14 Amendments of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2014/2817(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-Moldova Association Agreement – negotiated under the framework of the Eastern Partnership for the 2010-2013 period – includes, in particular, a trade pillar which, in light of the regulatory approximation provisions contained therein, may constitute one of the most ambitious free trade agreements that the EU has concluded to date with a third country; whereas the measures expected to be carried out by Moldova over a short time period will lead to all the known effects of a shock therapy;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas it is very difficult for any Moldovan government to implement the agreed approximation to the Union's acquis without strong administrative support from EU experts;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the association agreement and in particular the regulatory component of its trade chapter shows all characteristics of a pre-accession agreement, without providing Moldova with access to funding made available by the EU to countries with candidate status; whereas members of the Moldovan government have repeatedly announced an application for EU membership in 2015; whereas such an application should be legitimated by a referendum;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Moldova represents one of the most significant mutual benefichallenging elements of the agreement, bearing incontrovertible importancenot only opportunities for the diversification of Moldovan exports, but also risks for trade and economic growth, prosperity and stability in Moldova due to increased competition;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas by having established a DCFTA with the EU, Moldova will enhance its access to the EU market, thereby creating new opportunities for development and growth and benefiting Moldovan businesses and citizens directly; whereas Moldova will open its market to goods and services from the EU and will benefit fromprovide for smoother commercial flows and better investment conditions in Moldova, which will create major challenges for the competitiveness of Moldovan companies, including the public procurement and services sector;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the DCFTA includes several provisions aimed at reforming Moldova’s trade legislation and trade-related policies in line with, and on the basis of, the EU acquis, which will provide for the modernisation of the country’s economy and an improved and more predictable business environment; whereas at the same it must be avoided that the approximation to the Union's acquis cuts Moldova's economic opportunities towards its neighbours in the Eurasian Economic Union;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the DCFTA might even complicate outstanding issues related to Transnistria, in particular with regard to rules of origin;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas by granting autonomous trade preferences and GSP+ preferences, the EU has already afforded substantial benefits to the Moldovan marketexporters and should continue toincrease its direct support for the country in the future;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the trade committee of the European Parliament has produced its opinion under enormous time pressure, created by the leading foreign affairs committee and their desire to ratify the agreement prior to the upcoming elections in Moldova, thus not allowing for any consultation with stakeholders or an expert hearing; whereas this procedure does not comply with good parliamentary practice established in the context of the ratification of other trade agreements by the European Parliament;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Commends Moldova’s determination and commitment to pursue closer economic ties with the EU by undertaking deep, complex and costly economic reforms; strongly believhopes that the DCFTA will have a long- term beneficial effect for Moldova’s economy and will thus one day contribute to increasing the quality of life of its citizens; is aware of the short-term negative effects for Moldova's economy and citizens of the foreseen shock therapy;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with satisfactionAcknowledges the ratification of the agreement by the Parliament of Moldova on 23 July 2014, which triggered the provisional application of the DCFTA as from 1 September 2014; notes the significant damages suffered by the Moldovan economy in recent months following the politically motivated import bans imposed by Russia, and welcomes the provisional application of the DCFTA, which should at least provide for the alleviation of the damages incurred; notes with concern the short- and mid-term impact of the implementation of the DCFTA on the social and economic life of Moldovian citizens, in particular with regard to the employment situation; calls therefore for additional supportive measures by the EU; strongly criticises the provisional application of the DCFTA prior to its ratification by the European Parliament;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the EU Commission to immediately begin talks with member states of the Eurasian Economic Union and Moldova to identify obstacles to improved economic cooperation emerging from the DCFTA, endeavour to resolve those and to rebuild trust and prosperity in the entire region;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on Chisinau and Tiraspol to continue to engage constructively in order to find an effective solution to the Transnistria conflict and to take concrete steps to improve the lives of the region’s population; stresses that the so-called ‘5+2’ framework for negotiations has so far failed to ensure a solution, and calls on the HR/VP and the EEAS to proactively seek an improved process for solving this conflict with a greater role forefforts of conflict resolution within the ‘5+2’ framework have so far not produced sufficient results and calls on the HR/VP and the EEAS to proactively seek ways for pragmatic cooperation and confidence- building working very closely together with the competent structures of the OSCEU; notes the need to ensure that the Transnistrian region, as an integral part of Moldova, is covered by the reach and effects of the Agreement;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses that Russia’s concerns regarding the association process of the EU’s Eastern neighbours must be adequately addressed and understood, so as to ease fears of new geopolitical dividing lines on the European continent; notes that each country has every right to make its own political choices, but that; stresses that the aim of the EU’s engagement with the Eastern partners aims, to spread prosperity and increase political stability, from which the whole region will ultimately gain cannot be reached while retaining simultaneously the rivalry with Russia;