Activities of Norica NICOLAI related to 2009/2216(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus PDF (284 KB) DOC (225 KB)
Amendments (23)
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
After paragraph 1 - heading 1
After paragraph 1 - heading 1
Security issues and peaceful resolution of conflicts
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that for each of the conflicts in the region, the status quo is unacceptable and unsustainablTakes note of the unacceptable situation of the conflicts in the region and considers that all sides should actively engage for their stability and peace;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that conflict management and conflict resolution as well as basic dialogue necessitate inter alia the recognition of the rights and legitimate interests of all relevant parties and communities, openness to review perceptions of past events, serious willingness to overcome hatred and fear, preparedness to give up maximalist ambitions, interest in innovative approaches, including to the exercise of sovereignty, and readiness to make real concessionand renouncing of revanchist attitudes;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the responsibility of external actors to use their power and influence in ways that are fully consistent with international law, including human rights law; believes that reduction of the competition between external actors in the region should be pursued, but cannot come at the price of effectively accepting any actor’s claim to have ‘privileged interests’; is of the opinion that introducing conditions for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the South Caucasus states is unacceptable;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Fully supports the Minsk Group Co- chairs’ mediation, the Madrid Principles and the Moscow Declaration; condemns the idea of a military solution and calls on both sides to avoid militant rhetoric; furthermore calls on both sides to show more ambition in the peace t as well as any further breaches of the 1994 ceasefire; furthermore calkls and to abandon the tendency to prefer perpetuating the status quo created through military conquests in defiance of UN Security Council resolutionson both sides to approach the peace talks with a constructive attitude; calls on the international community likewise to show courage and political will to help the parties overcome the remaining sticking points which hinder an agreement;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that security for all is an indispensable element of any settlement; recognises the importance of robust peace- keeping arrangements; underlines the need for the parties to intensify their peace talks efforts for the purpose of a settlement; calls on the Council to explore the possibility of supporting the peace process with EU missions;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations, border opening and cooperation; calls on both sides to seize this opportunity to mend their relations through ratification and implementation; does not support the introduction of conditions for ratification not mentioned in the protocols, but, without being delayed by preconditions; notes that if implemented, they will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the region and that they can therefore not be seen in isolation; calls on Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan, to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co- chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is seriously concerned about the use of ethnic cleansing as a prelude to the Russian recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhazian statehood; notes with satisfaction that the international community remains united in its rejection of the unilateral declaration of independence; calls on Russia to honour its commitment in the Ceasefire Agreement to withdraw its troops to the positions held before the outbreak of the August 2008 war and to cease its blocking of EUMM access to South Ossetia and AbkhaziaNotes with satisfaction that the international community remains united in its rejection of the unilateral declaration of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and calls on the parties to respect the Ceasefire Agreement of 2008 as well as to guarantee the safety and free access of EUMM personnel on the ground;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the importance of protecting the safety and rights of the ethnic Georgians still living within the breakaway regions, promoting respect for displaced persons’ right of return under safe and dignified conditions, achieving a reduction in the Iron-Curtain character of the de facto borders and obtaining possibilities for the EU and other international actors to assist people within the two regions; underlines the need for more clearly identified short- and medium- term objectives in this respect;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers democratisation, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rights of minorities and the rule of law to be basic principles for and of peaceful and stable democratic states; welcomes the initiation of the human rights dialogue between EU and Georgia and Armenia but calls on Azerbaijan to join the parallel cooperation structure;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the importance of engaging in democratic reforms and the essential role of political dialogue and cooperation as the key to developing national consensus; welcomes the adoption of significant legislation related to the judiciary in Armenia and calls on the authorities to ensure the effective implementation thereof; welcomes the progress in Azerbaijan in the field of reform of the judiciary and calls on the authorities to work on the independence of judges; welcomes the announcement by the Georgian President regarding a ‘new wave of democratic reforms’, calls for such reforms to be effectively adopted and implemented, such as strengthening parliamentary control over the executive and increasing independence of the judiciary, and considers that democratic reforms need to be pursued and democratic institutions consolidated;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes the announcement by the Georgian President regarding a 'new wave of democratic reform' and points out the need for its rapid implementation, especially for strengthening parliamentary control over the executive and increasing independence of the judiciary;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
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; takes note of the municipal elections held in a peaceful manner in Azerbaijan on 23 December 2009 and awaitTakes note of the elections that took place recently in the countries of the region and underscores the reimport 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 personance of free and fair elections to be held in accordance with international commitments and standards;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
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 limitarestrictions 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 journalactivist 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;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
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 aboutnotes with concern 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 throughas well as administrative harassment, such as the intensified checks by the fiscal authorities in Armenia on fiscal matters; 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 rest; calls on the authoriction of a number of freedoms and rights; calls on the authorities in Azerbaijaes of all the countries in the region, 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 mobilise; underlines the important role of civil society for the peace and reconciliation processes in the region;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises the significance of the region for the EU’s energy cooperation and energy security; 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; welcomes the intention of Azerbaijan to diversify its economy; commends Azerbaijan for its participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and points out the importance of this openness for any joint energy projects with the EU;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that promoting social cohesion and social dialogue, gender equality as well as women's rights, investing in education and health and building human capital, ensuring adequate standards of living, are essential in order to build vibrant democratic societies; takes positive note of the adoption by the three countries of their respective programmes on poverty reduction and encourages their thorough implementation;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that the ENP Action Plans and the implementation thereof constitute an essential basis for evaluating respect for commitments, in accordance with the principle of conditionality, for evaluating the progress of bilateral relationships with the EU and for considering upgrading of agreements with the countries concerned; notes Armenia's and Georgia’s strong commitment to the implementation of the ENP Action Plans and calls on Azerbaijan to accelerate its efforts in this regard; takes the view that the European Parliament should be involved in this process; notes the different progress made by the three countries in the implementation of the respective ENP Action Plans; believes that negotiations on the new association agreements should take into account this diversity and the different objectives but at the same time that the process of negotiation should preferably move at the same pace for all three countries, taking into account the regional dimension;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Believes that providing support to conflict resolution processes is crucial and that the EU is well placed to support confidence-building, reconstruction and rehabilitation and has the possibility to help involve the communities affected; furthermore considers it essential to maintain a high level of international attention to all the conflicts in the region to ensure their swift resolution; recognizes the regional cooperation as a necessary condition for confidence building and reinforcement of security in accordance with the ENP priorities; calls all parties to fully engage in the multilateral cooperation track of the Eastern Partnership without linking it to the final solution of the conflicts;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
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 participating in the negotiations through the establishment of an EU mandate for the French Co-chair of the Minsk Group, 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;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the work of the EU High Level Advisory Group to Armenia; believes that within the framework of the Eastern Partnership and the negotiation of new association agreements the EU has the opportunity to offer technical assistanis is a valid example of best practices and calls on the Commission to study the possibility of offering such assistance to Azerbaijan and Georgiavailable for the whole of the region;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Recognises the potential role of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum as the space to foster the development of a genuine civil society and strengthen its entrenchment in the states of the region, and calls on the Commission to ensure that the Forum receives sufficient financial and technical support; draws attention to the importance of financing civil society projects and the role that the EU Delegations in the region play in selecting these, and the significance that the projects can have in promoting contacts at regional level;