Activities of Bart STAES related to 2011/2008(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the state of implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia
Amendments (9)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the EU Strategy for Central Asia identifies seven priorities but only provides a low level of resources; notes accordingly that EU assistance funds are too limited to make it possible for the EU to have an impact on all policy areas; urges the EU to develop a collective vision and to better define and articulate its priorities; recalls that development cooperation with the Central Asian states can only yield results if these states comply with international standards of democracy, governance, rule of law and human rights; recalls likewise that EU development cooperation must not be subordinated to economic, energy or security interests;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that in the field of energy policy, the EU has a Memorandum of Understanding with Turkmenistan that envisages the purchasing of gas; but highlights that Turkmenistan is not yet a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); emphasises once more upon the need to promote greater transparency in regard to natural resource rents; accordingly, urges the EU to back Turkmenistan' membership to EITI in its energy policy dialogue so as to integrate good governance aspects into the EU's energy programming;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Expresses its doubt about the use of budget support to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, especially given the widespread corruption; calls on the Commission to present a report on the use of budget support in these countries;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines that the security-oriented programmes of BOMCA (border control) and CADAP (to combat drug trafficking) are not financed under the Instrument for Stability, but through the DCI; points out that, as the Instrument for Stability is designed to be flexible and responsive to short term crisis, while working on the long-term trans-regional security challenges, it will make sense to place these programmes under the IfS umbrella;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Notes with concern that tensions over water management have become a regional threat to security; in particular, notes that hydroelectric energy and water resources projects in upstream states Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have led to increased regional tensions with Central Asian downstream countries, that want to avoid dependence on water for irrigation and fear about the negative ecological impact of dams on their population;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Urges the EU, in a context of regional water scarcity, to step up its assistance regarding water management in the ambit of the EU Environment and Water Initiative and to explore, as a way to address energy scarcity in upstream states, further options for solar and wind energy, which could help local communities in the countryside on a small scale;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Highlights that the lack of energy (e.g. for heating and electricity) exacerbates the situation of poor people in Central Asian countries; urges the EU, in line with its commitments towards climate change, to step up its assistance to supporting the development of a sustainable energy policy, including through energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. TRegrets that increased EU presence in the region has translated, in practice, into few positive changes in the field of democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law; takes the view that civil society organisations can play an invaluable role in defining priorities, as well as improving governance and the efficacy of development cooperation; calls therefore on the Commission and the Central Asian states to eliminate all unnecessary political and administrative barriers to their effective participation in all stages of development cooperation;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. IRegrets that the Strategy lacks local ownership by Central Asian regimes; invites the Commission and the Central Asian states to strengthen local authorities by supporting greater involvement by these levels of government in development cooperation and political and economic decision making.