219 Amendments of Boris ZALA
Amendment 19 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberaldemocratic reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;
Amendment 119 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the High Representative to substantially rethink and revive the project of the Union for the Mediterranean; encourages the use of this project as a way to foster cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean countries, potentially leading to a customs union and a free-trade area, thus providing a positive reality and a materialised perspective for the Maghreb and the Mashreq and making the EU a competitor and game player in the area as well as a strong driver for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the aftermaths of the Arab spring;
Amendment 24 #
2018/2116(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
a. to present a strategic reflection on the use, role, mandates and contribution of the EUSR in light of the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, which reflects respect to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of borders and the peaceful settlement of disputes as key elements of the European security order, applying them to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders;
Amendment 57 #
2018/2116(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point i a (new)
Point i a (new)
ia. taking into account the role of EUSRs as a specific diplomatic tool in EU external action, to emphasize a strong need of contribution by EUSRs to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the Eastern neighbourhood of EU, by promoting the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and through other appropriate means, to support the implementation of such a settlement in accordance with the principles of international law; recalling for unconditional EU support for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all European Neighbourhood countries within their internationally recognized borders;
Amendment 255 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Reiterates that sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as inviolability of borders and peaceful settlement of disputes are key principles of the European security order, applying to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders;
Amendment 259 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Recalls that millions of displaced people in EaP countries live in protracted displacement as a result of foreign occupation and should develop better support to conflict affected residents of these countries through making use of available foreign policy instruments;
Amendment 284 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 e (new)
Paragraph 17 e (new)
17e. Emphasises that strengthening regional security in the Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to the interests of the EU and its Member States; stresses that all disputes should be settled through peaceful means based on international laws; takes note that official dialogue between China and Taiwan has been frozen over the past two years; encourages a quick resumption of bilateral talks to de-escalate tensions between the two sides and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; reiterates its firm support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, mechanisms and activities;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Armenian authorities, in view of future elections, to swiftly and fully implement all the recommendations of the international observation missions led by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), in particular in relation to allegations of vote buying, voter intimidation, the pressuring of civil servants and private sector employees and undue interference in the voting process by party representatives or law enforcement officers; which failed to improve public confidence in the country’s electoral systems
Amendment 73 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its strong attachment to international law and fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, regrets that serious gaps in human rights protection persist and encourages Armenia to make significant progress in these areas, in particular as regards media freedom, the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, organiszed crime and abusive oligarchic control; ensure that journalists face no pressure, fear of retaliation and violence over their work
Amendment 263 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses profound concern at and solidarity with the large number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as the victims of conflicts, persecution, governance failures and illegal migration, trafficking and smuggling networks; stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows and therefore to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood by developing cooperation and partnerships with the third countries concerned; is deeply concerned over the plight and rising number of IDPs, including in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood, who remain unable to exercise their basic rights of returning to their homes and places of origin; underlines the need for a comprehensive human-rights-based approach to migration and calls for the EU to collaborate further with the UN, regional organisations, governments and NGOs;
Amendment 187 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Reiterates that sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as inviolability of borders and peaceful settlement of disputes, are key principles of the European security order, applying to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders;
Amendment 240 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Stresses that preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region is of substantial interest to the EU and its member states; calls for all parties concerned in the region to solve differences through peaceful means and to refrain from taking unilateral actions to change the status quo, including in the East and South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, in order to safeguard regional security; acknowledges the continued good will and flexibility shown by the government of Taiwan in maintaining cross-Strait relations and encourages the resumption of bilateral dialogues, which will be conducive to regional peace and stability; reiterates its commitment to supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and activities;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the increasing importance of political, security and economic relations between the EU and Africa at a time when both are experiencing profound changes, and recognises the contribution made by the Joint Africa-EU Strategy to building a stronger partnership over the past 10 years; given the pivotal role of African developments for the EU and its strategic interests, expects the upcoming EU-Africa summit to provide fresh impulses and new ideas to adapt the Strategy to a fast- changing environment;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for a stronger and more political partnership between the EU and Africa, based on shared values and interests, in order to tackle global issues such as climate change, terrorism, radicalisation, organised crime and migratory flows, and to promote a rule- based global order based on a strong UN;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the EU to lend maximum political and technical support to regional integration initiatives in Africa, not least to overcome the dangers of protectionism and attempts at building new barriers in trade, mobility or security cooperation; opines that regional integration projects, such as those in Southern, West or East Africa, must be supported in a way that complements and strengthens pan- African integration processes in the framework of the African Union; contends that the EU should also pursue strategic bilateral ties with pivotal African states, such as South Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia, as leaders and enablers of the respective integration projects; furthermore, as regards northern Africa, underscores the need to revive the Union for the Mediterranean as a vehicle for the pursuit of shared security and prosperity in the region, including in managing migration flows;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for continued EU support to African partners and regional organizations in the area of peace and security and conflict prevention, including through specific instruments such as CSDP operations and the African Peace Facility; highlights the importance of fostering security and stability by promoting good governance and the rule of law and helping our partners to build more resilient states and societies, including through capacity building and security sector reforms, the creation of more and better jobs, especially for young people, the empowerment of women and the support of education; points out that state capture, characterized by oligarchic control and extractive practices by parts of the state bureaucracies, lies at the root of many of Africa’s socio-economic problems and political conflicts, and should be addressed as such by the EU;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for continued EU support to African partners in the area of peace and security and conflict prevention, including through specific instruments such as CSDP operations and the African Peace Facility; highlights the importance of fostering security and stability by helping our partners to build more resilient states and societies, including through capacity building and security sector reforms, by supporting our African partners in securing the energy supply through environment-friendly and sustainable resources, with simultaneously supporting off-grid solutions, the creation of more and better jobs, especially for young people, the empowerment of women and the support of education;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the pursuit of common interests and cooperation on security must be totally consistent with the EU’s fundamental values and with the objectives of supporting democracy and promoting human rights and the rule of law; further believes that these objectives should be pursued, to the maximum extent possible, in synergy with other external economic and political players in Africa, including China; believes that EU and China should become partners, rather than competitors, in promoting peace, stability, rule of law and inclusive economic growth in Africa; furthermore, calls for a more strategic, comprehensive and structured approach to political dialogue under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, with the greater involvement of civil society and a stronger people-to-people dimension;
Amendment 58 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance of the effective implementation of external EU policies that are able to address the real root causes of migration; calls for increased joint efforts to implement the Valetta Action Plan based on a fair and true partnership with third countries of origin and transit; recalls the importance of a balanced and holistic approach in the new partnership framework; stresses that the new partnership framework with third countries must not become the only pillar of EU action on migration and should extend beyond a quantitative approach focused mainlynarrow focus on border management;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the need to rebuild the EU-ACP relationship on fresh foundations as a fair partnership between equals, respectingthat promotes the strategic interests and shared values of the respective partners, and countries’ heterogeneity and sovereigntybutes to the strengthening of global governance and a rules-based multilateral order; stresses that the partnership must have as its objectives the United Nations SDGs, the meeting of basic needs and respect for human rights; believes that EU's engagement with ACP countries should also be conditional on the partner governments' commitment to the principles of good governance and the rule of law;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the negative effects of association agreements on the economies of ACP countries; tTakes the view that the new partnership will need to be based on developing the countries’' productive capacities, and completing the most advantageous regional integration processes, protecting traditional agriculture, and combating land grabbing, the privatisation of national natural resources and public services, and over- exploitation; emphasizes the need for combating land grabbing; in this context, calls on the EU to promote the consolidation of land property rights, including adequate registration and titling of property, in the partner countries concerned, so as to prevent economic exploitation of the most vulnerable groups;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Invites ACP countries to audit their debts with a view to their complete elimination, and invites them to claim reparations for the spoliation of natural resources by foreign multinationals, and for the wars that have been sparkedBelieves that the EU should be at the forefront of international efforts to manage and reduce the external debt burden of ACP countries; supports the United Nations working group on an international framework for sovereign debt restructuring;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the universality of the human rights enshrined in international law, including international law on migrants and refugees, must be respected, along with the Geneva Convention; urges countries to ratify the United Nations Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families; believes that working towards an effective multilateral framework for managing global migration flows should become a strategic priority for a future EU-ACP partnership;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the decision by the United Nations to create a legal instrument to ensure that businesses respect human rights, in order to put an end to labour exploitation, neo-modern-day slavery, illicit capital flows and the financing of terrorism and armed conflicts; calls on the EU and ACP partners to step up cooperation on combating money- laundering and tax evasion;
Amendment 90 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines the importance of putting an end to foreign interference in the internal affairs of ACP countries, and to neocolonial policies; supports the idea of dismantling all foreign military basBelieves that EU-ACP dialogue should also be mobilized for developing joint approaches to regional and global security challenges, particularly in the areas of conflict prevention, peace- building and security sector reform, in line with the EU's comprehensive approach; further calls for intensified cooperation in the fight against terrorism, organized crime and other transnational security challenges.
Amendment 93 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Encourages the European Council to lead the progressive framing of the EDU, with a view to its establishment under the next multiannual political and financial framework of the EU (MFF); takes the view that the Lisbon Treaty provides a solid basis for the EDU; highlights the need for the establishment of a Council format of Defence Ministers to provide sustained political leadership and coordinate the framing of a European Defence Union;
Amendment 157 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Strongly believes that only joined- up approach to capability development, including through the consolidation of functional clusters such as European Air Transport Command, can generate the necessary economies of scale to underpin a European Defence Union; further believes that strengthening EU's capabilities through joint procurement and other forms of pooling and sharing could provide a much-needed boost to Europe's defence industry, including SMEs, with positive consequences for growth and jobs; supports targeted measures to incentivize such projects, including through tax exemptions, in order to reach the EDA benchmark of 35 percent of total spending in collaborative procurement, as called for by the EU Global strategy; believes that the introduction a European Defence Semester, whereby Member States consult each other's planning cycles and procurement plans, can help overcome the current state of defence market fragmentation;
Amendment 206 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that while NATO must remain the foundation of collective defence in Europe, the political priorities of the Alliance and the EU may not always be identical, not least in the context of US pivot to Asia; further notes that the EU possess a unique set of security-related instruments which are not available to NATO, and vice versa; is of the opinion that the EU should assume greater responsibility for security crises in its immediate neighbourhood, and thus contribute to NATO's tasks, especially in the context of hybrid warfare and maritime security; believes that, in the long-run, reform of the Berlin Plus arrangements may prove necessary, also to enable NATO to make use of EU's capabilities and instruments; underlines that EU's ambition of strategic autonomy and framing of a European Defence Union must be realized in full synergy with NATO, and must lead to more effective cooperation, equitable burden- sharing and productive division of labour between the Alliance and the EU;
Amendment 212 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Believes that a European Defence Union, which envisages the EU's ability to rapidly and autonomously respond to security crises, necessitates the strengthening of intelligence-sharing and joint situational awareness of Member States, with a view to build an autonomous and well-staffed EU intelligence structure which could support the planning and conduct of EU's civilian and military operations; opines that such an intelligence agency could encompass both military and civilian aspects of intelligence, in line with the EU's holistic understanding of security; points out that today's disjointed institutional landscape in the field of intelligence hampers the EU's ability to respond to crises, and undermines its role as a credible security and defence actor in the neighbourhood and globally;
Amendment 56 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the information warfare targeting the West was first introduced by the Soviet Unionwas an indisputable fact and an integral part of the Cold War, and has since been an integral part of modern warfare, targeting not only partners of the EU, but also all Member States and citizens irrespective of their nationality or religion;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Russian strategic communicationpropaganda accompanied numerous incidents, including cyber-attacks on Estonia in 2007, the war in Georgia in 2008, disinformation following the Smolensk crash in 2010 and the downing of MH-17 in 2014 and also, on an unprecedented scale, during the annexation of Crimea, aggression against Ukraine and more recently the migration crisis;
Amendment 94 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Da’'esh and many other Islamic terrorist groups have often used communicationpropaganda strategies as part of their actions against the WestEU and to boost recruitment of European youth;
Amendment 114 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that strategic propaganda against the EU comes in many different forms and uses various tools, often tailored to match Member States’' profiles, with the goal of provoking doubt, paralysing the decision-making process, discrediting the EU institutions in the eyes and minds of its citizens and eroding westerEuropean values and transatlantic ties;
Amendment 143 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the multi-layered character of current EU strategic communications at various levels, including NATO, the EU, the Member States, and NGOs as well as civic organisations; calls for the best possible coordination and exchange of information between the different actors involved; believes that, in the EU context, Community institutions should be tasked with such coordination;
Amendment 183 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia has been aggressively employing a wide range of tools and instruments, such as special foundations (Russkiy Mir,) multilingual TV stations (Russia Today, RIA Novosti), news agencies (Sputnik), social and religious groups (including the Orthodox church), social media and internet trolls to challenge WesterEuropean values, divide Europe, gather domestic support and create the perception of failing states in the EU’'s eastern neighbourhood;
Amendment 213 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is seriously concerned by the rapidly growing Russian activity in Europe seeking to increase Russian influence and hegemony; stresses that a large part of Russian strategic communicationpropaganda is aimed at describing countries in central and eastern Europe as belonging to its traditional sphere of influence, thereby undermining their sovereignty; notes that falsifying history is one of its main strategies;
Amendment 260 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that the EU is a targeted audience for Da’'esh and other networks and organizations which promote extreme forms of political Islam, including Wahhabist and Salafist ideologies supported by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf States; calls for the EU and its Member States to work more closely to protect society, in particular young people, from recruitment and radicalisation; calls on each Member State to investigate the socio-demographic reasons that are at the root cause of vulnerability to radicalisation;
Amendment 302 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recognises the possible impact of hostile propaganda on decision-making processes in the EU; calls therefore for the EU Strategic Communication Task Force to be reinforced by turning it into a fully- fledged unit within the EEAS, responsible for the eEastern and for the sSouthern neighbourhoods, with proper staffing and adequate budgetary resources;
Amendment 307 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Is convinced that, in order to effectively counteract hostile propaganda, the EU and its Member States need at their disposal deep and comprehensive intelligence to identity and analyse its sources and impact; calls therefore on the Commission and Member States to initiate steps towards the establishment of a European Intelligence Agency, endowed with adequate resources and institutional autonomy to provide relevant intelligence that could be used to combat propaganda and strategic communication efforts directed against the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe isand Iran are now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU; points out that EU's credibility as a global actor, as demonstrated in the Iran nuclear negotiations, is tied to EU's consistency in promoting universal rights as a basis for its external action;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that EU has the opportunity and a strategic interest in Iran's re-integration into the international system, a goal that is most effectively pursued by strengthening the forces of reform, openness and the rule of law in Iran;
Amendment 47 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoplesand subject to Iran's willingness to tackle critical issues pertaining to democracy and universal values, and respect for human rights obligations enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and, the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement wiInternational Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practicenternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU- Iran relations; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, not least to build a wider basis for growing cooperation between the EU and Iran, and to step up EU's engagement with Iran's civil society;
Amendment 69 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that, to overcome existing mistrust and suspicion on both sides; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and on the basis of Iran's sustained commitment to improve its human rights situation and a constructive role in regional security, the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of a reciprocal partnership between Iran and the EU;
Amendment 90 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on thDeplores Iran's extensive use of the death penalty; nevertheless beli, and its status as a country with the world's highest levels cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line withof executions per-capita; is particularly worried by the scale of juvenile executions and death penalty for drug-related crimes, and points out that they contravene Iran’'s own legal commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly- elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;
Amendment 120 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dHighlights the scope for EU assistance and dialogue on combating drug trafficking, provided that Iran authorities take steps to abolish the prasctically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % accorde of juvenile executions as a matter of urgency; ing to Iranian estimates); calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the countryhis context, invites the Commission and the EEAS to explore options for stronger EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;
Amendment 136 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing anmoving towards a future institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement.;
Amendment 145 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goalUnderlines that European investments are critical for reaching Iran's own stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent, economic environment conducive to international investment and take, including the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, stability of property rights, and anti- corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’'s efforts in this reform process via, in particular, support for workwhich, if successful, could pave the way towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’'s largest economy outside the WTO; supportbelieves, in this regard,that the EU should, in principle, encourage and support Iran’'s bid to join the WTO; , once and if Iran moves forward the requisite reforms;
Amendment 173 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls the impact that extraterritorial USthe lifting of international sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, will have on the willingness of businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters tobelieves that both Iran and EU have a shared interests in createing the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;
Amendment 178 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that the lifting of sanctions by the EU and the international community as laid down in the JCPOA is an important element in demonstrating European good faith towards Iran, as well as providingwill yield mutual economic benefits; calls for emphasis to be placed on the quality as well as on the quantity of investments, and for an initiative to assess whether new investments uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights similar to that undertaken when sanctions were lifted in Myanmar/Burma;
Amendment 242 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interestsIranian strategic interests are best served by a restored regional stability, and their pursuit does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;
Amendment 271 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Believes that the nuclear deal opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’'s security crisis, which have been compounded by Iran's support for Shia militias, strategic competition with Saudi Arabia, as well as Iran's involvement in Iraqi political and security affairs; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iranbetween Iran and other key players;
Amendment 292 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should call oresult in Iran to playing a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political rather than religious differences and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;
Amendment 305 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes Iran’s readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and calls for additional efforts to bring Calls for additional and sustained efforts by Iran to help bring all the militias operating in Iraq under the authority of the Iraqi army; points out that Iran's political and funding to the military activities of Hezbollah and Hamas contribute to the deterioration of regional security, and calls on Iran to hallt the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’eshpolicy; points out that Iran, the EU and the rest of the international community have a shared responsibility and interest in defeating ISIS/Da'esh, encourages Iran's to step up its contribution, in maximum coordination and cooperation with the global coalition; notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’'esh;
Amendment 350 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Believes that Iran’'s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human rightsis and must not be an impediment for greater internal and external openness, and progress toward democracy, rule of law and adherence to human rights; declares the EU's maximum readiness to support Iran on this path through mutual dialogue and expansion of cooperation;
Amendment 21 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas many present and future challenges and threats to the EU are complex and will come from inside just as much as from outside the common borders; whereas a stronger political will for resolute common action on the part of the EU and its Member States is needed in order to respond effectively to these challenges, to safeguard the EU’'s values and societal model and to be a stronger global actor; whereas the EU Global Strategy on foreign and security policy must pave the way for this development;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the threats identified in the 2003 European Security Strategy – terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure and organised crime – remain for the most part relevant; whereas today the EU is faced with a number of additional challenges, such as the attempts by revisionist powers to redraw borders by force by violating international law and challenge rules- based global order, climate change, major migratory flows, and cyber and hybrid warfare and threats;
Amendment 35 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas, in light of deterioration in regional security, EU must attach priority to stabilization of its immediate neighbourhood, but without forgoing its global commitments; whereas security crises on the EU's doorstep are compounded and shaped by global trends, and, conversely, effective management of regional security is a prerequisite for EU's capacity to act globally;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
– Defend the European states, societiUnion, its Member states and values
Amendment 80 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the primary objective of the EU must be to guarantee the security of its citizens and of its territory while safeguarding its values and societal model and pursuing its fundamental interests. The EU must therefore ensure both itsand its Member States must therefore ensure the resilience of democratic institutions and fundamental values; believes that new common institutions are needed to counter the expanding range of the internal and its external resilience, itsthreats, endowed with adequate resources and possessing the capacity to anticipate, pre-empt and resolve predictable threats and to be prepared to take swift and joint action on unpredictable threats, and its capacity to recover from various types of attack, as well as safeguarding security of supply of energy and raw materials;
Amendment 88 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that heightened levels of internal and external security threats, including terrorism and hybrid warfare, necessitate enhanced cooperation and integration in the area of intelligence gathering, situational awareness and shared analysis; emphasizes the need for greater coherence and institutional consolidation of the intelligence capabilities at the disposal of the EU and its Member States, leading to the establishment of a fully-fledged EU intelligence agency; further believes that more cooperation and pooling of resources is needed to combat cross- border crime, working toward a vision of a common European bureau of investigation;
Amendment 116 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that in the future the EU and its Members States will have to rely less on the United States for provision of security, and take greater responsibility for their own security and territorial defence and managing security crises in the neighbourhood. Calls on the EU and the Member States, therefore, to improve their strategic autonomy regarding defence capabilities and capacities, in order to be prepared to respond to the broad spectrum of civilian and military threats and risks, in full complementarity with NATO;
Amendment 153 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that a principal objective should be to move towards voluntary joint defence forces and the framing of a common defence policy which will ultimately lead to a common defence, with an integrated operational command and a flexible financing mechanism. Supports, therefore, the drafting of a White paper on EU Defence, thereby updating the Helsinki Headline Goal from 1999;
Amendment 159 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly believes that CSDP capabilities should be used more pro- actively and strategically, with an emphasis on conflict-prevention and peace-building in the EU's immediate neighbourhood; recalls, however, the lessons of recent military interventions, which dictate that any decision on the use of CSDP military assets be inscribed in robust multilateral frameworks and regional coalitions to address post-conflict vacuum governance and security vacuum;
Amendment 166 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the vital importance of strengthening EU-NATO cooperation, and supports the establishment of European forces which complement NATO in territorial defence and are able to conduct intervention operations autonomously beyond the EU’s borders;
Amendment 180 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the EU to pursue closer synergies with the UN crisis management, conflict mediation and resolution instruments, in full compliance with UN Charter; likewise calls on the EU to ensure that regional organisation take up more responsibility for co-operative security governance, and their role in the UN architecture is further elevated and more clearly defined;
Amendment 231 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Strongly believes that the EU must continue to uphold the territorial integrity of its neighbours and partners, and well as their freedom to choose political and trade alliances and pursue European integration; contends that EU's unwavering commitment to its neighbours' sovereignty must be matched by practical support to enhance their resilience against external coercion and hybrid threats; further believes that such efforts must be accompanied by the pursuit of a sustainable, inclusive and rule-based security order in Europe, drawing on the principles, legal instruments and institutional structures of the OSCE and other relevant bodies; calls on the EU to step up its engagement in the resolution of existing frozen conflicts in the Eastern neighbourhood;
Amendment 237 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for sustainable management of asylum and migration policies on the basis of common principles and solidarity; in this context, asks the Commission to propose effective and sustainable solutions; believes that in this regard the EU should promote a more practical and comprehensive approach to assistance in Africa; calls on Member States to cohere around a constructive and European approach and overcome narrow national narratives; believes that in this regard the EU should promote a more practical and comprehensive approach to assistance in Africa, as well as a new collective framework for managing irregular migration in the Southern neighbourhood; call for stepped-up engagement with regional powers in pursuit of a sustainable security arrangement in North Africa and the Middle East, including a UN-sanctioned mechanism of consultations and guarantees that would allow for effective multilateral cooperation on state-building and security governance in post-conflict settings or failed states, thus addressing the root-causes of the refugee and migration crises;
Amendment 258 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that inclusive multilateral diplomacy under the leadership of the VP/HR is a crucial tool in conflict resolution in the neighbourhood; believes that more links and synergies need to be made between diplomacy and home affairs, underpinned by new institutions, such as common European armed forces and a European intelligence agency;
Amendment 278 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that the EU should be a constructive and resilient global actor with a regional focus and aspire to be a ‘'rule- maker’', establishing efficient multilateral global governance; warns that multipolarity without effective global governance is a threat to world peace and stability;
Amendment 285 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Is of the opinion that EU must not scale down its commitment to a rule- based, open and equitable multilateral system, with UN at its core, but needs to develop more flexible approaches and creative modes of engagement in response to a more fragmented and contested nature of many multilateral regimes; in this respect, believes that the EU should continue to promote reforms of key multilateral institutions to render them more legitimate and effective, conditional upon the ability and readiness of emerging powers to bear a greater share of responsibility for addressing common challenges;
Amendment 294 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 302 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Recalls the significant and growing role that energy security will play in EU internal development and its relations with local, regional and international partners; calls for swift and full implementation of the five pillars of the Energy Union; believes that it is the strategic interest of the EU to endow the European Commission with a prerogative to co-negotiate and co-sign all contracts on energy supplies from and production in third countries;
Amendment 332 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises that enhancing cooperation with global and regional actors on global threatctors and strategic investment into the building of regional architectures is necessary in order to achieve a global rules-based order; believes that pairing up on specific sectoral issues with interested regional actors allows European values to be shared, particularly through the work of the European Endowment for Democracy and other EU instruments for the promotion of democracy and human rights, and contributes to growth and development; notes that establishing closer relationships with non- state actors and civil society is also necessary and that the way the EU builds and defines partnerships needs to be reviewed;
Amendment 346 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the Union’'s prosperity is determined by its capacity to stay competitive and to profit from a high- paced global economy, and tied to the maintenance of an open, fair and rules- based regime of global trade;. The EU must use all its policy tools in a coherent manner to create favourable external conditions for the sustainable growth of the European economy. The EU must be an engaged and active actor, promoting free trade and investment, secure trade channels and increased market access throughout the world, and safeguarding the stability of the global financial system; supports a dual- track strategy whereby bilateral or plurilateral trade agreements come to reinforce, rather than undermine, global norms and multilateral initiatives;
Amendment 353 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 369 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Is convinced that, as the largest contributor to UN budget, the EU is both entitled and duty-bound to push for meaningful reforms of the UN institutional system that would make it more effective in addressing global challenges of security and sustainable development, and work toward upgrading its own legal and political status, including in the UN Security Council; further believes that, as part of wider efforts to foster a renewed architecture of global governance, the EU should promote reforms of the UN SC that would dispense with the obsolete post-WW2 arrangement and reflect real distribution of power and influence from military, economic or climate change perspectives;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the persistent instability and conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood have a serious impact on the mass influx of migrants; believes that a genuine response to the migration crisis in the Mediterranean will come only from tackling the geopolitical and socio-economic root causes, namely poverty, instability, wars, state failure, persecution, violations of human rights and natural disasters, which will require strategic leadership from the EU, in cooperation with key regional powers, in restoring a stable security order in the wider Middle East;
Amendment 67 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Advocates broader and intensified EU cooperation with third countries of origin and transit, through bilateral agreements, in order to clamp down on smuggling and trafficking networks, to ensure capacity building in the fields of asylum systems and border control, to provide protection for people in need, to develop frameworks for regular migration and mobility, and to put into force a humane and effective return policy for irregular migrants; calls on the EU and its Member States to step diplomatic efforts to develop a new collective framework for managing irregular migration in the Southern neighbourhood;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the EEAS to engage regional powers in the pursuit of a sustainable security arrangement in North Africa and the Middle East, including a UN-sanctioned mechanism of consultations and guarantees that would allow for effective multilateral cooperation on state-building and security governance in post-conflict settings or failed states such as Syria, Libya or Yemen, thus addressing the root- causes of the refugee and migration crisis; in this respect, commends the EU's support for the UN-led mediation efforts in Libya, but calls for closer and more constructive engagement of regional actors, above all Saudi Arabia and Egypt, to make the state-building process sustainable; is concerned by the continuing lack of any viable EU strategy to counter ISIS, as well as by the EU's absence from ongoing diplomatic efforts to the end the civil war in Syria;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas developments in the region since 2004, but in particular in the last few years, have shown the ENP to be unable to respond adequately and prompt, creatively and flexibly to the rapidly changing and challenging circumstances;
Amendment 99 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance and timeliness of the review of the ENP; emphasises that the revised ENP should be able to provide a quickrapid and adequppropriate response to the situation on the ground, while also putting forward a comprehensive long-term vision for developing relations with the neighbouring countries; points out that the ENP review should be conducted in full alignment and coherence with the revision of the European Security Strategy of 2003;
Amendment 138 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes in the continued value of its initially stated objective of creating an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, based on the founding values and principles of the Union, through a deep structural transformation in the neighbouring countries; stresses therefore the need to go back to basics and bring this objective back to the top of the agenda, taking into account lessons learned and balancing the consistency in principles with a tailor-made approach to individual partners;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that respect for the universal fundamental values of human rights, rule of law and democracy on which the EU is founded, as well as the principles of international law, must remain at the core of the revised policy;
Amendment 163 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the renewed policy must be more strategic, with a real political vision, and politically drivendriven by a political rather than a bureaucratic logic; calls for special envoys to be appointed for the East and the South, with the task of politically coordinating the revised policy as well as instilling greater visibility and overall coherence;
Amendment 177 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly believes that a successful and effective neighbourhood policy of the EU is a prerequisite for realizing its global objectives; conversely, is concerned that the failure to reform the ENP in a way that restores stability and promotes prosperity in the neighbourhood would result in a further loss of EU's international credibility and influence;
Amendment 190 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges that short-, medium- and long- term priorities and strategic objectives be defined, bearing in mind that the ENP should aim to create different levels of cooperation in different areas among and with the ENP countries; stresses that in defining its approach the EU should look at its priorities and those of the individual countries concerned, together with their level of development, considering the interests of society on the whole and not only those of the politicaland aspirations of societies rather than merely political or administrative elites;
Amendment 259 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need to reshape the ENP in order to build strong, lasting partnerships with the ENP countries; calls for the technical aspects of the policy to be underpinned by a clear political vision; that promotes EU's interests and values;
Amendment 298 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Warns that the absence of a forward- looking and positive vision of future relations with the most ambitious partners, including in the context of Article 19 TEU, undercuts the logic of conditionality, and leaves partners without a geopolitical anchorage to underpin their reform process;
Amendment 358 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the ENP to be developed into a more tailor-made and flexible policy framework able to adapt to the diversity that exists among partner countries; underlines that differentiation should take place not only between Eastern and Southern partners but also among the ENP countries themselvewithin the two regional dimensions;
Amendment 400 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that security and stability are basic concerns in the neighbourhood and that current developthe sharply deteriorating security environments in the region calls for a strong security component in the ENP, which has regrettably been missing to date;
Amendment 436 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the need for an overarching political strategy to restore the European political order while ensuring full compliance with international law and commitments, as laid down in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, based on respect for human rights, minority rights and fundamental freedoms, independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states, and peaceful resolution of conflicts; notes that, on the basis of these principles, the Organisation for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE), as the biggest regional organisation responsible for security, can play an important role in this regard;
Amendment 451 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the revised policy to support partner countries in building proper state structures to deal with security issues, such as effective law enforcement, intelligence and security, which should be accompanied by proper parliamentary oversight; stresses that the EU should engage in areas such as security sector reform; considers that a new emphasis on security cooperation should reflect the strategic interests of both the EU and the partner countries;
Amendment 453 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Reiterates its support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the partner countries; takes the view that ENP should contribute to and be supportive of these principles in practice; recalls its position that occupation of territory of partner country violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the Eastern Partnership and the ENP; emphasizes the need for the earliest peaceful settlement of the frozen conflicts on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, namely territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders;
Amendment 513 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Believes that multilateral structures of the ENP ought to be consolidated and developed more strategically, given the centrality of "effective multilateralism" in the Union's foreign policy; calls the Commission and the EEAS, furthermore, to explore opportunities for an institutional interlink between the ENP and the neighbourhood policies of other regional players, above all Turkey;
Amendment 538 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the EU to develop effective mechanisms of support to ENP partner countries who are pursuing an ambitious European agenda and, as a consequence, are suffering from retaliatory measures, trade coercion or outright military aggression by third countries; reiterates that, while the ENP is not aimed against any other strategic player and rejects the notion of a zero-sum geopolitical competition in the neighbourhood, the EU must provide credible commitments and robust political support to partners who wish to align more closely with it;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in reaction to and despite Russia’'s aggression against Georgia and violation of its territorial integrity in 2008, the EU opted for an increascontinued cooperation model as a way to appease Russia; whereas, in line with this, rather than taking restrictive measures, a series of generous initiatives for deeper cooperation – such as the common spaces, the Partnership for Modernisation, the negotiations on a New EU-Russia Agreement, and the Human Rights dialogue – have been launched or deepened;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU has firmly supported Russia’s accession and participation in different international organisations and fora, such as the G8, the G20 and the WTO; whereas this strategy of including Russia in international decision-making bodies has not had the results expected but instead created tensions owing to Russia’s habit of breachingrepeated violation of rules, e.g. its non- compliance with WTO standards and obligations (by introducing a number of discriminatory measures against individual EU Member States and other countries in its neighbourhood), its failure to implement more than a thousand judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, etc.;
Amendment 169 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that, in the light of Russia’s direct and indirect involvement in the war in Ukraine, amounting to a deliberate violation of the core of the democratic principles Russia's policy of military aggression, economic coercion, political destabilization and dangerous provocation directed against its neighbours, including EU Member States, constitutes a deliberate violation of international law and fundamental Europeand values sustained by the EU and widely shared internationally, and a threat to peace and security in Europe; believes that, as a result, the EU cannot envisage a return to ‘'business as usual’;', and calls for a critical re-assessment by the EU of its relations with Russia, and for the drafting, as promptly as possible, of a soft-power contingency plancomprehensive strategy to counter the aggressive and divisive policies conducted by Russia against the EU and its partners;
Amendment 192 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that at this point, Russia, because of its actions, can no longer be treated as, or considered, a ‘'strategic partner’'; points out that strategic partnerships are only conceivable with countries that do not jeopardise the international order, which is based on democracy, state sovereignty (including the choice of internalrule-based cooperation, state sovereignty, inviolability of state borders, freedom to choose domestic constitutional orderarrangements and foreign policy orientation), the inviolability of state borders, respect for the rule of law and the principles of international trade, and mutual trustrespect for the rule of law and the principles of open international trade, and mutual trust; believes that, given Russia's shared responsibility for maintaining security in Europe, the EU should remain open to a mutually beneficial and truly strategic partnership in the long-run, conditional upon Russia's adherence to international law and to the spirit of cooperation;
Amendment 222 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned by the fact that Russia now openly positions itself, and acts, not as a partner of, but as a rival to the international democratic community, seeking toEU, and challenges the currentestablished rule- based international order, and is not least by seeking the process ofo redrawing borders within Europe by force; is extremely worried by the tendency of the Russian authoritiesgovernment to systematically denigrate liberal democracy and to consider the democratic process and European integration of neighbouring countries as a threat to their own rule;
Amendment 240 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that any improvement in EU-Russia relations must henceforth be based on the rule of law and on preconditioned dialogue, whereby the EU would be ready to relaunch cooperation with the authorities in Moscow on the condition that Russia unambiguously and without pretence takesbe conditioned on the Russian government unambiguously assuming its share of responsibility andfor the fully implementsation of the Minsk Agreements; stresses that in order to ensure that such a dialogue – if renewed (for which the return of Crimea to Ukraine would be a prerequisite) –renewed dialogue and cooperation is not conducted at the expense of European values, standards and international commitmentcommitments to EU's Eastern partners, it would be necessary to specify very clearly the EU’'s expectations of Russia, along with the retaliatory measures it would take should Russia not keep to its commitments;
Amendment 275 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends the solidarity and the unity demonstrated by the Member States in the context of Russia’'s undeclared war against Ukraine, allowing for the adoption and further extension of responsive measures; welcomes the decision of the European Council in March to link the duration of the existing sanctions regime to the full implementation of the Minsk agreement; calls on the Member States to consider as an absolute priority the preservation of this unity; reiterates that unity and solidarity amongst the Member States, as well as between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of the EU’'s policiesexternal action and its ability to withstand externalsecurity challenges and pressures;
Amendment 296 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines, in this regard, that the strengthening of internal policiesinternal political cohesion, notably through closer integration, is the keycornerstone of an efficient, and successful EU external policy; calls, therefore, on the Member States to carry on with, and intensify their efforts towards, the effective elimination of decision-making bottlenecks and the consolidation of common policies, with the aim of minimising the vulnerabilities of these policies and maximising their resilience, in particulartrategic foreign and security policy of the Union, including vis-a-vis Russia ; calls for deeper cooperation and integration in the field of defence and security, notably by moving toward a vision of common European armed forces, with an integrated operational command and a flexible financing mechanism, as well as a fully- fledged EU intelligence agency, not least in the context of addressing threats stemming from the rise of hybrid warfare; believes that effective foreign and security policy requires further institutional consolidation and maximization of synergy effects in the areas of trade, financial services and transactions, migration, energy, external borders management, information and cyber security;
Amendment 303 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers that, given current trends in Russia's domestic and foreign policy, the EU should develop a new paradigm for bilateral relations that would transcend the erstwhile mode of ever-closer cooperation and economic interdependence, on the one hand, and the Cold-War model of containment and confrontation, on the other; asserts that a nuanced EU strategy for future relations with Russia should prioritise the protection of the fundamental values and security interests of the Union, as well as the sovereignty, territorial integrity and European choice of its Eastern partners, while allowing for meaningful dialogue with Moscow on a stable and functioning security order in Europe, including by addressing Russia's legitimate security or trade concerns, conditional upon full implementation of the Minsk agreements; opines that, in light of historical and recent experience, any new security arrangement must contain a categorical rejection of the instrumental use of ethnic or language minorities for geopolitical gains; further believes that a rebalanced policy toward Russia would require a more pro-active and self-confident role of the EU as an autonomous security actor, not least through greater engagement in resolution of existing frozen conflicts in the Eastern neighbourhood;
Amendment 314 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Firmly supports the swift creation of a robust European Energy Union, specifically the interconnection of national energy networks in order to reduce considerably the dependence of individual Member States on external energy suppliers; is of the firm conviction that the challenges to and vulnerability of European solidarity, and the exposure of individual Member States, to the illegitimate use of energy as a political and diplomatic bargain chip can only be combatted efficiently through the full implementation of the Third Energy package and the completion of a transparent, integrated, synchronised and resilient European internal energy market; highlights the critical importance of establishing a joint mechanism to coordinate Member States negotiations of bilateral energy supply contracts, and ultimately, of empowering the EU to negotiate contracts on behalf Member States as a way of strengthening intra-EU solidarity and overall security of energy supply;
Amendment 325 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls the EU's readiness to consult Russia on the trade and economic implications of the Association and DCFTA Agreements signed with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, notably in the framework of WTO rules and commitments but also through engagement with the Eurasian Economic Union, but reiterates that, as a third party, Russia possesses no right to influence the content or implementation of these agreements;
Amendment 340 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the necessity and relevance of the suspension ofding cooperation with Russia in the defence sector, and calls on the Member States to refrain from taking any decisions that could jeopardise this united position; is therefore of the view that, notwithstanding their undisputable bilateral nature, agreements in the field of defence cooperation between some Member States and Russia should be assessed carefully at EU level, with a view to defining an appropriate and consistent approach; calls for the EU’'s cooperation with NATO to be consolidated further;
Amendment 366 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Renews its call for the development of EU reconnaissance capabilities of weaponised information and the preparation of informTakes the view that, while the EU has neither the need nor the desire to engage in Cold-war type ideological warfare with Russia, it must develop appropriate instruments of strategic communication to countingency plans, including the strengthening of analytical and monitoring capabilities, especially in the Russian language, in order to be ableer Russian subversive propaganda and targeted misinformation; renews its call for the development of EU reconnaissance capabilities and contingency plans to identify, and respond swiftly and appropriately to, purposefully biased information; within the EU and abroad; in this regard, calls on the Commission to earmark without delay adequate funding for concrete projects aimed at countering Russian propaganda within the EU and abroad; calls on the Commission and the Member States to devise as well a coordinated mechanism for the collection, monitoring and reporting of financial, political or technical assistance provided by Russia to political parties and other organisations within the EU, with a view to assessing its involvement in, and influence over, political life and public debate in the EUengaged in subversive actions;
Amendment 390 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the EU to provide support to grass-roots projects aimed at developing high journalistic standards, freedom of the media, and unbiased and trustworthy information in Russia, and at deconstructing propaganda within the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries; supports the initiative to develop Russian- language media channels, with a view to providing a credible and accessible alternative to biased information for Russian-speaking minorities in the EU and in the Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 406 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates that uncompromising respect for the rule of law is a core and founding principle of the EU, and rejects past attempts to put forward pragmatic interpretations of the rules to accommodate Russia as a trade partner; calls, therefore, on the strict, swift and unconditional application of the rule of law – in the event of any breach of the rules – and of the principle of free and fair competition in the single market, including in the proceedings against Gazprom;
Amendment 110 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
Amendment 147 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weaponIt should be possible for Member States to choose to authorise persons dedicated to the gathering, study and conservation of firearms and associated artefacts for historical, cultural, scientific, technical, educational, aesthetic or heritage purposes and recognised as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established and holding in theirto possession firearms classified in category A acquired before the date of entry into force of this Directive should be able to keep those firearms in their possession subject to authorisation by the Member State concerned and provided that those firearms have been deactivated, provided that those persons demonstrate, prior to being granted authorisation, that they have taken the necessary measures to address any risks to public security or safety, including by way of secure storage. Any such authorisation should take into account and reflect the specific situation, including the nature of the collection and its purposes.
Amendment 200 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) The acquisition and possession of firearms should only be permitted if, inter alia, there is good cause. It should be possible for Member States, whilst not being under any obligation in that regard, to find that the acquisition and possession of firearms for the purpose of, for example, hunting, target shooting, various scientific, technical or testing activities, or re-enactment of historical events, filmmaking and historical study can constitute good cause.
Amendment 202 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In order to ensurincrease the traceability of deactivated firearms, they should be registered in national registriesfirearms and separately sold essential components and to facilitate their free movement, the provisions of Directive 91/477/EEC should be clarified to ensure that both an assembled firearm and all separately sold essential components, are marked irremovably at the time of their being manufactured, imported, unless the firearm has been deactivated in accordance with that Directive. This requirement is not applicable to firearms and separately sold essential components that were in circulation at the time of the entry into force of this Directive.
Amendment 261 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Selling arrangements of firearms and, their essential components and ammunition by means of distance communication may pose a serious threat to security as they are more difficult to control thshould be subject to the control of the Member States and their conventional selling methods, especially as regards the on line verification of the legality of authorisations. It is therefore appropriate to limit the selling of arms and components by means of distance communication, notably internet, to dealers and brokersmpetent authorities should verify the identity of the persons engaged in such transfer and of their entitlement to do so.
Amendment 305 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point -a a (new)
Article 1 – point -a a (new)
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 1a
Article 1 – paragraph 1a
Amendment 319 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 1b
Article 1 – paragraph 1b
1b. For the purposes of this Directive, "essential component" shall mean the barrel, frame, receiver, slide or cylinder, bolt or breaech block and any device designed or adapted to diminish the sound caused by firing a firearm which, being separate objects, are included in the category of the firearms on which they are or are intended to be mounted.
Amendment 381 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point d
Article 1 – point 1 – point d
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) the manufacture, including modification or conversion of essential components, trade, exchange, hiring out, or repair or conversion of firearms;
Amendment 385 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point d
Article 1 – point 1 – point d
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point ii
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point ii
(ii) the manufacture, including modification or conversion, trade, exchange, hiring out, or repair or conversion of parf essential components of firearms;
Amendment 395 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point d
Article 1 – point 1 – point d
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point iii
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point iii
(iii) the manufacture, trade, exchange or conversionincluding modification or conversion, other than for private use, as well as trade or exchange of ammunition.
Amendment 430 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that any assembled firearm or separt placed on tately sold essential component, when market has been markednufactured or imported, has been marked with an irremovable mark and registered in compliance with this Directive.
Amendment 440 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
For the purposes of identifying and tracing each assembled firearm and each separately sold essential component, Member States shall, at the time of manufacture of each firearm or at the time of import to the Union, require a unique marking includingand each separately sold essential component, or at the time of its being placed on the market or imported into the Union or as soon as possible thereafter, require a unique marking including, as far as assembled firearms are concerned, the name of the manufacturer, the country or place of manufacture, the serial number and the year of manufacture, if not already part of the serial number. This shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer's trademark. Separately sold essential components must be marked with a serial number. This requirement is not applicable to firearms and separately sold essential components that were in circulation at the time of the entry into force of this Amending Directive.
Amendment 465 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 485 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 4 – point a
Article 1 – point 4 – point a
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – second sentence
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – second sentence
This at data-filing system shall record each firearm's type, make, model, calibre and serial numberall information relating to firearms which is needed in order to trace and identify those firearms. That information shall include each firearm's type, make, model, calibre and serial number, and any conversions to a firearm resulting in its being reclassified in another category under part II of Annex I, including its certified deactivation or destruction and the date thereof, as well as the names and addresses of the supplier and theof each person acquiring or possessing the firearm. The record of firearms, including deactivated firearms, shall be maintained until destruction of, including the dates of acquisition and, where applicable, the end of possession or transfer to another person, unless such transfer concerns a firearm which has been registered as deactivated. The current records relating to each firearm and the person possessing it shall be immediately accessible to all authorised authorities. All records relating to the firearm shasll been certified by the competent authorities. maintained in an electronically retrievable format for an indefinite period after its certified deactivation or destruction.
Amendment 513 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph1 – introductory part
Amendment 537 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall establish rules on appropriate storage of firearms, essential components and ammunition, including when under transport, ensuring a level of security proportionate to the risk of unauthorised access and to the nature and category of the firearms concerned.
Amendment 550 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall provide for standard medical tests for issuing or renewing authorisations as referred to in paragraph 1monitor firearms authorisations and shall withdraw authorisations if any of the conditions on the basis of which it wasthey were granted isare no longer met.
Amendment 617 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 638 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 663 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 7
Article 1 – point 7
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 (new)
The maximum limits shall not exceed five yearsduration of an authorisation shall not exceed ten years, unless Member States have implemented a system of continuous monitoring as referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 5(2). The authorisation may be renewed if the conditions on the basis of which it was granted are still fulfilled.
Amendment 678 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 7 a (new)
Article 1 – point 7 a (new)
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 10
Article 10
(7a) Article 10 is replaced by the following: "The arrangements for the acquisition and possession of ammunition shall be the same as those for the possession of the firearms for which the ammunition is intended." (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/SK/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31991L0477&from=EN) The acquisition and possession of ammunition shall be permitted only for persons who are allowed to possess a firearm of a respective category or who are otherwise authorised to that effect under national law." Or. en
Amendment 703 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 1 – point 8 a (new)
Amendment 847 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive [312 months after publication to the OJ]. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions.
Amendment 127 #
2014/2816(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses that the deepening of EU's relations with Georgia, and the acceleration of its European path, should not be to the detriment of EU's engagement with other countries of the South Caucasus; fully supports the progressive differentiation within the Eastern Partnership framework - so as it to match the partners' varying levels of ambition and capacity - but nonetheless believes that a regional approach is essential for the EU to effectively contribute to stability and economic development of the South Caucasus, including as regards conflict resolution in the region; expects the Georgian government to support these objectives by pursuing good-neighbourly relations and playing a constructive regional role, including in security affairs;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the country’s political and economic progress is hampered by pervasive internal and regional security problems, such as Taliban extremism, sectarian strife, suicide and targeted killings, and lawlessness in the tribal areas, compounded by the weakness of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of EU development and humanitarian assistance, and whereas the EU is Pakistan's largest export market;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas Pakistan is an increasingly important partner of the EU in combating terrorism, nuclear proliferation, human and drug trafficking, organized crime, and in the pursuit of regional stability;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the EU and Pakistan have recently chosen to deepen and broaden their bilateral ties, as exemplified by the 5-year engagement plan, launched in February 2012, and the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, held in June 2012;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is encouraged by recent tangible progress in the dialogue between Pakistan and India, especially as regards trade and people-to-people contacts, made possible by the constructive attitude of both parties; regrets that achievements of the dialogue remain vulnerable to contingent events, such as theongoing incident of 6 August 2013s on the Line of Control separating Pakistan- occupied and Indian-occupied parts of Kashmir; asks both governments to ensure appropriate chains of command, accountability of military staff, and military-to-military dialogue, in order to avoid similar incidents in the future;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises Pakistan’s legitimate interest in building up strategic, economic and energy ties with China; considers it important, however, that closer Pakistani- Chinese relations reinforce, rather than undermine, geopolitical stability in South Asia;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Takes note of Pakistan's pursuit of full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a welcome sign of the country's ambition to become more involved in multilateral initiatives; notes, however, the absence of formal cooperation mechanism between the SCO and the EU, and points to divergences in their respective normative bases and outlooks on global issues;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that Pakistan’s democratic transition has engendersed an opportunity for the EU to follow a more explicitly political approach in bilateral relations and provision of assistance; believes that EU support to Pakistan should prioritize the consolidation of democratic institutions at all levels, strengthening of state capacity and good governance, build-up of effective law enforcement and civilian counter-terrorism structures, including an independent judiciary, and empowerment of civil society and free media;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Invites the EEAS and the Commission to formulatpursue a nuanced and multi- dimensional policy towards Pakistan that synergises all the relevant instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as political dialogue, security cooperation, trade, and assistance, in line with the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action and in view of preparations for thea next EU-Pakistan summit;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Further asks the EEAS, the Commission and the Council to ensure that EU policy towards Pakistan is contextualised and embedded in a broader strategy for the region, thereby reinforcing EU interests in Afghanacross South and Central Asia; considers it important that EU bilateral relations with Pakistan, and across South as well as Central Asianeighbouring countries, in particular India, China and Iran, also serve to discuss and coordinate policies with respect to the situation in Afghanistan, to ensure a targeted approach; stresses, in this regard, the need for increased EU-US policy coordination and dialogue on regional issues;
Amendment 48 #
2013/2168(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reiterates that progress in bilateral relations is linked to improvement in Pakistan’s human rights record, in particular as regards eradicating modern- day slaverybonded labour, curbing gender-based violence, enhancing women’s rights, including that of access to education, promoting tolerance and protection of vulnerable minorities, preserving freedom of religion and belief, including by easing the strict anti- blasphemy legislation, and moving towards abolition of the death penalty;
Amendment 81 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the initialling by Georgia and the Republic of Moldova of the Association Agreements, including provisions on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, at the Vilnius Summit in November 2013 as well as the European Council conclusions of 19-20 December 2013 that reconfirmed the readiness of the EU to sign these agreements as soon as possible and no later than the end of August 2014; reminds that the European Union remains ready to sign the Association Agreement, including provisions on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, with Ukraine as soon as Ukraine is ready;
Amendment 88 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecogniseConsiders that the EaP projecstern Partnership project requires a thorough assessment of its effectiveness, including an accurate evaluation of its successes and failures and that it needs new impetus and a clear vision for the way forward, focusing not only on the political cooperation, but aiming to anchorstrengthen contacts and cooperation between the societies of the EaP to the EU, thus urges the EU to focus particularly on establishing visa-free regimes, on investing in youth and future leaders, and on the energy sectorempowerment of civil society;
Amendment 99 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that the outcome of the Vilnius Summit highlights the need to enhance the strategic character of the Eastern Partnership; recommends therefore to make flexible use of the tools at the EU's disposal, such as macro- economic assistance, easing of trade regimes, projects to enhance energy security and economic modernization, and swift implementation of visa liberalization, in line with European values and interests;
Amendment 104 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that more progress can be made on the establishment of theWelcomes the proposal of the European Commission to allow visa-free travel to the Schengen area for Moldovan citizens; considers that swift progress toward visa- free regimes should be made a priority, and calls for more efforts in this area; notes, in this connection, that visa liberalisation is only one of a number of processes aimed at bringing the societies closer together, and that more efforts are required in this area, particularly with regard to advancing cooperation in the fields of education and cul, science, culture and infrastructure; considers that greater emphasis should be placed on the fact that the EaP project is directed at societies rather thanand not only at authorities;
Amendment 129 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the importance of focusing more on the consolidation of the energy sector, which is one of the main conditions for modernisation of the economy, and developing energy strategies in line with European Energy Community obligations; calls for the continuation of gas and electricity market reforms and an adequate share of energy from renewable resources; recognizes that Eastern Partnership countries' energy dependence on Russia and inadequate diversification of supply complicate the dynamics of European integration, and calls on the European Commission and Member States to fast- track projects that will help mitigate the condition;
Amendment 143 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for a more individualistailored approach to individual partner countries, implementing the principles of differentiation, evaluating the progress of each partner country ba and more- for-more, but with overall coordination; strongly believes that the depth and scope of relations with each partner country should reflect its own European ambition, commitment to shared values, and progress in aligning with EU legislation, assessed on the basis of clear benchmarks and on its own merits, but with overall coordination;
Amendment 164 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets, furthermore, the insufficient desire among EaP partner countries to build a common message and engage in common efforts vis-à-vis the EUcommends to further strengthen the multilateral track of the Eastern Partnership in order to foster a climate of cooperation and good neighbourly relations that will support the objectives of political association and particularly economic integration; believes that multilateral cooperation should be further strengthened to advance cross-border and regional cooperation, especially in areas such as transport, people-to-people contacts, environment, border security, and energy security;
Amendment 198 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 207 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Condemns the pressure exercised by Russia on several Eastern Partnership countries und underlines their sovereign right to freely determine their relations with the EU; highlights the need to address this in talks with Russia as well as the need for a serious discussion among EU Member States on new new ways of constructively engaging Russia in initiatives that reflect common interests of a secure, stable and prosperous European neighbourhood, thus overcoming the obsolete and dangerous thinking on terms of spheres of influence; in this context, considers that the EU, Russia and the Eastern Partnership countries should cooperate more closely for the resolution of the protracted conflicts in their common neighbourhood;
Amendment 222 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers, furthermore, that promoting joint activities with other strategic partners and cooperation in international and European organisations would be beneficial to all concerned; recalls, in this regard, the EU's standing offer for Russia to participate in Eastern Partnership projects and initiatives, and reiterates that a prosperous, well-governed and stable neighbourhood is in Russia's own interest;
Amendment 280 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Reiterates that the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict poses a major impediment to regional security as well as to futher development of the Eastern Partnership; calls for rapid and substantial progress towards its resolution, on the basis of international law, relevant UNSC resolutions, and OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles; underlines the importance of credible confidence-building measures, notably general de-militarization and withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied territories surrounding Nagorno- Karabakh; calls on the EU to continue to actively support the resolution process;
Amendment 48 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Deplores the fact that the EU has not yet developed a strategy for its relations with the world and that its activities are defined more by reaction than by action; demands, therefore, a fundamental strategic debate, which should include the Council, the Commission and Parliament; welcomes, in this respect, the "Global Europe Strategy" initiative pursued by the foreign ministers of Sweden, Spain, Poland and Italy;
Amendment 86 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Welcomes the development of "strategic partnerships" as a format for the EU's engagement with established as well as emerging powers; contends, however, that the concept requires more clarity as regards its place in the EU foreign policy architecture, and more consistency as regards the normative and descriptive criteria that distinguish strategic partnerships from other modalities of EU's bilateral and multilateral relations; underscores the importance of strategic partnerships as a vehicle for the pursuit of bilateral as well as multilateral ends; emphasizes that coordination and synergies - across policy domains as well as between EU Member States and institutions - are key to the success of EU's strategic partnerships;
Amendment 140 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Criticises Russia's use, in violation of international norms (e.g. the Helsinki Accords), of the instruments of energy and trade policy to blackmail countries in the European neighbourhood so as to hinder their sovereign decisions; believes, furthermore, that progressive integration of partner countries with the EU is consistent with their pursuit of good- neighbourly relations with Russia; firmly rejects zero-sum game as a paradigm for EU's and Russia's relations with the Eastern Partnership countries; considers it necessary for Russia to adopt a constructive position with regard to frozen conflicts;
Amendment 172 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Notes that the European Neighbourhood Policy is in crisis, given the developments in numerous countries; believes, therefore, that, for reasons of solidarity and on account of our interest in peaceful and free development, the EU must strongly focus its instruments, inter alia by strengthening multilateral approaches in the region; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to consider opportunities for an institutional interlink between the ENP and the neighbourhood policies of key regional players, such as Turkey, or EU strategic partners, such as the US; stresses that the EU needs to give greater priority to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP);
Amendment 233 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Expresses its deep concern about the situation in Egypt and the excessive violence by all parties, including both state security forces and opposition forces; stresses that the EU should not take sides and welcomes the EU foreign ministers' decision of 21 August 2013 to suspend all export licences for equipment which could be used for internal repression; urges the military and the Muslim Brotherhood to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue and calls for an inclusive political agreement and for power to be transferred to democratically elected leaders as soon as possible; urges the EU, and in particular HR/VP, to capitalize on its unique position and networks of relationships among the key players and continue its mediation efforts toward a political settlement on the basic parameters of a democratic transition;
Amendment 242 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Considers regrettable the lifting of the EU's arms embargo on Syria, as it is a dangerous step towards the re- nationalisation of EU foreign policy; condemns the tragic and ongoing bloodshed in Syria, which has already had a devastating humanitarian impact, including on neighbouring countries, in particular Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey; calls for the immediate and full investigation by the UN of the horrific chemical weapons attack and for a united international response; encourages the EU Member States and the EEAS to work toward a common understanding as to what constitutes an appropriate response to such gross breaches of international norms in the EU neighbourhood; underlines the urgency of convening the Geneva II talks in order to initiate a political solution and bring an end to the deadly spiral of violence;
Amendment 255 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Expresses hope for the Middle East peace negotiations and recalls that resolving the conflict in the Middle East is a fundamental interest of the EU, as wellWelcomes the resumption of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians; stresses its commitment to a two-state solution, based on the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps and Jerusalem as of the parties themselves and of the wider region; stresses, therefore,capital city of both states; stresses that the need for progress in these negotiations is even more urgent on account of the ongoing changes in the Arab world, the Syrian crisis and the particularly volatile situation in the wider Middle East; calls on the Member States to find common ground for more decisive action by the EU in close cooperation with the Arab League and the other members of the Quartet;
Amendment 277 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59 a (new)
Paragraph 59 a (new)
59 a. Reiterates the importance of EU's strategic partnership with South Africa; contends that South Africa, given its record of successful and peaceful transition to democracy and its role as a regional power, can be a major force in promoting democracy and good governance, fostering regional economic integration, and supporting national reconciliation across Africa, and a key partner for the EU in these efforts; stresses the importance of close cooperation between the EU and South Africa on climate change, sustainable development and reforms of international institutions;
Amendment 413 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29a (new)
Paragraph 29a (new)
29a. Underlines that closer bilateral cooperation on regional affairs is not simply a matter of common interests and resource synergies, but of strategic necessity, especially in the context of the Arab Spring; appeals to the Council, the Commission, the EEAS and the Government of Turkey to transcend unresolved disputes and, in the spirit of the positive agenda and as a way of reinforcing the accession track, associate Turkey more substantially in the Union's institutional framework for external action, defence, and neighbourhood policy; is of the opinion that, wherever appropriate, Ankara should be invited to participate in the structures of the European Neighbourhood Policy, including in the Task Forces set up with Tunisia, Egypt and other countries of the Southern Neighbourhood;
Amendment 158 #
2012/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital BS
Recital BS
BS. whereas the respect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities is explicitly recognised among the values referred to in Article 2 TEU and the Union is committed to promoting these values and combating social exclusion, racism, anti- Semitism and discrimination;
Amendment 161 #
2012/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital BT
Recital BT
BT. whereas the responsibility of Member States to ensure that the fundamental rights of all are respected, irrespective of their ethnicity or belief, covers all levels of public administration as well as the law enforcement authorities and also implies actively promoting tolerance and firmly condemning phenomena such as racial violence and hate speech, anti-Semitic and anti-Roma hate speech, particularly when it is expressed in official or public forums including in the Hungarian parliament;
Amendment 167 #
2012/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital BW
Recital BW
BW. whereas, although intolerance against the members of Roma and Jewish communities is not a problem solely associated with Hungary and other Member States are faced with the same predicament, recent events have raised concerns as to the increase in anti-Roma and anti-Semitic discoursehate speech in Hungary;
Amendment 300 #
2012/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Notes that the Hungarian Parliament has enacted legislation in criminal and civil areas to combat racial incitement and hate speech;, points out, however, that legislation on its own cannot achieve the goal of creating a society free from intolerance and discrimination throughout Europe, especially when it is not being actively implemented;
Amendment 304 #
2012/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Underlines that the authorities in all Member States have a positive obligation to act to avoid violation of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and, cannot remain neutral and should take the necessary legal, educational and political measures when faced with such violations;
Amendment 487 #
2012/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 – indent 20
Paragraph 61 – indent 20
– to take positive action and effective measures to ensure that the fundamental rights of all persons, including persons belonging to minorities, are respected;
Amendment 86 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Believes that a comprehensive approach to the Union's external action necessitates, inter alia, greater alignment and mutual reinforcement of the CFSP and the European Neighbourhood Policy; welcomes, in this context, the joint policy response of the Commission and the EEAS to events in the Southern Neighbourhood, exemplified by the "Joint Communication" of May 25, 2011; believes, furthermore, that multilateral structures of the ENP ought to be consolidated and developed more strategically, so as to effectively advance the foreign policy priorities of the Union; contends that, given the centrality of "effective multilateralism" in the Union's external action, the EAAS and the Commission should explore the viability of the ENP's multilateral track to serve as a framework for organizing political relations in the wider Europe;
Amendment 202 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. CSupports the Union's policy of critical engagement with Russia; considers Russia as an important strategic partner, but continues to have concerns regarding Russia's commitment to the rule of law, pluralist democracy and human rights; urges the EU and its Member States to step up efforts to assist Russian authorities in improving the rule of law and enacting economic reform, in particular via the Partnership and Modernization framework; recommends, in addition, that EU institutions and Member States develop new and flexible mechanisms for engaging a wider range of political and societal actors, including emerging ones;
Amendment 211 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38 a. Welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on Russia's accession to the WTO; calls on the EU and Russia to intensify negotiations on a comprehensive and legally-binding agreement; recalls the indispensable role of the EU-Russia strategic partnership in maintaining peace and security in Europe, enhancing trade and economic development, preserving energy security, and addressing transnational challenges; is of the opinion that, in the long-term, the rise of Asian powers is likely to facilitate further alignment of interests and closer strategic cooperation between the EU and Russia;
Amendment 278 #
2011/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to explore opportunities for an institutional interlink between the ENP and the neighbourhood policies of key regional players, above all Turkey; recalls Ankara’s ambition to inspire and assist democratic transitions and socio- economic reforms in the Southern Neighbourhood; notes that participation of Turkish institutions and non- governmental organizations in ENP instruments would generate unique synergy effects, especially in areas such as institution-building and civil society development; believes that practical cooperation ought to be complemented by a structured dialogue between the EU and Turkey in order to coordinate their respective neighbourhood policies; recommends that a similar offer of cooperation in the ENP framework should, in principle, be extended to Russia and other relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the European Council conclusions of 16 September 2010,
Amendment 16 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, within the process of consolidation of strong economic and foreign policy powers such as the BRICS, a multi-polar system has emerged, where global leadership is increasingly shared amongst several countries and regional blocks of countries; whereas such a multi- polar system entails a progressive shift in global economic power to the BRICS and other emerging economies and further entails a shift of sovereigntypower and control, in foreign policy terms, from existing powers to emerging powers; whereas the current economic crisis has accelerated the process of transfer of powers from existing to emerging powersis transition towards a multi-polar system;
Amendment 33 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the consolidation of the economic and political power of the BRICS and other emerging countries as the world's largest economiepowers may not necessarily be associated with the transition from low-income economies to middle-income economies and, thereby, the emergence and consolidation of a large middle class; whereas the lack of a large middle class in such countries would mark the end of the substantial role in world affairs of countries characterised by affluent societies and a stable and moderate political orientationa higher standard of living of the population is essential for social stability and development in these countries;
Amendment 42 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the BRICS display considerable divergences in their political and economic systems, demographic and social trends, and foreign policy outlooks; whereas these differences are likely to constrain the capacity of the BRICS to act as a coherent block on the international scene;
Amendment 43 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas the European Council conclusions of 16 September 2011 stressed that in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, and in line with the European Security Strategy, the EU and its Member States would act more strategically so as to bring Europe's true weight to bear internationally and that the EU's strategic partnerships with key players in the world provide a useful instrument for pursuing European objectives and interests;
Amendment 55 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses how the current economic crisis has demonstrated the interdependence between the emerged powers and the BRICS and other emerging countriepowers; points out that stable economic growth of the latter is clearly conditional on stable economic growth of the former, and vice versa; emphasises that political and economic ties between emerged and emerging economies are mutually beneficial and believes that further political understanding and coordination with the BRICS and other emerging countriepowers should thus be pursued by the EU, within the framework of strategic partnerships, as a matter of priority;
Amendment 64 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that the interdependence between, on the one hand, the emerged powers and, on the other, the BRICS and other emerging powers maintains a relevant economic dimension, but its essentially politicalffective management requires political solutions, as both the emerged and the emerging powers share an interest in ensuring an effective system of global governance and in tackling together those global stability and security risks which may curb the global growth potential;
Amendment 77 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Strongly rejects the contention that, in view of the emergence of new economic and foreign policy powers and potential rivals, the West should agree to relinquish its leadership and focus on managing its decline. C; contends, rather, that the West and, in particular, the EU should focus on achieving the necessary economies of scale and develop concerted efforts to enable it toEU should act more strategically so as to bring Europe's true weight to bear internationally also by managing the implications of interdependence, instigating reforms of global governance, and mobilizing collective action in areas such as the rule of law, sustainable environment, regional security etc., through constructive interaction with the emerging powers constructively and effectivelyBRICS and other emerging powers; points out to the need to develop an inclusive system of global governance based on cooperation and coordination with the BRICS and other emerging countries,powers as appropriate; points further to the key role of the West and, particularly, the EU in promoting an inclusive system of global governance such as this;
Amendment 81 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the concept of bilateral strategic partnerships and urges the Council and the EEAS to operationalise it; considers strategic partnerships to be a promising and potentially transformative tool of organizing and advancing EU’s relations with key players in the global arena, including the BRICS and other emerging powers; recommends that this instrument be used by the EU to pursue both multilateral and bilateral agendas and to develop meaningful linkages between the two; underlines that internal coherence is vital for the EU to act and be perceived as a genuine strategic interlocutor to the BRICS and other emerging powers;
Amendment 89 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the BRICS have embarked on quasi-permanenta coordination of their foreign policyies by abstaining from the vote on UNSC Resolution 1973 (2011) on Libya (South Africa was not yet part of the BRICS at that time), by deferring the vote on the EU'’s role in UNGA, and through their coinciding positions on Côte d'’Ivoire, Sudan and the placement of weapons in outer space, as well as by coordinating their action through the BRICS Leaders'’ meetings; points out that the BRICS seem to be challengingand other emerging powers have expressed dissatisfaction with the current system of international governance; believes that if the EU will duly take into account the new weight, in political and economic terms, of the BRICS and other emerging powers, this may contribute to an orderly reform of global governance without any destabilising effects;
Amendment 97 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes, however, the considerable divergences in the political and economic systems, demographic and social trends, and foreign policy outlooks of the BRICS, which should inform, and be reflected in, a nuanced EU policy towards these countries; urges, in this context, the EU and its Member States to discourage the entrenchment of and strategic competition between blocks of emerged and emerging powers, respectively; contends that, in order to promote international collective action and the reform of global governance, the EU must leverage a diverse range of bilateral, multilateral and non-state interactions, and harness issue- based coalitions that cut across the emerged/emerging world divide;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Underscores the importance of Brazil as a leading power of the MERCOSUR regional integration process; welcomes the renewed EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan 2012-2014, and the mutual commitments made in the areas of democracy promotion and reforms of the multilateral system of governance; urges both sides to honour their commitments and contribute to the reform of the world's financial architecture; recalls the offer made by President Rousseff regarding the support for the EU to overcome its sovereign-debt crisis, and acknowledges the interrelation between both; expresses its support to a balanced and fair conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda and the EU- MERCOSUR Association Agreement, which will be the most important association agreement ever signed by the EU, encompassing 750 million people and commerce worth 125 billion dollars a year; takes note of Brazil's request to have full visa liberalisation and asks the Commission to present a proposal in that regard;
Amendment 100 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Highlights the indispensable role of EU-Russia strategic partnership in maintaining peace and security in Europe, enhancing trade and economic development, preserving energy security, and addressing transnational challenges; urges the EU and Russia to resolve outstanding issues related to Russia’s entry into the WTO and finalize negotiations on a comprehensive and legally-binding Agreement opines that, in the long-term, the rise of Asian powers is likely to facilitate further alignment of interests and closer strategic cooperation between the EU and Russia; believes that such cooperation is vital for progress on issues of global importance, such as nuclear proliferation, terrorism, climate change or illegal migration;
Amendment 101 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Highlight the importance and potential of the EU-India strategic partnership; considers that, in the current global economic crisis, issues such as social crisis, climate change, migration flows and global security should be addressed in a more comprehensive partnership between India and the EU; also notes that the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations are reinforcing the EU-India relations: considers, however, that this relationship should not be limited to trade issues; calls on the re- establishment of a India-Europe Friendship Group, including representatives of the European Parliament and of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha;
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 103 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 f (new)
Paragraph 4 f (new)
4f. Underscores the strategic nature of EU-South Africa relations; welcomes the positive outcome of the fourth EU-Africa summit of September 2011, in particular the convergence of views on the situation in Libya; urges the EU and South Africa to conclude, as soon as possible, negotiations on a new Economic and Partnership Agreement; contends that South Africa, given its record of successful and peaceful transition to democracy and its role as a regional power, can be a major force in promoting democracy and good governance, fostering regional economic integration, and supporting national reconciliation across Africa, and a key partner for the EU in these efforts; stresses the importance of close cooperation between the EU and South Africa on climate change, sustainable development and reforms of international institutions;
Amendment 104 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that, in light of the increasing relevance of the BRICS and other emerging economiepowers and the looming multi- polar system of global economic governance, the G- 20 is the appropriate forum for consensus building and for a decision-making process which is inclusive and able to foster convergence, including regulatory convergence; takes the view that notwithstanding the increasing relevance of the G-20, the G-7 maintains a key role as a consultative, coordinating and consensus- building forum for the emerged powers with a view to dialogue with the BRICS and other emerging economiepowers, and ahead of G-20 meetings; supports the G-20 parliamentary dimension and believes that it should be further consolidated and involved in the decision-making processes to ensure a reinforced democratic dialogue and scrutiny;
Amendment 122 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, given the increasing global and regional relevance of China, the United Statesthe BRICS, and of Aemerica may progressively shift its primary attention, political investment and resources to the Pacific andging Asian powers in particular, the United States of America may perceive the North Atlantic dimension and cooperation with the EU as less strategic; further notes that Asia will have to play a progressively important role on the foreign agenda of the European Union and European Union Member States; expresses concernnotes that the stance of the United States and the EU towards China and other emerging countries in Asia may not be sufficiently coordinated and may lead to a decoupling of US and EU policies towards such countries; strongly believes that only by coordinating their efforts will the USA and the EU attain the required economies of scale to engage in an effective dialogue with the emergingthe BRICS, and emerging Asian powers in particular, may lead to a decoupling of US and EU policies towards such countries; takes the view that, in addition to the G-7, regular EU-US summits would provide the opportunity to identify common objectives and coordinate strategies;
Amendment 130 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the importance that the overall coordination of EU foreign policy towards the BRICS and other emerging economiepowers should lie with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; believes that the EU should strive to achieve, under the coordination by the High Representative, a better linking of foreign and security policy with EU sectoral policies, such as development, energy security, trade, access to raw materials and rare earths, climate change and, migration etc., with a view to valorising synergies and ensuring a coherent and systemic foreign policy approach;
Amendment 140 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the EU should have capacity to adjust and reform its internal governance structures in order to ensure a decision- making process able to reflect its plurality and create consensus; urges the Council and the EEAS to devise horizontal and vertical coordination mechanisms that will enable EU foreign policy to benefit from EU institutional synergies and from the density and depth of Member States' bilateral ties with strategic partners, including the BRICS and other emerging powers; stresses the importance that a coherent foreign policy approach at EU level towards the BRICS and other emerging countriepowers be reflected in the organisation of the EEAS; takes the view that with regard to the BRICS, in addition to its organisation along geographical and thematic lines, the EEAS should establish an ad hoc coordinating unitnetwork to ensure that all individual policies towards BRICS are compatible from a systemic point of view and that the policy lines adopted are reflected in the EU dialogue with emerged powers such as the USA, Canada and Japan; believes that the EU delegations in BRICS countries and other relevant emerging countries should form a network aimed at providing continuous monitoring and analysis on relations amongst the BRICS and relevant cross-sensitivities, thus enabling a more systemic approach; believes that the EU ; believes that the EU should direct its resources to leading the reform process of a global system of governance and of international organisations with a view to ensuring a more inclusive consensus- building and decision-making process at global level;
Amendment 149 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the key, positive role of Parliament's Liaison Office in Washington DC in promoting dialogue and cooperation between Parliament and the US Congress, and believes that, building on this kind of positive experience,at the staff of EU Delegations in BRICS countries should include Parliament liaison officers in order to foster a greater understanding of the national parliamentary dimension in each of those countries and promote closer cooperation and dialogue between the European Parliament and national parliaments on a bilateral basis; believes that, in addition to its existing delegations for relations with Russia, India, China and South Africa, respectively, a delegation for relations with Brazil should also be considered;
Amendment 160 #
2011/2111(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the aforementioned Commission Communication on ‘A Budget for Europe 2020’, which draws up a proposal for the design of financial instruments and programmes under the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020; shares the view of the EEAS that the new partnership instrument aimed at supporting EU economic interests in the rest of the world and including non-ODA- eligible activities should be a foreign policy instrument; believes that such a partnership instrument could help consolidate stronger economic ties and thereby stronger political ties with select countries, and welcomes the promotion of regulatory convergence as one of its aims; believes that the new design of financial instruments and programmes should give particular relevance to ad hoc financing lines supporting emerging countriepowers and potentially emerging countriepowers in consolidating democratic structures and developing good governance and the rule of law, good educational systems and progressive social inclusion; welcomes the proposal by the Commission to include the principle of conditionality in all EU programmes and instruments and believes that this is key to achieving more leverage in promoting universal values and good governance;
Amendment 128 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to mainstream the use of “smart” sanctions, and threats thereof, as an instrument of EU human rights policy vis-à-vis the most repressive regimes; is convinced that selective punitive measures, such as asset freezes and travel bans imposed on high- ranking individuals, can and ought to be deployed in a way that does not impede further diplomatic engagement, bilateral trade, provision of EU assistance, and people-to-people contacts; re-iterates, however, that in order to serve as an effective deterrent against human rights abuses, targeted sanctions should be applied systematically, consistently, and with the broadest possible international cooperation;
Amendment 190 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Recommends that EU democracy promotion makes strategic use of the expertise, experience and influence of states that have recently undergone democratization processes and/or are culturally close to target states; is of the opinion that Turkey, in particular, can play a constructive role in helping the EU consolidate the gains of the recent democratic awakening in the Middle East; proposes that collaborative schemes be developed to enlist institutions and organizations from nascent democracies – in the Middle East as well as in the Eastern neighbourhood – to enhance the effectiveness of EU instruments in support of democratization in third countries, especially in the area of institution-building and civil society development;
Amendment 211 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that non-compliance with election results heightens the risk of violence, especially in countries characterized by weak state institutions; emphasizes that while the conduct of free and fair elections is a defining attribute of democracy, its durability crucially depends on the internalized practice of “losers” accepting unfavourable results and “winners” respecting the rights of political opposition and ethnic, religious, tribal or socio-economic divisions alike; urges, therefore, the EEAS, the Council and other EU institutions to pay special attention and resources to this aspect of democratic practice;
Amendment 104 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(qa) to converge on a common position toward the Durban Review Conference (the so-called “Durban 3”), scheduled for September 2011, in order to demonstrate Member States’ willingness and capacity to “speak with one voice” in global forums, to assert the EU’s influence within the UN framework, and to re- affirm its commitment to combat racism, xenophobia and bigotry in a balanced and non-discriminatory way,
Amendment 123 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) Furthermore, to facilitate regional cooperation and advance political relations with and among the Union's neighbouring countries, and to foster creative synergies in the provision of assistance, the Union may, in duly justified circumstances, launch specific initiatives that envisage the participation of countries not listed in the Annex, notably the Union's strategic partners in Southern and Eastern neighbourhoods (e.g. Turkey, Russia, etc), in the financing and implementation of joint actions in Partner countries, including under programme types referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 6(1), in accordance with Article 16(1) and (2). The modalities of such initiatives should be determined on the basis of shared interests and values, in close consultation with beneficiaries, and in a way that enhances the overall objectives of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Amendment 121 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii). the fight against corruption and the cooperation to curb organised crime;
Amendment 153 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the transition process towards Union membership – including the preparation for the implementation of the Schengen acquis and successful adoption of the euro – and capacity building;
Amendment 202 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Amendment 3 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
Amendment 5 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the European Security Strategy (ESS) entitled “A secure Europe in a better world”, adopted by the European Council on 12 December 2003,
Amendment 6 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
Citation 5 b (new)
– having regard to the report on the implementation of the European Security Strategy (ESS) entitled “Providing security in a changing world”, adopted by the European Council on 12 December 2008,
Amendment 13 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
– having regard to the Vienna Group proposal for transferring Iranian uranium to Russia and France and to the bridging proposal sponsored by the governments of Turkey and Brazil in an attempt to delayahead of the passage of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 (2010),
Amendment 23 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran (hereafter referred to as Iran) is facing an array of governance challenges - from power struggles between competing factions within the country’s ruling elites to a crippling social and economic malaise, a problematic regional security environment and rising popular discontent at home - many of which are products of the Iranian regime’s own makinga non- democratic state which systematically suppresses all forms of political opposition and engages in gross violations of human rights, including freedom of expression and association, and freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and torture,
Amendment 35 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the leadership has continuously used the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to suppress internal dissentpolitical opposition, and whereas IRGC intervention in internal Iranian politics has peaked under President Ahmadinejad,
Amendment 52 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Iran has problematic poses a threlations with almost all its neighbours; to stability and peace in the region; whereas especially Israel and the Gulf region feel intimidated by Iran's aggressive rhetoric and its ongoing nuclear programme,
Amendment 59 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there has been a remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and Turkey, and whereas Iran is using its state and non-state allies Syria,Iran lends political and material support to non-state armed organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas, to further destabilise the region,
Amendment 82 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that although President Ahmadinejad was elected in 2005 on a platform of social justice and economic populism, Iran’s domestic problems have continued to deteriorate despite burgeoning oil prices; deplores, therefore, Ahmadinejad’s aim of shoring up his political position at home by embracing a radical international agenda with the expectation that a stridently anti-Western,American and anti-Israel stance will enhance Iran’s leadership position in the Muslim world;
Amendment 97 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Warns that the IRGC is slowgradually taking over Iran; indicates that despite ideological congruity between Supreme Leader Khamenei and the IRGC leadership, the development of the IRGC into a state within a state is turning Khamenei into a hostage in the hands of his own Praetorian Guardpower in Iran, signifying the ascent of “totalitarian” elements within the regime; expresses its deepest concerns that such tendencies will result in the escalation of violence and oppression against political opposition, and an increased incidence of human rights abuses;
Amendment 226 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the proposal of 14 October 2010 by the High Representative to hold a new round of talks in Vienna with representatives of the Iranian Government, noting that official dialogue with Iran over the nuclear issue has been stalled since October 2009;
Amendment 245 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the High Representative to define an EU approach towards Iran that places the nuclear dossier in a wider context of stability, development and good governance in the Middle East, reflects the unique range of policy instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as the European Neighbourhood Policy, takes into account the dynamics of the EU’s relations with key stakeholders in the region, such as Turkey, Syria and Russia, and testifies to the EU’s ambition of being a global security provider;
Amendment 256 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Rejects fiercely the desire expressed by the Iranian leadership to "wipe out" Israel; also fiercely rejects the anti-Semitic rhetoric of the Iranian president, especially his denial of the Holocaust and his underlying agenda of delegitimizing the Israeli state; calls on the EU institutions to safeguard the existence of the Jewish stateIsrael;
Amendment 273 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its concerns on the remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and EU accession candidate Turkey; asks the Council andCalls on the Council and the Commission to constructively engage Turkey in the Ccommission to discuss the Turkish attitude towards Iran with their counterparts in Ankara; calls on the Turkish authorities to follow the European approach towards the Iranian nuclear threaon pursuit of a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear stand-off, taking into account Turkey’s EU membership aspirations as well as its strategic role and recent diplomatic outreach in the Middle East; calls on the EU institutions to do their utmost to sever the lines between Teheran and Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas;