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT); asks India, therefore, to sign and ratify it; recalls that India has not ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and strongly encourages it to do so;
Amendment 10 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 11 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the existence of an annual local-level EU-India human rights dialogue but is concerned about the slow pace at which India is implementing ILO labour standards, particularly in connection with child and bonded labour; calls on India to do more to improve the treatment of women;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Requests that the Council make urgent progress on extending the blue card visa system to Indian nationals;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2135(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to give due weightpriority in its FTA negotiations to human rights considerations, to non-tariff barriers, to ongoing restrictions for foreign direct investment in important sectors and to intellectual property rights.
Amendment 8 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital E e (new)
Recital E e (new)
Ee. whereas the UN General Assembly decided to hold on 4 and 5 October 2007 the High-level Dialogue on interreligious and intercultural cooperation for the promotion of tolerance, understanding and universal respect on matters of freedom of religion or belief and cultural diversity, in coordination with other similar initiatives in this area,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital E f (new)
Recital E f (new)
Ef. whereas 2008 is the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue,
Amendment 54 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) calls on all EU Member States to remain engaged in the preparations for the 2009 Durban Review Conference and to ensure that the Conference provides the opportunity for all stakeholders to renew their determination and commitment to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and relatedall other forms of intolerance and to adopt concrete benchmarks with a view to the eradication of racism,
Amendment 80 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) calls on the Council to continue its efforts and to fulfil its commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015 and is, in this context, concerned by the scale of the current food crisis and the impact it could have on the achievement of the MDGs; calls on the Council to ensure that the UN is granted the means necessary to tackle this crisis,
Amendment 81 #
2008/2111(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) calls on the UN General Assembly to hold discussions highlighting the importance, in 2008 and thereafter, of advancing the Alliance of Civilisations – an initiative officially sponsored by the United Nations – in particular by discussing initiatives such as the development of joint multi-stakeholder initiatives at the regional level, with a view to promoting better intercultural understanding, preventing the mounting of tensions and the rise of extremism, contributing to the upgrading of the intercultural dialogue between the countries bordering the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and launching a number of activities within the framework of active city diplomacy,
Amendment 19 #
2008/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Also urges the High Representative to tackle the issue of the ‘caveats’ in the White Paper; although this is a matter for the national sovereignty of each Member State, considers that they should be harmonised to protect the safety of the various Member States’ forces deployed on the ground;
Amendment 25 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas, in this context, the renewed consensus adopted by the European Council in December 2006 is based on the principles of consolidation of commitments, fair and rigorous conditionality and better communication with the public;
Amendment 26 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas enlargement policy should basically centre on areas such as: construction of the State, the rule of law, reconciliation, administrative and judicial reform and measures to combat corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 37 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
Amendment 48 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 56 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas these policies should be complementary and mutually permeable, that is to say, shouldindependent and without prejudice to provisions allowing a given country to move from one type of contractual relationship with the EU to another, if the necessary internal and external conditions are fulfilled,
Amendment 82 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms its firm commitment to the countries with which it has started membership negotiations and to the countries which have been given clear membership prospectsose European prospects have been recognised, with the understanding that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and compatibility with the Union's integration capacity must be fulfilled before these countries can join the Union;
Amendment 109 #
Amendment 125 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that this ability not only has institutional and financial implications but also involves sufficientmplications regarding political, social and economic cohesion within the Union;
Amendment 129 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 136 #
Amendment 150 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Therefore takes the view that every enlargement must be followed by adequate consolidation and political concentration, that is to say, by a serious reassessment of the Union's policies and means in order to ensure consensus around such policies and to focus on objectives which respond to the expectations of our citizens and which guarantee the viability of the Union as a political projecpolicy reassessment will have to take account of the impact of enlargement;
Amendment 160 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 175 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes, moreover, that further enlargements should be accompanied by a concerted communication policy involving all EU Institutions and Member States' Governments at national, regional and local level and civil society, designed to explain to our citizens the political, economic and social benefits of enlargement;
Amendment 198 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Suggests, therefore, that, as regBelieves that the policies already existing within the framework of the ENP towards those eastern neighbours which, in view of their political, economic and social situation and of the Union's current integration capacity, at present do not enjoy membership prospects but at the same time fulfil certain democratic and economic conditions, the Union should establish an area based on common policies covering, in particular, economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education; takes the view that these common policies, whilst striving gradually to achieve EU standards and opening the way for closer integration of these countries, should be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision-making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistanceshould be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision-making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistance; underlines that the policies of the ENP involve common policies concerning economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education;
Amendment 215 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes in this respect the re-launch, within the framework of the EU, of the "Barcelona Process: A Union for the Mediterranean" as a further positive step in our relations with theour southern neighbours; believes that this new development strengthens the argument in favour of specific contractual multilateral relations with our eastern neighbours, which, compared to their southern partners, have clear European ambitions and perspectives; recalls that, as a first step,recalls that the re-launch of these relations shcould translate themselves into tha future establishment of a Free Trade Area, to be followed by closer relations along the lines of a European Economic Area Plus (EEA +), of a European Commonwealth orand of specific regional cooperation frameworks, for example in the Black Sea area;
Amendment 229 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes at the same time that countries which enjoy clear membership prospects but still have considerable ground to cover before they can attain the political, economic and social conditions necessary to achieve candidate status, could usefully benefit from an incremental approach in their EU integration process and that this approach could involve, besides increased assistance and cooperation measures,the elimination of voluntary participation in arrangements similar to the above bilateral or multilateral framework as an intermediate step towards, without prejudging the steps leading to full membership;
Amendment 249 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Furthermore, urges the Commission to come up with concrete proposals for a more diversified external relations policy towards our neighbours, along the lines outlined in the present resolution, and to reconsider its own administrative structures in order to establish a structural link between the activities carried out by the Enlargement and the RELEX Directorates-General;
Amendment 49 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a (new). Points out that additional measures have been taken on women’s rights, specifically on equal opportunities; insists, however, that women’s protection against all forms of violence must be increased;
Amendment 53 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a (new). Calls for further progress in the area of reform of public administration; the Civil Service Law is gradually being implemented and the process of decentralisation has continued without interruption;
Amendment 56 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b (new). Welcomes the start of preparations for implementing the Police Law, full and effective application of which is a crucial challenge and constitutes a key priority for European Association;
Amendment 85 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a (new). Points out, with regard to the International Criminal Court, that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has signed a bilateral immunity agreement with the United States which is in line neither with the joint position nor the relevant guidelines of the EU; therefore urges the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to take the necessary steps to deal with this matter;
Amendment 49 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Commends Croatia on its Constitutional Law On National Minorities and the progress made in this area; nevertheless, urges Croatia to continue promoting a spirit of tolerance vis-à-vis the Serb minority and to take appropriate measures to protect those who may be the target of threats or acts of discrimination, hostility or violence;
Amendment 50 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Welcomes the fact. that greater attention is being paid to the Roma minority; is concerned, however, at the precarious conditions under which they live and the continual discrimination they suffer in areas such as employment, housing or education; with this in mind, calls for greater efforts to be made to devise and carry out a global strategy to combat all forms of discrimination;
Amendment 58 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the sustainable reintegration of wartime refugees, and points out in this respect the need for the development and timely implementation of housing, employment and social measures for refugees which are commensurate with the challenge, since progress has been limited; stresses the need to step up efforts to ensure the validation of pension rights as part of the social and economic conditions needed to ensure the sustainable return of refugees;
Amendment 71 #
2007/2267(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Commends Croatia on the continual progress it has made in the field of regional cooperation and at the same time urges it to continue on this path in the field of good neighbourly relations, since both these areas are crucial for European integration;
Amendment 18 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 26 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the positive experience of its election observation delegations in the framework of EU EOMs, to which they provide an important added value giving political weightlegitimacy to their conclusions and reinforcing their visibility, but stresses that the credibility of those conclusions depends on the rigorous application of the methodology throughout the whole observation process;
Amendment 43 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Suggests to the Commission that it should set up other mechanisms for the monitoring of electoral processes in cases where the deployment of a fully-fledged EU EOM is not possible, such as exploratory assessment missions;
Amendment 45 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines that, as the elected body of the EUdemocratically elected European institution, Parliament will play a special role in the political follow-up of EU EOMs, and, in particular, in the parliamentary capacity-building process;
Amendment 54 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas international election observation is aimed at strengthening the legitimacy of the electoral process, increasing public confidence in elections, deterring and exposing electoral fraud and exposing it where it occurs and analysing, reporting and making recommendations for the improvement of all aspects of the electoral process in full cooperation with the host country, the settlement of any disputes and the protection of human rights,
Amendment 65 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the deployment of EU EOMs is a key element of EU foreign policy, and constitutes in particular, together with election assistance, an essential tool for electoral support in the context of the EU's promotion of democracycommitment to promoting the values of democracy, development and peace,
Amendment 71 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the issue of follow-up to EU EOMs still needs to be addressed in a more coherent and comprehensive manner, distinguishing between technical and political follow-up,
Amendment 76 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to its annual reports on human rights in the world;
Amendment 4 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that after more than 20 years of civil war Afghanistan has practically become a "failed state", characterised by missing or weak institutions at all levels and unable to satisfy the most basic needs of its citizens such as education, housing, health, nutritionwhich can hardly identify citizens’ basic needs; is convinced that the country has become a test case for the success or failure of international development assistance and the legitimacy of bi- and multi- lateral development cooperation; notes that these factors constitute a serious obstacle to the country’s development; stresses the need for the international community to demonstrate its ability to end the vicious circle of violence and poverty and to give the country the prospect of sustainable peace and development; points out that the situation of women, the wretched state of the infrastructure and the high illiteracy rate, together with the failings listed above, result in Afghanistan’s levels of development being among the lowest in the world;
Amendment 22 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the urgent need for the international community to analyse what strategic and conceptual misjudgements have contributed totake stock of the current situation in Afghanistan, including an honest assessment of both the current military strategy and the strategy for civil reconstruction; conclusiders that a major shift of strategy is necessary as peace, security and development will only prevail if the spiral of violence is brought to an end, if the prevailingand military soluaction is replaced bynot considered the best option; also considers that reinforced civil reconstruction efforts, and if, as a result,re needed to restore the confidence of the Afghan population is restored; considers in particular that "Operation Enduring Freedom" is politically counterproductive because reconciliation and consolidation of peace cannot be imposed militarily from the outside buteven more resources must be employed to make reconciliation and consolidation of peace possible, as these have to be developed inside Afghanistan;
Amendment 57 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Draws attention to the fact that despite some achievements to date, the overall outcome of police reform efforts during the past five years has been disappointingrelative, demonstrating the serious inadequacies ofdifficulties facing the international community on the ground when it comes to institution building; urges the international community to move away from the multitude of individual police rin general, and the EU police mission in particular, to continue their efform projectts to develop Afghanistan’s towards a more coordinated, comprehensive and longer- term approachn police force, characterised by respect for human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 68 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the need to redefine the role of the provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) as a result of the wider role of the military, which is increasingly overlapping with the mandates of civilian aid agencies, causing significant friction; is convinced that the goals of humanitarian organisations, which operate on the basis of neutrality, independence and impartiality, and those of the military are not compatibledifferent; strongly believes that the PRTs should concentrate on specific objectives related to security, training and working with the Afghan police and military, and supporting the reach of the central government into insecure areas; considers that the structure of the PRTs appropriately combines civilian and military elements and welcomes the achievement of ‘immediate impact’ projects which are rapidly executed and highly visible; these projects tend to be welcomed by the population and the local authorities;
Amendment 127 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. Whereas the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board for Afghanistan meeting on 5 and 6 February 2008 in Tokyo began to prepare an international conference to review progress of implementation of the plan adopted by the London Conference of 2006 (Afghanistan Compact),
Amendment 144 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council on Afghanistan of 10 March 2008,