BETA

Activities of Paweł Robert KOWAL

Plenary speeches (87)

Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership countries and in particular destabilisation of eastern Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership countries and in particular destabilisation of eastern Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Reduction or elimination of customs duties on goods originating in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2014/0090(COD)
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2014/2627(RSP)
Priorities for EU relations with the Eastern partnership countries (short presentation)
2016/11/22
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Recent elections in Bangladesh
2016/11/22
Respect for the fundamental right of free movement in the EU (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2960(RSP)
Outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (debate)
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)
Bangladesh: human rights and forthcoming elections (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2951(RSP)
Fair justice in Bolivia, in particular the cases of Előd Tóásó and Mario Tadic (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2953(RSP)
European Neighbourhood Policy, working towards a stronger partnership: EP's position on the 2012 progress reports (debate)
2016/11/22
EU policy towards Belarus (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2036(INI)
Pressure exercised by Russia on countries of the Eastern Partnership (in the context of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius) (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/2826(RSP)
Programme of activities of the Lithuanian Presidency (debate)
2016/11/22
2013 review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2253(INI)
2012 progress report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2866(RSP)
Amendment of the EC-Ukraine Agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas (A7-0059/2013 - Claude Moraes) (vote)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/0138(NLE)
2012 comprehensive monitoring report on Croatia (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2871(RSP)
Amendment of the EC-Ukraine Agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/0138(NLE)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
New EU-Russia agreement (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2050(INI)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/0322(NLE)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities - Industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2308(INI)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities - Industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2308(INI)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2050(INI)
Situation in Ukraine, case of Yulia Tymoshenko (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Ukraine, case of Yulia Tymoshenko (debate)
2016/11/22
Human rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2185(INI)
Outcome of the presidential elections in Russia (debate)
2016/11/22
Kazakhstan (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Belarus (debate)
2016/11/22
Guidelines for the 2013 budget - sections other than the Commission (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2012/2001(BUD)
Blind persons’ access to books (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Russia (debate)
2016/11/22
European Neighbourhood Policy (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2157(INI)
EU-US summit of 28 November 2011 (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2870(RSP)
The open Internet and net neutrality in Europe (debate)
2016/11/22
Commission work programme for 2012 (debate)
2016/11/22
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
2016/11/22
Eastern partnership summit (Warsaw, 29 September) (debate)
2016/11/22
Eastern partnership summit (Warsaw, 29 September) (debate)
2016/11/22
Situation in Libya (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2811(RSP)
Programme of activities of the Polish Presidency of the Council (debate)
2016/11/22
Ukraine: the cases of Yulia Tymoshenko and other members of the former government (debate)
2016/11/22
Ukraine: the cases of Yulia Tymoshenko and other members of the former government (debate)
2016/11/22
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2302(INI)
EU-Russia summit (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2716(RSP)
Seventh EU programme for research, technological development and demonstration (A7-0160/2011 - Jean-Pierre Audy) (vote)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2043(INI)
Application of Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/0820(NLE)
Report: Zver - Youth on the Move: – a framework for improving Europe's education and training systems - Report: Honeyball - Early years learning - Report: Schaake - Cultural dimensions of EU external actions - Report: Sanchez-Schmid - Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries - Sarajevo as a European Capital of Culture in 2014 (debate)
2016/11/22
Report: Zver - Youth on the Move: – a framework for improving Europe's education and training systems - Report: Honeyball - Early years learning - Report: Schaake - Cultural dimensions of EU external actions - Report: Sanchez-Schmid - Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries - Sarajevo as a European Capital of Culture in 2014 (debate)
2016/11/22
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)
Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Southern Dimension (B7-0199/2011) (vote)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2642(RSP)
Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Eastern Dimension - Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Southern Dimension
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2958(RSP)
Southern Neighbourhood, and Libya in particular, including humanitarian aspects (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2011/2616(RSP)
2010 progress report on Turkey (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2996(RSP)
An EU Strategy for the Black Sea (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2087(INI)
Review of the Belgian Presidency of the Council (debate)
2016/11/22
EU-Georgia agreement on facilitation of issuance of visas - EU-Georgia agreement on readmission of persons residing without authorisation - Visa liberalisation scheme in Serbia and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - Implementation of the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/0106(NLE)
Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2934(RSP)
Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Failures in protection of human rights and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2857(RSP)
Transatlantic relations: USA travel fee (debate)
2016/11/22
Security of gas supply (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/0108(COD)
Human rights in Syria, in particular the case of Haythan Al - Maleh
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2848(RSP)
Explanations of vote
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2236(INI)
Zimbabwe, in particular the case of Farai Maguwu
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2010/2768(RSP)
Review of the Spanish Presidency (debate)
2016/11/22
Democratic Republic of Congo: the case of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire
2016/11/22
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2216(INI)
European Investment Bank (EIB) - Annual Report 2008 (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2166(INI)
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)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
2016/11/22
Recent earthquake in Haiti (debate)
2016/11/22
Belarus (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2790(RSP)
Situation in Georgia (debate)
2016/11/22
Preparation of the Copenhagen Summit on climate change (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2614(RSP)
Macro-financial assistance to Georgia - Macro-financial assistance to Armenia - Macro-financial assistance to Serbia - Macro-financial assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/0150(CNS)
EU-Russia Summit on 18 November 2009 in Stockholm (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2700(RSP)
Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia (debate)
2016/11/22
Energy security (Nabucco and Desertec) (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2009/2532(RSP)

Reports (1)

REPORT on assessing and setting priorities for EU relations with the Eastern Partnership countries PDF (199 KB) DOC (109 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2013/2149(INI)
Documents: PDF(199 KB) DOC(109 KB)

Shadow reports (1)

REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument PDF (890 KB) DOC (1 MB)
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2011/0405(COD)
Documents: PDF(890 KB) DOC(1 MB)

Opinions (1)

OPINION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Documents: PDF(100 KB) DOC(51 KB)

Shadow opinions (3)

OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing, as part of the Internal Security Fund, the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa
2016/11/22
Committee: AFET
Dossiers: 2011/0365(COD)
Documents: PDF(223 KB) DOC(453 KB)
OPINION Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Europeana - next steps
2016/11/22
Committee: ITRE
Dossiers: 2009/2158(INI)
Documents: PDF(111 KB) DOC(90 KB)
OPINION on the Report on Competition Policy 2008
2016/11/22
Committee: ITRE
Dossiers: 2009/2173(INI)
Documents: PDF(104 KB) DOC(83 KB)

Amendments (112)

Amendment 68 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the achievements and ambitions of the EaP, which is the political framework for strengthening relations between the EU and the Eastern Partners, founded on mutual interests, commitments, shared ownership and joint responsibility, as well as the institutional basis for political cooperation, and a forum for dialogue between the partner countries; welcomes, in this connection, the establishment of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and other cooperation platforms, such as the EaP Civil Society Forum andand work carried out by the EaP stakeholders: the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the EaP Civil Society Forum and CORLEAP as well as other initiatives, such as the Eastern Europe Initiatives Congress; notes however that the recent developments in some EaP countries have drawn attention to the fragility of the political process;
2014/01/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 242 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EaP is directed at Eastern European countries and is a response to the European aspirations of the societies of the partner countries;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 243 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EaP should promote the humanitarian, political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of cooperation;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 247 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the achievements and ambitions of the EaP, which is the political framework for strengthening relations between the EU and the Eastern Partners, founded on mutual interests, commitments, shared ownership and joint responsibility, as well as the institutional basis for political cooperation, and a forum for dialogue between the partner countries; welcomes, in this connection, the establishment of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and other cooperation platforms, such as the EaP Civil Society Forum and the Eastern Europe Initiatives Congress; notes however that the recent developments in some EaP countries have drawn attention to the fragility of the political process; stresses the importance of engaging with broader society as a means of transformation. Encourages more frequent and effective engagement with local and regional authorities as well as with parliaments, business leaders, civil society to build constituencies for reform able to influence national decision making;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EaP project needs new impetus and a clear vision for the way forward, focusing not only on the political cooperation, but aiming to anchor the societies of the EaP to the EU, thus urges the EU to focus particularly on establishing visa-free regimes, on investing in youth and future leaders, and on the energy, transport and research sectors;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for a more individualised approach to partner countries, implementing the principle of differentiation, evaluating the progress of each partner country based on the basis of clear benchmarks and on its own merits, but with overall coordination; recalls that the advancement of the partnership will depend on progress and substantial efforts with regards to the respect for human rights, reform of judiciary, public administration reforms, the fight against corruption and increased citizens' participation in public decision making;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Recognises the importance of inclusiveness in ensuring that the Partnership advances with the participation of all 6 partners, thus highlights the necessity of further enhancing the multilateral dimension and encourages the holding of regular meetings at Ministerial level across the policy spectrum;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets, furthermore, the insufficient desire among EaP partner countries to build a common message and engage in common efforts vis-à-vis the EU; calls for an increase in public diplomacy efforts, including better communication tools; underlines the necessity of implementing a Visibility Strategy for the EaP;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the importance of fostering economic cooperation in order to bring the EaP project forward, inter alia by raising awareness of the complexity of economic problems, promoting good governance in the financial sector, adopting a sectoral approach, encouraging legislation conducive to the development of SME sector and promoting business partnerships between the EU and the EaP;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls for greater efforts aimed at strengthening the business dimension of the Eastern Partnership including through improving the business environment in partner countries to the benefit of local, regional and European SMEs and businesses and promoting business partnerships between the EU and the EaP;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Encourages further regulatory approximation in all transport areas and implementing transport infrastructure projects, along the Eastern Partnership transport network through existing EU programmes and instruments, seeking closer involvement of European and International Financial Institutions and prioritizing projects that improve connections with the TEN-T core network;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 279 #

2013/2149(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Calls for the gradual development of a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space to pull together several existing strands of cooperation in research and innovation;
2014/02/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2013/2145(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that in the Southern Mediterranean, there is an urgent need for the EU to play an active role and that it is in the EU's interest to support further democratic developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood in particular with regards to the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius; expresses its concern that with deep cuts in the relevant instruments, there would be little room to react to sudden developments and maintain the level of support required to help countries in transition which could fundamentally undermine the EU's policy objectives in the area;
2013/07/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 36 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Member States to play a constructive role in the Union's foreign policy, in particular in coordination between their capitals and Brussels concerning the positions they adopt in multilateral fora; stresses the need, during a period characterised by economic constraints, to improve the Union's effectiveness as a cohesive global actor; notes in particular that the Member States also have an important role to play in the effective implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) by making available civilian and military capabilities; expects this role to be reinforced following the discussion on defence at the December 2013 European Council;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses, therefore, that a comprehensive understanding of the CFSP covers all areas of foreign policy, including the progressive framing of the CSDP, with an emphasis on pursuing coherence and consistency while respecting the specificity of each component of external action; believes that there should be closer coordination, under the VP/HR's leadership, of EU internal policies and Member States' policy choices in key areas such as transport and energy, where these have clearly transnational implications;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point 3
· setting out a plan for making progress on important innovations of the Lisbon Treaty, in particular permanent structured cooperation on defence and an enhanced role and more resources for the European Defence Agency;deleted
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 133 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Underlines the EU's willingness to contribute to the Partnership for Modernisation and to any successor to the current partnership and cooperation agreement that is linkprovided tohat Russia' makes progress as regardin areas such as human rights, the rule of law and pluralist democracy;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Criticises Russia's use, in violation of international norms (e.g. the Helsinki Accords), of the instruments of energy and trade policy to blackmail countries in the European neighbourhood so as to hinder their sovereign decisions; considers it necessary for Russia to adopt a constructive position with regard to frozen conflicts; warns Russia that instrumental use of unresolved conflicts for political goals may lead to resumption of hostilities and destabilisation of the whole region;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Recalls that the Eastern Neighbourhood is of strategic importance and recalls the European perspective of the countries concerned; calls for greater efforts to achieve the objectives of the Eastern Partnership and a greater political commitment to doing so; welcomes the progress made in the negotiation of Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements between the EU and its eastern partners and calls on them to meet the requirements for a successful Vilnius Summit in November 2013; calls on the HR/VP and European Commission to take necessary efforts towards the visa waiver, which would be an important step in bringing together the societies of the EU and Eastern Partnership Countries;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Recalls that the Eastern Neighbourhood is of strategic importance and recalls the European perspective of the countries concerned; calls on the HR/VP and European Commission for greater efforts to achieve the objectives of the Eastern Partnership and a greater political commitment to doing so; welcomes the progress made in the negotiation of Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements between the EU and its eastern partners and calls on them to meet the requirements for a successful Vilnius Summit in November 2013;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. SNotes with satisfaction the ongoing dialogue between Ukraine and the EU and a common ambition to sign the Association Agreement; stress that although the EU-Ukraine agreement has been initialled, it can only be signed and ratified if Ukraine fulfils the necessary requirements as set out in the Council conclusions on Ukraine of 10 December 2012; reiterates its call on the Ukrainian Parliament and Government to address the issue of selective justice, beginning by immediately releasing Yulia Tymoshenko, and to implement the reforms set out in the jointly agreed Association Agenda, including judicial reform (i.e. the Office of the General Prosecutor) and reform of the electoral law; calls on Ukraine to amend its penal code by removing criminal sanctions for clearly political acts carried out by state functionaries acting in an official capacity;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 239 #

2013/2081(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Considers regrettable the lifting of the EU's arms embargo on Syria, as it is a dangerous step towards the re- nationalisation of EU foreign policy; condemns the tragic and ongoing bloodshed in Syria, which has already had a devastating humanitarian impact, including on neighbouring countries, in particular Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey; calls for the immediate and full investigation by the UN of the horrific chemical weapons attack and for a united international response; underlines the urgency of convening the Geneva II talks in order to initiate a political solution and bring an end to the deadly spiral of violence;
2013/09/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas arms exports can have inter alia a considerable impact not only on security, but also on development, and must therefore be at the very least embedded within a strict arms control system operating with maximum effectiveness;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 28 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the decision-taking process for granting or denying arms export licences lies solely within the remit of Member States; whereas the eight criteria are interpreted very differently within the EU, meaning that, to some extent, arms export practice varies widely;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas little progress has been made on reaching agreement between the Member States with regard to applying and interpreting the Common Position’s eight criteria;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 41 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas by no means all EU Member States make a full submission to COARM; whereas, because of individual Member States’ differing data collection and submission procedures, data sets are incomplete and vary, which considerably reduces transparency in this area;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas measures on trafficking of small arms and light weapons have been adopted in recent years, with an updated List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies under the Wassenaar Arrangement being adopted in February 2012, and areas such as control of arms brokering, and licensed production outside the EU and end-user control have been put on the agenda and, to some extent, incorporated into the Common Position itself, but many products, in particular in the field of dual- use goods, are still not covered by a legally binding arms exports control system;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 53 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P
P. whereas it has been argued that the events of the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could not be foreseen; whereas nonetheless the human rights situation in those countries, which, in connection with issuing arms exports licences, should have been (and must be) taken into account, was (and is) known; whereas the events of the Arab Spring have revealed the weaknesses of the Common Position and, to some extent, a number of countries’ disregard for it and the criteria it contains;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 71 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that the EU is the only union of states to have a legally binding framework, unique in the world, through which arms export control is being improved, including in crisis regions and countries with a questionable human rights record, and welcomes the fact, in this connection, that European and non- European third countries have joined the arms exports control system on the basis of the Common Position; notes with concern, however, that the eight criteria are applied and interpreted with varying degrees of rigour in the EU Member States; calls therefore for a standard, uniformly strict interpretation and full implementation of the Common Position with all its obligations;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Takes the view that, because of the negative impact of arms spending on the development prospects of poorer recipient countries, criterion 8 should be upgraded by making denial of export licences automatic if they are incompatible with development;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that the Common Position should be complemented by a regularly updated, publicly accessible list, with detailed reasons, providing information on the extent to which exports to particular recipient countries are, or are not, in keeping with the eight criteria;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Considers thatit desirable to carry out a study into the appropriateness and feasibility of establishing a standardised verification and reporting system should be established to provide information as to whether, and to what extent, individual EU Member States’ exports violate the eight criteria;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Insists, in the light of the Common Position review process, that support should be voiced for powerful, clear and unambiguous wording in the Common Position in order to prevent the criteria from being interpreted and applied differently; insists in particular that Article 10 of the Common Position be acted on and that, accordingly, application of the criteria not be neutralised or stopped because of political, economic or geostrategic interests;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the fact that there is no possibility of having compliance with the eight criteria independently verified, that there are no mechanisms for sanctions for violation of the eight criteria by a Member State, and that there are no plans to that effect; takes the view that ways and means of carrying out independent verification and mechanisms for sanctions for violations of the Common Position should be provided for;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 108 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls furthermore for the eight criteria to be extended and applied also to the transfer of military, security and police personnel, to arms-exports-related services, know-how and training, and to private military and security services; calls for it to be made mandatory - where security technology and, in general, dual- use goods are to be exported - for compatibility with the eight criteria to be verified;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 118 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets the fact that, in 2010, only 63% of EU Member States submitted complete sets of data relating to their arms exports; notes that the countries which repeatedly supply incomplete information on their exports are also some of both the EU’s and the world’s largest arms-exporting countries;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that methods for collecting data on arms exports, as well as practices for publishing data sets recorded, vary in the Member States, as a result of which the COARM annual report does not include important information and therefore is not up to date or reliable; calls accordingly for the introduction of a standardised collection and submission procedure, for information on actual exports to be applied uniformly in all Member States, in order to submit and publish up-to-date and exhaustive information;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Suggests in this connection that additional information be coldelected from Member States and published both at national level and in the COARM annual report, in particular a list of countries arms exports to which would violate one or more of the eight criteria, together with a comprehensive list of EU Member States which have exported arms to those countries during the data reporting period;
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that the Directive simplifying terms and conditions of transfers of defence-related products within the Community has made arms exports within Europe considerably easier; calls in this connection for the COARM annual report also to include detailed information on arms exports within Europe which violate one or more of the eight criteria;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for the COARM annual report also to include information on the final destination of exports within Europe and on onward transfers to third countries which may be problematic;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 169 #

2012/2303(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Takes the view that the EU should formulate a comprehensive conversion strategy; recommends, in connection with that strategy, that a plan be developed as to how conversion from arms production to civilian goods production can proceed as quickly as possible;deleted
2013/03/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2012/2138(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Emphasizes the positive role played by the EUMM Georgia observation mission, particularly in supporting dialogue and the restoration of confidence-building measures between the parties, but regrets that this mission is still not allowed to visit the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where Russia has been recognized as an occupation force by the European Parliament, NATO, Council of Europe and some Member States;
2012/10/02
Committee: AFET
Amendment 39 #

2012/2094(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Takes the view that it is necessary to protect users, and particularly children, from harmful pornographic and violent content;
2012/09/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2012/2094(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Hopes that the appropriate use of new communication technologies, and in particular social media, will help to reinforce direct democracy among citizens of the EU and of third countries by creating social platforms for formulating legislation;
2012/09/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2012/2094(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Takes the opinion that it is necessary to provide filtering and to combat spam, which has a negative impact on internet security;
2012/09/27
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the Lisbon Treaty is creating a new momentum in EU foreign policy, notably providing institutional and operational tools which could enable the Union to take on an international role compatible with its prominent economic status and its ambitions and to organise itself, by coordinating the main goals and objectives of its Member States, in such a way as to be an effective global player, able to share responsibility for global security and take the lead in defining common responses to common challenges;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 22 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the new momentum in European external action also requires the EU to act more strategically so as to bring its weight to bear internationally; whereas the EU's ability to influence the international order depends not only on coherence among its policies, actors and institutions, but also on a real strategic concept of EU foreign policy, which must unite all Member States behind the same set of priorities and goals so that they speak with a strong single voice and show solidarity in the international arena; whereas the EU's foreign policy must be provided with the necessary means and instruments in order to enable the Union to act effectively and consistently on the world stage;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Underlines that, whilst the EU-Ukraine Agreement has been initialled, its signature and ratification can only happen if Ukraine fulfils the necessary requirements; this means respect for the rule of law in the form of strengthening the stability, independence and effectiveness of the institutions which guarantee the rule of law, and of showing respect for the rights of the opposition and putting an end to persecution of it, thus establishing a truly pluralistic democracy; calls the HR/VP and the Commission to guarantee sufficient financial means to support the additional election monitoring missions for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine; calls on the Ukrainian Parliament to amend the penal code dating back to Soviet times to remove criminal sanctions for clear political acts carried out by state functionaries acting in official capacity;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 207 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Considers Russia as an important strategic partner, but continues to have concerns regardingis concerned about Russia's lack of commitment to the rule of law, pluralist democracy and human rights and stresses that the future development of EU-Russia relations should be dependent on progress in these areas; in this regard calls on the EU for constant advocacy towards Russian authorities to meet the OSCE standards of human rights, democracy and rule of law;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 210 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38 a. Recalls the need to intensify negotiations on a new comprehensive and legally binding Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia, encompassing all aspects of relations, including section on human rights and democracy;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 304 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55 a. 55 a. Calls for the swift commencing of negotiations on the EU – Japan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 327 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
60. Considers it important that the UN General Assembly resolution on the EU's participation in the work of UNGA be fully implemented and that the EU act and deliver in a timely and coordinated fashion on substantive issues; calls on the EU Member States to further improve the coordination of EU Member Statetheir positions and interests in the UN Security Council; welcomes the setting up of EU medium-term priorities at the UN and calls for the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs to be regularly consulted on the annual review and any implementation; stresses the need for stronger public diplomacy on UN affairs and for the EU's global role to be communicated in a more effective fashion to the European public;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 340 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
63. Notes that the current global and European economic crisis has spurred efforts to seek more cost-effective and urgently required operational capabilities in both the EU and NATO; calls, therefore, for the HR/VP to be more proactive in promoting further concrete proposals for organisation-to-organisation improvement (with smart defence, pooling and sharing and a comprehensive approach as guiding principles); calls on Turkey for an urgent solution to the blockage on cooperation under the ‘Berlin Plus’ arrangements, which are damaging the prospects for the two organisations to cooperate effectively, including on the ground, where the lives of European citizens may be endangered; recalls that NATO remains the core organisation guaranteeing military security of Europe;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 359 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
69. Reiterates its call for the HR/VP, the Council and the Member States to overcome the imbalance between civilian and military planning capabilities in the EEAS and the general difficulty in achieving staffing requirements for CSDP missions and operations, in particular for staff in the fields of justice, civilian administration, customs and mediation, so as to ensure that adequate and sufficient expertise can be provided for CSDP civilian missions; calls for the HR/VP to come forward with specific proposals for making up these staffing shortages, in particular in the area of civilian crisis management and the sectors described above;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 366 #

2012/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
70. Calls for the HR/VP to put forward proposals for boosting the capacities of the EEAS on conflict prevention and peace- building, with particular reference to the Gothenburg Programme, and to further expand the EU's capacity to prevent conflict and provide mediation capacities alongside its better-resourced crisis management capacities; calls as a matter of priority for stock to be taken of EU policies in the area of conflict prevention and peace-building with a view to the HR/VP reporting back to Parliament on proposals for strengthening the Union's external capacity and responsiveness in this area; recalls that each existing conflict or frozen conflict is distinct and thus should be considered separately to reflect this uniqueness;
2012/06/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2012/2029(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that given the Union’s high dependence on energy imports, the diversification of supply sources – including new sources of energy – and transit routes is an urgent and essential element supporting the Union’s external security policy, strategic role and foreign policy independence;
2012/03/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 12 #

2012/2029(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Underlines the need to abide by the principle of solidarity between EU Member States in the field of diversification of energy supply sources and transit routes;
2012/03/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2012/2029(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph -2 b (new)
-2 b. Supports political and economic dialogue with the EU’s neighbouring countries on the use of new energy sources;
2012/03/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2012/2029(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for a review of the strategic partnership with Russia to be reinforced throughand for the conclusion of a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with a strongpecific chapter on energy, based on mutual respect and reciprocity andthe principles of transparency, mutual trust and non-discrimination, reflecting the main points set out in the Energy Charter as well as the mutual dependence on energy in terms of source and market;
2012/03/30
Committee: AFET
Amendment 4 #

2012/0309(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Exemption from the visa requirement for nationals of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu should not come into force until bilateral agreements on visa waiver between the Union and the countries concerned have been concluded in order to ensure full reciprocity.
2013/07/12
Committee: LIBE
Amendment 6 #
2013/07/12
Committee: LIBE
Amendment 73 #

2011/2191(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages the Croatian authorities to continue their efforts to combat discrimination and to enforce the anti- discrimination legislation as well as to address resolutely cases of hate crimes, racial threats and intolerance against sexual minorities; further invites Croatia to continue to act in the spirit of tolerance and take appropriate measures to protect those who may still be subject to threats or acts of intimidation;
2011/10/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 184 #

2011/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Calls on the Member States to make the EDA Code of Conduct on Offsets more ambitious and to work towards the phasing-out of offsets; notes, however, Notes that offset practices may in certain cases help domestic industries become more efficient and contribute to the development of the European defence industrial base; asks the EDA and the Commission to work together in order to foster the integration of smaller Member States' industries into the European defence technological and industrial base by other means than offsets;
2011/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2011/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
49. Calls on the Commission and the EDA to look into ways also to address other market- distorting practices, such as state aid and export support, building on the EDA Level Playing Field initiative;
2011/10/24
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2011/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the EU's evolving common foreign and security policy should include Russia as a strategicn important partner; whereas Russia is a country whose cultural roots lie in Europe and which is an important global and regional player, with membership in the United Nations Security Council, the G8, the G20 the Council of Europe and OSCE;
2012/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2011/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement would be mutually beneficial for the EU and Russia; whereas Russia should more actively work towards its conclusion;
2012/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2011/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j – point i (new)
i) encourage Russia to refrain from exerting politically motivated economic pressure on the neighbouring countries of the former Soviet Union;
2012/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2011/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(ja) call upon Russia not to implement the new law on public assemblies, which according to Amnesty International substantially weakness the condition of the freedom of expression and assembly in Russia;
2012/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2011/2050(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q – point i (new)
i) call upon Russia to cooperate with the EU in resolving the frozen conflicts, especially the conflict in Georgia, where Russia has been recognized as an occupation force by the European Parliament, NATO, Council of Europe and some Member States;
2012/09/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2011/2019(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the needcessity to provide adequate support for the neighbouringsupport, in accordance with the "more for more" principle, for the neighbouring Eastern Partnership and South Mediterranean countries, to help them make the transition to democracy and build and strengthen democratic institutions, including support for civil society;
2011/05/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2011/0415(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) under the ENI, under the IfS and under the PI, grants to the European Endowment for Democracy.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2011/0413(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) Democracy and human rights has been put on the forefront of the European Union relations with the partner countries, and to this end new structures, such as the European Endowment for Democracy, are being established to inter alia equip civil society with necessary capacities to politically resolve conflict situations by means of mediation and dialogue.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The Union's contribution to democracy and the rule of law and to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is rooted in the universally accepted general principles established by the International Bill of Human Rights, and any other human rights instrument adopted within the framework of the United Nations, as well as relevant regional human rights instruments. In its implementation of this Regulation, the Union should ensure a holistic approach to human rights and democracy promotion.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to address these issues in an effective, transparent, timely and flexible manner after Regulation (EC) No1889/2006 expires, there is a continued need for specific financial resources and a specific financing instrument that can continue to work in an independent manner. The EIDHR should continue supporting the democracy projects that would be funded by the future European Endowment for Democracy (EED), creating an interface with the latter so as to ensure coherence and sustainability in the longer term.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The Commission needs to consult representatives of civil society, local experts and think tanks as well as other donors and actors, as early as appropriate in the programming process in order to facilitate their respective contributions and to ensure that assistance activities complement each other as far as possible. The Commission needs assure that some ad hoc actions, in exceptional circumstances, could be adopted through special measures outside of the programming cycle.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) In such most difficult countries or situations and in order to address urgent protection needs of human rights defenders and democracy activists, the Union should be able to respond in a flexible and timely manner by means of ad hoc grants outside of the programming cycle. This will particularly be the case when the choice of procedural modalities could impact directly on the effectiveness of the measures or could subject beneficiaries to serious intimidation, retaliation or other types of risks.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) European Union Election Observation Missions contribute significantly and successfully to democratic processes in third countries. However, the promotion of democracy extends far beyond the electoral process alone. It consists also of i.e. promoting democratic structures and guarantying division of powers, supporting political pluralism and accountability, fighting against corruption, protecting those taking part in political campaigns, particularly women and youth, empowering the civil society. Expenditure for election observation missions should therefore not take up a disproportionate amount of the total funding available under this Regulation.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 96 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) supporting developing and consolidatingon of democratic reformscy in third countries, by enhancing participatory and representative democracy, strengthening the overall democratic cycle, and improving the reliability of electoral processes, in particular by means of election observation missions.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ix
(ix) economic, social and cultural rights such as the right of everyone to education, work, enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work, social security, including social insurance, form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice, an adequate standard of living, enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right of everyone to take part in cultural life and the promotion of core labour standards and corporate social responsibility;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point x
(x) education for democracy, training and monitoring in the area of protection of human rights and democracy, and in the area covered by point (vii)fundamental freedoms;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 140 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
(xi) support for local, regional, national or international civil society organisations involved in the protection, promotion or defence of human rights and in measures referred to in point (vii)fundamental freedoms;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) fostering cooperation by civil society with international and regional intergovernmental organisations, entrepreneurs and parliamentarians and supporting civil society activities aimed at promoting and monitoring the implementation of international and regional instruments concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms, justice, the rule of law and democracy;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – introductory wording
(d) building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic institutions and electoral processes, while contributing to the efficiency and consistency of the whole electoral cycledeveloping and consolidation of democracy, in particular,
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 150 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
(i) through deployment of Union Election Observation Missions and other measures of monitoring electoral processes;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
ii) through other measures of monitoring electoral processes;deleted
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv
(iv) by supporting measures aimed at the consistent integration of electoral processes into the democratic cycle and at implementing recommendations made by Union Election Observation Missions, in particular through civil society organisations;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2011/0412(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 g (new)
Article 4g The Commission and Member States shall exchange information and consult each other, as well as other donors, instruments and actors including representatives of civil society in order to promote complementarity among their activities.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2011/0411(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) Democracy and human rights have been put on the forefront of the Union's relations with the partner countries and, to this end, new structures, such as the European Endowment for Democracy, are being established to support civil society and promote political dialogue.
2012/06/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Two main political initiatives have shaped the regional cooperation in the European Union’s Neighbourhood: the Eastern Partnership between the Union and its Eastern neighbours, and the Union for the Mediterranean between the Union and its Southern Mediterranean neighbours. These initiatives should both be treated in the same way, because they are meaningful political frameworks for deepening relations with and among partner countries, based on principles of shared ownership and responsibility.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Association agreements, free-trade agreements and visa facilitation agreements are appropriate means of engaging in still closer cooperation with the Eastern Partnership and Union for the Mediterranean countries and bringing those countries more closely into line with EU standards and values, in terms of both legislation and the democratisation of political systems.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) The European Endowment for Democracy should be used to complement action under other EU external instruments, including the instrument established by this Regulation. At the same time, it should be possible for monies earmarked for the European Neighbourhood Instrument to be used to finance action under that fund.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 101 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Democracy and human rights has been put on the forefront of the Union relations with the partner countries, and to this end new structures, such as the European Endowment for Democracy, are being established to support civil society.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Border regions that belong to countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the regions of the Russian Federation that are currently taking part in Cross-Border Cooperation programmes should be able to continue to do so. It is also important that the relevant regions in countries covered by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance are able to participate in CBC. Participation of the European Economic Area countries and the Russian Federation in the CBC programmes should continue to be based on their own resources.
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2011/0405(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) creating conditions for well managed mobility of people and promotion of people-to-people contacts, with a special focus on young people;
2012/06/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 203 #

2010/2124(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the VP/HR to intensify talks with Russia to assure the unconditional fulfilment of all the provisions of the agreement of 2008 between Russia, the European Union and Georgia; takes the view Russia that should, in particular, guarantee full unlimited access of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Abkhazia and South Ossetia; underlines the necessity to provide stability in aforementioned Georgian regions;
2011/03/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 17 #

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that cooperation with Russia could be stepped up; wbelcomes, thereforeieves that cooperation in the Baltic Sea area should be an integral part of the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia; welcomes, the intention of the Commission and the Member States in the region to have a renewed engagement with Russia on a vast number of areas, such as transport connections, customs and border controls; believes that the EU-Russia common spaces will provide a valuable framework in this regard; stresses, however, that deepening this cooperation should be based on the condition that Russia makes progress in the areas of democratisation and human rights;
2010/03/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the need to reduce the region's dependency on Russian energy; welcomes the statement of the European Commission on the need for more interconnections between Member States in the region and greater diversification of energy supplies; calls in this regard for increased support for the creation of LNG ports;
2010/03/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Expresses its concern with the ongoing implementation of the Nord Stream Project; calls on the Commission to fulfil the obligations put forward in the resolution of the European Parliament of 8 July 20081 on the environmental impact of the planned gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea to link up Russia and Germany;
2010/03/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
1 OJ C 294 E, 3.12.2009, p. 3.3c. Is deeply concerned with the recent joint military manoeuvres of Belarus and Russia , aimed at – among other things – the defence of the Nord Stream Pipeline; voices its strong opposition to using the Nord Stream project as an excuse for a strengthened military presence of the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea;
2010/03/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2009/2230(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the amount of EUR 20 million earmarked in the 2010 EU budget specifically for the Baltic Sea Strategy can be used only for external action, which effectively means cooperation with Russia; calls to move future funds allocated to the Baltic Sea Strategy to Chapter 1 of the EU budget in order to make them available also for internal projects;
2010/03/26
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the its resolution of 17 December 2009 on Azerbaijan: freedom of expression1,
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 80 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that hundreds of thousands of persons who fled their homes during or in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh war remain displaced and denied their right to return; calls on all parties to unambiguously and unconditionally recognise this right and the need for its prompt realisation; calls on the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities and leaders of relevant communiall parties to demonstrate their commitment to the creation of peaceful inter-ethnic relations through practical preparations for the return of displaced persons and other means; considers that the situation of the IDPs should be dealt with according to international standards, having regard inter alia to the recent PACE Recommendation 1877(2009), ‘Europe’s forgotten people: protecting the human rights of long-term displaced persons’;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 157 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Underscores the importance of free and fair elections to be held in accordance with international commitments and standards; notes that the last presidential elections held in Armenia in February 2008 were once again violent and that repercussions of the internal crisis in their aftermath are still being felt; is concerned about the elimination of presidential term limits in Azerbaijan in March 2009, which allows President Ilham Aliev to stay in power for life; takes note of the municipal elections held in a peaceful manner in Azerbaijan on 23 December 2009 and awaits the report of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities observation delegation thereon; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the local elections scheduled for 30 May 2010 take place in accordance with international standards and that the electoral law is amended accordingly, and reaffirms that securing direct election of mayors is crucial; confirms its and the EU’s position that elections and referenda in breakaway regions are illegitimate; defends the political rights of displaced persons;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 171 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Considers freedom of expression to be a fundamental right and principle and the role of the media essential, is disturbed by the limitations on freedom of expression and the lack of media pluralism in the countries of the South Caucasus and calls on the authorities to ensure both; is preoccupied about attacks on journalists in Armenia and in particular about the continued detention of opposition journalist Nikol Pashinian, despite the welcomed amnesty of 18 June 2009 leading to the release of a number of imprisoned opposition activists; is concerned about the deterioration of the media climate in Azerbaijan with cases of harassment and intimidation of media professionals and deplores the detention and sentencing of the two youth activists and bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade; accordingly calls for their release following the appeal procedure in accordance with international standards and with respect for the principles of a fair trial as set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights; welcomes the initiative of the Georgian Parliament to extend the Public Broadcaster Board to include more opposition and civil society representatives as well as to transform the second public channel into a political channel with the aim of deepening political pluralism;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 186 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Takes the view that freedom of assembly must be guaranteed, as it is instrumental to the development of a vibrant civil society; is worried about the difficulties, direct and indirect, which civil society faces in organising itself and disturbed by the adoption of laws and practices that might indirectly limit freedom of assembly, including through administrative harassment, such as the intensified checks by the fiscal authorities in Armenia; is concerned about the lack of any serious investigation into the events following the presidential elections of February 2008 when 10 people were killed and which led to the imposition of a state of emergency and restriction of a number of freedoms and rights; calls on the authorities in Azerbaijan, including the local authorities, to implement in a non- restrictive manner the legislation on freedom of assembly which, as amended, meets most international standards; is concerned that in Georgia the 2009 amendments to the Law on Assembly and Manifestations may limit freedom of assembly and curtail the ability of the opposition to mobilisewelcomes the fact that the opposition protest in the centre of Tbilisi over the period of several moth was conducted peacefully and without interference from the Government; at the same time, welcomes the efforts of the Parliament of Georgia to give due consideration to the comments provided by the Venice Commission; underlines the important role of civil society for the peace and reconciliation processes in the region;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 193 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the countries in the region to participate actively in the work of the EU- European Neighbourhood Parliamentary Assembly (EURONEST) and use the possibilities it affords for multilateral and bilateral exchanges of views; in this regard notes that the intensified dialogue between the members of parliament of the countries in the region is crucial; calls on interested national parliaments of national Member States of the EU and the European Parliament to strengthen parliamentary co-operation with the parliaments of the region with the aim of increasing their position and policy-making capacities;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 208 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Notes the strategic geopolitical location of the South Caucasus and its increasing importance as an energy, transport and communications corridor connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe; however, calls the countries involved and the Commission to include Armenia in relevant energy projects and to end the isolation of that country;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 211 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises the significance of the region for the EU’s energy cooperation and energy security, especially in the context of development of the Nabucco pipeline; notes the great value of Azerbaijan’s energy resources and the essential role these play in its economic development; underscores the importance of ensuring that the benefits deriving from the exploitation of natural resources are evenly distributed and invested in the development of the country as a whole, permitting it to brace itself against the negative repercussions of an eventual decline in oil production; notes the intensifying Azerbaijani - Russian partnership, particularly in the energy sector; welcomes the intention of Azerbaijan to diversify its economy;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 254 #

2009/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Takes note of the current EU involvement in conflict resolution processes in the region and believes that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty justifies a more prominent role for the EU; welcomes the work of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and calls for increased EU action to persuade Russia and the relevant de facto authorities to stop blocking the EUMM from entering South Ossetia and Abkhazia; considers that the EU now has the opportunity to play a greater role in the solution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict and could do so by participatunderlines the fact that the EU has an important role to play in contributing to the culture of dialogue and understanding in the nregotiations through the establishment of an EU mandate for the French Co-chair of the Minsk Groupion; asks the Commission and EUSR Mr Semneby to extend the relevant aid and information dissemination programs to Nagorno- Karabakh; also underlines the importance of EU contribution, by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes and by supporting civil- society projects that aim to promote reconciliation and contacts between individuals in the region;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 24 #

2009/2198(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Energy Security Recognises that energy security is crucial to the functioning of EU Member States and therefore encourages Member States to closely cooperate on this element of security policy; in this light, views the actions of certain Member States in actively supporting the construction of the Russian-controlled NordStream pipeline as contrary to the interests of the majority of EU Member States; regrets that a lack of progress in the investment and development process of the Nabucco pipeline is contrary to EU ambitions for diversifying energy supply;
2010/01/28
Committee: AFET