Activities of Eduard KUKAN related to 2018/2144(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2018 Report on Montenegro (debate)
Amendments (10)
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes theCalls on Montenegro’s political leadership to focus on remaining challenges in tackling problems with the rule of law, media freedom, corruption, money laundering, organised crime and its associated violence as Montenegro’s democracy continues to maturend to approach these issues as a matter of priority;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that fundamental freedoms were respected in the April 2018 presidential elections; calls for shortcomings identified by the OSCE ODIHR, as well as the ODIHR Election Observation Mission Priority Recommendations to be comprehensively addressed in order to improve public trust in the electoral process; takes positive note of the willingness to engage in electoral reform, but underlines the need to support further efforts to fully comply with international obligations and standards for democratic elections;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Encourages Montenegro to work in closer cooperation with Frontex in order to improve border management, address irregular migration and disrupt migrant smuggling networks; calls for intensified efforts and cross-border cooperation to prevent and dismantle organised criminal networks related to human trafficking, as well as drug and tobacco smuggling; emphasises the persistent concerns related to illicit tobacco trade in Montenegro, particularly that linked to its free trade zones, such as in the Port of Bar and in Podgorica; highlights the OECD findings about how free trade zones contribute to increased levels of illicit trade; calls on the Commission to continue to support Montenegro controlling its free trade zones and avoiding illicit trade;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is increasingly concerned about the state of freedom of expression and media freedom, in which three successive Commission reports have noted ‘no progress’; recalls that the related Chapter 23 was opened in December 2013 and that progress in this chapter and in Chapter 24 determine the overall pace of negotiations; condemns in the strongest terms intimidation, smear campaigns and verbal and physical attacks against journalists; notes that there were seven reported cases of attacks against journalists in 2017;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Condemns in the strongest terms intimidation, smear campaigns and verbal and physical attacks against journalists; calls on authorities to clearly and firmly condemn attacks on journalists; notes that there were seven reported cases of attacks against journalists in 2017; encourages a systematic data collection on threats against journalists;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is particularly concerned by the attack on 8 May 2018 against Vijesti journalist Olivera Lakić, as well as the car bomb explosion on 1 April 2018 outside the home of TV Vijesti journalist Sead Sadiković, which has been described as a ‘targeted threat’; notes that both journalists have been seeking to uncover stories related to corruption and organised crime, and calls for full investigations into both cases; recalls that there have not been any new developments in regards to investigations of old violent cases against journalists;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Deplores the ongoing financial and editorial pressure placed on Montenegro’s public broadcaster (RTCG) and the Agency for Electronic Media; urges that safeguards against undue political and business influences be put in place, and that full transparency in matters of state advertising in the media be ensured while securing financial autonomy of both RTCG and AEM; regrets the change in composition of the RTCG council and the dismissal of the Director-General of RTCG, Ms Andrijana Kadija;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines the role of the Agency for Electronic Media and effective self- regulation in ensuring the highest ethical standards in the Montenegrin media and in reducing the number of defamation cases; notes that the precarious situation of journalists undermines the quality and professionalism of the media; notes that autonomy and independence of RTCG and AEM are crucial for a solid media environment during electoral campaigns;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued efforts for constructive regional cooperation and good bilateral neighbourly relations, including through participation in regional initiatives; reiterates its support for the initiative to establish the Regional commission for the establishment of facts about war crimes and other serious violations of human rights committed in the former Yugoslavia (RECOM); underlines the importance of this process and the active engagement of all regional political leaders; welcomes Prime Minister Markovic’s public support to RECOM;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Commends Montenegro on another year of full alignment with all EU positions and declarations made in the context of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and welcomes active participation in CSDP missions; appreciates the conduct of Montenegro's foreign policy; calls on Montenegro to align itself with the EU common position on the integrity of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and with EU guiding principles on bilateral immunity agreements;