42 Amendments of Liisa JAAKONSAARI related to 2015/2105(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses the fundamental role of trade in the areas of interdependence, peace, growth and employment; notes that EU trade policy is closely interlinked with, but should not override, the aims of the Union's foreign policy and development policy;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the link between the single market and EU trade policy, and the fact that a dynamic, open and freeair global trade system is essential to making the single market function and grow; However, notes that this system needs effective, fair, transparent and strong global rules; Highlights that the multilateral rule-based system under the WTO is the most legitimate mean of managing and expanding trade relations in a more transparent and democratic way;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the need for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as migration policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries; stresses that trade and investment agreements should be part of a wider political relationship; asks for better coordination between the EEAS and Commission DGs, in particular International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), Trade (TRADE) and Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL); stresses that EU Delegations on the ground can play an important facilitation role on the respect of the EU fundamental values and rights;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the link between the single market and EU trade policy, and the fact that open, fair and free global trade is essential to making the single market function and grow; notes that trade should ultimately be for the benefit of citizens and consumers;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the need for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as migrationarms trade, migration policy and development policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that EU trade policy is an instrument of economic diplomacy as it contributes to compliance with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy and peace, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rightsthe universality and indivisibility of human rights, including core labour rights and fundamental freedoms, the respect of human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, the gender dimension, as well as the protection of the environment; underlines the need for the EU trade policy to be consistent with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that, given the EU’s status as the largest economy in the world, fair trade is its strongest policy tool for promoting European values abroad while creating jobs and growth at home;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that trade policy contributes to compliance with the values and standards upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights; Wnotes that European companies and investors have the obligation to uphold these values in order to end bad trade practices such as land grabbing and sourcing of conflict minerals; welcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out that the new trade strategy shall be conducted in the interest of European consumers and in a coherent manner with the principles, objectives and initiatives of the Union´s external actions;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Stresses that the new EU trade strategy should promote wealth distribution, help fighting against poverty and social and economic inequality and contribute to reinforce the rule of law, labour standards, human rights and fundamental freedoms at the same time as it creates economic growth and prosperity;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Points out that the trade policy should be accompanied by appropriate internal EU policies in order to allow consumers and workers in the EU to fully benefit from trade to be equipped with adequate social safety net; recalls the need for EU trade policy to be consistent with the EU´s commitments on human rights and to respect OIT international labour conventions;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the strategy reflects an understanding that protectionism has no place in the EU’s internal or external policies and that European goods and services are part of global value chains which make protectionist measures self-defeatingthat European goods and services are part of global value chains; calls on the Commission and Member States to strengthen cross-border value chains of goods and services enhancing the competitiveness of our economies and economic growth by reducing unjustified trade barriers;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission for further measures against aggressive tax planning and tax avoidance, which distort trade and competition and have a detrimental effect on tax revenue, especially for developing countries;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the GSP, GSP+ and EBA systems are essential tools which enable these values to be upheld anduphold EU values and enable economic development of Least Developed Countries; insists on the importance of their effective implementation and monitoring;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission on one hand to support SMEs going global and to make available more internationalization tools, which would result in increased export capacity, and on the other hand to ensure protection of SMEs from unfair trading practices;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Acknowledges that in order for the EU to secure its place in global value chains a joined-up strategy across different areas of economic policy is needed; stresses the importance to ensure responsible management of supply chains, to tackle aggressive corporate profit shifting and tax avoidance strategies that profit from the fragmentation of value chains; Calls on the Commission for further and ambitious measures against aggressive tax planning and tax avoidance (tax rulings) which distort trade and competition, in order to promote balanced trade and fair competition between Member States and with third countries;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Highlights the importance of promoting innovation and quality as an added value of European products; notes that the recognition in trade agreements of geographical indications should be a priority, it equally notes that the extension of geographical indications to non- agricultural products could be a tool to encourage international trade expansion; notes that this tool could be effective to fight against commercial frauds and counterfeiting of goods at the same time as it fosters R+D and competitiveness for our businesses;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees with the Commission on the need to take a holistic yet ambitious approach to public procurement while ensuring a level playing field for an equal and fair access to it, urges the Commission to defend EU rules and standards when negotiating trade and investment agreements with non EU- countries;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that EU trade policy is an instrument of economic diplomacy and calls on the Commission to put forward proposals to establish trade tools which will make an effective contribution to Europe's anti-terrorismsecurity policy;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission for further study on the impact of EU exports of arms, surveillance technology and dual use technology to third countries on the EU's security landscape and on the effectiveness of the EU's humanitarian and development policy efforts; calls on the Commission for an updated dual-use export control regulation; calls on the Member States for stricter implementation of the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for the systematic inclusion of binding, enforceable and non-negotiable human rights clauses in the EU's international agreements, including trade and investment agreements concluded or to be concluded with third countries, and calls for improved consultation of Parliament in the early stages of the negotiation process for trade and investment agreements, for effective monitoring of the application of human rights clauses and for reporting back to Parliament human rights aspects of the agreements; recalls, to this end, the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2013 and the European Union policy on the matter, as approved by the European Parliament on 12 March, 2015;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees with the Commission on the need to take a holistic yet ambitious approach to public procurement; Notes that the EU has already opened up its Public Procurement markets to a large extent but that European companies still face restrictions abroad;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the need for trade to be sustainable and responsible; notes that responsible trade and investment also means paying a fair share of taxes; underlines the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place; stresses the European Parliament's role in monitoring the negotiation and implementation processes of trade agreements;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the need for trade to be sustainable and responsible; underlines the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place throughout the entire supply chain, in close cooperation with the International Labour Organisation (ILO);
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomesStresses the importance of the Commission’'s pledgecommitment that no trade agreement will lower EU consumer protection standard, labour and environmental standards , which constitute the core of the European social model, while guaranteeing full compliance with the EU acquis;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the Commission’s pledge that no trade agreement will lower consumer protection standards, including in the context of the digital revolution;
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements, including in particular commitments on human rights and core labour rights, by increasing the involvement of Parliament and stakeholders;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Agrees with the Commission that trade policy can work only if Europe continues its focus on better regulation, cutting red tape and increased competition within the single marketremoving obstacles to the completion of the single market; welcomes the Commissions´ commitment upon which every significant initiative in the field of trade policy will be subject to a sustainability impact assessment; reminds the importance of carrying ex post evaluations and highlights that impact assessments and evaluations including appropriate consultation of all stakeholders are crucial for the formulation of sound, transparent and evidence-based trade policies;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Agrees with the Commission that trade policy can work onlybenefit if Europe continues its focuses on better regulation, cutting red tape and increased competition within the single markeand timely regulation within the single market, whilst keeping high levels of protection of consumers, labour and the environment;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that engagement with the WTO and multilateral trade negotiations remain a priority for the EU, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit; urges the Commission to pursue the proposed International Trade Dispute System in order to move beyond the current problematic ISDS in bilateral trade agreements, such as TTIP;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Acknowledges that transparency in trade is fundamental for consumers trust to better regulation and in order to reinforce public trust within the EU and the legitimacy of EU trade policy abroad; thus, considers it essential that transparency should apply at all stages of the negotiating cycle;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the TiSA and TTIP negotiations, calls for them to be completed swiftly, and underlines the need to ensure greater market access for European service providers; Calls for progress in the negotiations on the agreements of TiSA and TTIP to be consistent with the lines set out in the European Parliament's resolutions of 8 July 2015 containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the European Commission on the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)1a and Recommendations to the European Commission on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA)1b especially as regards to the exclusion of services of general interest and services of general economic interest; a high level of consumer protection and labour and environmental standards; and also what concerns to a new public system for resolving disputes; ____________________ 1aP8_TA-PROV(2015)0252 1bP8_TA-PROV(2016)0041
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Encourages the Commission to continue its efforts in the fields of communication, transparency and access to negotiation documents and to improve coordination and information exchange between the Commissioners and the Directorates- General, the EEAS, the Council, Parliament, as well as the consultation with social partners and civil society organizations.
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the current and future exclusion of services of general interest and services of general economic interest from trade agreements (including, but not limited to, water, health, social services, social security systems and education, waste management and public transport); welcomes the commitment by the Commission upon which it will not require governments to privatise any service nor prevent them from renationalising once privatised services, nor expanding the range of public interest services they offer to citizens;
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the Commission to ensure the highest level of transparency, dialogue and accountability; keeping the European Parliament fully and immediately informed at all stages of the negotiations, ensuring the serious and continuous engagement of the EU institutions with all relevant stakeholders throughout the whole negotiation process as well as with national parliaments and regional and local authorities; furthermore calls on the Commission to encourage EU negotiating partners to equally act in widening transparency thus ensuring the democratic foundation of trade policy, strengthening EU citizens trust and preventing misinformation;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the strategy’s focus on the global digital market and preventing the development of new barriers to trade in digital goods and services; supports, in line with data protection rules, all measures to increase the free flow of data;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for negotiations – in parallel to trade agreements – on greater mobility for professionals, recognition of professional qualifications, and visa facilitationSupports greater mobility for professionals, recognition of professional qualifications, and visa facilitation; Considers that the internal market should ensure the free movement of people; asks the Commission together with the Member States to promote a European mobility that ensures freedom of movement, the principle of equal treatment, and equal access to regulated professions while ensuring fair working conditions for all Europeans;
Amendment 86 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages the use and creation of further international technical standards, and all efforts aimed at ensuring the full engagement of our trading partners in international standardisation bodies; safeguarding high EU standards and preserving the current level of protection of the EU legislation.
Amendment 91 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that trade and investment negotiations will increasingly address regulatory issues rather than tariffs, such as in the context of the TTIP negotiations; stresses therefore the role of the European Parliament in monitoring the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements to ensure democratic accountability;
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasise that trade policy should focus on delivering growth, creating jobs and fostering innovation in order to addresses the concerns of those who feel they are losing out from globalisation; to this end, it is considered essential for this new strategy to improve conditions "for all" - citizens, consumers, workers and the self-employed as well as business, especially SMEs, and the poorest in developing countries;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stresses that the EU´s new trade strategy cannot be limited to opening new negotiations but must also ensure the proper implementation of negotiated agreements and combat the rise of new unjustified non-tariff barriers among the EU and its trading partners, which limit the effective access of companies to foreign markets;