Activities of Eduard KUKAN related to 2011/2032(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU external policies in favour of democratisation (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on EU external policies in favour of democratisation PDF (250 KB) DOC (170 KB)
Amendments (32)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
– having regard to Articles 2, 6 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
Citation 21 a (new)
– having regard to the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council of 22 June 1993,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas democracy is the best safeguard of human rights and fundamental freedoms, tolerance of all groups in society and equality of opportunity for each person,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas democratic systems may vary in forms and shape and whereas democracy has evolved into a universal value,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas two United Nations General Assembly resolutions16 define the essential elements of democracy, including human rights and fundamental freedoms, inter alia, freedom of association and peaceful assembly and of expression of opinion, and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic free elections by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the people, as well as a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, respect for the rule of law, the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, transparency and accountability in public administration; and free, independent and pluralistic media,
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas it is now clear that civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and whereas democratic governance is the best means of guaranteeing those rights and working to combat poverty,
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, in the EU Agenda for Action on Democracy Support in EU External Relations adopted by the Council, the Union stated that it wished to improve the coherence and the effectiveness of its support, but whereas littlemited progress has been made when it comes to implementation,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the Union has at its disposal a wide range of instruments for supporting democracy and human rights (including: political, economic and trade agreements, which contain clauses on human rights and democracy; the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+); political dialogues; CFSP actions; ESDP missions; financing instruments; and election observation missions), but whereas it is essential to develop areinforce a more coherent and more effective set of instruments tailored to the situation in each country, with particular attention to the specific needs of fragile and post-conflict situations,
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the EU should intensify its efforts to promote democracy-related norms and elements through its activities within international organizations and continue to promote the effective implementation of the commitments and obligations undertaken within and through the fora in which EU Member States participate,
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Union has a genuine policy of incentives in this area with a view to providing leverage for reform, but whereas the full potential of those incentives has not been exploited for political reasons; whereas in theory there is no structural impediment to using external financing instruments to support democratisation,
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the EIDHR finances EU election observation missions, which are a crucial tool for interaction in the area of democracytic consolidation, but whereas in many cases their recommendations have not been adequately followed up or implemented,
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that only flourishingconsolidation of democracy in third countries can lay the foundations for balanced, legitimate and equal partnerships with the Union that are in keeping with the needs and interesbring benefits tof both parties;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that partnerships based on dialogue and consultation enhance ownership of democracy-building processes and elements of democratic governance; calls on all EU institutions to make more efforts to use these different dialogues in a more coherent, consistent and coordinated manner;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the events unfolding on the southern shore of the Mediterranean have demonstrated the limitations of a focus on security and stability, which has failed to stamp out poverty and social injustice; believes that, although there has been economic growth, its benefits have not been distributed fairly; highlights the need for a paradigm shift aimed at the genuine consolidation of democracy on the basis of endogenous,internal and locally owned democratization processes and sustainable development that benefits the population;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that priority is now being given to making greater and more vigorous practical use of the Union's existing range of instruments and incentives, and to the eliminatingon of inconsistencies and double standards in their implementation, which could undermine perceptions of Europe and ithe latter's ability to implement a strong, consistent external policy;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends that international agreements, country strategy papers, action plans, the GSP+ programme and all other sources of reciprocal undertakings by the Union and third countries be tightened up by means of more clearly worded clauses on human rights and democracy, conditionality, specific mechanisms in the event of non- compliance (based, at the very least, on those set out in the Cotonou Agreement), commitments coupled with detailed criteria for assessing the progress made, and a specific timetable for implementation;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that monitoring of the human rights situation in each country derives its legitimacy wholprimarily from the United Nations framework; calls on the Union, nevertheless, to present regular, comprehensive reports on third countries' implementation of commitments relating to democracy and human rights that are specifically included in agreements with the Union;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends, in the case of the most problematic partnerships, that the UnionCalls for stronger emphasis on promoting democracy in partnership and neighbourhood policies; recommends refraining from isolating the countries concerned, instead conductmost problematic countries, suggests maintaining relations with them on the basis of appropriate and effective conditionality serving as a genuinen incentive to democratic reform, and that it verify that such cooperation genuinely benefits the populations; endorses the ‘more for more’ approach outlined in the communication entitled ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’; believes that, by the same token, the Union should not hesitate to reassign funds previously earmarked for countries whose governments fail to honour their commitments in the area of democratic governance;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for improvements in the mainstreaming of human rights, democracy, democratic governance and the rule of law in all EU external relations activities in line with existing and new commitments, both from an institutional perspective and in policy and geographical/thematic instruments;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges the efforts made by the Union, in many cases via the EIDHR, to support certain playegroups of actors working to effectwards democratic reforms, including among others human rights defenders, democratic activists and independent media; stresses, however, the need to strengthen the organisation of political parties without taking sides; calls for systematic support for new, democratically elected parliaments, especially in countries in transition and those to which the EU has sent election observation missions;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the Instrument for Stability's effective, immediate and integrated response to situations of crisis and instability in third countries, and its assistance in establishing the necessary conditions for the implementation of the policies supported by the other instruments: the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance, the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, the Development Cooperation Instrument and the Economic Cooperation Instrument;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the Union's decision to develop country strategies in the area of human rights, hop; stresses that these willshould also cover aspects of democratisation, and calls for their prompt implementation so that the Union can rapidly prepare a joint analysis of the situation and needs in each country, together with an action plan stating how the full use of EU instruments will complement these strategies;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for the development of a genuine political strategy in relation to EU election observation missions, including submission of the political blueprint associated with each mission; demands that, two years after each mission, an assessment of the democratic progress made and those aspects needing further improvement be submitted during Parliament's annual human rights debate with the High Representative/Vice-President;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the importance of choosing priority countries for election observation missions, on the basis of a mission's realtheir potential to impact on the Union's relations with the country in question; calls on the EEAS to adopt a highly selective approach to choosing such countries, and points out that the Election Observation Coordination Group, which is consulted about the Union's annual programme of election observation missions, has laid down detailed criteria in this area;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on all EU institutions and Member States to support the implementation of the recommendations drafted by the election observation missions;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Supporting social movementscivil society
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Proposes developing a more open and active policy of supporting social movements and those encouraging civic participation, such as trade unions, mutual societies, women's groups, youth associations, farmers' organisations, indigenous movements, NGOs and social networks, along with individuals promoting reform, including human rights defenders and emerging leaderscivil society and social movements that encourages democratization and civic participation; suggests fostering the influence of such movements and individuals by means of specific programmes and by incorporating this concept into existing programmes;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls for support to the broad participation of all stakeholders in countries’ development and encourages all parts of society to take part in democracy-building; acknowledges the vital role played by NGOs and other non- state actors in the promotion of democracy, social justice and human rights;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Supports the established practice of looking for innovative ways to involve civil society, political parties, the media and other non- governmental political players in the EU's dialogues with third countries;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Supports funding for civil society through EIDHR, and allocating funds to local projects by NGOs; suggests allocating progressively more funds, if the situation in the country is such that there is a civil society and democracy on the road to success;