BETA

Activities of María MUÑIZ DE URQUIZA

Plenary speeches (76)

Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - EU comprehensive approach and coherence of EU external action (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2146(INI)
Situation in Iran (debate)
2016/11/22
Discharge 2012 (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2206(DEC)
European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/0245(COD)
Non-discrimination in the framework of sexual and reproductive health and rights (debate)
2016/11/22
European integration process of Kosovo (B7-0004/2014)
2016/11/22
Carbon capture and storage technology (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2079(INI)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
2016/11/22
Common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action - Instrument for stability - Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide - Partnership instrument for cooperation with third countries - Establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation - European neighbourhood instrument - Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/0404(COD)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Situation in Syria (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Egypt (continuation of debate)
2016/11/22
Rule of law in Russia
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2667(RSP)
Situation of Rohingya Muslims
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2669(RSP)
Rule of law in Russia (RCB7-0269/2013, B7-0269/2013, B7-0286/2013, B7-0287/2013, B7-0288/2013, B7-0290/2013, B7-0292/2013) (vote)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2667(RSP)
Rule of law in Russia (RCB7-0269/2013, B7-0269/2013, B7-0286/2013, B7-0287/2013, B7-0288/2013, B7-0290/2013, B7-0292/2013) (vote)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2667(RSP)
Situation in Turkey (debate)
2016/11/22
2013 review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2253(INI)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
2016/11/22
European integration process of Kosovo (B7-0089/2013)
2016/11/22
Syria, with specific reference to the humanitarian situation (debate)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
2016/11/22
Situation in Egypt (debate)
2016/11/22
Israeli government's decision to expand settlements in the West Bank (debate)
2016/11/22
Enlargement: policies, criteria and the EU’s strategic interests (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2025(INI)
Latest developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria (debate)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
2016/11/22
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
2016/11/22
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
2016/11/22
Call for concrete ways to combat tax fraud and tax evasion (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2599(RSP)
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/0250(COD)
Enlargement report for Kosovo (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2885(RSP)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
2016/11/22
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/0207(COD)
Situation in Syria (debate)
2016/11/22
Iran and its nuclear programme (debate)
2016/11/22
Parliament's position on the 2012 draft budget as modified by the Council - Mobilisation of the flexibility instrument (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2126(BUD)
Ministerial week’s activity at the UN General Assembly, in particular the Middle East peace process and North Africa (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2828(RSP)
Situation in the Arab world and North Africa - Situation in Yemen - Situation in Syria (continuation of debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2756(RSP)
2012 draft budget trilogue (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2019(BUD)
Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2299(INI)
Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2299(INI)
Situation in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2645(RSP)
EU approach towards Iran (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2050(INI)
Referendum on the future status of Southern Sudan (debate)
2016/11/22
EC-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement - Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EC and Serbia (continuation of debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2007/0255(NLE)
Situation in Western Sahara (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2954(RSP)
State aid to facilitate the closure of uncompetitive coal mines (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/0220(NLE)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Draft general budget of the European Union - 2011 financial year (vote)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Human rights in Iran, in particular, the cases of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani and of Zahra Bahrami (debate)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2236(INI)
Kosovo - Albania (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2611(RSP)
Israeli military operation against the humanitarian flotilla and the Gaza blockade (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2735(RSP)
Annual report on human rights (2008) - EU policies in favour of human rights defenders - Trade in goods used for torture - (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2199(INI)
Situation in Tibet (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Chile and EU humanitarian aid strategy (debate)
2016/11/22
2008 annual report on the CFSP - The implementation of the European Security Strategy and the Common Security and Defence Policy - Non-proliferation Treaty (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2057(INI)
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/0035(COD)
Cuba (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2592(RSP)
Second European Roma Summit (debate)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Opening of the sitting
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Venezuela
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2551(RSP)
Progress made on resettling Guantánamo detainees and on closing Guantánamo (debate)
2016/11/22
Recent earthquake in Haiti (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Iran (debate)
2016/11/22
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/0062(NLE)
Draft general budget of the European Union – 2010 financial year (vote)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
2016/11/22
Iran (debate)
2016/11/22

Reports (1)

REPORT on the EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations PDF (228 KB) DOC (129 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2010/2298(INI)
Documents: PDF(228 KB) DOC(129 KB)

Shadow reports (7)

REPORT on the EU comprehensive approach and its implications for the coherence of EU external action PDF (233 KB) DOC (115 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2013/2146(INI)
Documents: PDF(233 KB) DOC(115 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Members States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part, with the exception of Article 49(3) thereof PDF (132 KB) DOC (59 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2012/0219A(NLE)
Documents: PDF(132 KB) DOC(59 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries PDF (519 KB) DOC (499 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2011/0411(COD)
Documents: PDF(519 KB) DOC(499 KB)
REPORT with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly PDF (202 KB) DOC (106 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2013/2034(INI)
Documents: PDF(202 KB) DOC(106 KB)
REPORT on the EU's approach towards Iran PDF (184 KB) DOC (124 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2010/2050(INI)
Documents: PDF(184 KB) DOC(124 KB)
REPORT Report with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly PDF (208 KB) DOC (124 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2010/2020(INI)
Documents: PDF(208 KB) DOC(124 KB)
REPORT report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability PDF (200 KB) DOC (235 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2009/0058(COD)
Documents: PDF(200 KB) DOC(235 KB)

Opinions (9)

OPINION on Discharge 2012: general budget - European External Action Service
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Documents: PDF(135 KB) DOC(209 KB)
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2012, Section III – Commission and executive agencies
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Documents: PDF(132 KB) DOC(208 KB)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Documents: PDF(178 KB) DOC(291 KB)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Documents: PDF(165 KB) DOC(329 KB)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Instrument for Stability
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Documents: PDF(166 KB) DOC(310 KB)
OPINION on Parliament’s position on the 2012 Draft Budget as modified by the Council – all sections
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Documents: PDF(106 KB) DOC(86 KB)
OPINION on a mandate for the trilogue on the 2012 draft budget
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Documents: PDF(112 KB) DOC(88 KB)
OPINION The interinstitutional Agreement on cooperation in budgetary matters
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Documents: PDF(174 KB) DOC(191 KB)
OPINION on the effects of the global financial and economic crisis on developing countries and on development cooperation
2016/11/22
Committee: INTA
Documents: PDF(100 KB) DOC(83 KB)

Shadow opinions (5)

OPINION on the draft Council decision concerning the renewal of the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and the Government of the Russian Federation
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Dossiers: 2013/0282(NLE)
Documents: PDF(104 KB) DOC(53 KB)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Dossiers: 2013/0128(COD)
Documents: PDF(136 KB) DOC(348 KB)
OPINION on the Annual Report from the Council to the European Parliament on the Common Foreign and Security Policy in 2012
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Dossiers: 2013/2081(INI)
Documents: PDF(103 KB) DOC(199 KB)
OPINION on Recommendation to the EEAS and to the Council on the 2013 review of the organisation and the functioning of the EEAS
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Dossiers: 2012/2253(INI)
Documents: PDF(101 KB) DOC(71 KB)
OPINION on the Annual Report from the Council to the European Parliament on the Common Foreign and Security Policy
2016/11/22
Committee: BUDG
Dossiers: 2012/2050(INI)
Documents: PDF(112 KB) DOC(81 KB)

Amendments (578)

Amendment 1 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 7 July 2011 on EU external policies in favour of democratisation1;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
- Having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2013 on corruption in the public and private sectors : the impact on human rights in third countries2;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the priority theme of the 58th session of the Commission on the status of women will be on the challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas corruption in public and private sectors perpetrates and aggravates inequalities and discrimination when it comes to equal enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, and that it is proven that acts of corruption and human rights violations involve the misuse of power, lack of accountability and various forms of discrimination;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the ratification of both Kampala Amendments by States and the activation of the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over the crime of aggression will further contribute to end impunity for the perpetrators of this crime;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
c. to seek to strengthen the process of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by embedding recommendations in bilateral and multilateral dialogues with UN members, particularly human rights dialogues; to foster an environment enabling NGOs to provide ensure that civil society is allowed to contribute as fully as possible to the Universal Periodic Review process and otheir input into the various stages of the UPR processUN human rights mechanisms, and without fear of reprisals upon return to their home country; to condemn reports of such reprisals and ensure that such cases are followed up in a systematic manner;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
- Torture c a . to reiterate the importance of fighting against torture and other forms of ill- treatment and the priority that the EU places on this issue, especially with regards to children; to renew the Special Rapporteur's mandate for another three years, and to ensure effective follow-up to past resolutions on torture; to demonstrate common commitment to eradicating torture and to supporting victims, notably by continuing, or, where applicable, starting to contribute to the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the Special Fund established by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c b(new)
- Death penalty c b. to continue fighting against the use of the death penalty and to strongly support the moratorium, as a step towards abolition; to continue to push for abolition worldwide; to strongly urge countries still carrying out the capital punishment to publish clear and accurate figures on the number of sentences and executions;. - LGBTI rights c c. to express concern about the recent increase in discriminatory laws and practices, and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity; to encourage close monitoring of the situation in Nigeria and Uganda, where new laws seriously threaten the freedom of sexual minorities; to reaffirm its support to the continued work by the High Commissioner on Human Rights to combat these discriminatory laws and practices and the work of the UN more generally on this issue; to recommend active participation in combatting these attempts to undermine these rights;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
d. to reiterate its full support for the International Criminal Court, and remain vigilant regarding any attempts to undermine its legitimacy; to actively develop an EU position on the crime of aggression and the Kampala amendments;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
e. to actively campaign for the ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption and the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime by all UN members; to support the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on financial crime, corruption and human rights;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
The role of womWomen and children
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
n a. to actively participate in the 58th session of the Commission on the status of women in order not to undermine the "acquis" of the UN Beijing Platform for action such as for example, access to education and health as a basic human right, including sexual and reproductive rights; to strongly condemn the use of sexual violence against women as a tactic of war, including crimes such as mass rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, gender-based forms of persecution including female genital mutilation, trafficking, early and forced marriages, honour killings and all other forms of sexual violence of comparable gravity; to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n b (new)
n b. to call on Member States to ratify the 3rd Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which will allow children to submit their complaints to the Committee; to take as a model the upcoming UNHRC resolution on the rights of the child as an excellent example of co-operation between the EU and the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries in the United Nations (GRULAC); to express its deep concern over the cases of torture and detention of children reported by organisations such as UNICEF and Amnesty International; to call on the UN to further explore such cases and formulate recommendations for actions;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
- Armed drones s a. to support the efforts by the relevant UN Special Procedures to promote a transparent and accountable usage of armed drones, which causes collateral damages and victims among the civilian population, by States in line with the established international legal framework; to continue supporting investigations into targeted killings and to follow-up on the recommendations by the UN Special Rapporteurs on Extra- Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions and Countering Terrorism;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
t a. to take stock of the lessons learned from the divisions regarding Palestinian accession to UNESCO and the past election of UNGA President; to recall the importance of effective coordination and cooperation between the EEAS, the Commission and EU Member States notably on human rights issues and to vigorously insist on exercising its rights and put its enhanced status to work in order to pursue an ambitious human rights and democracy promotion strategy; to encourage the EEAS, in particular through the EU Delegations in Geneva and New York, to increase EU coherence by means of timely and substantive consultation and to deliver a "one voice message";
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
u a. to participate actively in the debate on the term 'climate refugee' (intended to describe people who are forced to flee their homes and seek refuge abroad as a consequence of climate change), including a possible legal definition of this term, which is not yet recognised in international law or in any legally binding international agreement;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
z. to encourage all parties to respect the ceasefire signed on 23 January 2014 to build long-lasting peace, and to work towards the provision of access for humanitarian workers and observers to all areas; to underline that this Agreement is only the first step towards peace and reconciliation while taking into consideration the situation in South Soudan, including the political fight for leadership in the country, which has provoked increasing ethnic clashes, as well as for the displacement of over 650.000 people;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa
aa. to condemn the widespread human rights violations and abuses committed, welcome and support the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos, the UN Special Representative, Hilde Johnson, and the African Union, and the strengthening of the human rights investigation capacity of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab
ab. to call for an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged human rights crimes since the conflict erupted; to urge that those responsible must be held accountable.
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac
ac. taking into consideration the very concerning situation in the Central African Republic, to call on the international community to urgently support the UN humanitarian appeal which is severely underfunded, and for an improved security situation in order to ensure access to humanitarian assistance for the population; following the recent EU decision on a military mission to the Central African Republic, to accelerate the procedures to deploy forces on the ground;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad
ad. following the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2136 (2014), the UN Human Rights Council resolution at its Special session on the situation in the Central African Republic on 20 January 2014, and the appointment of an Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the country, to urge new interim President Samba-Panza to do all that she can to end the violence and calm sectarian tensions in the country; to call - under the aegis of the UN Security Council - for the rapid launch of an EU operation in the CAR in support of the efforts deployed by the international community, in particular the African Union, the UN and France, and by the Central African authorities;
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2014/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the High Representative / Vice-President, the EU Special Representative on Human Rights, the Council and, for information, the Commission.
2014/02/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2013/2205(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Commission to come up with a solution for the management of administrative expenditure in EU Delegations, so as to ease the administrative burden of Heads of Delegation, in particular in smaller Delegations, by enabling sub-delegation also to Commission staff, in line with Parliament's report on the 2013 review of the organisation and the functioning of the EEAS;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2013/2205(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reiterates the importance of continuing efforts to identify opportunities for long-term savings and synergies, both between EEAS and Commission and with Member States, to ensure the sustainability of the EEAS budget in a time of budgetary restraints;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2013/2205(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Emphasises the need to exploit economies of scale that could be created by synergies between the EEAS delegations, HQ and Member States' diplomatic services; urges, therefore, to maximise opportunities for co-location and shared provision of services; notes, however, that Member States should pay their fair share of the costs involved in such colocation and service provision;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2013/2205(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Reiterates its call to save money on travel costs through innovative solutions in the areas of training and job interviews, for example by making increased use of videoconferencing;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2013/2205(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes the problems the Court of Auditors has identified with regard to the management of social allowances and urges the EEAS to implement all recommendations made; welcomes the steps the EEAS has taken with regard to the issue so far and encourages it to speed up the roll-out of its new programme to resolve it;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2013/2205(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reemphasises the need to ensure that local agents in delegations are subject to a comprehensive security check prior to employment;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2013/2195(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls its recommendation to re-use materials utilised in election observation missions in other such missions or EU delegations in order to reduce their budgetary impact and maximise the use of budgetary resources;
2014/01/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2013/2169(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Condemns the barbed wire fences erected along the border between Spain and Morocco in an attempt to discourage irregular immigration; believes that this measure fails to provide an effective deterrent and is severely detrimental to persons seeking to enter European territory; considers the erection of barbed wire fences to be contrary to EU policy on the promotion and protection of human rights and to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
2013/12/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 258 #

2013/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Expresses grave concern regarding the steadily deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, the continued repression of reformists,Welcomes the release of several prisoners of conscience in Iran, including lawyer, human rights defender and Sakharov prize winner Nasrin Sotoudeh; calls on the Iranian authorities to release all those gwrowing numberngfully arrested ofn political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, the consistently high number of executions, including of minors, the widespread tgrounds, including the three opposition leaders held under house arrest with no charges for over two years: Mehdi Karroubi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mir Hossein Mousavi; allow the UN Special Rapporteure, the unfair trials and exorbitant sums demanded for bail, and the heavy restri on human rights in Iran to visit the country, work toward a moratorium on the death penalty, remove Internet censorship and allow free expression in Iran; notes with satisfactions on the freedom of information, expression, assembly, religion, education and movement;sumption of diplomatic contacts between Iran and the international community and expects a noticeable improvement of the human rights situation in the country as a result.
2013/10/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the Joint Communication of the Commission and the HR/VP to the European Parliament and the Council on the EU's comprehensive approach to external conflict and crises JOIN(2013) 30 of 11 December 2013,
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets that despite the Lisbon Treaty innovations lack of progress in the consistency of the Union's external action persists in areas relating to development, trade, energy, environment, migration and other global issues; worries that Commission often takes a restrictive approach, protecting its own competences in these areas and minimizing coordination functions with the EEAS;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the EU to make efforts to overcome its alarming dependence on foreign energy, as this will give it a greater ability to make its own international policy decisions;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Whereas the Lisbon Treaty and the current decision-making processes already require to "ensure consistency between the different areas of Union's external action and between these and its other policies"; whereas this objective would benefit from a greater role of the European Parliament on external relations;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Whereas comprehensiveness refers not only to the joined-up deployment of EU instruments and resources, but also to the shared responsibility of EU-level actors and Member States, whose policies, actions and support should contribute to more coherent and more effective EU External Action;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Whereas the fragmentation of external action policies lies at the heart of the EU's weakness as an international player;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Urges the EU to ensure that the EU participates effectively in the work of the UN General Assembly, making use of all the powers conferred on it by its status as a regional integration organisation;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for the strengthening of EU's capacities for dealing with global challenges, notably the climate diplomacy; calls on the EEAS to identify political trade-offs and strike political bargains by linking climate and other aspects of EU's relations with partner countries; hopes that in the run-up to the Paris UN climate conference in 2015, the EEAS will start using its extensive network of EU delegations around the world in order to deepen European understanding of the interests and domestic politics of climate action in partner countries;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers it necessary to improve the visibility of the EU as a global player, both outside the EU and internally; believes that to do so it would be useful to draw up an internal strategy for informing EU citizens of actions carried out by the Union in the field of foreign policy and the benefits that flow from these;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Reiterates the view, in keeping with the purposes of the Lisbon Treaty in enhancing EU foreign policy and the role of the EU in global peace, security and regulation, that an EU seat in an enlarged UNSC remains a central, long-term goal of the European Union; calls on the VP/HR to take the initiative to develop a common position of the Member States to that end; suggests, in order to achieve that goal in the future, working on prior coordination of positions in the Council of the EU on the introduction of new members of the UNSC and reform of the UNSC’s decision-making towards the possible use of a super-qualified majority;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. CRegrets the lack of ambition in the EU budget for external action for the period 2014-2020; calls for better anticipation of the funding needed to implement EU strategies; regrets that, in some cases, the EU’s actions have been delayed because of financial issues; calls for such structural problems to be remedied in future, including by making use of the new provisions provided by the Instrument for Stability and Peace (ISP);
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2013/2146(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the EU’s recent development of regional strategies to define political priorities, communicate policy objectives, coordinate policy responses, build partnerships and focus on the implementation of resources; calls for the systematic elaboration of EU strategies to frame and give coherence to the EU’s action on the ground, drafted jointly by the EEAS and the relevant services of the Commission (notably DEVCO and ECHO), and under the lead of the HR/VP; calls the Commission to be actively involved in its areas of competence from the very beginning of this coordination;
2014/01/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with grave concernDeplores the substantive cuts of 12,5% in commitments appropriations and a cut of 8,2% in payment appropriations compared with the 2013 budget for Heading 4; emphasises that even in times of increased budgetary discipline and constraints, it is of vital importance to maintain appropriate funding for the EU's global activities to enable it to live up to its ambitions outlined in the Lisbon treaty; stresses that all efforts should be made to limit the deep cuts and their repercussions for the EU as a global actor;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the provisions of the 2014 Draft Budget do not match the initial ambitions of the proposal of the European Commission for the MFF 2014-2020 in order to make the EU a relevant global actor;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with particular concernRegrets the especially severe reductions applied to the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), which could considerably endanger relations with the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, one of the main priorities of the EU's external action; stresses that without adequate funding, the ‘more for more’ principle as core mechanism in the relevant financial instruments will be fundamentally undermined; strongly urges to restore a substantial amount of the cuts in commitments to the ENI;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the search for peace and political stability in the Middle East plays a key role in the EU's foreign policy; reiterates therefore its call for long term programming and sufficient funding for assistance to UNRWA, Palestine and the Peace process;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Questions whether the level of payments for Emergency Aid Reserve will be sufficient to ensure the EU's capacity to respond rapidly to any urgent crisis;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. NoteRegrets that the distribution of the decreases in commitments among the different instruments remains largely unexplained which is especially disconcerting given the enormous differences in the depth of the cuts; asks the Commission to provide further clarification on the reasons for this distribution of cuts;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2013/2081(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates its concerns regarding parliamentary scrutiny of the CFSP budget, the budget's transparency and the use of the Athena mechanism for CSDP operations; welcomes efforts to undertake a clear breakdown of all items financed within the CFSP budget, including for each CSDP operation, each EU special representative and each other attendant policy, as long as this does not detract from the flexibility and responsiveness required for the CFSP, repeats its position that the total amount of operating CFSP expenditure shall be entered entirely in one budget chapter, entitled CFSP and distributed between the articles of the CFSP budget;
2013/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 3 #

2013/2081(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance of creating synergies and avoiding overlaps between existing policies and new initiatives, and welcomes the efforts to promote civil- military synergies and consistency between CFSP actions. Takes the view that, in order to be consistent with the EU's own values, EU foreign policy and external action must give priority to peace- building, promoting democracy and the rule of law, good governance and fair societies; highlights the importance of strengthening the Instrument for Stability as Union´s strategic tool for addressing a number of global security and development challenges.
2013/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 42 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the VP/HR's initiative to develop the concept of a «Comprehensive Approach» in order to achieve the full potential of the Lisbon Treaty; calls for the VP/HR to engage in a debate with Parliament on the best way to ensure that this comprehensive approach is consistently implemented, and in particular that our foreign policy priorities are further developed in a manner consistent with our interests and are supported by the necessary financial means and by effective and flexible instruments; calls on the Members States to support VP/HR in order to achieve the full potential of the common approach;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Deplores, nevertheless, the fact that Russia uses its veto in the UN Security Council to undermine the international community's ability to act in response to situations such as the humanitarian tragedy and spiralling violence in Syria; welcomes its recent mediation with regards the Syrian chemical arms stockpile; regrets that such a mediation has not come at an earlier stage in order to have avoided thousands of life losses;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48 a. Calls on the Member States to unblock the opening of Chapters 23 and 24, on judicial system and fundamental rights; stresses that our democratic requests would be enhanced by the opening of those chapters;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49 a. Recalls that the Egypt South Force has allocated 5000 million euro to help alleviate the country's socio-economic situation; calls on the EC and the EEAS to provide the European Parliament a full map of traceability of EU funds in the country;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Expresses concern at the lack of progress in negotiations between the EU 3-plus-3 and Iran on nuclear non- proliferation and warns against the risks for regional and globWelcomes the signs of moderation and good will emanating from the new Iranian government; calls on the EU and US to engage in a substantive dialogue with Iran on the regional security, if the negotiations should failncluding the situation in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf, and human rights; supports the EU, the USA, Russia and China in the objective of pursuing nuclear non-proliferation and believecalls, therefore, that if Iran continues to refuse to curb its nuclear programme voluntarily, the EU 3-plus-3 parties should consider additional sanctions; calls on the new Iranian Government to cooperate with the international community quickly and constructivelon Iran to fully cooperate with the international community in addressing concerns regarding the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme; calls on the E3+3 countries to consider incentives in the form of gradual lifting of economic restrictive measures imposed on Iran in exchange for specific, verifiable steps taken by Iran in addressing the concerns of the international community;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 253 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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 well as of the parties themselves and of the wider region; stresses, therefore, that the need for progress 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; welcomes all efforts to ensure the respect of EU positions and commitments in conformity with international law, including the publication of the Guidelines on EU funding instruments last 19 July; deplores that a major new project agreement under the 7th Framework Programme was signed last 5 July with an Israeli entity with settlement- based facilities; 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;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 263 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55 a. Welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Central America Association Agreement as well as the Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru and expresses its willingness on working towards an Association agreement with the latest which includes Ecuador as well;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Stresses the need to strengthen contacts and coordination with Latin American partners in multilateral forums; calls for the adoption of a Euro-Latin American Charter for Peace and Security, as requested by the EUROLAT Assembly;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 309 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
73. NAcknowledges the UN Security Council role as the highest international body responsible for peacekeeping and international security whilst notes that recent crises have highlighted the growing inability of the UN Security Council to actSC to act in a timely manner in response to serious threats to international peace and security, on account of its structures and working methods; calls for the launching of an EU- led initiative on the reform of the UNSC;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2013/2074(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas corruption is a human rights violation which can be defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, and whereas acts of corruption include the crimes of bribery, embezzlement, trading in influence, abuse of functions and illicit enrichment, as defined by the UNCAC;
2013/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2013/2074(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas widespread corruption, lack of transparency, access to information and inclusive participation in decision-making prevents citizens from holding governments, political representatives, and companies to account in order to ensure that revenue related to resource and market exploration is used to ensure their human rights;
2013/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2013/2074(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas human rights defenders, media and civil society organisations (CSOs) play a crucial role in the fight against corruption by scrutinising public budgets, monitoring government activities and the financing of political parties, offering capacity- building skills and expertise and demanding transparency and accountability; whereas journalists reporting on corruption and organised crime are increasingly targeted and harassed by organised crime groups, ‘parallel powers’ and the public authorities, especially in developing countries;
2013/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2013/2074(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas, according to Eurobarometer, 78% of European citizens distrust political parties; whereas illicit funding, corrupt practices, and the failure to respond adequately to cases of corruption within political parties severely damage the credibility of institutions and greatly undermine citizens’ confidence in the democratic system;
2013/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2013/2074(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the EU can only become a credible and influential leader in the fight against corruption if it adequately addresses the problems of organised crime, corruption and money laundering within its own borders; welcomes, in this regard, the ‘EU Anti-corruption Report’ to be issued by the Commission; hopes that the identification by the Commission of areas vulnerable to corruption in Member States will help step up anti-corruption efforts, facilitate the exchange of best practices, identify EU trends, and stimulate peer learning and further compliance with EU and international commitments; invites the Commission to consider futurepresent EU policy initiatives in the area of anti-corruption, in particular such as an EU Action Plan against Corruption to monitor the UNCAC recommendations, like for example: Member States’ obligations to publish and disseminate information on corruption, to establish channels for reporting these violations, a legal framework for the protection of witnesses and the participation of civil society. This action plan should take the form of binding legislation on Member States and institutions reflecting the highest standards of transparency and integrity; urges the EU to increasingly remove any conditions which cause it to be complicit or negligent in corruption activities with human rights implications in third countries;
2013/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2013/2074(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission to submit proposals to combat corruption within political parties so as to bring greater transparency to their financing, including annual publication of their accounts and the origin of their assets, thereby making that information accessible to civil society organisations;
2013/06/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to its recommendation to the Council of 18 April 2013 on the UN principle of the 'Responsibility to Protect' ('R2P')1, _____________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0180.
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 11 May 2011 on the EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations1, _____________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0229.
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
– having regard to the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, adopted on 31 October 2000,
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution 58/4 of 31 October 2003, which adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption,
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
– having regard to the Council Decision 2011/168/CFSP of 21 March 2011 on the International Criminal Court and repealing Common Position 2003/444/CFSP,
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to advance effective multilateralism by enhancing the representativeness, transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of the UN, with the aim of improving its delivery on the ground; to recall the need to strike a new institutional balance between the emerging role of the G-20, the UN and its agencies as well as the IFIs; in this regard, to urge the EU and its Member States to enhance global governance and to seek solutions to further improve coordination between the G formations and the UN system, whereby the economic dimension could usefully be covered by these groups, provided that the UN maintains its central role and remains the legitimate body for global action;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to support a comprehensive and consensual reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC); to stress that an EU seat in an enlarged UNSC remains a central, long-term goal of the EU; to further promote transparency and better coordination of policies and positions amongst EU members of the UNSC; calls on the VP/HR to take the initiative to develop a common position of the Member States to that end;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) to focus on the need to mainstream gender perspectives in relation to conflict prevention, peace negotiations and agreements, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, post-conflict reconstruction and DDR initiatives as stated on the UNSCR 1325/2000 on Women Peace and Security; to engage them in preventive diplomacy, early warning and security monitoring;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) to cooperate in strengthening the role of regional organisations in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, civilian and military crisis management, and conflict resolution; to foster joint assessment missions and intto strengthen cooperactions by the African Union and the EUetween the EU and its partners (including the African Union and sub-regional organisations, NATO, OSCE, ASEAN, CELAC, Arab League...etc) in preventing conflict and in post-conflict countries;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) to assure that peacekeeping missions' mandates reflect the need to support electoral observation missions and to provide them with the necessary means to ensure the security of the observers on the ground;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
(ib) to work towards establishing the Responsibility to Protect as a new norm of international law, within the scope agreed to by UN member states in the 2005 World Summit;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to work with partners to ensure that the conceptfollow-up on the Parliament's proposals in its recommendation to the Council on the UN principle of the r'Responsibility to pProtect' ('R2P') and to work with partners to ensure that the concept of R2P focuses on prevention, protection and post-conflict reconstruction involving situations of concern of genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes or crimes against humanity, but is never used as a pretext to advance particular or national interests, or those of international coalitions based on geostrategic or economic considerations with the aim of regime change; to assist states in building capacities to this effect; _____________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0180.
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(ja) to strengthen the EU's role as a global political actor by playing an active role in preventive diplomacy;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j b (new)
(jb) to better cooperate and train EU and Member States' delegations and embassies staff in international human rights and humanitarian law and to further professionalise and strengthen preventive diplomacy and mediation;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to work closely with partners towards achieving an Arms Trade Treaty that sets the highest common standards for the regulation of the international trade in arms and the combatielcome the adoption by the UNGA of an Arms Trade Treaty on 2 April 2013 which contains strong parameters on international humanitarian or human rights law and will apply to a wide range of illicit trafficking, thus reducing human suffering and improving international peace and securityarms, including ammunition; to actively support the swift entry into force and effective implementation of the ATT by all UN member states;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(na) to increase its efforts for multilateral commitments to reduce the number of nuclear weapons;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) to strengthen international efforts aimed at ensuring that all human rights agreed under UN conventions are considered universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that their respect is being enforced; to promote the mainstreaming of human rights in all aspects of the UN's work;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) to advance universal support for the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court by promoting the widest possible participation in it among all Member and Non-Member Observer States in the UN;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r b (new)
(rb) to work towards a strengthening of the working capacities of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to reduce impunity for crimes against humanity;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r c (new)
(rc) to promote the inclusion of crimes against the environment as a crime against humanity; to promote the building up of a judicial framework sanctioning crimes against the environment;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(ta) to recall that corruption is a violation of human rights and that the European Union has claimed an exclusive competence for the signature of the UN Convention against Corruption; to request the HR/VP to present an EU Action Plan against corruption to effectively monitor the Convention recommendations, such as Member States' obligations to publish and disseminate information on corruption; to establish channels for reporting these violations, a legal framework for the protection of witnesses and the participation of civil society;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(va) to increase its efforts for the adoption of a binding worldwide climate agreement at the COP22 in 2015;
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) to support the UNGA President's initiative to address civil society on post- 2015 Development agenda by organizing a special event on the achievement of the Millennium Development goals (MDGs) to be held during the 68th session of UNGA in 2013, as an important point of civil society consultation, as this event could serve to unite the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and post-2015 development process into a "common track";
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2013/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council, the HR/VP, and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights and, for information, the Commission.
2013/04/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2013/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Since the political solution of the Western Sahara conflict, reconciliation and the human rights situation are closely linked, calls on the Commission and Member States to be more active in Western Sahara conflict resolution, not only supporting the UN negotiations but also using its various external policy instruments (e.g. strengthening human rights monitoring and awareness among police and security forces, supporting democratic reforms, including decentralisation, fighting discrimination in the region) to promote much needed confidence building between the conflict parties;
2013/07/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2013/0110(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
(16) The obligation to disclose their diversity policies for their administrative, management and supervisory bodies with regard to aspects such as age, gender, geographical diversity, disability, educational and professional background should only apply to large listed companies. Therefore small and medium- sized companies that may be exempted from certain accounting obligations under article 27 of Directive 78/660/EEC should not be covered to by this obligation. Disclosure of the diversity policy should be part of the corporate governance statement, as laid down by Article 46a of Directive 78/660/EEC. Companies not having a such a diversity policy should not be obliged to put one in place, but they should clearly explain why this is the case.
2013/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2013/0110(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 78/660/EEC and Directive 83/349/EEC
Article 46 a – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) a description of the company’s diversity policy for its administrative, management and supervisory bodies with regard to aspects such as age, gender, geographical diversity, disability, educational and professional background, the objectives of this diversity policy, how it has been implemented and the results in the reporting period. If the company has no such policy, the statement shall contain a clear and reasoned explanation as to why this is the case.
2013/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2012/2318(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 15 January 2013 on EU strategy for the Horn of Africa (2012/2026(INI)),
2013/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2012/2318(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Acknowledges the effectiveness of the on-board protective measures set up by shipping companies; supports the recent requests from the maritime industry for private maritime security firms to be regulated and renews its call, firstly, on the International Maritime Organisation, flag states, and the maritime industry to work together to draw up a code of conduct laying down clear, consistent, and enforceable internationally agreed standards governing the use of privately contracted armed security guards on ships and, secondly, on private maritime security firms to act strictly in accordance with those standards;
2013/04/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. Takes the view that the Common Position’s criteria must also be taken into account in the process of restructuring Europe’s defence industry, which is vital to the small and medium-sized enterprises that create jobs;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Ia. Takes the view that the system for assessing and monitoring compliance with the Common Position’s eight criteria must also be extended to cover the manufacturing stage;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Is of the opinion that an effective control agreement should cover a wide range of activities relating to the conventional-arms trade, encompassing import, export and transfer (including transit and transshipment and temporary import and export and re-export), national manufacture and manufacture under foreign license, strategic planning, stockpile management and all related services, including brokering, transport and finance;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2012/2253(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the conclusions and recommendations of the Court of Auditors' report with regard to the errors and weaknesses in financial management across the EEAS; acknowledges that some of the problems may be of transitional nature, and that payments are generally free of material error, but wishes to reinforce the focus on the use of best practices and on strict adherence to the Financial Regulation;
2013/02/08
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 3 #

2012/2253(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the savings achieved in 2012, and the continuation of this trend in 2013 as projected; recalls that Parliament has called on the EEAS several times to show restraint in creating additional high- ranking posts and remains concerned about the considerable number of high- grade and high-cost management postsiterates its comments on the relative surfeit of high-grade posts, which is seriously disproportionate in comparison with other institutions; calls on the relevant departments to establish, for the medium and long term, a roadmap and appropriate methods with a view to correcting this relative imbalance;
2013/02/08
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 5 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the 2012 EEAS Staffing Report of 24 July 2012 presented in accordance with Article 6(9) of EEAS Decision, and Article 7 of the High Representative's Decision establishing the EEAS Consultative Committee on Appointments,
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
– having regard to its previous resolutions, including on equality between women and men in the European Union of 13 March 2012 reiterating its call for legislation, including quotas, to be proposed by 2012 to increase female representation in management bodies to 30% by 2015 and to 40% by 2020,
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)
– having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2012/2253(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recommends low-cost, high-efficiency strategies, such as pooling and sharing of expertise and know-how with Member States' ministries and diplomatic services, a focused effort to remove any duplication in tasks, functions and resources with other European institutions, and closer cooperation with international organisations and international financial institutions; emphasises the need for synergies between the delegations and EU Member States' embassies for making savings in the rental costs of offices and for better exchange of information;
2013/02/08
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 15 #

2012/2253(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Remains concerned as to whether the recruitment objectives of attracting staff from national diplomatic services, and ensuring fair and adequate geographical and gender representation of nationals from all the Member States and at all position levels, are being pushed forward with this aim in mind; suggests that consideration be given to the idea that, as regards EU delegations, special attention should be paid to diplomats from those Member States that have implemented synergies with the EEAS by closing down their national embassies for the benefit of the EU delegation in the country concerned;
2013/02/08
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 16 #

2012/2253(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that the interconnection between staffing levels, on the one hand, and identified strategic interests and Heading 4 spending concentrated at certain delegations or functions, on the other hand, should be clearly stated and reviewed; stresses that any potential reorganisation of external action spending in the next multiannual financial framework should be the main driver in reviewing staffing needs across the Service;
2013/02/08
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 58 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
1 OJ L 67 of 5.3.2004, p. 1. P a. whereas female representation is below 25% of the Head of Delegations, below 30% of the Deputy Head of Delegations, below 30% in the grade bracket from AD9-AD12, below 20% from AD13-16, 0% in AD16 and below 20% within the Seconded National Experts, while it is around 70% among AST officials and Temporary Agents and over 60% among Contract Agents; whereas these proportions are unfortunately not uncommon in other EU institutions, the absence of overall significant improvements may require temporary special measures to increase gender balance within the EEAS structures;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2012/2253(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 – introductory part
35. to further pursue and intensify efforts to achieve better gender and geographical balance, with due regard to merit and competences; to urgently and effectively address gender imbalances in higher and lower levels by introducing temporary special measures following the example of those adopted by United Nations;
2013/04/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2012/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that the incorporation of the EDF into the EU budget should not influence the overall financial allocation for the other priority areas and policies of the Union; recalls the commitment given by the Member States in relation to official development assistance and asks that the incorporation of the EDF into the budget should not have a detrimental effect on their contributions;
2012/12/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 4 #

2012/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the importance of the complementary nature of EU and Member States’ assistance, and the catalyst effect of the former in terms of intervening in regions where bilateral assistance is not delivered; is particularly supportive of joint programming between Member States’ and EU actions; likewise considers it crucial to ensure coherence between development cooperation policies and other European policies that are likely to affect developing countries; considers that coordination between the EU and other aid donors is also essential;
2012/12/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 5 #

2012/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Believes that we should take account, as regards the beneficiaries of the EDF, of countries which are vulnerable in certain respects, whether owing to geographical characteristics, as is the case for islands or countries without access to the sea, or climate issues, where countries are particularly exposed to natural disasters, or social issues resulting from high rates of domestic inequality; points to the need to take account of other criteria in addition to GDP in order to decide with which countries to cooperate;
2012/12/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 6 #

2012/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Believes that transparency and accountability are fundamental when allocating EDF funds and monitoring the projects financed, including direct aid to national budgets;
2012/12/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 7 #

2012/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls for close attention to be paid to the specific situation of ACP countries and regions exiting (no longer receiving) bilateral aid on the grounds of GDP;
2012/12/11
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 2 #

2012/2176(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Emphasises the need for a greater gender balance among the diplomats from Union's Member States;
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2012/2176(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the savings already made by using innovative solutions like videoconferencing for job interviews; calls on the EEAS to come up with similar proposals also for the training of staff;
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2012/2176(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises the need for synergies between the delegations and Union's Member States embassies for making savings in the rental costs of offices and for better exchange of information;
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2012/2176(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Draws attention to the need to guarantee a comprehensive security check for local agents in the delegations.
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2012/2167(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Draws attention to the need to re-use election observation mission materials (furniture, computers, etc...) in other electoral missions or by EU delegations in order to maximise their use;
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2012/2167(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the development of an improved budget support risk management framework by the Commission (in full application from 1 January 2013) as part of the new budget support guidelines in response to a key recommendation from the European Court of Auditors;
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2012/2167(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Welcomes the results of the evaluation report of the effectiveness of the EU aid channelled through civil society organisations (CSO-s); draws attention to one of the main recommendations of the report to reduce the negative impact of cumbersome procedures on the effectiveness of the programmes implemented by CSO-s and welcomes that new options are put in place to simplify access to funding;
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2012/2167(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Welcomes the fact that the Commission regards visibility of EU projects as a key element in good project implementation and that it has been made obligatory to prepare a communication plan for each project.
2013/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-China strategic partnership is of great importance for relations between the EU and China, and this relationship is paramount for finding answers to global concerns, such as global security, nuclear non-proliferation and climate change, climate change, the economic and social development of a market economy and the promotion of democracy and human rights;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas in 2007 President Hu Jintao had already instructed the highest level of the judiciary that judges should be guided by three ‘supremacies’: the party, the people and the law, in this order, and whereas in due course the Chinese Ministry of Justice decreed in March 2012 that all lawyers should swear an oath of allegiance to the CCP in order to obtain or renew their licence;deleted
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the shocking news of mid-June 2012 regarding the extremely cruel forced abortion of the unborn daughter of the seven-month-pregnant Feng Jianmei fuelled the debate on the abolition ofre is increasing debate about the forced and selective abortions resulting from the official one-child policy;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 49 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas China emphasises social human rights (e.g., food, clothes, economic development), while the EU stresses individual human rights (e.g., freedom of speech, religion, association)human rights are universal and indivisible;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas China is a country that is passionate about the internet, withInternet use has spread in China, and there are now more than 500 million users;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas China maintains close relations with North Korea, graphically described by Mao Zedong as being ‘as close as lips and teeth’;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas the relations between China and the USA are the world’s most important bilateral ties, in particular owing to the phenomenon of ‘Chinamerica’, or the strong financial- economic entanglement of Beijing and WashingtonChina and the USA are economically and financially highly interdependent;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas nowhere in the world is China’s explosive growth more visible than economic and trade relations between China, Africa and Latin Afmerica, as illustrated by the impressive rise of have increased exponentially, with 80 % and 51 % increases in China's mutual trade volume by 80% to USD 166.3 billion between 2009 and 2011, according to Chinese statisticsvolume of trade with Africa and Latin America respectively;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Joins with the public commitment made by the EU and China during their High- Level Strategic Dialogue of 9-10 July 2012 in Beijing to set a good example of international cooperation in the 21st century through their Strategic Partnership; supports and encourages the almost sixty sectoral dialogues between the EU and China with the conviction that an enhanced and highly developed partnership will be mutually beneficial to both the EU and China; calls for increased trade and economic relations with China to go hand in hand with considerable progress in the political dialogue on human rights and the rule of law;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 l (new)
1l. Calls for progress in the various sectoral dialogues to be verified in accordance with the principles of conditionality and 'more for more', ahead of the signing of an EU-China Association Agreement;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 154 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the popular legitimacy of the CCP, especially in view of its successful economic policy, but shares the criticism of independent Chinese scholars and observers that this legitimacy is seriously threatened by a ‘red aristocracy’ of close family members of former and present party leaders who possess enormous fortunes owing to their political and economic connections, a grave situation which was recently laid bare by the Bo Xilai affair;deleted
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Expresses its concern at growing inequalities and the unfair distribution of wealth; calls for equitable development underpinned by a social market economy;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that although forced abortions are strictly illegal in China, family-planning officials repeatedly coerce women into abortions or sterilisation; condemns the so-called ‘social maintenance fee’, an often exorbitant fine that parents have to pay in the event of extra births, as was the case in the tragedy of Feng Jianmei; wholeheartedly supports Chinese voices that call for an end of the one-child policy; urges that women should be free to take a decision to have an abortion, and that a wide range of safe, effective and acceptable family planning methods should be made available, so that any form of coercion is ruled out, in accordance with the sexual health and reproductive rights recognised under international law;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Admires the courage and the social responsibility of numerous Chinese citizens for defending precious social rights in their country, but denounces the tragic state of affairs whereby several of them are being officially persecuted and punished for their efforts to correct well-known social dangers/criminal acts such as corruption, abuse of office, environmental damage, AIDS infection, food poisoning, construction fraud concerning schools, illegal land and property expropriation, often committed by local party authorities; urges the Chinese leadership to encourage civil responsibility for observing social human rights and to rehabilitate officially persecuted and punished defenders of these rights, such as artist and dissident Ai Weiwei; also expects a responsible Chinese leadership to comply strictly with individual and social human rights;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the Chinese Government is tightening its surveillance of the internet by way of a new law that forbids betrayal of state secrets, harming of national pride, endangering the ethnic unity of the country or making calls for ‘illegal protests’ or ‘mass meetings’; criticises the fact that these prohibitions are rather obscurely formulated and thus clear the way for unbridled censorship; recalls that the right to freedom of expression on the Internet has been recognised recently by the UN Human Rights Council;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 237 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the enormous efforts made by the Chinese Government to develop Tibet and Xinjiang economically; urges the Chinese Government to act in a politically responsible way by respecting and protecting Tibetan and Uighur traditional cultures and lifestyles; believes that Beijing cannot win the hearts and minds of the Tibetan and Uighur peoples by way of millions of surveillance cameras or repressive police methods;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 251 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that, notwithstanding a harsh policy of repression, a religious revival is taking place in China which is demonstrated by the reopening or reconstruction of countless places of worship; urges the Chinese authorities to replace their ineffective policy of controlling religion with one offering real freedom of religion;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 256 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Wishes to see the flourishing Protestant house churches and underground Catholic churches granted official recognition by the Chinese State as well; strongly condemns all attempts by the authorities to deprive these non- registered churches of their fundamental right of freedom of religion;deleted
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 274 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the PRC to use its regained global position in a responsible way, by helping to establish a system of global economic governance, and acting in according to its own criteria of ‘peaceful development’ and ‘a harmonious world’ance with its commitment to peace and the principles of the United Nations;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 294 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the global importance of the South China Sea, through which one-third of the world’s trade passes, and therefore urgently appeals to all involved parties to settle their conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea by international arbitration and to refrain from unilateral political, economic and military actions;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Reiterates its call for China, as a member of the UN Security Council, to fulfil its responsibility to put an end to the violence and repression against the Syrian people, and to ensure compliance with UNSC resolutions 2042 and 2043;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 311 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Observes that the new American strategy of ‘rebalance’ or ‘pivot’ towards Asia is perceived as a threat by the Chinese leadership; encourages China and the USA to avoid tensions and an arms race in the Pacific; urges China to honour America’s vital interest in ensuringe freedom of circulation on the seas, in accordance with international law;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 316 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 – introductory part
18. Appreciates the Chinese leadership’s acknowledgement of the serious criticism of its imbalanced, raw-material-centred African policy during the Forum of Chinese-African Cooperation (FOCAC), held on 20 July 2012 in Beijing, which is shown by its current open promotion of a diversification of its activities on the continent; points to the obvious ethical and strategic flaws of China’s non- intervention principle in Africa’s domestic policies in cases of popular resistance against repressive regimes (e.g., Sudan), or in cases of regime change (e.g., Libya); notes that the increasing Chinese presence in Africa has led to grave social tensions, but welcomes the fact that Chinese companies have expressed their willingness to place greater emphasis on social responsibility in their African activities; takes note of China's increasing involvement in the exploitation of natural resources in Latin America, with Chinese imports of such resources having increased by more than 50 %;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 322 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Regrets the insufficient protection of intellectual property rights in China, and the lack of specific resources enabling European companies to combat intellectual property violations effectively; urges China to bring its national legislation into line with current international law relating to the protection of intellectual property rights and, in particular, to the fight against counterfeiting and piracy;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Expresses its concern at the difficulties experienced by foreign companies in gaining access to Chinese public procurement markets and at the distortions of free competition, in particular the hidden State subsidies paid to Chinese companies;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 333 #

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – point 1 (new)
(1) Urges that China make it an absolute priority to ensure legal certainty for foreign companies, by upholding the principles of equality, reciprocity and corporate social responsibility;
2012/11/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2012/2103(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Reminds the Commission that the EU’s energy policy must be in line with other priority policies of the Union, including its security, foreign and neighbourhood, trade, and development policies, to ensure the effectiveness of its energy policy as well as the coherence and credibility of its foreign policy; points out that work towards ensuring EU energy independence contributes, by the same token, to giving the Union a more important role on the global stage;
2012/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2012/2103(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reminds the Commission that the guiding principles of EU energy policy should be to ensure energy supply and to reduce the EU’s excessive energy dependency in this area;
2012/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2012/2103(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to set strategic priorities in external energy policy, with due consideration of Europe’s high degree of energy dependency, while pursuing an active climate policy by engaging key partners, such as the United States and the five BRICS countries;
2012/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2012/2103(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the Union’s strategic partnerships with producer and transit countries, in particular countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), require adequate tools, predictability, stability and long-term investment; emphasises, to that end, that the Union’s climate objectives must be in accord with EU infrastructure investment projects oriented at diversifying supply routes and increasing the Union’s energy security, with a particular focus on developing indigenous sources of energy;
2012/10/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2012/2094(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Asks Member States not to use the exception of public order as a restrictive measure to limit civil society organisations' fundamental rights of assembly and demonstration and recalls that such an exception ought to be motivated and proportional.
2012/09/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that, while the EU budget cannot be exempted from budget disciplDeplores the decrease of appropriations ine that affects all national budgets,e field of Union's foreign policy; is of the opinion that the efforts to rationalizeincrease efficiency of external relations budget should primarily take the form of a search for synergies, and control of increases or, if necessary, scaling down of programs without European added-value; stresses, however, that EU's vital foreign policy interests shall not be jeopardised;.
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that the European Union as a global player has the responsibility to promote peace and stability, economic development and respect for fundamental values and human rights throughout the world;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. NoteRejects, in that regard, the position of the Council reducing commitments by EUR 171.7 million and payments by EUR 1 034.3 million under heading 4;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinionReiterates that Eastern and Southern neighbours and particularly the developments in the Southern Mediterranean remain a priority, and thatfollowing the DAraft Budget represents an adequate basis for the Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrumentb Spring remain a priority, based on the more for more principle and to guarantee an efficient and ambitious role of the EU; rejects, in this regard, the decrease of appropriations for the European Neighbourhood and Partnership (ENP) financing;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the search for peace and political stability in the Middle East plays a key role in the EU foreign policy; reiterates therefore its call for long term programming and sufficient funding of the assistance to UNRWA, Palestine and the Peace process, and rejects the principle of ad hoc requests for additional funding which do not allow predictability and planning; ; stresses that, thanks to Parliament’s strong commitment, the Union’s annual contribution over the last years amounts, at a minimum, to EUR 300 million, and recalls that the budgetary authority has, in the course of the budgetary conciliation, agreed to an allocation of EUR 200 million for the year 2012, conditioned by a sine qua non supplementary increase of EUR 100 million for the 2011 financial year stemming from unused appropriations; rejects the principle of ad hoc requests for additional funding which do not allow predictability and planning and calls, in this regard, for a funding commitment that reflects actual needs from the beginning of the budgetary year in order to ensure that the Union can effectively support sustainable peace-building;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the conviction that EU assistance should aim at generating a development autonomous from EU assistance and believes that a form of priority should be given to projects whose design and prospects advance sustainable economic growth of the beneficiary countries; underlines the importance of involvement of civil society in all stages of the Union's assistance delivery process, with the aim of encouraging local engagement and ownership;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2012/2092(BUD)

8. Welcomes the savings achieved by the EEAS in 2012, and the continuation of this trend in 2013, and takes note of the necessary phasing-in period; considersnotes, however, that, despite high structural expenses (in great majority payroll), the Service cannot be exempted from the scaling down exercise that should apply to all EU institutions, and proposes therefore to limit the variation over 2012 budget to a more appropriate level. the Union delegations' network needs to be enhanced to meet the Union's political priorities and in times of austerity to substitute for weakened Member States embassies; rejects, in this regard, the decrease of the EEAS budget (- 28 Million EUR);
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Encourages the Union to cooperate at budgetary level with bodies that fight for gender equality and the empowerment of women in the international sphere, especially with UN-Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women; rejects, in this regard, the decrease of appropriations for the gender equality;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Regrets, in particular, the ongoing decrease of appropriations in the field of development cooperation; wonders how this is compatible with the Union's international commitments in terms of allocating, by 2015, 0,7 % of GNP to the Millennium Development Goals; regrets the fact that the total level of commitments under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) as proposed in DB 2013 represents an increase of less than the estimated inflation rate, and that the proposed total DCI payment level is below that of 2012; calls on the Council to ensure a more coherent, realistic and better planned approach to the financing of DCI;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2012/2092(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c.Recalls that the Instrument for Stability provides funds in situations of crisis or emerging crises, when timely financial help cannot be provided from other Union's sources; considers that the proposed reduction of the IfS’s budget for 2013 is disproportionate and inconsistent with political priorities and ignores the fragile political climate in many regions in our neighbourhood and beyond;
2012/08/28
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2012/2050(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Takes the view that, in order to be consistent with the Union's own values, EU foreign policy and external action must give priority to peace-building, promoting democracy and the rule law, good governance and fair societies; highlights the importance of strengthening the Instrument for Stability as the Union's strategic tool for addressing a number of global security and development challenges.
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 59 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that the role of EU Special Representatives should be complementary to the country-specific work of EU Heads of Delegations and should represent and coordinate EU policy towards regions with specific strategies or security interests, which require a continuous EU presence and visibility; welcomes the positive response by the HR/VP to having newly appointed EUSRs and Heads of Delegation appear before Parliament for an exchange of views before taking up their posts; calls for improved reporting and access to political reports from Delegations and EUSRs in order for Parliament to receive full and timely information on developments from the ground, particularly in areas considered to be strategically important or the focus of political concern; also welcomes the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Human Rights, which will help reinforce the EU’s strategy and increase its visibility in this area;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the importance of ensuring coherence between policy planning, formulation and implementation through an appropriate mix of external financial instruments in the area of foreign affairs; calls among other things for continued complementary between the CFSP and the Instrument for Stability in the areas of mediation, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict peace- building, as well as for further work towards complementarity with the geographical instruments for long-term engagement with a country or region; welcomes the innovative introduction of a new Partnerships Instrument which brings important added value to the EU’s CFSP by providing a financial framework for cooperation with third countries, especially those that no longer receive Official Development Assistance, as well as with the EU’s Strategic Partners, and in the follow-up to important international summits;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that such an approach can be aided by the establishment of clear country- or region-specific benchmarks, which should be monitored and evaluated by the European Parliament over the short, medium and long term; calls for benchmarking of the EU’s foreign policy, drawing upon existing strategic programming documents or strategic policy frameworks (such as the Horn of Africa or the Sahel), including in a more systematic and quantifiable definition of policy priorities and objectives, as well as of the resources to be used over precise timelines in the short, mid- and long term;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Considers that the assessment of progress made by partner countries must be based on mutual transparency and should be based upon clearly defined, and jointly agreed, country-specific benchmarks that set out timetables for the implementation of reforms as provided for in the action plans; these benchmarks should be the basis for regular and, where possible, joint monitoring and evaluation that include a full role for civil society, in order to ensure effective and transparent implementation of policies;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 162 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Recalls Turkey’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 organisations in ENP instruments would generate unique synergy effects, especially in areas such as institution-building and socio-economic and civil society development; believes that practical cooperation should be complemented with a structured dialogue between the EU and Turkey with a view to coordinating their respective neighbourhood policies; hopes that the conditions will improve forwelcomes the new impetus promoted by the EC’s Positive Agenda and the opening of eight further chapters in the membership negotiations (e.g. ratification and implementation of the Ankara Protocol)is framework that complements the membership negotiations without replacing them; recognises that the lack of cooperation in migration policy is having a negative impact, especially on Greece;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 219 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Calls on the High Representative to continue the diplomatic efforts to ensure that Russia makes a positive contribution to the multilateral effort, especially in the United Nations Security Council, with a view to ending repression and violence in Syria;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Welcomes the renewal of E3+3 negotiations with Iran; calls on the Council to consider positive measures towards Iran in return for Iran’s commitment to cap uranium enrichment at below 5 %, to export all stocks of uranium above this level for reprocessing into fuel rods for civilian nuclear purposes and to fully open all aspects of its nuclear programme to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), so that the IAEA can verify that Iran’s nuclear programme is entirely civilian; calls on the HR/VP and the Council to reopen the diplomatic negotiations on other issues of mutual interest to the EU and Iran, such as regional security, human rights, the situation in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Persian Gulf; reiterates its call to establish a EU delegation in Tehran;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Stresses that social cohesion should remain a key principle of the development cooperation strategy towards Latin America, on account not only of its socio- economic implications, but also of its importance in terms of consolidating the democratic institutions in the region and the rule of law; also notes that further development cooperation between the EU and the middle-income countries of Latin America is necessary in order to address the major inequalities still existing in the region. Calls for triangular cooperation and South-South cooperation with South American countries to be strengthened;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Welcomes the fact thatsigning of the Association Agreement with Central America will be signed shortly andand the Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru that will be subject in the European Parliament to the consent procedure; underlines the fact that as the first comprehensive region-to-region treaty for the EU, ithe Association Agreement with Central America upgrades the relationship and fosters a regional approach as well as Latin American regional integration; states its intention to closely monitor the implementation of these agreements, and in particular itstheir impact on the human rights and rule of law situation in Central America;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51a. Notes that the EU’s objective is the signing of an Association Agreement with all members of the Andean Community; takes the view that the Association Agreement with MERCOSUR would represent a decisive advance in strategic relations with Latin America, provided that it is based on the principles of fair trade and legal certainty of investments, the respect for international, labour and environmental standards and the trustworthy conduct of the partners;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 b (new)
51b. Deplores that the Commission’s proposals for a regulation on a scheme of generalised tariff preferences and the Development Cooperation Instrument ignore the strategic nature of relations with Latin America, as they exclude a significant number of vulnerable countries in this region; recalls that some countries of Latin America are among the most unequal in the world in terms of per capita earnings and that persistent inequality occurs in a context of low socio-economic mobility; considers that the message that the EU is sending to the region is very troubling, since, in practical terms, it amounts to a statement that it does not give it the importance that it deserves, in spite of the multiple political and trade commitments made and shared global interests;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 310 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56 a (new)
56a. Calls on the High Representative to continue with diplomatic efforts to ensure that China makes a positive contribution to the multilateral effort, especially in the United Nations Security Council,with a view to ending repression and violence in Syria;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
62. Underlines the need to develop more effective mediation guidelines and capacities as well asthrough collaboration between the European Union and the United Nations on mediation capacities, in order to provide adequate resources for mediation in a timely and coordinated manner; considers it essential for the implementation of the EU’s human rights policy to develop the UN Human Rights Council’s capacity to address serious and urgent human rights situations, to reinforce the follow-up process on the implementation of recommendations of the Special Procedures and to strengthen the process of the Universal Periodic Review;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 334 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
62. Underlines the need to develop more effective mediation guidelines and capacities as well as to provide adequate resources for mediation in a timely and coordinated manner; considers it essential for the implementation of the EU’s human rights policy to develop the UN Human Rights Council’s capacity to address serious and urgent human rights situations, to reinforce the follow-up process on the implementation of recommendations of the Special Procedures and to strengthen the process of the Universal Periodic Review; stresses the need to continue the EU’s support of the International Criminal Court with the aim of contributing to the effective protection of Human Rights and the fight against impunity.
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 377 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
71. Reiterates its call on the Member States to increase European cooperation in defence, which is the only feasible way to make sure that European military forces continue to be credible and operational in the face of diminishing defence budgets; notes the progress made under the EU’s pooling and sharing and NATO’s smart defence and considers it essential that further synergies are achieved between the two organisations; stresses the need to make further progress in pooling and sharing of assets, and the potential for synergies in research, development and industrial cooperation in defence at Union level; welcomes the initiatives for strengthened cooperation on this matter, including the Weimar Plus Initiative;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 7 July 2011 on EU external policies in favour of democratisation1, __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA- PROV(2011)0334.
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 c (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 11 May 2011 on the EU as a global actor: its role in the multilateral organisations1, __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA- PROV(2011)0229.
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security1, __________________ 1 OJ C 099 E, 3.4.2012, p. 56.
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to put across unified positions by delivering one single message when possible and to strengthen the coherence and visibility of the EU as a global actor at the UN; to meet the expectations of UN members regarding the ability of the EU to act and deliver in a timely fashion on substance;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to work with EU Member States towards improving coordination, transparency and exchange of information in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the defence of the positions and interests of the EU in the UNSC by the Member States which are members of that body, or, alternatively, by an EU representative upon invitation of the Chair; to reinforce the EU's impact on UNSC decisions and to raise the profile of the EU at the UN on crucial UNSC matters;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to advance effective multilateralism as the overriding strategic concern of the EU, by enhancing the representativeness, transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of the UN, with the aim of improving its delivery on the ground; to recall the need to strike a new institutional balance between the emerging role of the G-20, the UN and its agencies as well as the International Financial Institutions (IFIs); in this regard, to enhance global governance and to seek solutions to further improve coordination between the G-formations and the UN system, whereby the economic dimension could usefully be covered by these groups, provided that the UN maintains its central role and remains the legitimate body for global action;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to emphasise the need for a comprehensive reform of the UNSC in order to strengthen its legitimacy, regional representation and effectiveness; to recall that an EU seat in an enlarged UNSC remains a central, long-term goal of the European Union; to take the initiative, by the Vice-President/High Representative (VP/HR), to develop a common position of the Member States to that end; in order to achieve that goal in the future, to work on prior coordination of positions in the Council of the EU on the introduction of new members of the UNSC and on the reform of the UNSC's decision-making towards the possible use of super qualified majority;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 47 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to reconfirm its commitment to ensuring that UN financial resources are managed efficiently and effectively, according to the principles of budgetary discipline and coherence and in conformity with the highest international standards; to explicitly support gender mainstreaming by coordinating Member States' voluntary contributions to UN Women;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to focus on the need to emainsutre the participation of women at all stages of peace processes and to systematically engage them in preventive diplomacy, early warning and security monitoring; am gender perspectives with regard to conflict prevention, peace negotiations and agreements, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, post-conflict reconstruction and DDR1 initiatives as stated in the UNSCR 1325/2000 on Women Peace and Security; to engage them in preventive diplomacy, early warning and security monitoring; __________________ 1 Disarmament, demobilization, reinsertion and reintegration.
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(q a) to contribute to the discussion concerning the concept on "Responsibility while Protecting" and to propose initiatives in this regard;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6
Mediation and Preventive Diplomacy
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) to cooperate closely with the UN and other actors in mediation; to strive for synergies in mediation activities with the UN Department for Political Affairs (DPA); to advance partnerships and cooperation of international, regional and subregional organisations with the UN, with each other and with civil society, for example, an EU-UN joint partnership on mediation capacities; to improve information-sharing, cooperation and coordination in order to ensure the coherence and complementarity of the efforts of actors involved in specific mediation; to encourage the contributions of civil society actors active in mediation, and to help strengthen local infrastructures for peace and establish domestic capacities for dialogue and constructive negotiation;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(v a) to support the decision by African Heads of State at the AU Summit in July 2011 and the recommendation of the Commission on the Status of Women of 8 March 2012 that the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) should be taken up for consideration by the UNGA; to call on the VP/HR and the Commission to give the utmost priority and to undertake all necessary actions to ensure the success of the process currently underway aimed at the adoption in 2012 by the UNGA of a resolution banning FGM worldwide;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
(ab a) to assure that the mandates of peacekeeping missions reflect the need to support electoral observation missions and to provide them with the necessary means to ensure the security of the observers on the ground;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 9 a (new)
Climate change and sustainable development
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad
(ad) to contribute to enhancing policy coherence in development and to improving the effectiveness of development and aid, as it was agreed in the Busan final declaration, since these remain key issues for achieving the MDGs;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad a (new)
(ad a) to influence the debate on the future of global development cooperation in the post-2015 scenario, bearing in mind that the EU and the international community must remain committed to end poverty;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad b (new)
(ad b) to speed up the progress in order to achieve the MDGs, with only three years remaining; to lead the final effort in the UN, pursuing the goals on which lack of progress remains severe;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae a (new)
(ae a) to continue working towards putting people at the centre of the development process; to follow up the UN declaration on the right to development, focusing in practical steps towards its implementation;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae a (new)
(ae a) to take the lead in the area of global climate governance and international cooperation on climate change;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae b (new)
(ae b) to focus on strong political commitments with third countries and to further develop a dialogue with other key actors, such as the United States, the BRICS countries as well as developing countries, given that climate change has become a key element of international relations and a major threat to the achievement of the MDGs; to contribute to an institutional architecture that is inclusive, transparent, equitable and provides for balanced representation of both developed and developing countries on relevant governing bodies;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae c (new)
(ae c) to cooperate strategically and to be more responsive to the needs of third countries while further developing the EEAS's capacities to build up a climate diplomacy policy;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2012/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ae d (new)
(ae d) to support the active participation of the Commission in the ongoing debate on Protection Gaps and Responses launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the framework of the 2010 High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges, which aims to improve the existing international protection framework for forcibly displaced and stateless people; to participate actively in the debate on the term 'climate refugee' - intended to describe people who are forced to flee their homes and seek refuge abroad as a consequence of climate change - including a possible legal definition of this term, which is not yet recognised in international law or in any legally binding international agreement;
2012/05/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 10 May 2012 on facing the challenge of maritime piracy,
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regards to the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 2067(2012,
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
– having regard to the United Nations Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) on Women peace and security,
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 c (new)
– having regard to the Joint Africa-EU Strategy,
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the fight against Al-ShabaabAl-Shabaab's violent insurgency and the lack of clear political and economic stability in Somalia, the renewed tensions and risk of conflict between Sudan and South Sudan, the conflict-prone regions of Abiyei and Darfur, the tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and Somalia, the tensions between Eritrea and Djibouti, and the terrorist activities of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and multiple conflicts over the access to natural resources all contribute to making the Horn of Africa one of the most conflict-prone and tense regions in the world; regions in the world, thereby causing immense human suffering, the internal displacement of people, the worsening of humanitarian crises, and obstructing sustainable social and economic development as well as democracy and the rule of law;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, the Horn of Africa is also one of the poorest and most lacking in governance regions of the world; whereas human insecurity and food insecurity in particular compound acute humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa; whereas the international community has failed to address in a preventive manner human security, drought and famine in the region;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the vicious cycle of insecurity, instability, poverty, bad governance can only be successfully and efficiently addressed through a comprehensive, holistic approach that commits to developing in a sustainable way the countries of the region; whereas the Horn of Africa demonstrates the development-security nexus, being a region where criminal activity, namely terrorism and piracy, flourishes as a consequence of extreme poverty and bad governance, or absence of State governance;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas prolonged instability in the Horn bears consequences for the security of the neighbouring countries, the continent and, due to terrorism networking in the region, may come to affect the security of other regions, such as Europe, the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas according to the UNHCR, there are over one million Somali refugees scattered throughout the Horn of Africa, mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia, and 1.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs) within Somalia; whereas internal conflict, Al-Shaabab terrorism and consecutive drought crises are at the core of the exodus and people displacement in Somalia, tangibly affecting the whole region;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the ongoing political instability and conflict in Somalia have virtually destroyed any prospects of economic, sustainable development; whereas the lack of stable democratic and economic prospects for the population, particularly the young, coupled with an absence of democracy, the rule of law, governance and human security provides fertile ground for encouraging criminal activities, including piracy and drug smuggling, and sustains terrorist groups such as Al- Shabaab; whereas, regrettably, for many Somalis piracy constinues to be seen by some Somalis as the only profitable and viabletutes the only source of income and means to a higher standard of living;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas during Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling for over 21 years Ethiopia became Africa's biggest aid recipient despite political repression; whereas reported human rights abuses perpetrated by the Government and security forces range from arbitrary arrest and conviction of thousands of Ethiopians, including journalists and opposition activists under the restrictive Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, to forced control of Muslim religious organisation, landgrabbing and displacement of indigenous populations; whereas no independent domestic or international organisation has access to all of Ethiopia's detention facilities, making it impossible to determine the number of political prisoners and others arbitrarily detained or their condition; whereas the restrictive Charities and Societies Proclamation, adopted in 2009, continues to severely hamper basic rights monitoring and reporting activities carried out by Ethiopian civil society organisations;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the passing away of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi may have profound national and regional consequences, creating an opportunity for the new leadership to open up the political space, repeal repressive laws and engage in an all inclusive political dialogue towards a democratic transition; whereas an inclusive democratically-elected government in Ethiopia is the only way to prevent the spreading of instability, radicalism and unrest in the country, which threatens Ethiopia's role in counter-terrorism;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas, after 20 years of independence and under the government of President Isaias Afewerki, Eritrea is one of the most repressive and closed countries in the world with a tremendously poor human rights record which includes the imprisoning, torturing and killing of its citizens; whereas on5 July 2012 the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution strongly condemning the continued widespread and systematic violations of human rights committed by the Eritrean authorities, the severe restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression, and the forced conscription of citizens for indefinite periods, appointing also a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, to break the country's isolation, investigate and report on abuses; whereas Swedish-Eritrean citizen Dawit Isaak remains incommunicado in jail without trial in Eritrea for 11 years;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas the EU, US, AU, the UN and the international community have failed to pressure Ethiopia and Eritrea to solve the border demarcation dispute, namely by failing to make Ethiopia abide by the ruling of the Independent Boundary Commission; whereas that grudge has been used by the Isaias dictatorship in Eritrea to repress the people and to interfere in regional conflicts;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas, on 26 September 2012, the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan signed a long awaited cooperation agreement, allowing for the resumption of oil flows from the south through the north, the demilitarization of the buffer zone along the border, the reopening of cross-border trade and the freedom of movement of citizens from both sides; whereas both countries have yet to agree on the status of Abyei and other disputed areas;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas South Sudan faces serious political, economic and security challenges, namely concerning inter- communal violence and lack of solid governance structures; whereas the ongoing civilian disarmament, called "Operation Restore Peace," started in March 2012 in response to inter- communal violence in Jonglei state, has led to reported abuses committed by the army forces against civilians;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B g (new)
Bg. whereas peace remains elusive in Sudan's western region of Darfur and in the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile; whereas human rights organisations continue to report indiscriminate bombings in civilian areas by governments forces, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, mass looting and destruction of property; whereas the ongoing violence has triggered a lasting and worrying humanitarian crisis
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda have provided valuable military and political support for the efforts to achieve stability in the region, thereby provnamely through AMISOM, the African Union mission in Somalia, thereby endeavouring that a viable solution for security and stability in the region can be African-owned and African- led, with the active support of the international community; whereas the African Union (AU) is a valuable partner for peace and stability in the region;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 52 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) couldremains an under-developed instrument for the enhancement of regional cooperation, integration and security; stresses the need for IGAD to play a central role in the political and security architecture of the region and a crucial roles well as in conflict prevention and political and economic integration in the Horn of Africa, which cshould commit and anchor the countries of the region to a common political and economic agenda;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas significant improvement in the humanitarian situation in the region is interrelated to all other aims pursued by the Union in the Horn of Africa and any sustainable resolution of the different conflicts plaguing the region therefore has to take the needs of internally displaced persons, the ongoing refugee crisis and its causes such as structural food insecurity, conflict and the effects of climate change into account with specific regard for the most vulnerable population groups such as women and children;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the sale of illegal ivory has become one of the most important sources of income for militias such as Al - Shabaab, as well as official military forces, due to an enormous increase of Asian countries' demand; whereas according to CITES, elephant poaching levels are the worst in a decade and recorded ivory seizures are at their highest levels since 1989.
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 66 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas in the region all eight Millennium Development Goals' are currently off-target and only with a resolute display of political will, can some progress be made in the three years remaining before the 2015 deadline;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas progress on poverty reduction, has suffered set backs in the Horn of Africa due to the food and fuel crises, together with the global economic and financial crisis and the impact of climate change,
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas the work of the International Criminal Court in the Horn of Africa, bringing justice and fighting against impunity is being hampered by some individual countries on the region;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU strategy for the Horn of Africa and urges for its implementation, respecting, and in particular its comprehensive approach based on tackling development, human security and stability concerns, whilst addressing the underlying causes thereof; supports the five-pronged strategy based on: (i) building democratic, robust and accountable political structures in all countries of the Horn of Africa; (ii) working with the countries of the region, regional and international actors and organisations to resolve conflicts; (iii, by addressing their root causes; (iii) promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty by responding to the basic need for development of the countries in the Horn; (iv) ensuring that existing insecurity in the region does not threaten the security of other states; (iv) supporting efforts to promote economic growth and reduce povertyneighbouring states nor other regions or countries; and (v) supporting regional political and economic cooperation;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that any sustainable solution to the myriad of conflicts in the region can only succeed if it establishes the principles of good neighbourliness overcoming rivalry and border disputes, non-interference and cooperation among states, sustainable development with and the equitable and fair sharing of access to resources with economic opportunity for all without discrimination; notes that this requires transformative efforts in peace building, mediation and reconciliation as well as the end of impunity in cooperation with the International Criminal Court, and full respect for international humanitarian law including the unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the population and Human Rights; notes that the Union in close coordination with regional bodies has a role to play in assisting these processes, in fighting the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and in facilitating demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants but that it is ultimately the people of the Horn of Africa themselves that are the only actors that can enable the region to attain durable peace, stability, prosperity as well as accountable government and the rule of law;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 88 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the important contribution made by EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA to maritime security off the coast of Somalia by protecting World Food Programme chartered vessels delivering aid to Somalia and other vulnerable vessels, as well as supplies to AMISOM; welcomes the Council decision of 23 March 2012 prolonging EUNAVFOR Atalanta to December 2014 and extending its mandate to target the operational bases of pirates onshore; urges the Member States to ensure that EUNAVFOR Atalanta is properly supported with adequate surveillance and patrol ships, as well as with the means for pursuing pirates on landthe current welcome gains in the fight against piracy are reversible and sustained efforts are necessary to deter and deprive pirates of future opportunities;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses, as it did in the past, the fact that even though EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA is a valuable mission in the context of the implementation and development of the CSDP, it will fall short of successfully curtailing piracy and its consequences if a comprehensive strategy is not put in place in the Horn of Africa, and particularly in Somalia, to address the reasons that draw Somalis into piracy and criminal activity for income;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the decision by the Foreign Affairs Council of 12 December 2011 to establish a regional maritime capacity- building initiative, called EUCAP Nestor, in order to strengthen the maritime and judicial capabilities and training of coastal police forces and judges in five countries in the Horn of Africa and the western Indian Ocean; calls for close coordination with other initiatives, including the EU's MARSIC project, under the Critical Maritime Routes Programme sponsored by the Instrument for Stability; believes that only by enhancing the coastal security capabilities of the riparian countries and by addressing the root causes of piracy on land will the EU and its partners be able to withdraw their naval patrols from the area;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reiterates its call on the Member States, in cooperation with Europol and INTERPOL, to investigate and trace money flows and confiscate the money which is paid as ransom to pirates, as there are indications that this money might be transferred to bank accounts worldwide, including banks in Europe, as well as to identify and dismantle the organised criminal networks that reap the profits of such acts; calls on the Council to facilitate further cooperation between EU NAVFOR on the one hand and Europol and Interpol on the other;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Denounces the lack of implementation of CITES' regulations: Calls the EC and the Council to promote the creation of a certification and control of ivory imports to the EU, similar to the successful Kimberly process;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the decision of July 2011 to extend and refocus the mandate of the EU Training Mission (EUTM) based in Uganda; nevertheless calls for the close monitoring of all recruits trained by EUTM, in order to ensure that they are integrated into the Somali armed forces and that any defections are immediately notified and investigated; also calls for the close monitoring of the chain of payments for training forces, to ensure that they reach their intended beneficiaries and generate motivation, allegiance and commitment, thereby ensuring that the ability to take ownership remains with the future security forces of Somalia;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Acknowledges that the increased usage of private Vessel Protection Detachments has contributed to the recent decrease in successful pirate attacks; stresses that while a number of Member States have recently permitted the use of such private services aboard ships flying their flag it does not relieve them of their responsibility to be the principle security provider for their seafarers; is concerned about a lack of legal clarity concerning the actions of private armed personnel in engaging with pirates involving potentially lethal force; deplores the lack of a code of conduct beyond voluntary measures; welcomes in this context recent calls from the maritime industry for a regulation of private maritime security companies and calls on the International Maritime Organisation, flag state governments and the maritime industry to work together in establishing clear, consistent, enforceable international standards for private security firms operating on the high seas that ensure transparency, accountability, corporate standards, a public registry for their licensing and certification and mandatory incident reporting;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines the need for close strategic coordination amongst all security-related actors, in particular EU-NAVFOR ATALANTA, EUTM Somalia and EUCAP Nestor, as well as NATO (Operation Atlantic Shield), the UN and AMISOM; bwelieves thatcomes the decision by the Council of 23 March 2012 to activate, on the EU Operations Centre ans ad hoc basis, the EU Operations Centre potentially significant step for the development of CSDP and believes it should facilitate greater EU coordination in the framework of the Strategy for the Horn of Africa;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls, as a matter of urgency, for assistance to the justice and penitentiary systems of the countries that have concluded transfer agreements with the EU (Kenya, the Seychelles and Mauritius), as well as support for the Somali authorities to ensure that they have the judicial capacity and legal due processes, in accordance with iInternational Law, namely International hHuman rRights standardsLaw, to handle captured pirates and Al-Shabaab militants;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that respect for Human Rights and fundamental freedoms are invariable foundations of Union engagement with third partners; is therefore deeply concerned about reports of arbitrary arrests, mistreatment of prisoners and violence against demonstrators as well as repressive measures against political opposition including censorship and arbitrary detention of journalists and activists that have occurred across the region; calls on all authorities in the Horn to respect these fundamental principles and release all political prisoners unconditionally;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Urges all countries in the region to collaborate with the ICC, and reminds the binding obligation of those who are signatories and have ratified the Rome Statute; also welcomes the recent developments in the ICC, admitting to conduct research and investigations in states that are not party or have not ratified the Rome Statute;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that more resources could be invested in IGAD in order to promote a system of good governance, as well as effective political dialogue and consensus-building mechanisms amongst all its member states; calls on the EU to facilitate this role by engaging further in their process of building their internal capacity; recalls that it will be of the utmost importance to promote a regional institutional framework for dialogue and coordination amongst the countries of the region, with particular reference to Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, which, as the key players in the region, need to continue to coordinate efforts and pursue shared objectives; further recalls that IGAD could provide an adequate framework for dialogue and coordination relating to the exploitation of vital natural resources such as water;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Is of the opinion that for any efforts of conflict resolution and peace building to be successful a meaningful participation of women across all sectors of public life has to be secured; calls in this regard on the Somali authorities to uphold their pledge in the Garowe Principles that 30% of the Federal Parliament shall be taken up by women;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. TakHopes the view that Ethiopia in particular has a strong democratic potential and a long-standing tradition of civil society engagement; and that renewed efforts should be made to promote dialogue with the Ethiopian authorities on further democratic reforms; stresses the importance of continuous assistance to South Sudan with a view to creating and sustaining an effective civil society; strongly believes that the new instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights should include ad hoc financing lines for the Horn of Africa; at under the leadership of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, appointed on September 21st 2012, Ethiopia engages in a process of genuine democratic transition; stresses that the current approach of the EU and the international community towards the Ethiopian government's oppressive stance risks fuelling legitimate grievances within the Ethiopian society, giving rise to radicalisation and violence targeting the west, with regional repercussions; urges the EU and the international community, to tie political, military and development assistance to concrete democratic reforms, which must include the release of all prisoners of conscience, such as journalists and opposition members, the admission of UN special rapporteurs on human rights with unhindered access to all the regions and detention facilities, the repeal or amendment of the Charities and Societies Proclamation and the Anti- Terrorism Proclamation and the return of the opposition in exile; calls on the EU to find innovative and secure ways to assist financially and politically the struggling civil society in Ethiopia and engage in close dialogue with the opposition, both in Ethiopia and in exile;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 165 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that the end of the TFG's mandate is a key test of the potential of Somalia as a functioning state; believes that it will be important to facilitate an inclusive political dialogue in Somalia and promote consensus-building processes to support the new government of Somalia; stresses that viable and inclusive economic structures and a system of revenue-sharing for future oil and gas exploitation in Puntland, for the benefit of the whole countrypopulation, will be essential for the long- term sustainability of Somalia as a federal state;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes the end of the transition in Somalia as an opportunity for renewal; calls on the newly elected President and all Somali authorities as accountable partners to fight corruption in all its forms and to establish transparent and effective financial administration, to promote transparency, good governance and development at the benefit of the entire population and to seek genuine reconciliation by forging a strong cooperation between the federal government and the states;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Urges the EU and all regional and international partners to take the most of the opportunity created by a new government in Somalia which, coupled with the apparent decline of the Al- Shaabab surge in the country, provides for potential to open a new political era in Somalia; stresses, therefore, the need for the international community, namely the EU, to stand ready to provide support to legitimate and democratic authorities in the field of institutional capacity building, SSR, DDR, and to support civil society; urges the HR/VP to make sure that EU action in Somalia fosters a free, open society that respects and upholds human rights, namely women's rights and minorities' rights, enables the empowering of women and ensures gender balance in all sectors of society;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on the Somali authorities to prioritize institution building and establishing an accountable, transparent, integrative police force as a matter of urgency to establish trust of the population in the new government; commends in this regard the valuable contribution that EUTM Somalia is making to the country's security forces; trusts in Member States ongoing support in this CSDP mission's work which strives to instil respect for human rights, gender dynamics and the rule of law in the Somali military; notes that the development of stable, accountable and inclusive Somali institutions has to go beyond the security forces and be Somali- led and owned if Somalia is to become a viable state;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Urges the international community not to repeat mistakes of the past in concentrating assistance at the federal institutions in Mogadishu at the expense of Somalia's regions which can play a crucial role in the decentralised delivery of basic services and stability to the population; regional administrations that have demonstrated that they are committed to the rule of law, a peaceful, constructive national dialogue and are capable of forging cross-clan alliances should be given priority in assistance;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 178 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the very positive example of Somaliland, which has demonstrated its capacity to develop and consolidate its democratic, economic and administrative structures over more than twenty years; notes that Somaliland has so far been very successful in consolidating security and stability on its territory and in cooperating in the fight against piracy and terrorism; expresses concern, however, that should Al-Shabaab regroup in its mountainous border regions, Somaliland may become vulnerable; stresses, therefore, that it is essential to support Somaliland in the fight against terrorism, including promoting economic diversification and building capacity for youth employment; stresses that in the quest for a solution for the long- term stability and security of Somalia it is important to evaluate the positive example of Somaliland's stability; notes that Somaliland currently seeks re-recognition as a separate state in its own right;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Government of Ethiopia to formally endorse the Boundary Commission's virtual demarcation between Eritrea and Ethiopia as final and binding; calls on the Eritrean Government to agree to engage in dialogue with Ethiopia in order to address the process of disengagement of troops from the border and physical demarcation in accordance with the Border Commission's decision, as well as the normalisation of relations with Ethiopia, including the reopening of the border; calls on the international community to devise a roadmap to assist Eritrea in restoring its political and economic structures and create the capacity for long-term sustainability and effective functioning; emphasises that all assistance which does not pursue humanitarian objectives should be made strictly conditional on a commitment by the Eritrean authorities to facilitate a democratic transition and the improvement of the human rights situation in the country;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 192 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the international community to devise a strategy to engage with Eritrea and defend the interest and needs of the Eritrean people, while pressing the regime and military forces to allow access of international organisations, prepare long- promised elections and open up political space in the country; emphasises that all EU assistance which does not pursue humanitarian objectives should be made strictly conditional on a commitment by the Eritrean authorities to facilitate a democratic transition and the improvement of the human rights situation in the country , with transparent and tangible benchmarks;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 196 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. StressWelcomes the urgent need for an agreement on the sharing of oil revenues between Sudan and South Sudan and that a renewed conflict between the two could have dire consequences for the sustainability of South Sudan as a newly independent state and imperil regional stabilityagreements reached by Sudan and South Sudan on resuming oil exports and border demilitarisation and calls on both countries to respect them; calls on both states to cease the harbouring of, or support to, rebel groups against the other State; recommends that both leaders continue talks in order to reach agreement on the status of Abyei and order disputed areas in accordance with the AU Roadmap and UN Security Council Resolution 2046 as soon as possible; supports the efforts of the AU panel headed by the former South African president Thabo Mbeki to resolve all outstanding issues, and calls on the EUSR for Sudan and South Sudan to make all possible efforts to ensure that the Mbeki panel retains a central role in promoting a solution between Sudan and South Sudan; calls on the EUSR for Sudan and South Sudan to coordinate with the Head of Delegations in Sudan and South Sudan to ensure that EU engagement, political efforts and assistance maintain a very high degree of visibility;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Stresses the importance of the EU's continuous assistance to South Sudan with a view to providing capacity building for the South Sudanese public administration and law enforcement authorities, creating and sustaining an effective civil society and promoting good governance; urges the EU to press for the ratification and of key international human rights treaties by South Sudan and assist the South Sudanese authorities in their implementation; condemns the reported abuses against civilians by the military forces in the demilitarisation process and calls on the South Sudanese Government to conduct an independent investigation into the events in order to hold soldiers accountable and repair the victims;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2012/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Strongly condemns all acts of violence committed against civilians in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Sudan; urges the EU and the international community to agree on an unified approach to addressing the protection of civilians and ending human rights violations, particularly in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile; Calls on the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/ North to enter immediately into direct talks to agree on a complete cessation of hostilities and to reach a political settlement on the basis of the 28 June 2011 Framework Agreement as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 2046; stresses the importance of keeping international actors in the conflict zones and urges Sudanese authorities to ensure their safety, along with that of civilians; Recalls the EU's and Member States' responsibilities of enhanced support and cooperation with the International Criminal Court in implementing arrest warrants of Ahmad Muhammad Harun, Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein and President Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir;
2012/10/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2012/2016(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that even at a time when the national budgets of all Member States are subject to severe austerity measures, the 2013 budgetary procedure must be part of the general effort to reduce expenditures; takes the view that, for the sake of exemplarity and solidarity, the EU must show a commensurate commitment to scale down or control increases in program funding; maintains that heading 4 in the EU budget cannot be exempted from this politically difficult exercise must reinforce the role of the EU policy as a global partner; recalls its resolution on the budget 2013 guidelines and in particular paragraph 17 thereof; warns that the EU risks international marginalisation if its foreign policy remains underfunded; underlines, however, that there is room for making more efficient use of the existing resources by better targeting assistance funds to areas where the EU can bring added value such as democracy, good governance, peace-building, the rule of law and education;
2012/05/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2012/2016(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. SupportUnderstands, in this regard, the Commission’s proposal to scale down programmes that are not implemented in a satisfactory way, but rejects its proposal to artificially increase, as compared to the financial programming, the margin under heading 4 in order to facilitate the upcoming budgetary conciliation; takes the view that, for the sake of budgetary discipline and sound financial management, all parties involved must face what the real financial needs of the Union’s external action areprovided only these cases will be affected; at any rate, the decrease in the appropriations should not be made across the lines: recalls the need for more coordination, coherence, transparency and visibility in the financing of external actions by the Union and its Member States to avoid overlaps;
2012/05/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2012/2016(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the proposal to contain increases for appropriations under the European Neighbourhood Instrument, addressing the needs of countries facing major political and economical changes; welcomes the focus on the Eeastern Partnership but rejects the 3.2% decrease for the Southern Partnership and considers the Commission’s reporting on the application of the "more for more" principle to be insufficient; rejects the decreases foreseen for the Guarantee Fund (EUR -104 millions), IPA (EUR -99 million), Macro- financial Assistance (EUR - 37.4 million), Development Cooperation Instrument (EUR - 28.6 million) and Instrument for Stability (EUR -41.4 million);
2012/05/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2012/2016(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that it is important for the EU that it promotes the Arctic and Northern dimension policies, and the relationships with Latin America and the countries generally referred as BRICS; reiterates its support to all existing mechanisms that serve to strengthen this cooperation;
2012/05/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2012/2000(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Recalls that the allocation for EU external actions within the current financial framework is insufficient to meet the policies approved as priorities by Parliament, the Council and the Commission; recalls moreover, that the appropriations allocated for some policies have had to be revised several times in order to meet new goals and tasks, making the use of the Flexibility Instrument necessary in almost every annual budget; underlines that the financial needs for EU external actions will not be less during 2013, especially with regards to pre-accession, development cooperation and crisis response as well as neighborhood policy; stresses that it will not accept longstanding EU political commitments to be jeopardized;
2012/02/16
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 41 #

2011/2310(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines that renewable marine energies comprise an industrial sector for the future that can combat climate change and the EU’s energy dependence; notes that the Atlantic area is particularly suitable for the development of these energiespromotion of new energy sources such as offshore wind energy using floating turbines and wave and tidal energy, and considers that public support is necessary to accompany private investment in these technologies;
2012/05/24
Committee: REGI
Amendment 39 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) request that the EED guarantee the principle of national ownership of democratic processes and that democracy building be done through empowerment of the bases of society to the highest organs of government;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ensure that the EED fosters and encourages ‘deep and sustainable democracy’ in pre-transition and transition countries, with a primary, although not exclusive,ority focus on the European Neighbourhood – specifically Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Morocco – and can be extended to others by reasoned decision;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 50 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) advise against EED involvement in fragile states in view of the inherent difficulties and specific nature of the work required;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) guarantee that the EED generates synergies with and complements the work carried out by EU Member States, their agencies and the foundations they fund, while working closely with them, creating partnerships and avoiding duplication; seek complementarity and close coordination with the Anna Lindh Foundation, in particular to promote democracy in the Mediterranean;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ensure that the EED plays a role which complements and does not curtail the activities of existing funding instruments, particularly the EIDHR; where appropriate, the EED should launch projects which can later be continued by the EIDHRseek assurances that funding destined for the EIDHR in the upcoming financial perspective (2014 - 2020) is not adversely affected by the creation of the EED; where appropriate, the EED should launch projects which can later be continued by the EIDHR, provided that the objectives of the project are consistent with the priorities, thematic lines and programming of this instrument, creating an interface with the EIDHR so as to ensure coherence and sustainability in the longer term;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) request that the impartiality of the EU Election Observation Missions be observed, and thus consider that the EED should not include such missions amongst its activities to promote democracy;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) consider it essential that the EED grant multi-party support to societies in transition countries, given their role as key players in democracy, so that they can help achieve national consensus;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) endow Parliament with a broad political oversight role over EED activities, sinter alia by ensuring that Parliament isce Parliament can contribute during the programming phase and to setting priorities and strategic lines of action, ensuring that it is also kept informed through the presentation of annual reports on the activities of the EED's, annuald by the presentation of accountability reports;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2011/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) review after one year of activities the impact and performance of the EED, and ensure that the results of this assessment are forwarded to the European Parliament and that extension or continuation of the mandate is considered on this basis;
2011/12/20
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. WelcomNotes the reference to Article 49 of the TEU and believes that all partner countries of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) have a legitimate right to strive for EU membershipdeepen their relations with the EU; believes that the conclusion of association agreements does not exclude this perspective but can, on the contrary, be an important step towards further European integration, provided that they fulfil the geographical, political and economic conditions laid down in the Treaties;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2011/2157(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the importance of paying particular attention to the younger generation; stresses that the EU should increase cooperation in the field of education, immediately broadening and increasing scholarship programmes and mobility of students, graduates, teachers and academics by promoting university and high-school exchanges and public- private partnerships in the field of research and enterprises; stresses the strong need for a structured information policy towards the citizens of the ENP partners concerning the possibility of participation in EU programmes;
2011/10/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the economic growthgrowing political and economic relevance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (the BRICS) and the repercussions consequent upon this on recovery from the worldwide financial and economic crisis, entails an increased relevance of thoese countries in foreign policy terms;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas without an inclusive new global governance system based on close consis urgently needed, in the formultation and cooperation with the BRICS, there will be little incentive for emerged and emerging powers to cooperateof which the BRICS countries should have a central role matching their political and econcert action on major global issues with the potential risk of (i)omic influence; reiterates that the price of failing to establish this new system of governance entails potential risks such as (i) the political and economic fragmentation and the emergence of competing world orders and separate regional areas, (ii) the disentanglement of global economic structures and investment flows, and (iii) the creation of regional blocks of influence with very limited international coordination and no concerted solution possible for transnational challenges;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2011/2111(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;
2011/11/10
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
– having regard to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide that entered into force on 12 January 1951,
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
– having regard to the Stockholm Programme 2010-2014 entitled ‘An Open and Secure Europe Serving and Protecting Citizens’ (December 2009)10, and the Action Plan for its implementation of April 2010,
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the ICC is currently conducting investigations in sevenix countries (Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Darfur region of Sudan, Central African Republic, Kenya and Libya), and the ICC prosecutor has recently requested the opening of an eigh seventh investigation in Côte d’Ivoire,
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas a large numberthe majority of ICC arrest warrants are still pending, including those against the Sudanese President al-Bashir and the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi,
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the first Review Conference on the Rome Statute held in Kampala in 2010, which was attended not just by the States Parties but also by international, parliamentary and civil society organisations, reaffirmed its commitment to justice and accountability,
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Takes note of the Cooperation and Assistance Agreement between the EU and the ICC; calls on the EU Member States to apply the principle of universal jurisdiction in tackling impunity and crimes against humanity, and highlights its importance for the effectiveness and success of the international criminal justice system;
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the African States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to ensure an increase, rather than a decrease, in African Union (AU) support for the task of holding the world’s worst offenders to account; expresses support for the Court’s request to open a liaison office with the African Union in Addis Ababa;
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recognises the role of the EU in promoting the universality of the Rome Statute and of the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Court (APIC) and welcomes the recent accessions to/ratifications of the Rome Statute by Tunisia, Granada, Moldova, Philippines, St Lucia and the Seychelles, which brought the total number of States Parties to 116;
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 146 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Recommends that the EU, and particularly the EEAS, promote the universality of the Rome Statute and the fight against impunity, as well as respect for, cooperation with and assistance of the Court, including within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and of dialogues between the EU and regional organisations, particularly the AU, the Arab League and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN); emphasises also the importance of promoting the ratification and application of the Rome Statute for the Court in its bilateral dialogues on human rights with third countries;
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 199 #

2011/2109(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the EU’s financial and logistical support for the ICC thus far and recommends that current forms of support (including the visiting professionals and internship programmes)11 are continued and expanded further, especially in the following fields: outreach activities aimed at helping victims and affected communities; legal representation; witness relocation; the participation and protection of victims/witnesses, with special consideration for the needs of women and juvenile/child victims; the provision of support enabling the Court to cover urgent operational needs stemming from new investigations; expresses its concern that the lack of resources might be an impediment to the full functioning of the Court;
2011/09/29
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2005 on the reform of the United Nations1, __________________ 1 Text adopted P6_TA(2005)0237.
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the preliminary list of items to be included in the provisional agenda of the 66th regular session of the General Assembly1, __________________ 1 United Nations General Assembly document A/66/50.
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 9 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Article 47 TEU confers legal personality upon the Union, implying for it rights and responsibilities under international law; whereas the EU shares the purposes and respects the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with regard to peace and security in the world,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU should play a proactive part in building a United Nations that can effectively contribute to global solutions, peace and security and a rule-of-law-based international order; whereas, in accordance with Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the EU is formally committed to effective multilateralism with a strong UN at its core, which is essential in order to address global challenges, such as climate change and securitypeace and security, climate change and environmental degradation, universality and indivisibility of human rights, as well as poverty reduction and development for all,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) should significantly contribute to the furtherand the UN Women should redouble the efforts of the international community as to the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 1325 and 1820 and subsequent resolutions, through both its internal structure and, its external actions and policies, as well as a better management and economies of scale in order to outreach their results,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas strengthened efforts to combat terrorism in the world have increased the need to address security whilst fully respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 27 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to advance effective multilateralism as the overriding strategic concern of the Union and to strengthen the coherence and visibility of the EU as a global actor at the UN, inter alia by reducing the emphasis onbetter coordinating and speeding up the internal EU consultations on UN issues and by moving on to promote greater outreach on a wide range of issues; to authorise the VP/HR to draft a code of conduct framing the relations between ambassadors of the Members States and the EU Ambassadors, especially of those working at a multilateral level in places like Geneva and New York, so that the EU can successfully pursue its UN agenda and meet the expectations of UN members regarding its ability to act; to foster greater cohesion both within the UN system and between the positions of EU Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries, so as to maximise the potential offered by the Lisbon Treaty to strengthen the EU's impact through the coordinated and strategic use of its various and distinctive (EU and Member States) entry points,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) whilst retainingbuilding on its observer status in the UNGA and in accordance with the UN Charter and the intergovernmental nature of the UN, to make - in order to enable the new EU representatives to speak effectively and inaffirm that the Union shares with its Member States the responsibility to be actively involved in the UN system and to stress the need for the EU to speak with a single voice; basing its a ctimely manner on global issues, in keeping withon on the provisions of Article 47 TEU on the legal personality of the EU and implementing Articles 18 and 47 TEU -TEU on the competences of the HR, to make the necessary arrangements so that the EU can participate effectively in the work of the UNGA, on the basis of com and to enable the new EU reprehsensive consultation with UN Member Stattatives to speak effectively and in a timely manner on global issues; to reconfirm its commitment that the UN is at the centre of the EU's foreign policy and to reiterate the view that its effective participation in the work of the UN is not only an EU strategic priority, but also consistent with achieving the UN's goals and, as such, in the interests of its entire membership,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to fully support, through specific budgetary commitments, UN Women in its role of promoting gender equality and to protect and empower women, including in conflict and post-crisis situations, working in close coordination with other parts of the UN system; welcomes the allocation of 1.5 million euros for programmes on Women Peace and Security under the Instrument for Stability (IfS) and recalls that gender mainstreaming should be applied all through the crisis preparedness actions of the IfS,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to work towards achieving consensus on and developing a more operational approach towards the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (RtoP); whilst stressing its importance in preventing conflicts, to encourage the implementation of RtoP, inter alia, by strengthening the role of regional organisations such as the African Union (AU), by strengthening early-warning mechanisms within the UN and by better defining the roles of relevant UN bodies; welcomes UNSC Resolution S/1970 (2011/95) of 26 February 2011, which called on the Government of Libya to meet its responsibility to protect its population, the very first time that the RtoP doctrine has been mentioned in a formal UNSC statement in referenceas well as UNSC Resolution 1973 (2011) of 17 March 2011, which stressed the determination of the international comunity to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian populated areas, as first practical implementation of the RtoP doctrine under a clear UN mandate and with regard to an ongoing crisis,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) to undertake all necessary efforts to promote negotiated settlements to conflict situations through mediation, dialogue and local capacity building; acknowledges the work done by the Mediation Support Unit and calls for its further staffing; fully supports the EU's partnership with the MSU and believes that the EEAS has to play a vital role in this regard,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to promote security and stabilisation through peacebuilding, whilst tackling peacebuilding itself through longer-term development efforts and by ensuring that peacekeeping is both planned and implemented within the framework of a comprehensive single UN strategy, which takes account of peacebuilding needs and the future transition to a longer-term- strategy early on in both the planning and implementing stages and on which the EU bases its own measures; given that the stabilisation of a conflict-torn country requires more complex action and an integrated approach, and not merely troops, the necessary capacities should be orchestrated by means of such a strategy, in order adequately to address the root causes of conflict, given that half the countries in which peacekeeping operations are deployed lapse back into conflict within 10 years of the departure of the peacekeeping forces,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) to insist on the need to take the lessons from the recent developments in Japan and to bring forward proposals aiming at enhancing the international framework with regard to the peaceful use of nuclear energy; to underline the need to increase security standards of existent nuclear plants and conduct proper evaluation studies before constructing new ones, particularly in seismic areas; to call for improved cooperation in case of similar man-made or natural disaster in order to minimize the consequences of radioactive releases for human beings and the environment,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) to develop a clearly defined strategic vision of the EU's crisis prevention and management instruments and on which, firsto explore the possibilities of concrete project mand foremost, a consensus must be reached among the EU Member Statesagement through the newly established EEAS, acknowledging the importance that crisis prevention and crisis management have within the EU's external action,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) to consider it an EU strategic priority to strengthen international crisis-management partnerships and to enhance dialogue with other major crisis-management actors, such as the UN, OSCE, NATO and the AU, and third countries, such as the USA, Turkey, Norway and Canadaencourage active participations of EU and third countries; to synchronise actions on the ground, share information and pool resources in the fields of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, including cooperation on crisis management and, in particular, maritime security, and the fight against terrorism under international law; to improve coordination, in this regard, with the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and bilateral donors,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to help with the task of enabling the UN peacebuilding architecture to live up to the expectations which accompanied its establishment, by taking forward the recommendations of the PBC review process, also with the aim of further improving the PBC's effectiveness; to support the emergence of a sound overall peacebuilding architecture on the basis of a partnership between developing and developed countries, whilst paying particular attention to improving delivery on the ground, enhancing relations with the IFIs – in order to create jobs and address economic issues - and fostering a more organic relationship between peacekeeping and peacebuilding; to promote a more structured relationship between the PBC and the UNGA, the UNSC and the Economic and Social Council with a view to creating greater synergy between peacekeeping and peacebuilding and development actions on the ground; to seek ways of strengthening the PBC's advisory role vis-à-vis the UNSC, to which it is accountable, of enhancing the PBC's cooperation with the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and of strengthening links with regional organisations and IFIs; furthermore, stresses the need to improve the existing partnership between the UN Peace Building Commission and the EU Peace Building Partnership through a bottom up approach to conflict resolution that takes into account the activities of non-state actors in peace-building,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to insist on the need of harmonizing the efforts of various UN organs in order to better promote the efficiency and effectiveness of development and social issues around the world; to live up to the pledges made at the MDG summit as regards gathering together the resources needed to meet the targets by 2015, in particular by meeting the EU's commitments on official development aid; to strongly advocate an increase in the level of financial investment in order to meet the MDG targets and to rapidly scale up and replicate proven innovative programmes and policies aimed at overall development and economic and social transformation,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) to prepare for and activelyactively continue to participate in the review of the HRC in New York and theits follow- up, to that reviewstrengthen compliance with its mandate; to address the HRC's ability to continue to tackle urgent situations involving serious human rights violations as in the recent cases of Libya and the Ivory Coast, to improve its capacity to implement existing international norms and standards and enhance its role as an early- warning and preventive mechanism able to prioritise and address the root causes of human rights violations with the aim of preventing freshnew or further escalation of human rights violations, including through its support for capacity building for national human rights institutions; to seek ways of improving the HRC's election procedures in order to address the issue of the quality of HRC membership; to develop a viable working relationship between the HRC and the Third Committee, and between the HRC and the UNHCR , and in that respect calls for the abolition of the possibility of regional groups to present a predetermined slate of candidates for UNHRC membership; to develop a viable working relationship between the HRC and the Third Committee, and between the HRC and the UNHCHR; reiterates its position that the review should preserve the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and opposes any attempts to change the status of the OHCHR which could impact negatively on the funding and consequently on its dependence,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) to support the financing, through specific budgetary commitments, and the capacity, accountability and effectiveness of UN Women, so that it can coordinate relevant activities more effectively, to incorporate a gender perspective into all UN policies and create institutional coherence/synergy; to concentrate efforts, also by contributing to improved strategic planning, on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325, especially as regards women's presence in peace talks, thereby enabling them to become mediators, raising their skills, and empowering them as decision-makers, and, in general, linking women and development,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2011/2030(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
(ta) to promote an official, judicial legitimisation of the term "climate refugee" - intended to describe people who are forced to flee their homes and seek refuge abroad as a consequence of climate change - which is not recognised yet in international law or in any legally binding international convention although 'climate refugees' could receive protection through a broader application of existing international conventions via the principle of the states obligation of guarding the respect of human rights of all in case of disasters; to support an active participation of the Commission in the ongoing debate on Protection Gaps and Responses launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the framework of the 2010 High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges which aims at improving the existing international protection framework for forcibly displaced and stateless people,
2011/04/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2011/2019(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Encourages the EU to cooperate on the budgetary level with bodies that fight for gender equality and women empowerment in the international sphere, especially with UN-Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women;
2011/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 42 #

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for realistic and cost-based budget requests from the other institutions which take full account of the need to manage scarce resources in an optimal way; welcomes the establishment of a new Section X in the EU budget for the European External Action Service, with an allocation of EUR 464 m.,; draws attention to the fact that the initial proposed allocation, before the European Council of December 2010, was EUR 475 m.; and is ready to examine the EEAS’s needs as regards both real estate and personnel and determined to closely monitor its impact on heading 5, as its creation was intended to be budget- neutral; is not prepared to jeopardise the needs of the existing institutions;
2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 43 #

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Believes that the establishment of a new Section X in the EU budget for the European External Action Service responds to the need to provide the European Union with an institutional framework which, together with the new CFSP/CSDP provisions, can support the EU’s ambitions in foreign policy;
2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 44 #

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Regrets that in spite of this promising institutional framework, the proposed allocation of administrative resources for the European External Action Service (EEAS) can aggravate the chronic underfunding of external relations policies if no fresh money is foreseen to fund the one-third target for national diplomats; asks the Commission and the Council to clarify the impact of the EEAS on the budget;
2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 45 #

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. In order to maintain the principle of budgetary neutrality, considers that savings that Member States might make through the setting-up of the EEAS (since the suppression of certain national diplomatic services has already been foreseen) should be invested in funding the proper functioning of the EEAS to enable this new instrument to efficiently achieve its goals;
2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 46 #

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 d (new)
28d. Is convinced that increased budgetary resources are not sufficient to guarantee the effectiveness of the EU’s external action - greater flexibility and rapidity in disbursing financial assistance are also required; calls, therefore, for greater flexibility between headings and above such headings of the financial perspectives;
2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2011/2017(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 e (new)
28e. Strongly believes that savings can be made by identifying overlaps and inefficiencies across all headings and flagging up areas where results are not in line with the expectations and the requests of the European Parliament;
2011/02/18
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 26 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Implementation of these instruments should be evaluated on the basis of concrete performance indicators which are subject to the objectives specified for each instrument with respect for each beneficiary country's needs and circumstances; these performance indicators should cover, inter alia, the areas of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; sufficiently monitored, free and fair democratic elections, the rule of law; the independence of the judiciary; democratic control over armed and security forces; the protection of minorities; the level of corruption; decentralisation and local democracy; measurements of internal economic disparities, including employment levels and progress towards social justice; the situation of civil society and equality between women and men.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The Union's external action under the instruments to which this Regulation relates should have an impact reflected in concrete changes in beneficiary countries and partner countries. That impact should be monitored and assessed on the basis of pre-defined, clear, transparent and measurable indicators adapted to the specificities of each instrument, based on objectives which respect each beneficiary country's needs and circumstances.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 35 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. With the objective of ensuring that human rights and democracy are respected in beneficiary countries, an assessment shall be carried out of the impact of the project on human rights, including social rights and democracy, where relevant.
2012/06/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 36 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii - subparagraph 2 (new)
For grants mentioned under point iii, a specific agreement shall be concluded between the Commission and beneficiaries, including provisions on mandatory regular reporting and clear performance indicators.
2012/06/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 37 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. The biennial report shall contain information relating to the previous year on the measures financed, the results of monitoring and evaluation exercises, the involvement of the relevant partners, and the implementation of budgetary commitments and of payments appropriations. It shall assess the results of the Union's financial assistance, using as far as possible, specific and measurable indicators of both a quantitative and a qualitative nature to assess its role in meeting all the objectives of the Instruments, and covering all relevant aspects of the instruments (including human rights and the rule of law).
2012/06/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 38 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. If appropriate and where relevant, an observer from the European Investment Bank (EIB) shall be invited to attend committee meetings when issues of interest to the EIB are being considered, unless the committee decides otherwise.
2012/06/05
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 64 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Financial assistance in the form of budget support, as provided for by point (c) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 and in accordance with Article XXX of Council Regulation (EC) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities1, shall be conditional on measurable objectives, clear targets, performance criteria and transparent, reliable and effective auditing standards, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the use of that form of assistance. Before approving any financing decision, the Commission shall secure guarantees from the government of the partner country concerned that it has established national parliamentary control and audit capacities, including public access to information. The Union shall support the countries that do not have yet such capacities to establish them and to create, in the meantime, a provisional equivalent system that shall offer the EU the guarantee of a transparent and efficient spending of allocated funds. _______________ 1 OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall regularly monitor and review its actions, and evaluate the results of the implementation of sectoral policies and actions, and the effectiveness of programming, where appropriate by means of independent external evaluations, in order to ascertain whether the objectives have been met and to enable it to formulate recommendations with a view to improving future operations. Those evaluations shall be carried out on the basis of pre-defined, country specific, clear, transparent and measurable indicators and shall be sent to the European Parliament and the Council. Proposals by the European Parliament or the Council for independent external evaluations will be taken into due account.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2011/0414(CNS)

Draft legislative resolution
Point 1a (new)
1a. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe1; reiterates that, sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5% compared to the 2013 level only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union's agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value; _____________ Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 18 #

2011/0414(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The promotion of regulatory and other forms of cooperation with emerging economies and the promotion of Union approaches, rules, standards and practices are external policy objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. However, cooperation in the fields of nuclear safety and safeguards under this Regulation is not aimed at promoting nuclear energy.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 22 #

2011/0414(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. The aid provided under this Instrument shall be made available with priority to countries beneficiaries of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II), the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) and of the Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 28 #

2011/0414(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The financial reference amount as defined in point [17] of the Interinstitutional Agreement of XX/201Z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management for the implementation of this Regulation over the period 2014 to 2020 is EUR 631 100 000.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 30 #

2011/0414(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits ofout prejudice to the provisions of the Regulation laying down the multi-annual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 and the Interinstitutional Agreement of xxx/201z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 31 #

2011/0414(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – part 1 – indent 2
– Priority will be given to Accession Countries and, countries in the European Neighbourhood region. Regional approaches will be favoured, countries with a high level of installation of nuclear energy, and countries which, having nuclear energy among its energy resources, are more vulnerable from the economic perspective.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 70 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Instrument for StabilityPeace
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) In order to adapt the scope of this Regulation to the rapidly evolving reality, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the detailed areas of technical and financial assistance provided in the Annexes to this Regulation, and to adopt additional procedures for exchanging information and cooperation. It is of particular importance that the Commission should carry out in close cooperation with the EEAS appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including with the European Parliament and at expert level. The Commission and the EEAS, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, should further ensure timely transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) in a situation of crisis or emerging crisis, to swiftly contribute to peace, international security and stability by providing an effective response to help preserve, establish or re-establish the conditions essential to the proper implementation of the Union's development and cooperation policiescommon external policies and actions - in particular the EU's development and cooperation policies and the Common Foreign and Security Policy - and the respect for its values and for principles of the United Nation Charter and international law;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to address specific global and trans- regional threats having a destabilising effect, including climate changeto peace, international security and stability.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Measures taken under this Regulation shall duly take into consideration the views of the European Parliament and shall be consistent with its recommendations and resolutions.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) Multi-country, Thematic Strategy Papers and Multiannual Indicative Programmes;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Multi-country and Thematic Strategy Papers shall constitute the general basis for the implementation of assistance under Article 4 and 5. Multi-country and Thematic Strategy Papers shall provide a framework for cooperation between the Union and the partner countryies or regions concerned, consistent with the overall purpose and scope, objectives, principles and policy of the Union.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. Each Multi-country and Thematic Strategy Paper shall be accompanied by a Multiannual Indicative Programme summarising the priority areas selected for Union financing, the specific objectives, the expected results and timeframe of Union support. The Multiannual Indicative Programmes shall determine the indicative financial allocations for each programme taking into account the needs and the particular difficulties of the partner countries or regions concerned. The financial allocations may be given in the form of a range where necessary.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. Thematic Strategy Papers shall be approved and Multiannual Indicative Programmes shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 15 (3) of the Common Implementing Regulation. This procedure shall also apply to substantial reviews which have the effect of modifying significantly the strategy or its programming.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Gender equality and women's rights and the rights of the child are fundamental human rights and a question of social justice and their promotion is a strong component of this Regulation.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Union assistance under this Regulation ishall be designed to complementand implemented taking into consideration complementarity with the various other tools for implementing of Union policies on democracy and human rights, which. These tools range from political dialogue and diplomatic demarches to various instruments for financial and technical cooperation, including both geographic and thematic programmes. It will also complement the more crisis-related actions under the Instrument for StabilityParticularly, though not exclusively, it should be taken into consideration that one of the main characteristics of the EIDHR is that it can operate without the explicit concern of third countries. In any case when identifying areas for complementarity with other policy instruments of the Union the overall and specific objectives of the instrument, as set in this regulation and other programmatic documents should always be respected.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) support to and enhancement of participatory and representative democracy, including parliamentary democracy, and the processes of democratisation, mainly through civil society organisations, also contributing (though not exclusively) to the process of implementation of the principles of human rights based approaches, inter alia in:
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 114 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point v
(v) promoting political pluralism and democratic political representation, and encouraging political participation by citizens, in particular marginalised groups and politically disenfranchised groups, women, youth, children, in democratic reform processes at local, regional and national level;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi a (new)
(via) promoting the equal and active participation of all people with disabilities in social, economic, and political life, and supporting equality of opportunity, non discrimination and political representation, including measures to remove all barriers hindering accessibility to the exercise of those rights and freedoms;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi b (new)
(vib) promoting and protecting the rights of a child, and supporting non- discrimination of children regardless of their ethnic, economic or social status, and promoting of strengthening of the legal environment for children including support to establishment of children's complaint mechanisms;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) the abolition of the death penalty, prevention of torture, ill-treatment and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, including forced institutionalization of people with disabilities, and rehabilitation of victims of torture;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 129 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) the fight against racism and xenophobia and discrimination based on any ground, including sex, race, colour, caste, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or, sexual orientation and gender identity;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
(v) the rights of indigenous peoples, the rights of persons affected by caste discrimination, and the rights of persons belonging to religious, cultural, linguistic minorities and ethnic groups;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v a (new)
(va) the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) persons, including measures to end criminalisation of LGBTI identities, to combat discrimination and homophobic and transphobic violence, and to promote freedom of assembly, association and expression for LGBTI people;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In its resolution of 8 June 2011 on "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe"1, the European Parliament stressed "the need to close the gap between its ambitions and resources in foreign policy, by ensuring adequate financial resources and efficient flexibility mechanisms in order to enable the Union to respond to global challenges and unforeseen events" while reiterating "its request that budgetary implications deriving from any new commitments and tasks taken up by the Union must be additional to programmed amounts, in order to avoid jeopardising existing priorities". __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 20 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) In its resolution of 8 June 2011 on "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe"1, the European Parliament noted "that the highest percentage of the world's poorest people lives in emerging economies" and insisted "however, in order to incite these governments to better engage in poverty reduction within their own borders, that alternative schemes for development cooperation with these countries, such as co-financing, should be gradually introduced". __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 21 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) implementing the international dimension of the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy by supporting Union's bilateral, regional and inter-regional cooperation partnership strategies, by promoting policy dialogues and by developing collective approaches and responses to challenges of global concern such as poverty reduction, energy security, climate change and environment. This objective shall be measured by the uptake of the ‘Europe 2020’ policies and objectives by key partner countries;
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 22 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) enhancing widespread understanding and visibility of the Union and its role on the world scene by means of public diplomacy, education/academic cooperation and, outreach activities to promote Union's values and interests and support for civil society organisations including trade unions. This objective may be measured, inter alia, by opinion surveys or evaluations.
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 24 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a Suspension of Union support Without prejudice to the provisions on suspension of aid in partnership and cooperation agreements with partner countries and regions, where a beneficiary country fails to respect the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, minority rights and fundamental freedoms, or the commitments contained in the relevant agreements concluded with the Union, the Union shall invite the beneficiary country to hold consultations with a view to finding a solution acceptable to both parties, except in cases of special urgency. Where consultations with the beneficiary country do not lead to a solution acceptable to both parties, or if consultations are refused or in cases of special urgency, the Council may take appropriate measures in accordance with Article 215(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which may include full or partial suspension of Union assistance. The European Parliament shall be fully and immediately informed of any decisions taken in this respect.
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 26 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) the promotion of initiatives and actions of Union or mutual interest in areas such as climate change, environmental matters including biodiversity, resource efficiency, raw materials, energy, transport, science, research and innovation, employment and social policy including poverty reduction, sustainable development, including promotion of decent work, and corporate social responsibility, south-south trade and cooperation, education, culture, tourism, information and communication technologies, health, justice, customs, taxation, financial, statistics and any other matter pertaining to the Union's specific interests or of mutual interest between the Union and third countries;
2012/04/26
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 96 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The EU needs a financialoreign policy instrument of global scope allowing the financing of measures that might not qualify as ODA but which are crucially important for deepening and consolidating its relations with the partner countries concerned, in particular through policy dialogues and development of partnerships.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
(1) This Regulation establishes a Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries to advance and promote EU and mutual interests. The Partnership Instrument shall support measures not covered by the other external financial instruments that respond in an effective and flexible manner to objectives arising from the Union's bilateral, regional or multilateral relationships with third countries and address challenges of global concern. Furthermore, it shall promote activities with civil society organisations of the partner countries, support for the institution-building and the rule of law.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) promoting human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, good governance and a thriving civil society;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) improving market access and developing trade, investment and business opportunities for European companies, by means of economic partnerships and business and regulatory cooperation while respecting high social, labour and environmental standards. This objective shall be measured by the Union's share in foreign trade with key partner countries and by trade and investments flows to partner countries specifically targeted by actions, programmes and measures under this Regulation;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) improving social and territorial cohesion;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) enhancing widespread understanding and visibility of the Union and its role on the world scene by means of public diplomacy, people-to-people contacts, education/academic cooperation and outreach activities to promote Union's values and interests. This objective may be measured, inter alia, by opinion surveys or evaluations.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 130 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
(2) However, t2. This Regulation shall primarily support cooperation measures with developed and developingupper middle income, developed countries and developing countries worldwide. Special attention needs to be given to those countries which play an increasingly prominent role in the international economy and trade, in multilateral fora, in global governance and in addressing challenges of global concern and where the Union has significant interests.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 135 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
(2)2. To enhance the impact of the Union's assistance, a differentiated and flexible approach shall be pursued, where appropriate, in designing cooperation with partner countries to take account of their economic, social and political contexts as and also of the Union's specific interests, policy priorities and strategies.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4
(4)4. In implementing this Regulation, the Union shall aim to ensure coherence and consistency with other areas of its external action, in particular the Development Cooperation Instrument for developing countries, and with other relevant Union's policies when formulating policy, strategic planning and programming and implementing measures. Special attention should be given to upper middle income countries.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 143 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
(5)5. Measures financed under this Regulation shall be based, where appropriate, on cooperation policies set out in instruments such as agreements, declarations and action plans between the Union and the third countries and regions concerned, on dialogue with relevant civil society interlocutors from the Union and the countries concerned and shall also relate to areas linked to the Union's specific interests, policy priorities and strategies.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) support to specific initiatives, including research work, studies, pilot schemes or joint projects destined to respond in a effective and flexible manner to cooperation objectives arising from the Union's relationships with third countries or regions concerned;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the promotion of cooperation, partnerships and joint undertakings between economic, social, cultural, governmental and scientific actors in the Union and third countries; or regions with special attention to inter-regional cooperation.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 177 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) the definition of common standards of Corporate Social Responsibility and their monitoring system.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 179 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the promotion of policy and sectoral dialogues involving Union and non-Union political, civil, economic, regulatory, environmental, social, academic, research and cultural actors and non-governmental organisationstate actors;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) the promotion of outreach activities, intellectual exchanges, people-to-people contacts and the enhancement of inter- cultural dialogues;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) The results of policy and sectoral dialogues and outreach activities in the form of common declarations of principles and/or others will be forwarded to the European Parliament, in order to enhance transparency and monitoring of these activities;
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2011/0406(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Point 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5% compared to the 2013 level only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union's agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value; _______________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 33 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Bearing in mind that there is a high level of poverty in lower and middle income countries, special attention should be given to poverty reduction in thematic and geographical programmes available under DCI for these countries, while ensuring complementarity with the Partnership instrument.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 39 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Union assistance should focus where it has more impact, having regard to its capacity to act on a global scale and respond to global challenges such as poverty eradication, sustainable and inclusive development and worldwide promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law, its long-term and predictable commitment to development assistance and its role in coordinating with its Member States. To ensure such impact, the principle of differentiation should be applied not only at the level of funds allocation, but also at the level of programming, to ensure that bilateral development cooperation targets partner countries most in need, including fragile states and, states with high vulnerability, states with high levels of inequalities, and with limited capacity to have access to other sources of financing for supporting their own development, having regard to the potential impact of the Union assistance in partner countries. As a consequence, bilateral programming would target such countries, pursuant to the application of objective criteria based on the needs and capacities of these countries, as well as the impact of EU assistance.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 42 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Fighting climate change and protecting the environment are among the great challenges which face the Union and the developing countries, and where the need for international action is urgent. In accordance with the intent stated in Commission Communication ‘A budget for Europe 2020’ of 29 June 2011 , this Regulation should contribute to the objective of addressing at least 20% oftargeting the EU budget towards low carbon and climate resilient society, and the global public goods and challenges programme should use at least 25%part of its funds to cover climate change and environment. Actions in these two areas should, wherever possible, be mutually supportive in order to reinforce their impacts, notwithstanding the fact that the main objective of this instrument is the achievement of MDGs including fight against poverty. As pledged by the EU in the Copenhagen Accord, resources for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries shall be new and additional.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 43 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) Commission communication ‘Increasing the impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change’ envisages continued support for social inclusion and human development through at least 20% of the Union's development aid. The priority "social inclusion and human development" is to be understood as encompassing basic social services including health and education. To contribute to that end, at least 20% of the global public goods and challenges programme should support that area of development.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 47 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Actions under the Pan-African and thematic programmes shall be designed so as to fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC, unless: (a) the characteristics of the beneficiary require otherwise, or (b) the action implements a global initiative, a Union policy priority or an international obligation or commitment of the Union, as referred to in Article 6, and the action does not have the characteristics to fulfil the criteria for ODA.deleted
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 48 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Without prejudice to point (a), at least 9100 % of the expenditure foreseen under the Pan-African and thematic programmes shall fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 49 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
Actions which do not fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC shall not be funded under this instrument. The appropriate instrument shall be sought to fund such actions.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 56 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. The Union will include among the recipients of its public procurements and calls for tenders the local and regional authorities, and the non state agents of the beneficiary countries.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 61 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. Funds may be left unallocated. Subject to their subsequent allocation or re- allocation as provided for in Articles 11(5) and 13, the use of these funds shall be decided later in accordance with the Common Implementing Regulation, while fully respecting the prerogatives of the budget authority in the annual budgetary procedure.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 70 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. The financial reference amous defined in point [17] of the Interinstitutional Agreement of XX/201Z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management for the implementation of this Regulation over the period 2014-2020 is EUR 23 294 700 000.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 71 #

2011/0406(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The indicative minimum amounts allocated to each programme referred to in Articles 5 to 9 for the period 2014-2020 are laid down in Annex VII. The indicative amounts may be reallocated between programmes by a delegated act in accordance with Article 18. The indicative amounts within the global public goods and challenges programme may be reallocated between subheadings by Commission decision which shall be communicated to the European Parliament and to the Council within one month of its adoption. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority without prejudice to the provisions of the Regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 and the Interinstitutional Agreement of xxx/201z between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management.
2012/06/07
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 74 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The Union's external action under the instrument established by this Regulation should have an impact reflected in concrete changes in the partner countries. That impact should whenever possible be monitored and assessed on the basis of pre-defined, country specific, clear, transparent and measurable indicators.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. The achievement of these specific objectives shall be measured using notably the relevant EU periodic reports on the implementation of the polpredefined, country specificy, and for paragraphs 2(a), (d) and (e), the relevant indicators established by international organisations and other relevant bodies; for paragraphs 2(b), (c) and (d) the uptake of the EU regulatory framework by the partner countries as relevant; for paragraphs 2(c) and (f), the number of relevant agreements and cooperation actioclear, transparent and measurable indicators, while avoiding the creation of any unnecessary additional administrative burdens. The indicators will include, among others, adequately monitored democratic elections, level of corruption, trade flows, indicators enabling measuring internal economic disparities, including employment levels.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Horizon 2020 shall exclude legal entities (including any affiliated entities) whose participation, by the objectives they pursue, their place of establishment, the nature or the location of their activities, would cause the Union to recognize as lawful or render aid or assistance in maintaining a situation created by a serious breach of international law (including international humanitarian law) where such breach has been established by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council or by a judgment or advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
2012/08/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2011/0401(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Horizon 2020 shall exclude legal entities (including any affiliated entities) whose participation, by the objectives they pursue, their place of establishment, the nature or the location of their activities, would cause the European Union to recognise as lawful or render aid or assistance in maintaining a situation created by a serious breach of international law (including international humanitarian law) where such breach has been established by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council or by a judgment or advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
2012/07/19
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 5 #

2011/0399(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Horizon 2020 shall exclude legal entities (including any affiliated entities) whose participation, by the objectives they pursue, their place of establishment, the nature or the location of their activities, would cause the European Union to recognize as lawful or render aid or assistance in maintaining a situation created by a serious breach of international law (including international humanitarian law) where such breach has been established by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council or by a judgment or advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
2012/08/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2011/0399(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Horizon 2020 shall exclude legal entities (including any affiliated entities) whose participation, by the objectives they pursue, their place of establishment, the nature or the location of their activities, would cause the European Union to recognise as lawful or render aid or assistance in maintaining a situation created by a serious breach of international law (including international humanitarian law) where such breach has been established by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council or by a judgment or advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
2012/07/20
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 703 #

2011/0302(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Part I – point b – row 10
North-West Bottleneck Rail works ongoing Spain and Portugal A Coruña – Vigo Bottleneck Rail works ongoing – Palencia Gijón – Palencia Bottleneck Rail works ongoing A Coruña – Bottleneck Rail works ongoing Madrid (high- speed passenger service)
2012/10/17
Committee: TRANITRE
Amendment 878 #

2011/0294(COD)

add the following multimodal platforms to the comprehensive network: – Pontevedra – Zalia – Torrelavega – Júndiz – Monzón – El Vallés – El Prat – El Gorguel – Ciudad Real – Albacete – San Roque – Mérida – Ponferrada/El Bierzo – Castellón – Alicante – Benavente – Zamora – Miranda de Ebro – Burgos – Palencia – Área Central – Aranda de Duero – Soria – Arévalo – Ávila – Segovia
2012/10/11
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 879 #

2011/0294(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
add the following rail freight transport sections to the core network: – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Granada – Motril – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – León – Gijón / Avilés – Palencia – Santander – Madrid – Cáceres – Mérida – Mérida – Badajoz – Portuguese border – Mora – Ciudad Real – Mérida
2012/10/11
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 891 #

2011/0294(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the core network: – Madrid – Toledo – Madrid – Alcázar – Albacete – Murcia – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Avilés – Oviedo – Bilbao – Santander – Oviedo – El Ferrol – A Coruña – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – Mora – Alcázar – Linares – Moreda/Jaén/Córdoba – Ourense – Vigo (via Cercedo) – Ourense – Monforte – Lugo – A Coruña – Palencia – Santander – Segovia – Ávila – Sevilla – Cádiz – Sevilla – Huelva – Portuguese border – Valencia – Alicante (along the coast) – Motilla – Albacete – La Encina – Santiago – Vigo – Portuguese border – Granada – Motril – Antequera – Málaga – Madrid – Ávila – Salamanca – León – Monforte – Torralba – Soria – Castejón – Plasencia – León – Gijón
2012/10/11
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 2 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that during the 2007-2013 multiannual financial framework (MFF), an excessiveimportant number of corrections have had to be made under Heading 4 of the European Union’s budget, either because multiannual budgetary envelopes were too limited or because of a lack of flexibility within heading 4 to deal with crises; reiterates its position that the new powers introducedresponsibilities conferred to the EU by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union require appropriate additional funding compared to MFF 2007-13 in order to allow the Union to fulfil its role as an international player whilst upholding the undertakings it has already given; underlines that in many fields EU funding is not only complementary to that provided by Member States but that it also has a catalyst effect, triggering Member States to intervene in regions which they would not otherwise be able to support; is particularly supportive of the procedures proposed by the EC to strengthen joint programming between Member States and EU actions;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Considers in this respect that the Commission’s proposal on the commitments envelope for Heading 4 reflects the concerns of the European Parliament as expressed in its resolution of 8 June 20111 and the real needs of the European Union’s external action; welcomes the signal which this proposal represents fornotes, however, that the Commission proposal is the bare minimum to fulfil EU goals endorsed by all the EU’s partners, bothads of States and Governments and enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty; challenges the cCountries that receive aid from the EU and thcil, if it is not able to fully endorse Commission's proposals, to clearly identify which of the priorities or projects could be dropped despite otheir donor countriesproven European added value;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 7 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates, nevertheless, its very firm conviction that the flexibilityincreased budgetary flexibility in the whole MFF that all parties consider necessary is particularly vital in the Heading 4 context; calls on the Commission to propose, if required, specific rules for this budget heading so as to guarantee responsiveness to crises and to imperative needs that cannot be planned for in advance, with appropriate involvement of the budgetary authorityhile fully respecting the prerogatives of the budgetary authority; takes note, moreover, that the Commission has proposed enhanced mechanisms within each multiannual programme to enable the EU to adapt its financing to political needs and constraints;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Proposes therefore that an appropriate procedure be put in place for the automatic reallocation of unused funds under Heading 4 atWelcomes the Commission's proposal to make stronger use of innovative financial instruments in the enfield of the budget year; also considers that Parliament’s assent to the proposal for a Couexternal relations with a wider range of relevant organisations and financial regulation for the 2014-2020 MFF should be made conditional upon, amongst other things, the Council’s agreement to the Commission’s proposals on reuse of the revenue and the refunds generated by the financial instrumentsinstitutions; takes note of the latest progress achieved in the framework of the revision of the financial regulation as to the reuse of the revenue and the refunds generated by the financial instruments; strongly believes that this should be the rule and that any exception to this rule should be substantiated;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 14 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its support for all the instruments for implementing the European Union’s external action proposed for the 1 European Neighbourhood Instrument, Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, Instrument for Stability, Partnership Instrument, Development Cooperation Instrument, European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Humanitarian Aid Instrument, Civil Protection Financial Instrument, macro-economic assistance, European Guarantee Fund for external action. 2014-20201 period, and in particular for the partnership instrument that is aimed at inaugurating a new form of cooperation with all third countries which have a strategic interest for the European Unionere European Union has important interests;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2011/0177(APP)

6a. Points out that financial assistance also to non EU Member States must be made more adaptable; also believes that the budgetary effort made by the European Union must correspond to the rhythm and the real progress made in agreed objectives in partnership with the beneficiary countries in accordance with the 'more for more' principle;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6a. Recalls the EU's responsibility for promoting world security, democracy, respect for the rule of law, sustainable and inclusive economic development; strongly underlines the added value of EU multiannual programmes such as the Instrument of Stability and the Human rights instrument in that respect; further underlines that all EU external actions programs should be made more accessible to civil societies, social partners and local and regional authorities, with the aim of encouraging their engagement and ownership;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2011/0177(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Strongly defends the need to maintain the Emergency Aid Reserve, which has been shown to work particularly well in its present form, as an unprogrammed reserve outside the MFF 2014-2020 ceilings and to provide it with a significant, realistic financial allocation, enabling the Union to respond quickly to unforeseen needs and unexpected crises via an ad hoc mobilisation whenever necessary; welcomes the Commission's proposal to increase its funding to EUR 350 Mio ( 2011 prices) and to allow its use up to the year n+1 as a very positive step in the right direction; underlines that the integration of the Emergency Aid reserve, as suggested by some Member States, into heading 4 risks resulting in a decrease of overall funding available for EU external action;
2012/07/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2010/2299(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 – indent 2
EULEX Kosovo has been undermined by, am, the most important civilian missiong of ther things, disagreements among the Member States about recognition of the territory's independence and the logical and expedient takeover of the NATO KFOR miss EU, encountered many obstacles, mainly due to the lack of supporting legislation and staff constraints. However, it played an important role in the field of the rule of law and continues to provide stability in the region;.
2011/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the internal arrangements set out by the European Council of September 2010 to improve the European Union's external policy through a more integrated approach1, 1 EUCO 21/01/10 REV 1 Annex I.
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the study commissioned by the European Parliament and entitled "The EU as a Global Actor: its role in multilateral organizations" (2011),
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the processes of globalisation reveal alarming systemic failures such as in financial markets and climate change policy; whereasentail a wide range of opportunities and challenges for global governance whilst revealing social loopholes and failures such as in financial markets, fight against poverty or climate change policy among others; considers that global threats and challenges require worldwide cooperation and collective action to tackle them as well as effective institutions and legitimate rules; recallings that if international organisations are to be legitimate and effective, they will have to reflect today's world,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the institutional place of the EU in the international system is becoming one of the strategic challenges that the EU faces in the world and whereas the status quo is not conducive to the EU's interests; whereas it is to be stressed that the EU can not be credible in the multilateral organisations if MS continue to practise inconsistent policies and compete with the EU or among themselves for visibility even when there are no policy differences,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the added value of EU membership in multilateral organisations lies in the fields where it has exclusive or shared competences: economic and trade matters, environmental policy, development aid, and security and defence policy; whereas the EU can also have an added value in those multilateral organisations or summits in which not all of its members are represented,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the Union, in accordance with Article 21.2.h. TEU, shall promote an international system based on stronger multilateral cooperation and good global governance and whereas the EU Member States, on the basis of Article 32. TEU, shall ensure, through the convergence of their actions, that the Union is able to assert its interests and values on the international scene, points out that the EU's commitment to become a global actor requires the capacity and the will to propose deep reforms of the multilateral organizations and fora,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the representation of the EU and its Member States in multilateral organisations, informal summits and international regimes is fragmented, often ineffective, and still varies considerably; whereas the Union's external representation has developed in a dispersed, inconsistent and rather ad hoc manner; whereas a highly fragmented external representation is likely to undermine the EU's commitment to effective multilateralism and global governance and whereas weak EU competences and ineffective coordination mechanisms may prevent the EU fromto speaking with a single voice in the international arena; whereas maximization of the full potential of the Treaty of Lisbon in the international sphere will require strong political will and flexibility on the part of the MS,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the global financial crisis has accelerated the shift of relative economic weight from advanced economies to emerging markets; whereas against this background the EU will only have a strong and effective voice in the world if it delivers a single message,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the EU Member States have adopted the priority of reforming and strengthening the UN in order to provide a more equitable geographical representation, to reflect today's shifting geopolitical realities in the membership of the Security Council, and to make it capable of fulfilling its responsibilities and acting effectively in providing solutions to global challenges and responding to key threats, whereas the EU provides more than one third of the UN regular budget, more than two-fifths of UN peace operations, and about half of all contributions to UN funds and programmes,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas institutional mechanisms such as ever closer and more effective coordination between EU MS can be seen as a way to the objective of joint external representation of the EU and its Member States; whereas consultations between national parliaments and the European Parliament in the areas of CFSP/CSDP could become a catalyser to this end,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the 2010 reform of voice andof quota reform in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank resulted in a signin important – although still insufficaient- increase in the voice and representation of emerging market and developing countries in the IFIs, which was facilitated by European contributions, whereas the role played by the EU – notwithstanding the size of its contribution to the capital of those institutions – does not entirely correspond to its weight in the world economy and in world trade and whereas the current set-up of external representation carries high transaction and coordination costs,
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 62 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Underlines the need, in an effort to drive EU foreign policy, to engage all emerging and existing powers whose involvement is critical to address the shared challenges of i.e. the economy, energy, climate change, migration flows and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; urges the EU to take the lead and become a central actor of cooperation and to reach a global common understanding with partners on the concerns about the existing rules and the ways they can be improved, while insisting on the importance of effective multilateralism, inclusiveness, equity, sustainable development, collective security, respect for human rights and the rule of law and fair trade practices;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Takes the view to further involve the non-state actors in multilateral policy- making, to promote and facilitate an improved consultation of civil society organisations and social partners in the future governance structures of international organisations; recognises their expertise, resources and outreach as key to enhancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of multilateral cooperation; recalls that a bottom-up approach is needed to address crisis situations;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the view that as a general rule, in cases of exclusive Union competences or shared Union competences that have been exercised by the latter, the EU shwould be the pre-eminent actor with full membership of the given multilateral organisation, while its Member States may also - but not necessarily - be present as members, but usually without an independent role; calls on EU Member StatesMS to reduce their representation, and thus costs, at meetings where the EU Delegation speaks on their behalf, and takes the view, furthermore, that where shared Union competences prevail, the norm shwould be for the EU and its Member States both to be members;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 91 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that EU Delegations servicing clusters of international organisations, i.e. in New York, Geneva, Rome, Vienna and Nairobi, need particularly substantial reinforcement in terms of skilled human resources in order to successfully and efficiently represent EU interests; strongly recommends a "cooperative reinforcement" that allows several Member States to advance more swiftly in the EU's external representation, by pooling their national resources under the EEAS personnel;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Asks the VP/HR and the Commission to draw up a White Paper on the role of the EU in multilateral organisations, proposing a comprehensive and strategic approach both for the short run and the medium-term future through to 2020;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Taking into account that in several UN programmes and conferences (UNDP, UNCTAD, OHCHR, UNHRC), the EU is a mere observer, despite being an important financial contributor and having major policy interests, calls on the EU and its Member States to seek solutions on this discrepancy;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Insists on the need to strike a new institutional balance between the emerging role of the G-20, the UN and its agencies as well as the IFIs; in this regard, urges the EU and its Member States to enhance global governance and to seek solutions to further improve coordination between the G formations and the UN system, whereby the economic dimension could usefully be covered by these groups, provided that the UN maintains its central role and remains the legitimate body for global action; while considering the G-8 and G-20 as important fora for the definition of global responses to which the EU must continue to actively contribute through coordinated positions, calls on the EU and its Member States to seek improvements to global governance that make the most out of synergies and complementarities and do not run the risk of eroding the UN system; for this matter, considers that the EU could advocate to place the G-20 as an ad hoc ministerial and summit body of ECOSOC, while upgrading the latter into a policy-making and policy-monitoring council as envisaged in the UN Charter;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Considering the increased role of regional blocks in international affairs, and in full respect of the inter- governmental nature of the UN, calls on the EU MS to promote a change in the structure of the UNGA membership, enhancing the status of the RIOs with an advanced level of integration, such as having their own legal personality, to become enhanced observers;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 104 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Considering that voting cohesion among EU MS was significantly rising to some 95% from a rate of 74% back in the 1980s, commends the EU and its Member States for their efforts to present a unified EU voice and pursue effective coordination among themselves resulting in increasing voting cohesion, demonstrative of a common EU position in the UN General Assembly and in effect giving the EU a single voice on many UN matters;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council by building, on the basis of a first-ever negotiation text and widespread support for UNSC reform, a more cohesive position among EU Member States on the issues of legitimacy, composition, effectiveness and regional representation; reiteratpeatedly takes the view that an EU seat in an enlarged UNSC remains a central, long-term goal of the European Union; invites EU Member States on the UN Security Council to keep other EU Member States adequately informed of their positions and activities and share information about developments in the UNSC with other EU Member States; welcomes the newly established practice whereby a representative of the EU is generally invited to attend most scheduled UNSC deliberations and participate with some limited right to speak at the UNSCsuggests, in order to achieve that goal in the future, to work on the prior coordination of positions in the Council of the EU, the introduction of new permanent members, the replacement of the right of veto by super-qualified majorities in ever increasing fields, and the advancement of the Europe of Defence in order to make the EU an indispensable actor for global security;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Considering that monetary policy is an exclusive EU competence for those Member States sharing a single currency, urges the EU and its relevant Member States to promptly agree on a common seat and constituency on the IMF Executive Board, possibly starting with an euro constituency and a second EU non- Euro constituency, with a view, in the longer term, to securing consistent EU representation, involving the Ecofin Council Presidency and the Commission, subject to the European Parliament's scrutiny;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7
The World Bank (WB) and the main Multilateral Development Banks
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 a (new)
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 125 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Reminds the EU and its Member States to use the opportunity of the next regular election of IMF Executive Directors in 2012 for rationalisation and pursue concerted efforts to pool all MS into a single euro area seat for the monetary union and a constituency for the rest of MS not having the euro;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the EU and its Member States to address, in agreement with theirits partners, the institutional anomaly whereby the EU is a large contributor to the WB Trust Funds, in fact a bigger aid donor than any of its Member States, and its operational partnerships with the Bank in the European and African regions are important, yet it has not even observer status on the WB Executive Board (only on its ministerial policy committee); stresses the importance of the EU as a whole as the largest global donor and highlights the efforts made by the Union to coordinate, align and reduce the fragmentation of its aid programs, most notably through the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the European Consensus on Development; in light of this recognises the importance of pursuing efforts to achieve a seat as an observer oin the Executive Board and aspiring to reform politically obsolete groupings of countries, by grouping EU Member States together under the same constituency; recalls that the same principle of pooling MS together under an EU constituency should apply to the main Multilateral Development Banks, most notably the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the African Development Bank;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. The BIS is an international financial institution which gathers the central banks of the most advanced countries, with the more recent inclusion of those of China, Brazil and India as well; given the exclusive competence of the ECB over monetary policy, proposes that the ECB be the only representative of the Euro area in the BIS Board, and the EC in the Basel Committee of Financial Regulation;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Considering that regular meetings take place already on all levels, permanent military liaison arrangements have already been established and occasional joint meetings are organised between the EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC) and NATO's North Atlantic Council (NAC), calls on the EU and NATO to redouble their efforts towards the establishment of a framework for integrated cooperation including permanent structures ofor cooperation; proposes thato establish mutual observer status should be established at the level of the NAC and the PSC in order to improve cooperative arrangements in the spirit of the Treaty of Lisbon and following the adoption by NATO of its new strategic concept as well as due to the ambition to develop an EU- NATO strategic partnership; encourages EU and NATO representatives to seek a common ground for understanding the implementation of the two clauses introduced by the Lisbon Treaty: the mutual assistance clause and the solidarity clause;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Takes the view that arrangements allowing the EU to have recourse to NATO assets and capabilities need to be enhanced; underlines the need for the two organisations to develop a comprehensive approach to crisis management, which often requires a multi-faceted civilian- military response; reaffirms its belief that the latter is compatible with building on an autonomous Europe of Defence via permanent structured cooperation and the European Defence Agency (EDA);
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Considering also that Article 220(1) TFEU explicitly added the OSCE to the list of international organisations with which "appropriate forms of cooperation" shall be established, emphasises the need for the VP/HR to represent the EU as an observer at the OSCE and to take the lead as spokesperson and coordinator of the position of EU MS on OSCE matters;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. In order to enhance EU-CoE multilateral cooperation in the fields important for the EU as well, i.e. in education, human rights, the rule of law, democracy and good governance, as well as considering that the EU is the largest contributor to joint operating programmes with the CoE, underlines the need to reform the EU's presence and observer status in the CoE; emphasises the right to attend, with voting rights on behalf of the EU, meetings of the CoE Committee of Ministers when it performs, inter alia, its task of monitoring the execution of judgments given by the European Court of Human Rights as well as the right to be represented on the Steering Committee for Human Rights; furthermore, the admittance to the ECHR should give the EU a general right to participate fully in the CoE Committee of Ministers and vote, given the fact that the EU will probably join other CoE conventions (e.g. Convention on Cybercrime);
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 149 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Noting the EU's global economic and financial weight, the need to protect the EU's strategic interests on the international scene and the fact that the summit agendas of the G-8 have broadened considerably to address a series of politico-security issues ranging from human rights through regional security to arms control, is of the view that the EU should fully participate in the G-7/G-8 process and should be fully represented in the meetings of the G-7 finance ministers; points out the need for enhanced EU coordination before G-7 and G-8 meetings; calls on the EU and its Member States to work with partners to seek solutions for a single EU representation by just one President, both in the G-8 and the G-20, and for providing the EU representative with a specific mandate prior to those meetings in order for them to be able to commit themselves (the EU) if necessary;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 152 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Considering the EU's exclusive or shared competences in areas where the G- 20 exerts significant and growing influence (i.e. financial market regulation, economic policy coordination, including exchange- rate issues, the international monetary system, development aid, multilateral trade issues, combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering, environmental issues or energy security), calls on the EU and its Member States to work with partners towards ensuringachieving full coordination and alignment of messages among the 5 European countries and the EU representative sitting at the G-20 table in order to ensure an effective participation byof the EU at G-20 ministerial meetings;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2010/2298(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Notes the increased cooperation in 'mini-lateral' fora related to specific crisis situations, from the G-8 to the Contact Group on the Balkans, from the Middle East Quartet to the 5+1 on Iran; recalls that the European Union is built on solidarity between its members and, therefore, Member States should consult with partners on decisions of common interest which should ultimately deliver effective and consistent multilateral solutions for the benefit of all parties concerned; calls therefore the VP/HR to address the current challenges to effective multilateralism and believes that a revised strategy on this matter should aim at achieving more visibility and clout for the EU, including the obligation for the 'mini groups' to consult EU partners and seek a mandate from the EU;
2011/04/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2010/2270(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Urges immediate action towards the reduction of black carbon emissions, mainly through the promotion of research and investments in technology aimed at reducing polluting emissions, as a fast- action method of halting glacial melting; recommends that, given the short atmospheric life of black carbon, combined mitigation by means of fast-action strategies could dramatically and rapidly alleviate the threat of GLOFs;
2011/04/12
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 3 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the joint EU-Serbia resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, adopted by acclamation by the UN General Assembly on 9 September 2010,
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to Council Decision 2011/69/CFSP of 31 January 2011 amending Council Decision 2010/639/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against certain officials of Belarus,
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU should further develop its foreign policy objectives and advance its values and interests worldwide with the overall aim of contributing to peace, security, solidarity, the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights, multilateralism and mutual respect among nations, free and fair trade and the eradication of poverty,
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls its Treaty prerogative to be consulted in the CFSP and CSDP spheres, have its views duly taken into account and make recommendations; calls on the VP/HR to consolidate the consultation and reporting duties carried out to date by the Commission and the Council in the area of external action; expects Parliament's right of democratic scasks the Council to adopt a constructiny of the strategic programming of EU external assistance instruments to be strengthenedve approach in the framework of the conciliation committee for the external assistance instruments, including the Instrument for Stability, by recognizing the European Parliament's right to a democratic scrutiny of strategy papers and multiannual action plans, as established in Article 290 TFEU;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises the need to prevent the EU from becoming dependent for its energy supplies on third countries, which would undermine the independence of EU foreign policy; recalls the urgent need to address energy challenges by promoting both renewable and indigenous fossil sources of energy, completing an effective internal energy market and implementing a common European external energy policy, based on the diversification of energy suppliers; calls, in this regard, on the VP/HR to pursue with determination Parliament's recommendations for the development of a coherent and coordinated policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in constructive dialogue with energy suppliers, and especially with Russia and transit countries;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Reiterates its position that the EU must strengthen its leadership in the area of global climate governance and further develop a dialogue with other key actors, such as the emerging powers (China, Brazil, India), Russia, the United States and developing countries, given that climate change has become a key element of international relations and there is a need for a comprehensive international agreement to tackle it;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Takes the view that, in order to be consistent with its own values, EU foreign policy must give absolute priority to promoting democracy, given that a democratic society is the basis for upholding human rights; believes that the new institutional structure of the EU, with particular reference to the EEAS and its dedicated department, offers an opportunity to enhance the EU's coherence and effectiveness in this area; reiterates Parliament's strong determination, and recalls its longstanding efforts, to defend human rights and democracy in the world through bilateral relations with third countries and active participation in international forums, as well as support for international and local civil-society organisations;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that effective multilateralism should be the overriding strategic concern of the Union and that, in this context, the EU should take a leading role in international cooperation, facilitate international consensus and advance global action; emphasises the urgent need to address global issues of common concern for EU citizens, such as terrorism, organised crime, cybersecurity, energy security, climate change, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the eradication of poverty, the non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament, migration management and the promotion of human rights and civil liberties; takes the view that, in order to speak with a strong single voice on global issues within the UN system, the EU, while retaining its observer status, should be granted complementary rights at the UN as a natural consequence of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty; calls on the EU to improve its strategy and tactics for consultations with UN member countries, including by giving clear explanations concerning the nature of the EU and how, on the basis of its Treaty-based powers, it differs from other regional organisations; recommends placing the issue of the EU's rights at the UN high on the agenda for bilateral and multilateral summits with strategic partners; considers it essential to engage with the EU's strategic partners in order to find solutions to major regional and global problems; recommends, furthermore, that strategic partnerships be given a multilateral dimension by including global issues on the agendas for the EU's bilateral and multilateral summits;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 126 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Takes the view that the European Union should be represented as such in multilateral financial organisations, in particular the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, without prejudice to Member State representation;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the EU should take advantage of the adoption of NATO's new Strategic Concept in order to strengthen its partnership with NATO, bearing in mind the development of the EU's foreign, security and defence policies; emphasises that the EU shares most of the threats to security identified by the NATO in its new Strategic Concept; points to the need to find pragmatic ways of solving the difficulties – in particular the differences between Cyprus and Turkey – which are hampering the development of closer cooperation between the EU and NATO, given the importance of ensuring that existing forces and capabilities which are shared to a large extent by both organisations are used as efficiently as possible;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Draws attention to the EU membership prospects of all the Western Balkan countries and underlines the importance of a continuous commitment to the process from both the countries of the region and the EU; recalls that the perspective of EU enlargement is an important incentive for the continuation of political and economic reforms in the Western Balkan countries, contributing to the effective stability and development of the region;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the fact that the situation in Kosovo remains stable and peaceful, but is concerned at the serious problems and breaches of electoral law which occurred in several municipalities during the recent elections; stresses the importance of fair elections as part of Kosovo's ongoing democratic transition; urges the Government of Kosovo to improve future electoral processes in order to secure the democratic rights of Kosovo citizens and to strengthen the country's European perspective; calls for the planned talks between Kosovo and Serbia to start without delay, under the sponsorship of the EU, and stresses that they have vast potential to contribute to stability in Kosovo and to improving the situation for local people, including as regards upholding the rule of law in the north of the country; reiterates the need for the EULEX Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo to ensure that it can function effectively throughout the entire territory of Kosovo, by stepping up its activities in the north of the country, and to enjoyern zone and cultivating the trust and support of the entire population;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Condemns the severe repression carried out by the regime of Belarusian President Lukashenko against members of the opposition, journalists and representatives of civil society following the presidential elections of 19 December 2010 and calls for the immediate release of all those who have been detained; calls on the VP/HR and the Commission towelcomes the European Council decision of 31 January 2011 imposeing targeted sanctions against the regime -, such as a visa ban and a freeze of the assets of selected high-ranking officials - and to step up the EU’s; welcomes the outcome of the International Conference of Donors on 'Solidarity with Belarus' of 2 February 2011, as part of which the EU has pledged EUR 17.3 million for actions to support for civil society, in order to strengthen pro-European values among the populationparticular students and the independent media; stresses the importance of ensuring that Belarus does not become isolated, in particular from the existing regional frameworks;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the EU, in line with the Council conclusions of 12 December 2009, to assume a stronger political role commensurate with its financial involvement in the region; is convinced that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive reshaping of EU policy towards the Middle East, in order for it to perform a decisive and coherent political role, accompanied by effective diplomatic tools, in the interests of peace and security in this neighbouring region of vital strategic interest to the EU; calls on the VP/HR to consider presenting a new European strategy for the region outlining the EU’s interests and aims and the means it can employ;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Considers that since its launch in 2004 the European Neighbourhood Policy, as a single policy framework as well as a performance-driven differentiation and tailor-made assistance, has brought tangible benefits both for ENP partners and the EU; underlines that the Strategic Review of the ENP should lead to enhanced, continuous and substantial political dialogue with partner countries to support prosperity, stability and security in the Mediterranean;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls for an accelerated political transition in Egypt involving all democratic political and social forces and the civil society with the aim of paving the way for the revision of the constitution and the electoral law, free and fair elections, and stabilising genuine democracy in the country;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 226 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Strongly supports the legitimate democratic aspirations expressed by people in several countries in the EU's southern neighbourhood; calls on the EU to be attentive to potential further popular demonstrations in the Mediterranean countries and to offer unequivocal and prompt support to new democratic claims; underlines that the Strategic Review of the ENP must fully take into consideration and reflect the new developments in the region and set up a political dialogue with EU's southern neighbours; emphasises again that the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, the fight against corruptions and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential elements of this dialogue;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Reiterates its view that Pakistan has a key role in the region and that a stable, democratic and prosperous Pakistan is of vital importance to stability in Afghanistan and the wider region; stresses, furthermore, Pakistan’s key role in the Afghan peace process; recognises that the devastating floods of August 2010 have been a setback for Pakistan’s new government, which had been starting to make progress in dealing with numerous challenges; urges the Council and the Commission, together with the wider international community, to respond with a strong show of solidarity and concrete support to Pakistan’s urgent need for post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation and the country’s aspirations to build a strong and prosperous society; welcomes and further encourages EU efforts to bolster political support for stepping up institution- and capacity- building in Pakistan and helping Pakistan’s democratic institutions to combat extremism;(Does not affect English version)
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Fully endorses the commitment of the E3+3 to seeking an early negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme, while respecting Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy; supports the Council's twin-track approach aimed at finding a diplomatic solution; welcomes UNSC Resolution 1929(2010) introducing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme and the additional restrictive measures announced by the EU, the US, Japan, Canada and Australia; and strongly condemns Iran's continuing provocative and inflammatorcondemns fiercely rthetoric against Israel and particularly deplores the threats made by President Ahmadinejad against the very existence of the State of Israel; is deeply concerned at Iran's attempts to further its aim of gaining political influence in Afghani desire expressed by Iranian President Ahmadinejad to “wipe out” Israel and his anti-Semitic rhetoric especially his denial of the Holocaust an by manipulating a range of political, economic, and military outcomes; stresses that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the European Parliament and the Majlis should also be used to address human rights issuesd his underlying agenda of delegitimizing the Israeli state; reaffirms its full support for the existence of Israel and a two-state solution for Palestine;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 264 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Welcomes the EU’s readiness to support the peaceful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan and to work towards long-term regional stability; stresses, at the same time, the need to renew efforts to address insecurity and reach a lasting peace settlement for Darfur; congratulates the Sudanese people on the smooth running of the referendum in South Sudan, as confirmed by the EU's election observation mission; calls on the EU to continue to support the efforts made by the parties to make progress on the matters pending under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, paying particular attention to the situation of refugees and returnees, and to consider the measures necessary to guarantee the sustainability of the North-South relationship after the referendum;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Endorses the assessment that CBRN attacks are a serious threat to the security of people living in the EU; therefore supports all civil measures which offer greater protection against CBRN attacks;
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
– the establishment as soon as possible of a European nuclear weapon-free zone by means of the withdrawal of all non- European nuclear weapons and the swiftest possible disarmament of the EU Member States in accordance with Article VI of the NPT;
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the intention to strengthen the EU's civil protection capacity; calls in this regard on the Member States and the Commission to understand disaster response as a strictly civilian task and to conduct it accordingly;.
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Welcomes the European Commission activities under the Instrument for Stability to tackle activities under CBRN. Considers these activities complementary to the CBRN Action Plan and call the European Commission to expand the projects in regions other than the former Soviet Union.
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Building on the experiences under the Instrument for Stability, calls the European Commission to launch a call of proposals aimed at strengthening safety and protection for civilian laboratories in order to avoid future proliferation as a conflict prevention tool.
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Recalling that civilian sectors are expanding globally, therefore calls the European Commission to develop projects to ensure these activities do not help proliferation.
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that disasters must not lead to the use or deployment of military forces, either inside or outside the EU; instead, the necessary resources should be provided for civil protection forces so that they can handle the task appropriately and alone.deleted
2010/10/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 13 #

2010/2073(INI)

Draft Interinstitutional Agreement
Point 18 – paragraph 1
18. As regards CFSP expenditure which is charged to the general budget of the European Union in accordance with Article 41 of the Treaty on European Union, the institutions will endeavour, in the cConciliation cCommittee, and on the basis of the draft budget established by the Commission, to secure agreement each year on the amount of the administrative and operating expenditure to be charged to the budget of the European Union and on the distribution of this amount between the articles of the CFSP budget chapter suggested in the fourth paragraph of this Point. In the absence of agreement, it is understood that the European Parliament and the Council will enter in the budget the amount contained in the previous budget or the amount proposed in the draft budget, whichever is the lower.
2010/10/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2010/2073(INI)

Draft Interinstitutional Agreement
Point 18 – paragraph 2
The total amount of administrative and operating CFSP expenditure will be distributed between the articles of the CFSP budget chapter as suggested in the fourth paragraph of this Point. Each article will cover instruments already adopted, instruments which are foreseen butexpenditure of the major missions in specific items, instruments which are provided for and require consultation with the European Parliament but have not yet been adopted and all future – that is unforeseen – instrumentsinstruments – that is, not provided for – to be adopted by the Council during the financial year concerned.
2010/10/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2010/2073(INI)

Draft Interinstitutional Agreement
Point 18 – paragraph 4
Within the CFSP budget chapter, the articles into which the CFSP actions are to be entered could read along the following lines: (a) crisis management operations, conflict prevention, resolution and stabilisation, monitoring and implementation of peace and security processes, including: – EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, – EULEX Kosovo, – EUPOL Afghanistan, – other CSDP missions or operations and crisis management measures, (b) non-proliferation and disarmament, (c) emergency measures, (d) preparatory and follow-up measures, (e) European Union Special Representatives. This is without prejudice to the creation of new budget items in the event that financially and politically important CSDP missions or operations are launched.
2010/10/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2010/2073(INI)

Draft Interinstitutional Agreement
Point 19 – paragraph 1
19. Each year, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will consult the European Parliament on a forward-looking document, which will be transmitted by June 15 for the year in question, setting out the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP, including the financial implications for the general budget of the European Union and an evaluation of the measures launched in the year n-1, their complementarity with EP resolutions and an evaluation of the coordination of the CFSP with other external policies of the European Union and an assessment of the further perspectives of the CFSP. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will also address in this document the actions conducted under the CFSP, including those relating to the common security and defence policy, whose expenditure is not charged to the Union budget, and the implementation and the management of the start-up fund provided for in Article 41 TEU. Furthermore, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will keep the European Parliament informed by holdingregularly informed and take its views duly into consideration including by means of joint consultation meetings to be held at least five times a year, in the framework of the regular political dialogue on the CFSP, to be agreed at the latest in the Conciliation committeeCommittee. Either party in the joint consultation meetings should be able to call for additional meetings should the need arise. The joint consultation meetings will also aim at assessing the lessons learnt from CSDP missions, their successes and shortfalls, and help develop a strategic approach to future needs, including financial ones. In order to ensure the effective preparation of joint consultation meetings, the European Parliament will receive all relevant information, including the agendas, in advance of all PSC meetings, as well as written summaries of the main items discussed. Participation in these meetings shall be as follows: – European Parliament: the enlarged bureaux of the two Committees concernedCommittee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Budgets, and relevant rapporteurs – Council: Tthe permanent Chairman of the Political and Security Committee on behalf of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, senior officials of the European External Action Service and Heads of CSDP Mission and Operation, whenever relevant. The Commission will be invited to participate at these meetings.
2010/10/21
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the fact that Iran's violations of its NPT Treaty obligations add to world's concerns about the safety of the world non-proliferation system, with the nuclear powers India and Israel refusing to join, the DPRK leaving the treaty and Pakistan's chief nuclear specialist operating a proliferation system in the past,
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 18 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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 delay the passage of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 (2010),
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas since the controversial June 2009 presidential elections the reformists have become most commonly identified with the Green Movement, the popular, grass-roots social movement that took shape during the mass protests against President Ahmadinejad's re- electionpolitical developments in Iran following the disputed presidential elections of June 2009 have shown that there is great potential for popular-led, democratic change in the country spearheaded by its vibrant and active civil society,
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the leadership has continuously used the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to suppress internal dissent, and whereas IRGC intervention in internal Iranian politics has peaked under President Ahmadinejad,
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas Iran has problematic 's relations with almost allsome of its neighbours have been volatile; whereas especially Israel and the Gulf region feel intimidated bysome Persian Gulf states have expressed concern over Iran's aggressive rhetoric and, its ongoing nuclear programme and its support for Hezbollah and Hamas,
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Iran has hosted two generations of Afghan refugees in the country, which have benefitted from basic health and education services; whereas in 2010 more than one million registered Afghans are residing in Iran; whereas Iran received only limited international support in this area,
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas there has been a remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and Turkey, and whereas Iran is using its stateshould be much more forthcoming and ncon-state allies Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, to destabiliseructive in its actions in the region,
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Observes that previous Iranian mass movements were based on a dual pillar – the quest for both welfare and liberty – and suggests that the Green Movement add to its powerful political call of "Where is my voice?" the socio-economic and anti- corruption call "Where is my oil money?"that these remain unfulfilled promises of the 1979 revolution; whereas economic shortcomings such as inflation, corruption, high unemployment, energy shortages, an inefficient state sector and the waste of public funds have increased drastically over the last years;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Expresses its solidarity with the millions of Iranians who have taken to the streets after the June 2009 presidential elections in the hope of political change in Iran;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Warns that the IRGC is slowly taking over Irdevelopment of an; 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 Guardcreasingly greater role for the IRGC in different spheres of Iranian society raises fears of further militarization of the state;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 106 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the EU institutions to address the serious fact that the IRGC and its 'front companies' have been involved in scandals that point to the militarization rather than the privatisation of Iran’s economy; stresses that this so- called 'privatisation' is enabling the Iranian leadership to transfer ownership from relatively transparent parts of the public sector to parts shielded from public scrutiny;deleted
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its opposition to the death penalty and calls on the Iranian authorities, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 and 63/138, to institute a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 115 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on Iran and those countries in the Middle East which are considering investing in nuclear power not to follow the controversial and by large parts of citizens rejected way of many EU and other European countries in favouring a dangerous and outdated technology; instead appeals to those countries to develop all options of modern renewable energy technologies, efficiency and conservation methods;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran finally to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed before the age of 18 and to amend its legislation to bring it into line with the international human rights conventions that Iran has ratified, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ICCPR;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Expresses its grave consternation that Iran continues to be one of the very few countries, together with Afghanistan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Nigeria, which still practise stoning; calls on the Iranian Parliament to pass legislation outlawing this cruel and inhumane form of punishment;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Strongly condemns the continuing legal discrimination of women and the persecution of sexual minorities in Iran; denounces the inhumane and medieval practice of sentencing people to death for alleged acts pertaining to the choice of partners or sexual practices; in this context, reiterates its condemnation of the death sentence against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, charged with having had relations with two men; expresses continued concern about the fate of Ebrahim Hamidi, condemned to death by hanging on false charges of sodomy;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 127 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Urges the Iranian authorities to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, and to uphold due process of law and to end impunity for human rights violations; in particular, calls on the Iranian Parliament and judiciary to abolish such cruel and inhumane punishments as limb amputation, stoning and flogging, which are inconsistent with Iran's international obligations; firmly rejects the notion promoted by the Iranian judicial authorities that such punishments are culturally justified;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is horrifiappalled by the fact that shooting into demonstrating crowds was considered acceptable by the security forces from the night of 15 June 2009 on, as shown in video footage; urges the EU institutions to present to the Iranian authoritiesCommission and the Council to establish a detailed list of all known incidents/violent actions against Iranian civilians in the aftermath of the elections, and insist that there be an honescalls on the Iranian authorities to set up an independent judicial investigation;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Insists that in any possible future negotiations with Iran the HR/VP makes the situation of human rights in the country a top priority; calls on the Commission to implement all the instruments at its disposal for the protection and promotion of human rights in Iran; in particular urges it to devise additional measures in the context of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights in order to actively protect human rights defenders; stresses that facilitating shelter to human rights defenders and access to organisational resources and communication platforms is of particular importance; encourages the Member States to support the European Shelter City Programme and programmes to develop measures against media interception technology;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Condemns the systematic harassment of labour activists carried out by the Iranian authorities, in contravention of the pledges Iran made at the United Nations Universal Periodic Review process to respect the social and economic rights of its citizens and their right to freedom of expression; urges the Iranian authorities to release all arrested labour activists and respect the right of trade union activists and teachers to participate in International Workers' Day (1 May) and National Teachers' Day (2 May); calls on the Iranian Government to respect workers' basic rights, as defined under international labour standards;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Condemns the campaign of dismissals of prominent university professors on political grounds as an intolerable attack on their human rights and academic freedom; believes that these policies will further politicise and debase Iranian universities, long a source of national pride and admiration by scholars around the world; calls on the Iranian authorities to take immediate steps to restore academic freedom in the country;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the importance of Iran's "blogosphere" for a better European understanding of the dynamics at play within the Iranian political system, and therefore strongly encourages European media outlets to create a consortium of trusted Iranian bloggers to report regularly on events in Iran, and thus facilitate the analysis of their long-term implications, with full EU-backing;deleted
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Deplores the fact that, in contradiction with the Constitution, members of religious minorities endure discrimination in housing, education and official jobs, which is leading young members of these minorities to opt for emigration; condemns in particular the systematic persecution of the Baha'i community, the wave of arrests of Christians in 2009, and the harassment of religious dissidents, converts or non- believers as well as Sufi and Sunni Muslims; reiterates its call for the release of the 7 Baha'i leaders and calls on the Iranian Parliament to change Iranian legislation so as to ensure that all adherents of different beliefs in Iran can follow their convictions free from persecution;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 163 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that Iran comes second on the World Watch List of Religious Persecution for 2010; condemns the wave of arrests of Christians in 2009, when at least 85 Christians were arrested; condemns the systematic persecution of the Baha'i community; calls for strong advocacy of religious freedom in Iran from the Council and Commission;deleted
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 167 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Concludes that the position of Iranian NGOs worsened considerably in the wake of the disturbanceprotests following the controversial presidential election of 12 June, 2009; strongly supports the Coucriticizes the fact that all international contacts or financial and the Commission for backing these NGOs in a sensible waysupport for NGOs in Iran are systematically abused by the authorities to try to discredit these organisations and their work;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 174 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Expects the Council and the Commission toCalls for the re-establishment of a UN mandate for a Special Rapporteur to investigate human rights abuses and encourage accountability for those perpetrating human rights violations in Iran; urges the Iranian authorities to react positively to longstanding requests by several UN Special Rapporteurs (e.g. Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; Torture; Freedom of Religion or Belief; Independence of Judges and Lawyers) for official visits to Iran;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Council and the Commission to demandDemands that the Iranian regimeauthorities do not deter human rights activists from making use of their constitutional rights; calls for the immediate release of all those human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience who are still imprisoned;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to sign, ratify and implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW);
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that representatives of EU institutions should include in the programmes of their official visits to Iran meetings with opdevelop contacts with representatives from a broad range of Iranian poslition leaders/representatives of the Green Movement and prominent Iranian human rights dissidents; stresses also that official mutual contacts between the delegations of the EP and the Majlis should be conditional on concrete improvements in human righcal and social life including prominent Iranian human rights defenders; calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase support for grassroots activities and people-to-people contacts;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Urges official representatives of the EU and its Member States, when meetingCondemns the repression by the Iranian authorities of the independent media, including the censorship of video and photo materials; calls on their Iranian counterparts, to insist onauthorities to respect the freedom of the media and to allow for the re-opening of the many dailyforcibly closed newspapers; closed down in recent years, as well as the release of political prisoners, by presenting lists of names in both casesondemns the practice of expulsion of foreign correspondents by the Iranian Government, including reporters from major European newspapers such as El Pais and the Guardian; believes that the censorship imposed by the Government is leading Iran into increasing isolation;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 200 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Expresses concern about the oppression of cultural, musical and artistic expression through censorship, prohibition, and the repression of artists, musicians, film directors, writers and poets;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Welcomes steps taken by several Member States to provide shelter to those Iranian human rights defenders, dissidents, journalists, students, women, children and artists who are persecuted for their religious beliefs, expression, sexual orientation, or other forms of exercising their human rights;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Supports the European Council’s twin-track approach aimed at finding a negotiated and peaceful solution to the nuclear stand-off and commends it on its new Common Position of 26 July 2010 introducing new and far-reaching autonomous measures applicable to Iran;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 232 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission, the Council and EU Member States to strengthenassess all enforcement mechanisms for the implementation of the EU Common Position - especially with regard to export licensing, custom and border controls, air cargo and shipping – in order to prevent Iran from evadingbe able to make a realistic evaluation of whether sanctions yield the intended results; re- iterates its position that these sanctions regime through third parties and locally registered front companishould not negatively affect the general population; welcomes in this context the decision of the US to impose targeted sanctions on Iranian officials determined to be responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Iran since the June 2009 disputed presidential election; calls on the Council to adopt similar measures;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that renewed efforts are needed worldwide to rid the globe of the threat of nuclear weapons; welcomes President Obama's appeal for nuclear disarmament and calls on High Representative Catherine Ashton to make nuclear disarmament - notably the expansion of nuclear weapons free zones - one of her priorities in her dealings both with Member States and in her contacts with governments in the Middle East and Asia;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 242 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the current Belgian Presidency and the forthcoming Hungarian Presidency to keep the Iranian nuclear file and the human rights of the Iranian people high on the agenda;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 249 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Rejects fiercely the desire expressed by the Iranian leadership to "wipe out" Israel; also fiercely rejectCondemns 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 statreaffirms its full support for the existence of Israel and a two-state solution for Palestine;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 268 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Expresses its concerns on the remarkable deepening of relations between Iran and EU accession candidate Turkey; asks the Council and the Commission 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 threat; calls on the EU instRecognizes the role of Turkey as an influential regional actor and commends its efforts at promoting regional stability and cooperation; welcomes the initiative of Turkey and Brazil to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear impasse; encourages Turkey to include the situations to do their utmost to sever the lines between Teheran and Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas of human rights in Iran in its dialogue with Iran;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 289 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Council and the Commission to closely attune their policies towards Iran with Washington;deleted
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 296 #

2010/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Takes note of the converging interests of the EU and Iran in finding peace and stability in Afghanistan; welcomes the constructive role of Iran in reviving infrastructure and economy in as well as preventing drug trafficking from Afghanistan; stresses, however, that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan will require all neighbours to refrain from political interference in the country;
2010/11/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2010/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
– having regard to the Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, and the EU-Chile Association for Development and Innovation,
2010/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 125 #

2010/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Strongly supports the road map and work programme for the Chile-EU Association for Development and Innovation (ADI) and the mutually beneficial rise in trade in goods and services that the Association Agreement has made possible, as evidenced by the fact that trade between Chile and the EU has more than doubled since 2003;
2010/09/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) to ensure that the EU speaks with a single voice in order to make its position heard, while drawing lessons from the climate conference in Copenhagen in December 2009,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) to welcome the different initiatives taken by some EU Member States to negotiate within NATO the withdrawal of nuclear weapons on European territory in full cooperation with Russia in order to have a proportionate withdrawal,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 64 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point u
(u) to insist not to use MDG funds to tackle the consequences of the financial and climate change for the poorcrises; instead, to mobilise additional funds to reach goals where progress has been extremely limited, such as on MDG5 (maternal health); to focus attention on reaching particularly important MDGs;,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point u a (new)
(ua) to insist on an agenda and a roadmap for 2010-2015 aimed at reactivating the goals in order to preserve those goals on which progress has already been made as well as those that are at a standstill,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point u b (new)
(ub) to welcome the fact that Ministers renewed the EU’s commitment to allocate 0.7% of its GNI to ODA by 2015 and considered this as feasible,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) to continue to press for the establishment of membership criteria for election to the UNHRC, especially as a minimum requirement in the cooperation with special procedures, in line with the terms of reference of EU Member States; calls in this respect on the EU to take the leadership role by developing a set of guidelines with cross-regional partners for use during elections,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
(xb) to recognise the need for a more comprehensive debate in the UNHRC and to acknowledge the discussions on ways to strengthen the UNHRC without opening the Institutional Building package and by preserving the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR),
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) to insistr ongly advocate that the UNGA continue to address country specific situations in resolutions the fact that the review of the UNHRC should strengthen the Special Procedures as well as guarantee the possibility for the UNHRC to address specific human rights violations through country resolutions and country mandates; while working to avoid the use of ‘No Action Motions’,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2010/2020(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
(aaa) to show its deep commitment to UNSC Resolution 1325 adopted in 2000 by taking part in the events commemorating its 10th anniversary,
2010/03/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The small contribution of subsidised coal to the overall energy mix no longer justifies the maintenance of such subsidies with a view tof securing the supply of energy on a Union level, provided this is not secured by other means.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 21 #
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 22 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The small contribution of subsidised coal to the overall energy mix no longer justifies the maintenance of such subsidies with a view of securing the supply of energy on a Union level, as long as this result cannot be guaranteed by other means.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 23 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Union's policies of encouraging renewable and lower carbon fossil fuels for power generation do not justify the indefinite support for uncompetitive coal mines. The categories of aid permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 should therefore not be continued indefinitely.deleted
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 23 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Union's policies of encouraging renewable and lower carbon fossil fuels for power generation do not justify the indefinite support for uncompetitive coal mines. The categories of aid permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 should therefore not be continued indefinitely.deleted
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 24 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Considering the scarcity of autochthonous energy sources in the EU, the Union's policies for promoting renewable fuels and fossil fuels with low carbon content in order to generate electricity justify the support to coal mines. The categories of aid permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 should not be maintained indefinitely. In any event, all public aid aimed at reducing the effects of pollution caused by coal, should be maintained. Those mines that, after a ten-year period, are able to achieve competitiveness and require a financial boost from the public sector to enable them to make technological investments for environmental purposes, will also be exempt from the elimination of aid.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 25 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Without prejudice to the general State aid rules, Member States should be able to take measures to alleviate the social and regional consequences of the possible closure of those mines, that is to say the orderly winding down of activities in the context of an irrevocable closure plan and/or the financing of exceptional costs, inherited liabilities in particular.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 26 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Indigenous energy sources in the EU being scarce, the Union’s policies of encouraging renewable and lower carbon fossil fuels for power generation do justify support for coal mines. The categories of aid permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 should not be maintained indefinitely. In any event, State aid intended to reduce the pollutant effect of coal should be maintained. Mines that after this 10-year period are capable of being competitive but still need State assistance with regard to implementation of environmental technology investments should be exempted from this discontinuation of subsidies.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 29 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Without prejudice to the general State aid rules, Member States should be able to take measures to alleviate the social and regional consequences of the possible closure of those mines, that is to say the orderly winding down of activities in the context of an irrevocable closure plan and/or the financing of exceptional costs, inherited liabilities in particular.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 29 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) A minimum level of coal production, together with other measures, especially those aiming at the promotion of renewable energy sources, will contribute to the maintenance of a quota of primary energy sources, which will allow energy security in the Union to be reinforced significantly. In addition, a quota of autochthonous sources of primary energy will help to promote environmental goals in relation with sustainable development. In this framework of boosting autochthonous energy sources in Europe in order to counterbalance the continent's huge dependence on energy sources from outside its borders, consideration should be given to complementing autochthonous energy sources, which in many Member States are represented solely by coal, with non-fossil ones.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 31 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In accomplishing its task, the European Commission should ensure that normal conditions of competition are established, maintained and complied with. With regard to more especially the electricity market, aid to the coal industry should not be such as to affect electricity producers' choice of sources of primary energy supply. Consequently, the prices and quantities of coal should be freely agreed between the contracting parties in the light of prevailing conditions on the world market. At any event, and in order to avoid social or environmental dumping, the Union authorities should ensure that the coal from third countries which is commercialised in the Union is extracted in accordance with certain social and environmental standards which are equivalent to those demanded to Union mines.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 33 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. Aid shall cover only costs in connection with coal for the production of electricity, the combined production of heat and electricity, the production of coke and the fuelling of blast furnaces in the steel industry as well as in connection with research and investments in technology aimed at reducing coal polluting emissions, where such use takes place in the Union.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 35 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the operation of the production units concerned must form part of a closure plan the deadline of which does not extend beyond 31 OctoDecember 201420 ;
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 36 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the production units concerned must be closed definitively in accordance with the closure plan, in the event that they have not become competitive and provided that their continued operation is not necessary to meet Union's energy needs;
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 40 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) the overall amount of closure aid granted by a Member State for any particular undertaking must follow a downward trend, where the reduction between successive periods of fifteen months must not be less than 33 percent of the aid provided . This aid reduction shall not be applicable to the mines that have succeeded in becoming competitive during the initial fifteen month period of the closure planis period and which require public investments aimed only at reducing the polluting effects of coal ;
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 42 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) A minimum level of coal production, together with other measures, in particular to promote renewable energy sources, will help to maintain a quota of primary energy sources, which will significantly boost the European Union's energy security. Furthermore, a quota of indigenous primary energy sources will also serve to promote environmental objectives within the framework of sustainable development. Within this context of boosting the Union’s indigenous energy sources in order to counteract the continent’s huge energy dependence, supplementing non-fossil indigenous energy sources with fossil ones needs to be considered, coal being the sole source of indigenous fossil energy in some Member States.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 45 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. If the production units to which aid is granted pursuant to paragraph 1 are not closed at the date fixed in the closure plan as authorised by the Commission, they have not become competitive and their continued operation is not necessary in the light of the energy autonomy conditions of that State, the Member State concerned shall recover all aid granted in respect of the whole period covered by the closure plan.
2010/10/11
Committee: REGI
Amendment 51 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In accomplishing its task, the European Commission should ensure that normal conditions of competition are established, maintained and complied with. With regard to more especially to the electricity market, aid to the coal industry should not be such as to affect electricity producers' choice of sources of primary energy supply. Consequently, the prices and quantities of coal should be freely agreed between the contracting parties in the light of prevailing conditions on the world market. In any event, and to prevent social or environmental dumping, the Community authorities should ensure that the social and environmental standards in mines in non-EU countries producing coal for marketing in the Union equate to the standards required of European coal mines.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 56 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. Aid shall cover only costs in connection with coal for the production of electricity, the combined production of heat and electricity, the production of coke and, the fuelling of blast furnaces in the steel industry, research and technology investment designed to reduce pollutant emissions from coal, where such use takes place in the Union.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 58 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
a) the operation of the production units concerned must form part of a closure plan the deadline of which does not extend beyond 31 OctoDecember 201420;
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 62 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
b) the production units concerned must be closed definitively in accordance with the closure plan if they have not become competitive by that date and provided that the Union’s energy needs do not require their continued existence;
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 66 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
f) the overall amount of closure aid granted by a Member State for any particular undertaking must follow a downward trend, where the reduction between successive periods of fifteen months must not be less than 33 percent of the aid provided in the initial fifteen mon. This reduction in aid shall not apply to mines that, having managed to be competitive in this period, still require public sector investment solely for the period of the closure planurpose of reducing pollution produced by coal;
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 74 #

2010/0220(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. If the production units to which aid is granted pursuant to paragraph 1 are not closed at the date fixed in the closure plan as authorised by the Commission, have not become competitive and the energy sufficiency situation in the Member State concerned does not require their continued existence, the Member State concerned shall recover all aid granted in respect of the whole period covered by the closure plan.
2010/10/12
Committee: ECON
Amendment 5 #

2009/2178(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission's initiatives to enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights and calls for the provision of long-term financing for the European Counterfeiting and Piracy Observatory;
2010/03/01
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 13 #

2009/2178(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Draws attention to the serious impact of the infringement of intellectual property rights on the internal market and therefore calls on the Commission to strengthen (and where appropriate review the effectiveness of) existing legislation, particularly with regard to the fight against the increase in counterfeit goods from third countries and against counterfeit goods that put consumer health at risk, particularly the health of young consumers;
2010/03/01
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 24 #

2009/2178(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for closer administrativestronger cross-border cooperation and information exchange between supervisory authorities concerning the infringement of intellectual property rights;
2010/03/01
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 34 #

2009/2178(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for proportionate measures to be proposed for effectively and successfully combating the negative impact of infringement of intellectual property rights in the digital environment (piracy) on the internal market and calls on the Observatory to analyse the impact of alternative systems of equitable compensation (for example, flat-rate licences);
2010/03/01
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 10 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas, although the Commission can fully check compliance with EU law only when a final decision has been taken by national authorities, it is important, particularly in relation to environmental matters, to verify at an early stage that local, regional and national authorities correctly apply all relevant procedural requirements under EU law,
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 18 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that petitions received in 2009, almost 40% of which were deemed inadmissible, continued to focus on environment, fundamental rights, justice and the internal market; in terms of geographical focus, most of the petitions concerned the Union as a whole – followed by Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania – demonstrating that citizens do keep a watchful eye on the Union’s work and turn to it for action;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 30 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the increased involvement of Member States in the activity of the Committee on Petitions and the presence of their representatives at meetings; and believes that such cooperation should be strengthened as the national authorities are primarily responsible for enforcing European legislation once it has been transposed into their legal order;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 34 #

2009/2139(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Draws attention to the conclusions in its resolution on the impact of extensive urbanisation in Spain1 and asks the Spanish authorities to continue to provide an assessments of the measures taken in that regard, as they have been doing up to now;
2010/05/10
Committee: PETI
Amendment 15 #

2009/2133(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point b
(b) the EEAS must deal with the CFSP and the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and with the tasks and policies currently dealt with by the Directorate- General for External Relations (DG Relex) in the Commission; in addition, the High Representative should present a comprehensive proposal on how other major external action-related policies will be organised in the new institutional set- up; enlargement, trade, development and humanitarian aid together constitute a substantial part of the EU's overall external policies; there are compelling reasons to include development policy in the new service, but should retain a degree of autonomy reflecting the specific characteristics of the development, trade and humanitarian aid policies within the framework of the EU's external action;
2009/10/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Takes the view that the Treaty of Lisbon provides the instruments needed for the EU to play an important role in shaping the new international order by strengthening relations with its neighbours and strategic partners, consolidating its leadership in multilateral forums, assuming its responsibilities in conflict areas and making a firm commitment to promoting peace, upholding human rights and eradicating poverty;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses the need to establish greater clarity on the criteria for the appointment and evaluation of EU Special Representatives (EUSRs), bearing in mind also the need for sufficient representation of both genders; considers that relevant EUSRs should gradually take over and carry out the functions of country- based EU Heads of Delegation while EUSRs with regional responsibilities could provide political guidance to EU Heads of Delegation in the countries concerned in order to ensure coherent and consistent European external action; calls on the Vice-President/High Representative to take steps with a view to entrusting EUSRs with the task of providing political guidance also with regard to CSDP missions within their remit;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 68 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Expresses its support for the Union continuing to contribute actively and effectively to the resolution of global issues, not least through a strengthening of the United Nations system and according special importance to consolidating the Human Rights Council and abolishing the death penalty;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on the Council to make a special effort to support the development of the Common Security and Defence Policy, and reinforce the EU’s role as an international reference point in the field of crisis management, by boosting the EU’s civil and military capacities, with a special focus on enhancing the work of the European Defence Agency;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the importance of gender equality, human rights and good governance objectives being fully integrated in the planning and conduct of all CSDP missions and operations, including fact-finding missions, as gender awareness and sensitivity contribute to operational effectiveness and situational awareness; in this context, welcomes the appointment of a gender adviser to nearly all CSDP missions; regrets that there are no women among the 11 EUSRs; calls on the Council and the Commission to systematically include gender equality and women's empowerment in the EU's political dialogue and policy discussions with partner countries;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2009/2057(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Expresses its support for a new phase of deeper cooperation between the EU and Canada;
2010/01/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2009/2002(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reaffirms its commitment to gender equality policies and mainstreaming and recalls that the promotion of both should be a key element of the external action of the EU;
2009/08/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 5 #

2009/2002(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that education and vocational training must be pillars of the new sustainable economic and social model promoted abroad by the EU;
2009/08/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2009/0104(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) With the aim of furthering the implementation of the Thessaloniki agenda, the Commission should start a visa liberalisation dialogue with Kosovo and establish a roadmap for visa liberalisation similar to those established with other Western Balkan countries. This should be without prejudice to the status of Kosovo and with due respect for UNSC resolution 1244/99.
2009/10/01
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
(12) Late payment constitutes a breach of contract which has been made financially attractive to debtors in most Member States by low or no interest rates charged on late payments and/or slow procedures for redress. A decisive shift towards a culture of prompt payment, including making the exclusion of the right to charge interest an unfair contractual clause and providing for a compensation of creditors for the costs incurred, is necessary to reverse this trend and to ensure that the consequences of late payments are such as to discourage late payment. That shift should include providing for compensation of creditors for the costs incurred in recovering overdue debts. Similarly, contractual clauses and commercial practices which set interest rates for late payment that are lower than the legal rate and compensation for debt recovery at less than that laid down in law should be deemed unfair contractual clauses and unfair commercial practices.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 13 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
(17) Late payment is particularly regrettable if it occurs despite the debtor’s solvency. Surveys show that public authorities often pay invoices very late after expiration of the applicable payment period. Public authorities may face lighter financing constraints because they may benefit from more secure, predictable and continuous revenue streams than private undertakings. At the same time, they depend less than private undertakings on building stable commercial relationships for the achievement of their aims. Consequently, public authorities may have less incentive to pay on time. In addition, many public authorities can obtain financing at more attractive conditions than private undertakings. Therefore, late payment by public authorities not only leads to unjustified costs for private undertakings, but to inefficiency in general. It is therefore appropriate to introduce correspondingly higher dissuasive compensation in case of late payment by public authorities.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 15 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) In a further effort to prevent abuse of freedom of contract to the disadvantage of creditors, Member States and representative organisations which are officially recognised or have a legitimate interest must encourage, with the support of the Commission, the drawing-up and dissemination of codes of good conduct and the adoption of voluntary systems for the resolution of conflicts through mediation and arbitration, with suitable complaint mechanisms, negotiated at national or Union level, and designed to ensure the effective implementation of the rights provided for in this Directive.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 17 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
(22) It is necessary to ensure that the recovery procedures for unchallenged claims related to late payment in commercial transactions be completed within a short period of time, and that it is possible to submit the application telematically.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 18 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
(22) It is necessary to ensure that the recovery procedures for unchallenged claims related to late payment in commercial transactions be completed within a short period of time, in accordance with the relevant national laws, regulations and administrative provisions.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 24 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
(12) Late payment constitutes a breach of contract which has been made financially attractive to debtors in most Member States by low interest rates charged on late payments and/or slow procedures for redress. A decisive shift, including making the exclusion of the right to charge interest an unfair contractual clause and providing for towards a culture of on-time payment is necessary to reverse this trend and to ensure that the consequences of late payments are such as to discourage late payment. This shift should include introducing compensation ofor creditors for the costs incurred, is necessary to reverse this trend and to ensure that the consequences of late payments are such as to discourage late paymentof recovering outstanding debts. Equally, clauses establishing interest rates for late payment or compensation levels f or debt recovery that are lower than those laid down in law should be considered as unfair contractual clauses and unfair commercial practices.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 40 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
(17) Late payment is particularly regrettable if it occurs despite the debtor’s solvency. Surveys show that public authorities often pay invoices very late after expiration of the applicable payment period. Public authorities may face lighter financing constraints because they may benefit from more secure, predictable and continuous revenue streams than private undertakings. At the same time, they depend less than private undertakings on building stable commercial relationships for the achievement of their aims. Consequently, public authorities may have less incentive to pay on time. In addition, many public authorities can obtain financing at more attractive conditions than private undertakings. Therefore, late payment by public authorities not only leads to unjustified costs for private undertakings, but to inefficiency in general. It is therefore appropriate to introduce correspondingly higher dissuasive compensation in case of late payment by public authorities.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 41 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall ensure that when interest for late payment becomes payable, the creditor is entitled to a lump sum compensation equal to 5% of the amount due. This compensation shall be additional to the interest for late payment.deleted
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 44 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – title and paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Grossly uUnfair contractual clauses and commercial practices 1. Member States shall provide that a clause in a contract or commercial practice relating to the date or deadline for payment, the rate of interest for late payment or compensation for recovery costs shall either be unenforceable orand shall give rise to a claim for damages if it is grosslyunfair to the creditor. If such a clause is held to be unfair, to the creditor. In determining whether a clause is grossly unfair to the creditor, all circumstances of the case shall be considered, including good commercial practice andhe statutory terms shall apply and the national courts shall enjoy the power to rule on the rights and obligations of the parties and the consequences of its ineffectiveness. 1a. In determining whether a clause or a commercial practice is unfair to the creditor within the meaning of the first paragraph, all circumstances of the case shall be considered, including: (a) any serious departure from good commercial practice that is contrary to good faith and fair dealing, (b) the nature of the product or the service. Account shall also be taken of, (c) whether the debtor has any objective reason to deviate from the statutory rate of interest or from Article 3(2)(b), Article 4(1) or Article 5(2)(b), and (d) whether the clause or commercial practice serves mainly to furnish the debtor with additional income at the expense of the creditor, (e) whether the principal contractor imposes on suppliers and subcontractors terms of payment that cannot be justified on the grounds of the terms from which it benefits itself, or of any other objective reason.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 45 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 (becomes a new paragraph)
1b. For the purpose of the first subparagraph, a clause which excludesor commercial practice which establishes an interest rate for late payment that is lower than the reference legal rate for late payment, plus at least seven percentage points, or compensation for recovery costs less than that laid down in law, shall always be considered as grossly unfair.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 46 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Unfair clauses set out in the general terms governing a contract as referred in the first paragraph shall also be considered void.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 47 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The means referred to in paragraph 2 shall include provisions whereby representative organisationsorganisations officially recognised as representing companies, or as having a legitimate interest in doing so, are permitted to adopt systems for the resolution of conflicts through mediation and arbitration and may take action according to the national law concerned before the courts or before competent administrative bodies on the grounds that clauses are grosslyommercial terms or practices, including those relating to individual contracts, are unfair, so that they can apply appropriate and effective means to prevent their continued use.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 50 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that an enforceable title can be obtained, irrespective of the amount of the debt, normally within 90 calendar days of the lodging of the creditor's action or application at the court or other competent authority, provided that the debt or aspects of the procedure are not disputed. This duty shall be carried out by Member States in conformity with their respective national legislation, regulations and administrative provisions.
2010/02/09
Committee: JURI
Amendment 51 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) In the context of an enhanced effort to prevent contractual freedom being abused against creditors’ interests, Member States, officially recognised bodies and bodies possessing a legitimate interest should encourage, with the Commission’s support, the drawing-up and publicisation of codes of conduct and the adoption of conflict resolution systems based on mediation and arbitration, which should be voluntary, should offer suitable complaint procedures and should be negotiated at national or Union level and designed so as to ensure full observance of the rights set out in this Directive.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 52 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
(22) It is necessary to ensure that the recovery procedures for unchallenged claims related to late payment in commercial transactions be completed within a short period of time, with the possibility of submitting claims online.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 53 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
(22) It is necessary to ensure that the recovery procedures for unchallenged claims related to late payment in commercial transactions be completed within a short period of time, in line with the relevant laws, regulations or administrative provisions at national level.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 60 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point 2
(2) “public authority” means any contracting authority or entity, as defined by Directive 2004/18/EC;pursuant to Article 2(1)(a) of Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors1, and to Article 1(9) of Directive 2004/18/EC; -------------------- 1 OJ L 134, 30.4.2004.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 73 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point 5
(5) “interest for late payment” means statutory interest or interest negotiated and agreed upon between undertakings;
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 173 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall ensure that when interest for late payment becomes payable, the creditor is entitled to a lump sum compensation equal to 5% of the amount due. This compensation shall be additional to the interest for late payment.deleted
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 200 #

2009/0054(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
For the purpose of the first subparagraph, 1, a clause or commercial practice which excludes legal interest for late payment(the reference rate increased by at least 7 percentage points) or compensation for recovery costs, or both, shall always be considered as grossly unfair.
2010/03/10
Committee: IMCO