Activities of Cristian Dan PREDA
Plenary speeches (633)
China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities FR
Situation in Libya (debate) FR
US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory and the possible annexation of the West Bank settlements (debate) FR
US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory and the possible annexation of the West Bank settlements (debate) FR
Rule of law in Romania (debate) FR
Rule of law in Romania (debate) RO
Order of business FR
EU-China relations (debate) FR
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (debate) FR
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (debate) FR
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) (debate) FR
Situation in Algeria (debate) FR
Five years of illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation (debate) FR
Post-Arab Spring: way forward for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (debate) FR
Iran, notably the case of human rights defenders FR
2018 Report on Turkey (debate) RO
Follow up taken by the EEAS two years after the EP Report on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties (debate) RO
Order of business FR
European citizens’ initiative (debate) FR
State of EU-Russia political relations (debate) FR
The situation in Chechnya, and the case of Oyub Titiev FR
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (A8-0467/2018 - Cristian Dan Preda) (vote) RO
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
Order of business RO
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
Latest developments in the cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan (debate) FR
Combating late payment in commercial transactions (debate) RO
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Romanian Presidency (debate) RO
Situation of migrants at the EU border in Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) RO
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - Annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (debate) FR
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2017 and the European Union’s policy on the matter (debate) FR
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
2018 Report on Serbia (debate) RO
2018 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate) RO
The extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies (debate) FR
The extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies (debate) FR
Implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement - Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (debate) RO
Debate with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, on the Future of Europe (debate) RO
Commission Work Programme 2019 (debate) FR
Situation in the Sea of Azov (debate) FR
Situation in Yemen (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition FR
State of EU-US relations (debate) FR
The threat of demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and other Bedouin villages (debate) (debate) FR
State of EU-China relations (debate) FR
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
The political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chisinau (debate) RO
The political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chisinau (debate) RO
Violation of rights of indigenous peoples in the world (debate) FR
73rd Session of the UN General Assembly (debate) FR
Human rights situation in Bahrain, notably the case of Nabeel Rajab FR
Human rights situation in Bahrain, notably the case of Nabeel Rajab FR
Human rights situation in Bahrain, notably the case of Nabeel Rajab
Iran nuclear agreement (debate) FR
Presentation of the annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2017 and the EU's policy on the matter (debate) FR
Georgian occupied territories ten years after the Russian invasion (debate) FR
EU-NATO relations (debate) FR
Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad RO
Situation in Gaza Strip and the status of Jerusalem (debate) FR
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
Presidential elections in Venezuela (debate) FR
Situation in Gaza Strip FR
Discharge 2016 (debate) FR
Peace prospects for the Korean peninsula in the light of recent developments (debate) FR
Annual reports 2015-2016 on subsidiarity and proportionality (debate) FR
Order of business RO
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
Situation in the Maldives FR
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
Order of business FR
EU priorities for the UN Human Rights Council sessions in 2018 (debate) FR
Work and legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (debate)
Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Center Memorial FR
Composition of the European Parliament (debate) FR
Threats to the rule of law by the Romanian justice system reform (debate) RO
Threats to the rule of law by the Romanian justice system reform (debate) RO
Decision adopted on the EU Enlargement Strategy - Western Balkans (debate) FR
Current human rights situation in Turkey - Situation in Afrin, Syria (debate) FR
Objection to an implementing act: Adding Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago and Tunisia to the list of high-risk third countries (debate) FR
Russia - the influence of propaganda on EU countries (topical debate) RO
Situation in Iran (debate) FR
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions 2016 (debate) FR
Cambodia: the banning of the opposition FR
Resumption of the sitting FR
Enlargement and strengthening of the Schengen area: Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia (topical debate) RO
Iran nuclear deal (debate) FR
US President Trump’s announcement to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel (debate) FR
US President Trump’s announcement to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel (debate) FR
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2016 and the EU policy on the matter (debate) FR
Situation in Yemen (debate) FR
Situation in Yemen (debate) FR
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
Madagascar FR
Legacy of the 1917 totalitarian Bolshevik revolution (topical debate) RO
Russian ban - EU fruit and vegetable sector (debate) RO
Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 69) RO
The persecution of Christians in the world (debate) FR
The fight against illegal immigration and people smuggling in the Mediterranean (topical debate) FR
General budget of the European Union for 2018 - all sections (debate) RO
Situation in Maldives FR
Situation in Moldova RO
EU-Egypt partnership priorities for 2017-2020 (debate) FR
Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas FR
Abolishing UNRWA
Abolishing UNRWA
Abolishing UNRWA FR
Abolishing UNRWA FR
Situation in North Korea (debate) FR
Turkey-EU relationship (debate) FR
EU political relations with India (short presentation) FR
The cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-che FR
Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Consent) - Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) (debate) FR
Recommendation to the Council on the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (debate) FR
Macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova (debate) RO
Addressing human rights violations in the context of war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including genocide (short presentation) FR
The case of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli FR
The case of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli (RC-B8-0414/2017, B8-0414/2017, B8-0415/2017, B8-0416/2017, B8-0417/2017, B8-0418/2017, B8-0420/2017) (vote) FR
Humanitarian situation in Yemen (debate) FR
2016 Report on Serbia (debate) RO
Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema RO
Harnessing globalisation by 2025 (debate) FR
Harnessing globalisation by 2025 (debate) FR
EU Strategy on Syria (debate) FR
Situation of Christians in the Middle East (debate) FR
Situation in Moldova (debate) RO
Union programme to enhance the involvement of consumers in financial services policy making (A8-0008/2017 - Philippe Lamberts) FR
Order of business FR
State of play in Turkey, in particular with regard to the constitutional referendum (debate) FR
Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors RO
Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors RO
Hate speech, populism, and fake news on social media – towards an EU response (debate) FR
Order of business RO
Zimbabwe, the case of Pastor Evan Mawarire RO
Topical debate - EU security agenda: one year after the Brussels attacks (debate) FR
2016 Report on Montenegro (debate) RO
e-Democracy in the EU: potential and challenges (debate) FR
EU priorities for the UN Human Rights Council sessions in 2017 (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Implementation of the Creative Europe programme (A8-0030/2017 - Silvia Costa) (vote) FR
Executions in Kuwait and Bahrain FR
Executions in Kuwait and Bahrain FR
Situation in the West Bank, in particular settlements (debate) FR
Situation in the West Bank, in particular settlements (debate) FR
2016 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
2016 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Revision of the European Consensus on Development (debate) FR
Democracy and justice in Romania (debate) RO
Rule of law crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Gabon (debate) FR
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
Central African Republic FR
The cases of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy and of Ilham Tohti FR
Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015 (debate) FR
Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Article 36 TEU) (debate) FR
Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015 (debate) RO
Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (debate) FR
The case of Ildar Dadin, prisoner of conscience in Russia RO
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
EU-Turkey relations (debate) FR
Situation in the West Bank, including settlements (debate) FR
EU strategic communication to counteract anti-EU propaganda by third parties (debate) FR
Increasing the effectiveness of development cooperation (short presentation) FR
Situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul (debate) FR
Situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul (debate) FR
Commission Work Programme 2017 (debate) FR
EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement (debate) FR
Sudan RO
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016 (debate) FR
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
The future of ACP-EU relations beyond 2020 (debate) FR
Zimbabwe RO
Outcome of the G20 Summit (debate) FR
Situation in Turkey (debate) RO
Post-electoral situation in Gabon (debate) FR
EU relations with Tunisia in the current regional context (debate) FR
The situation of persons with albinism in Africa, notably in Malawi FR
A global strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy (debate) FR
New initiatives related to the Middle East Peace Process (debate) FR
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2015 (debate) FR
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2015 (debate) FR
71st session of the UN General Assembly (debate) FR
Vietnam FR
Vietnam FR
Decision of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to lift the parliamentary immunity of 138 members (debate) FR
Situation in Bangladesh (debate) RO
Order of business FR
2015 Report on policy coherence for development (debate) FR
Crimean Tatars RO
Turkey's progress in fulfilling the requirements of the Visa liberalisation roadmap (debate) FR
Preparation of the World Humanitarian Summit (debate) FR
Follow-up and state of play of the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (debate) RO
Situation in Venezuela (debate) FR
West Bank displacement and demolitions, including of EU-funded projects (debate) FR
Legal aspects, democratic control and implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement (debate) FR
Discharge 2014 (debate) RO
Attacks on hospitals and schools as violations of international humanitarian law (debate) RO
Pakistan, in particular the attack in Lahore RO
2015 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
The EU in a changing global environment - a more connected, contested and complex world (debate) FR
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) (debate) FR
Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (debate) RO
One-minute speeches (Rule 163) RO
Democratic Republic of the Congo RO
2015 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate) RO
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Humanitarian situation in Yemen (B8-0147/2016, RC-B8-0151/2016, B8-0151/2016, B8-0152/2016, B8-0153/2016, B8-0155/2016, B8-0158/2016, B8-0160/2016) (vote) FR
Human rights situation in Crimea, in particular of the Crimean Tatars RO
Humanitarian situation in Yemen (B8-0147/2016, RC-B8-0151/2016, B8-0151/2016, B8-0152/2016, B8-0153/2016, B8-0155/2016, B8-0158/2016, B8-0160/2016) (vote) FR
2015 progress report on Serbia (debate) RO
Situation in Libya (debate) FR
Refugee emergency, external borders control and future of Schengen - Respect for the international principle of non-refoulement - Financing refugee facility for Turkey - Increased racist hatred and violence against refugees and migrants across Europe (debate) FR
North Korea FR
Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine (debate) RO
Mutual defence clause (Article 42(7) TEU) (debate) FR
EU priorities for the UNHRC sessions in 2016 (debate) FR
Situation in Saudi Arabia and in Iran (debate) FR
Situation in the Maldives RO
20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace agreement (B8-1350/2015, RC-B8-1362/2015, B8-1362/2015, B8-1363/2015, B8-1364/2015, B8-1396/2015, B8-1397/2015, B8-1398/2015, B8-1401/2015) (vote) RO
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2014 and the EU policy on the matter (debate) RO
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2014 and the EU policy on the matter (debate) FR
20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace agreement (debate) FR
EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (consent) - EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (resolution) - EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (protocol to take account of the accession of Croatia) (debate) FR
EU-China relations (debate) FR
EU-Turkey summit (debate) FR
Implementation and legacy of the European Year for Development (debate) RO
Freedom of expression in Bangladesh RO
Recent terrorist attacks in Paris (debate) FR
Outcome of the Valletta summit of 11 and 12 November 2015 and of the G20 summit of 15 and 16 November 2015 (debate) FR
Situation in Moldova (debate) RO
General budget of the European Union for 2016 - all sections (debate) FR
Situation in Israel and Palestine (debate) FR
Reform of the electoral law of the EU (debate) RO
Order of business FR
Ebola crisis: long-term lessons (debate) FR
Situation in Ukraine (debate) RO
Situation in Thailand FR
Situation in Syria (debate) FR
Situation in Turkey (debate) RO
Situation in Libya (debate) FR
Situation in Libya (debate) FR
Order of business RO
Order of business RO
Role of local authorities in developing countries in development cooperation (debate) RO
Role of local authorities in developing countries in development cooperation (debate) RO
Azerbaijan FR
Migration and refugees in Europe (debate)
Situation in Belarus (debate) RO
Iran nuclear agreement (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Order of business FR
Order of business FR
Srebrenica commemoration (debate) FR
Bahrain, in particular the case of Nabeel Rajab FR
Future EU-Cuba relations (debate) FR
Annual report on Human Rights in the world in 2014 (debate) FR
The EU's role in the Middle East peace process (debate) FR
Security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for political stability (debate) RO
Review of the European neighbourhood policy (debate) RO
2016 Budget - Mandate for the trilogue (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Paraguay: the legal aspects related to the child pregnancy FR
Situation in Hungary (RC-B8-0532/2015, B8-0532/2015, B8-0533/2015, B8-0534/2015, B8-0535/2015, B8-0536/2015, B8-0537/2015) RO
State of EU-Russia relations (debate) FR
State of EU-Russia relations (debate) FR
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance RO
The plight of Rohingya refugees, including mass graves in Thailand FR
2014 Progress Report on Turkey (debate) RO
2014 Progress Report on Turkey (debate) RO
Situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate) FR
Situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate) FR
Situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate) FR
Eastern Partnership summit (21-22 May) (debate) FR
Order of business FR
2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (B8-0359/2015) (vote) RO
2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (B8-0359/2015) (vote) RO
The case of Nadiya Savchenko RO
The case of Nadiya Savchenko FR
Situation in the Maldives (debate) RO
2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
Suspension of exceptional trade measures with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate) FR
EU Member States' commitments on Official Development Assistance (ODA) (debate) FR
Second anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse and the state of play of the Sustainability Compact (debate) RO
Second anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse and the state of play of the Sustainability Compact (debate) FR
Armenian genocide 100th anniversary (debate) FR
Recent terrorist attacks in Tunisia (debate) FR
One-minute speeches (Rule 163) RO
Recent attacks and abductions by Daesh in the Middle East, notably of Assyrians RO
The European integration process of Kosovo (B8-0214/2015) RO
Murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia (debate) FR
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2013 and the EU policy on the matter (debate) RO
2014 Progress report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate) RO
Saudi Arabia: the case of Raif Badawi RO
Burundi: the case of Bob Rugurika (B8-0160/2015, B8-0163/2015, RC-B8-0144/2015, B8-0144/2015, B8-0146/2015, B8-0148/2015, B8-0152/2015, B8-0154/2015) FR
Situation in Yemen (debate) FR
Situation in Ukraine (debate) FR
The work of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (debate) FR
Order of business FR
Russia, in particular the case of Alexey Navalny FR
Situation in Egypt (RC-B8-0012/2015, B8-0012/2015, B8-0019/2015, B8-0022/2015, B8-0023/2015, B8-0024/2015, B8-0026/2015, B8-0028/2015) (vote)
Situation in Ukraine (debate) (debate) FR
Situation in Egypt (debate) RO
Situation in Libya (debate) RO
Mauritania, in particular the case of Biram Dah Abeid FR
Conclusion of the Association agreement with Georgia (A8-0042/2014 - Andrejs Mamikins) (vote)
US Senate report on the use of torture by the CIA (debate) RO
Freedom of expression in Turkey: Recent arrests of journalists, media executives and systematic pressure against media (debate) RO
Association agreement with Georgia - Conclusion of the Association agreement with Georgia (debate) FR
Association agreement with Georgia - Conclusion of the Association agreement with Georgia (debate) FR
Commission work programme 2015 (debate) FR
Autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova (debate) RO
Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj RO
Recognition of Palestine statehood (debate) RO
Order of business RO
The EU and the global development framework after 2015 (debate) RO
Association agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova - Conclusion of an Association agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova (debate) RO
Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus (RC-B8-0211/2014, B8-0211/2014, B8-0212/2014, B8-0216/2014, B8-0217/2014, B8-0221/2014, B8-0223/2014, B8-0225/2014) (vote) FR
Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus (debate) RO
Situation in Hong Kong (debate) RO
Death sentence against Asia Bibi RO
Human rights violations in Bangladesh RO
Israel-Palestine after the Gaza war and the role of the EU (debate) RO
Situation in Ukraine and state of play of EU-Russia relations (debate) RO
One-minute speeches (Rule 163) RO
Nigeria, recent attacks by Boko Haram FR
Escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine (debate) FR
Crime of aggression (debate) FR
Situation in Ukraine (debate) FR
Destruction of Syria's chemical weapons in the Mediterranean sea between Greece and Italy (debate) RO
Order of business FR
Situation in North Korea
Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership countries and in particular destabilisation of eastern Ukraine (debate)
Alarming shortage of payments for financing EU external aid (debate)
Religious freedoms and cultural diversity (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
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)
Role of broadcasting media in projecting the EU and its values (A7-0248/2014 - Graham Watson)
Russia: sentencing of demonstrators involved in the Bolotnaya Square events
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia (debate)
EU guarantee to EIB against losses under financing operations supporting investment projects outside the Union (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Use of armed drones (debate)
Fundamental rights in the European Union (2012) (debate)
European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (debate)
Right to education in the Transnistrian region
Right to education in the Transnistrian region
Right to education in the Transnistrian region (RCB7-0128/2014, B7-0128/2014, B7-0129/2014, B7-0131/2014, B7-0135/2014, B7-0136/2014, B7-0137/2014) (vote)
Right to education in the Transnistrian region (RCB7-0128/2014, B7-0128/2014, B7-0129/2014, B7-0131/2014, B7-0135/2014, B7-0136/2014, B7-0137/2014) (vote)
Europe's role in the Central African Republic (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
EU-Russia summit (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Recent moves to criminalise LGBTI people
Recent moves to criminalise LGBTI people (RCB7-0043/2014, B7-0043/2014, B7-0045/2014, B7-0047/2014, B7-0048/2014, B7-0050/2014, B7-0051/2014) (vote)
2012 progress report on Iceland and post-election perspectives (debate)
Situation in South Sudan (debate)
Situation in the Central African Republic (debate)
Situation in the Central African Republic (debate)
Outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (debate)
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)
EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement: protocol setting out fishing opportunities and financial contributions (debate)
Qatar: situation of migrant workers (debate)
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - European defence technological and industrial base (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
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 in 2012 (debate)
EU trade policy towards countries of the Eastern Partnership (debate)
Annual report on the activities of the Committee on Petitions 2012 (debate)
Clashes in Sudan and subsequent media censorship (debate)
Recent violence in Iraq (debate)
Situation of the Roma people (debate)
Situation of the Roma people (debate)
Alleged transportation and illegal detention of prisoners in European countries by the CIA (debate)
Situation in the Central African Republic (debate)
Situation in Egypt (continuation of debate)
Maritime dimension of the common security and defence policy - EU's military structures: state of play and future prospects (debate)
EU policy towards Belarus (debate)
Pressure exercised by Russia on countries of the Eastern Partnership (in the context of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius) (debate)
Situation in Djibouti (debate)
Arms exports: implementation of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)
Order of business
Order of business
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Second amendment to the Cotonou Agreement of 23 June 2000 (debate)
Reconstruction and democratisation of Mali (B7-0254/2013) (vote)
Rule of law in Russia
Situation in Turkey (debate)
2013 review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS (debate)
Reconstruction and democratisation of Mali (debate)
Amendment of the agenda
India: execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru and its implications
Rwanda: case of Victoire Ingabire
Rwanda: case of Victoire Ingabire (RCB7-0243/2013, B7-0243/2013, B7-0244/2013, B7-0246/2013, B7-0247/2013, B7-0248/2013, B7-0249/2013) (vote)
Asset recovery to Arab Spring countries in transition (debate)
2012 progress report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (debate)
Vietnam, in particular freedom of expression (debate)
Human rights situation in Kazakhstan
Guantánamo: hunger strike by prisoners (debate)
EU strategy for the Arctic (debate)
Unsustainable mackerel fishing in the North East Atlantic (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Situation in Bangladesh
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
EU-China relations (debate)
Cooperation and verification mechanism: methodology, current application and its future (debate)
Cooperation and verification mechanism: methodology, current application and its future (debate)
Cooperation and verification mechanism: methodology, current application and its future (debate)
Integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination (debate)
Laos: the case of Sombath Somphone
Situation in the Central African Republic
Situation in the Central African Republic
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Caste discrimination in India
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Human rights situation in Iran, particularly mass executions and the recent death of the blogger Sattar Beheshti
Situation in Burma, particularly the continuing violence in Rakhine State
Enlargement: policies, criteria and the EU’s strategic interests (debate)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Activities of the Committee on Petitions (2011) (debate)
Elections in Georgia (debate)
Situation in Cambodia
EU trade negotiations with Japan (debate)
South Africa: massacre of striking miners
Political situation in Romania (debate)
Political situation in Romania (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Explanations of vote
Human rights and the security situation in the Sahel region (debate)
Human rights and the security situation in the Sahel region (debate)
Cases of impunity in the Philippines (debate)
EU Special Representative for Human Rights (debate)
Follow-up of the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
Venezuela: possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (debate)
Situation of North Korean refugees (debate)
Sudan and South Sudan (debate)
Situation in Ukraine, case of Yulia Tymoshenko (debate)
Human rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Enlargement report for Serbia (debate)
Enlargement report for Turkey (debate)
Palestine: raids by Israeli forces on Palestinian TV stations
Human rights violations in Bahrain
Enlargement report for Iceland (debate)
Situation in Nigeria (debate)
19th session of the UN Human Rights Council (B7-0071/2012) (vote)
Egypt: recent developments (debate)
Death penalty in Japan (debate)
Agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products and fishery products (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Iran and its nuclear programme (B7-0017/2012)
Iran and its nuclear programme (debate)
Iran and its nuclear programme (debate)
Danish Presidency Programme (continuation of debate)
Situation of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Tunisia: the case of Zakaria Bouguira
Common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Impact of the financial crisis on the defence sector (debate)
European Neighbourhood Policy (debate)
Accession Treaty : Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Croatia - Application of Croatia to become a member of the European Union (debate)
Iran - recent cases of human rights violations
Egypt, in particular the case of blogger Alaa Abd El-Fattah
EU-US summit of 28 November 2011 (debate)
ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in 2010 (debate)
Bahrain
The case of Rafah Nached in Syria
High-level forum on aid effectiveness (A7-0313/2011 - Cristian Dan Preda) (vote)
High-level forum on aid effectiveness (A7-0313/2011 - Cristian Dan Preda) (vote)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
High-level forum on aid effectiveness (short presentation)
Current developments in Ukraine (debate)
Ministerial week’s activity at the UN General Assembly, in particular the Middle East peace process and North Africa (debate)
Eastern partnership summit (Warsaw, 29 September) (debate)
Famine in East Africa (debate)
Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender
Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender
Sudan: situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile State
Situation in Libya (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Order of business
Indonesia, including attacks on minorities (B7-0394/2011)
India, in particular the death sentence on Davinder Pal Singh (B7-0395/2011)
Situation in the Arab world and North Africa - Situation in Yemen - Situation in Syria (continuation of debate)
Preparations for the Russian State Duma elections in December (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Preparations for the European Council meeting (24 June 2011) (continuation of debate)
Madagascar (debate)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
EU-Russia summit (debate)
Sudan and South Sudan (debate)
Azerbaijan (debate)
Belarus (debate)
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)
Emergency autonomous trade preferences for Pakistan (debate)
2010 progress report on Iceland (B7-0226/2011) (vote)
2010 progress report on Iceland (B7-0226/2011) (vote)
The case of Ai Weiwei in China
Zimbabwe
2010 progress report on Iceland
Situation in Côte d’Ivoire
Situation in Côte d’Ivoire
Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Eastern Dimension - Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy - Southern Dimension
EU response to the migration flows in North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean, in particular, in Lampedusa - Migration flows arising from instability: scope and role of EU foreign policy (debate)
Preparation for the European Council meeting (24-25 March 2011) (debate)
EU relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (short presentation)
Belarus, in particular the cases of Ales Michalevic and Natalia Radin
Southern Neighbourhood, and Libya in particular, including humanitarian aspects (debate)
State of play of the peace process for the Middle East (debate)
2010 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
Yemen: death penalty against juvenile offenders, notably the case of Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum
Explanations of vote
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Rule of law in Russia (debate)
EU recognition of the Roma genocide during World War II
Situation in the Mediterranean, in particular in Tunisia and Egypt (debate)
A sustainable EU policy for the High North (debate)
Explanations of vote
Pakistan: murder of the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer
Iran, in particular, the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh
The programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council (debate)
Security situation in the Sahel region (debate)
Situation in Haiti one year after the earthquake: humanitarian aid and reconstruction (debate)
Explanations of vote
Malaysia: the practice of caning
Uganda: the Bahati Bill and discrimination against the LGBT population
Eritrean refugees held hostage in Sinai
Malaysia: the practice of caning (B7-0708/2010)
Citizens’ initiative (debate)
A new strategy for Afghanistan (debate)
Situation in Côte d'Ivoire (debate)
Tibet - plans to make Chinese the main language of instruction
Burma - conduct of elections and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Future of the Africa/EU strategic partnership on the eve of 3rd Africa/EU summit (debate)
Situation in Western Sahara (debate)
Ukraine (debate)
Measures to be taken to free Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Strengthening the OSCE: a role for the EU (debate)
Implemented reforms and developments in the Republic of Moldova (debate)
Forced evictions in Zimbabwe
Cambodia, in particular the case of Sam Rainsy
Explanations of vote
World day against the death penalty (debate)
Import of Laogai-made goods into the EU (debate)
Failures in protection of human rights and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)
Agreement between the EC and Pakistan on readmission - Community readmission agreements with third countries (debate)
Explanations of vote
Kenya: failure to arrest President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan
Human rights in Syria, in particular the case of Haythan Al - Maleh
Situation of the Jordan River with special regard to the Lower Jordan River area (debate)
Situation of the Roma people in Europe (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Zimbabwe, in particular the case of Farai Maguwu
Venezuela, in particular the case of Maria Lourdes Afiuni
North Korea
Iceland’s application for membership of the European Union (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (17 June 2010) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Democratic Republic of Congo: the case of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire
Nepal
Executions in Libya
Preparations for the European Council meeting (17 June 2010) - Preparations for the G20 summit (26-27 June) (debate)
Progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals: mid-term review in preparation of the UN high-level meeting in September 2010 (debate)
Union for the Mediterranean (debate)
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
Religious freedom in Pakistan
Situation in Thailand
Burma
Institutional aspects of accession by the European Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms - Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in Kampala, Uganda (debate)
Order of business
Mass atrocities in Jos, Nigeria, in January and March (debate)
Explanations of vote (continuation)
Accession agreement of the European Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (debate)
SWIFT (debate)
Ban on use of cyanide mining technologies (debate)
Disruption of air traffic in Europe (debate)
Kyrgyzstan (debate)
EU - Canada Summit (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Situation in Tibet (debate)
The case of Gilad Shalit
The escalation of violence in Mexico
South Korea – death penalty declared legal
2008 annual report on the CFSP - The implementation of the European Security Strategy and the Common Security and Defence Policy - Non-proliferation Treaty (debate)
EU policy on Arctic issues (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (B7-0116/2010)
Parliament’s priorities for the UN Human Rights Council (Geneva, 1-26 March 2010) (continuation of debate)
Venezuela
Madagascar
Burma
2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Explanations of vote
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Presentation of the College of Commissioners and statement on the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission (debate)
EU-Tunisia relations (debate)
Human Rights violations in China, notably the case of Liu Xiaobo
Situation in Yemen (debate)
Second revision of the ACP-EU Partnership agreement (Cotonou agreement) (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Explanations of vote
Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
Uganda: anti-homosexual draft legislation
Azerbaijan: freedom of expression
Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)
Explanations of vote
Laos and Vietnam
Enlargement strategy 2009 concerning the countries of the western Balkans, Iceland and Turkey (debate)
Third country nationals subject to or exempt from a visa requirement when crossing external borders (debate)
Financial and economic situation in Moldova (debate)
Guinea
The institutional aspects of the creation of a European external action service - Creation of a European external action service: State of the negotiations with Member States (debate)
The institutional aspects of the creation of a European external action service - Creation of a European external action service: State of the negotiations with Member States (debate)
Outcome of the referendum in Ireland (debate)
Situation in Guinea (debate)
Prevention and settlement of conflicts of jurisdiction in criminal proceedings (debate)
Murder of human rights activists in Russia
Reports (13)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument PDF (1 MB) DOC (537 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union PDF (159 KB) DOC (54 KB)
REPORT on the 2018 Commission Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina PDF (325 KB) DOC (72 KB)
REPORT on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the comprehensive agreement between the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic PDF (298 KB) DOC (58 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union and of the Member States, of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kyrgyz Republic, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union PDF (440 KB) DOC (53 KB)
REPORT on EU political relations with India PDF (491 KB) DOC (70 KB)
REPORT on addressing human rights violations in the context of war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including genocide PDF (481 KB) DOC (79 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union and its Member States, of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union PDF (440 KB) DOC (54 KB)
REPORT on the 2016 Commission Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina PDF (378 KB) DOC (66 KB)
PDF (327 KB) DOC (70 KB)
REPORT on the EU 2015 Report on Policy Coherence for Development PDF (336 KB) DOC (135 KB)
REPORT on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union’s policy on the matter PDF (417 KB) DOC (426 KB)
REPORT on the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness PDF (164 KB) DOC (76 KB)
Shadow reports (21)
REPORT on differentiated integration PDF (403 KB) DOC (69 KB)
REPORT on the Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2017 and the European Union’s policy on the matter PDF (1 MB) DOC (124 KB)
REPORT on the role of cities in the institutional framework of the Union PDF (329 KB) DOC (69 KB)
REPORT under Rule 216 (7) on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the year 2016 PDF (672 KB) DOC (157 KB)
REPORT on statelessness in South and South East Asia PDF (396 KB) DOC (77 KB)
REPORT on e-democracy in the European Union: potential and challenges PDF (414 KB) DOC (78 KB)
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, of the other part PDF (170 KB) DOC (108 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, of the other part PDF (143 KB) DOC (56 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes PDF (145 KB) DOC (60 KB)
REPORT on procedures and practices regarding Commissioner hearings, lessons to be taken from the 2014 process PDF (218 KB) DOC (128 KB)
REPORT on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2013 and the European Union’s policy on the matter PDF (459 KB) DOC (407 KB)
REPORT with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly PDF (235 KB) DOC (116 KB)
RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL, THE COMMISSION AND THE EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE on the role of broadcasting media in projecting the EU and its values PDF (156 KB) DOC (80 KB)
REPORT on the efforts of the international community in the area of development and of ‘state building’ in South Sudan PDF (331 KB) DOC (160 KB)
REPORT on corruption in the public and private sectors: the impact on human rights in third countries PDF (254 KB) DOC (147 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)
REPORT on the activities of the Committee on Petitions 2011 PDF (285 KB) DOC (521 KB)
REPORT with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly PDF (208 KB) DOC (123 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the Proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, on a framework agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the general principles for the participation of Kingdom of Morocco in Union programmes PDF (128 KB) DOC (61 KB)
REPORT with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly PDF (238 KB) DOC (139 KB)
REPORT Report on the second revision of the Partnership Agreement ACP-EC (the "Cotonou Agreement") PDF (199 KB) DOC (127 KB)
Opinions (21)
OPINION on harnessing globalisation: trade aspects
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European citizens’ initiative
OPINION on the Annual Reports 2015-2016 on subsidiarity and proportionality
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section III - Commission and executive agencies
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section X - European External Action Service
OPINION on EU Citizenship Report 2017: Strengthening Citizens’ Rights in a Union of Democratic Change
OPINION on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018
OPINION on the Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015
OPINION on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, Section III - Commission and executive agencies
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, Section X - European External Action Service
OPINION on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016 - all sections
OPINION on follow up to the European Citizens’ Initiative Right2Water
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process and suspending its application with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina
OPINION on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement in force between the two Parties
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on granting an EU guarantee to the European Investment Bank against losses under financing operations supporting investment projects outside the Union
OPINION on the integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Instrument for Stability
OPINION on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2010 and the European Union’s Policy on the matter, including implications for the EU’s strategic human rights policy
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing emergency autonomous trade preferences for Pakistan
OPINION on institutional aspects of the accession of the European Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Shadow opinions (24)
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section III - Commission and executive agencies
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section X – European External Action Service
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States
OPINION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part
OPINION on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part
OPINION on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2019
OPINION on the situation in Hungary (pursuant to the European Parliament resolution of 17 May 2017)
OPINION on the next MFF: Preparing the Parliament’s position on the MFF post-2020
OPINION on a reform of the European Union’s system of own resources
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and amending Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, EU No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013, (EU) No 1307/2013, (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 541/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council
OPINION on monitoring the application of Union law: 2015 Annual Report
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III - Commission and executive agencies
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section X - European External Action Service
OPINION on the Annual Report 2014 on subsidiarity and proportionality
OPINION on the annual reports 2012-2013 on subsidiarity and proportionality
OPINION the EU comprehensive approach and its implications for the coherence of EU external action
OPINION on the proposal for a Council decision on conclusion of the Protocol between the EU and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania setting out fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the two Parties currently in force
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union's instruments for external action
OPINION on the proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on EU priorities for the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
OPINION on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Liberia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union
OPINION on the impact of devolution of the Commission’s management of external assistance from its headquarters to its delegations on aid delivery
OPINION on budgetary control of EU financial assistance to Afghanistan
OPINION Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Towards a comprehensive European international investment policy
OPINION Proposal for a Council decision concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and Pakistan on readmission
Institutional motions (447)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities PDF (153 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cameroon PDF (153 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities PDF (152 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cameroon PDF (149 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Brunei PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the emergency situation in Venezuela PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the emergency situation in Venezuela PDF (139 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan PDF (154 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of human rights defenders PDF (150 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights in Guatemala PDF (161 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a European human rights violations sanctions regime PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (148 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Human rights situation in Kazakhstan PDF (166 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of human rights in Guatemala PDF (143 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the right of human rights defenders PDF (145 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a European human rights violations sanctions regime PDF (144 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (137 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the European Union PDF (153 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on women’s rights defenders in Saudi Arabia PDF (160 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (159 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chechnya and the case of Oyub Titiev PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the EU PDF (138 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia PDF (142 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (154 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chechnya and the case of Oyub Titiev PDF (144 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (145 KB) DOC (48 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (136 KB) DOC (44 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan, notably the case of Mehman Huseynov PDF (155 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (153 KB) DOC (60 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Togo PDF (151 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan, notably the case of Mehman Huseynov PDF (142 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (155 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania PDF (281 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (303 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh PDF (282 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (271 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania PDF (293 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh PDF (268 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Bangladesh PDF (293 KB) DOC (60 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Cuba PDF (286 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Vietnam, notably the situation of political prisoners PDF (286 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Bangladesh PDF (292 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Vietnam, notably the situation of political prisoners PDF (264 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Cuba PDF (273 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul PDF (288 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Sea of Azov PDF (148 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
PDF (167 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Sea of Azov PDF (267 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (266 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, notably the case of Charter 97 PDF (155 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (158 KB) DOC (59 KB)
DRAFT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s input to a UN Binding Instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with transnational characteristics with respect to human rights PDF (337 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the UAE, notably the situation of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor PDF (260 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region PDF (361 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, notably the case of Charter 97 PDF (268 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the case of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo PDF (153 KB) DOC (60 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (158 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition PDF (148 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the threat of demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and other Bedouin villages PDF (157 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on autonomous weapon systems PDF (274 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the case of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (159 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition PDF (144 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (162 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (161 KB) DOC (64 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chișinău PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its terrestrial borders with Colombia and Brazil PDF (288 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (150 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (149 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chisinau PDF (144 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders PDF (268 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on autonomous weapon systems PDF (258 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of Rohingya refugees, in particular the plight of children PDF (291 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, notably the case of Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov PDF (161 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion PDF (282 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of Rohingyas refugees, in particular the plight of children PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, notably the case of Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights situation in Bahrain, notably the case of Nabeel Rajab PDF (169 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion PDF (264 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad PDF (156 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation on women’s rights defenders in Saudi Arabia PDF (162 KB) DOC (61 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran PDF (159 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (154 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad PDF (151 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia PDF (160 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (256 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the elections in Venezuela PDF (260 KB) DOC (47 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the elections in Venezuela PDF (261 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines PDF (159 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (155 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Gaza Strip PDF (152 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines PDF (137 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the violation of human rights and the rule of law in the case of two Greek soldiers arrested and detained in Turkey PDF (261 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation in Gaza PDF (142 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on progress on the UN Global Compacts for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and on Refugees PDF (394 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (166 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mercy killings in Uganda PDF (156 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize Laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman PDF (165 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (408 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in the Maldives PDF (141 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mercy killings in Uganda PDF (145 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (260 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on executions in Egypt PDF (292 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on child slavery in Haiti PDF (154 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Centre Memorial PDF (285 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of UNRWA PDF (270 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the current human rights situation in Turkey PDF (289 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (279 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on executions in Egypt PDF (350 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on child slavery in Haiti PDF (142 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the current human rights situation in Turkey PDF (260 KB) DOC (45 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Centre Memorial PDF (145 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of UNRWA PDF (362 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (161 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (285 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the human rights activists Wu Gan, Xie Yang, Lee Ming-che and Tashi Wangchuk, and the Tibetan monk Choekyi PDF (290 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Democratic Republic of Congo PDF (158 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of human rights activists Wu Gan, Xie Yang, Lee Ming-cheh, Tashi Wangchuk and the Tibetan monk Choekyi PDF (157 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Nigeria PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on El Salvador: the cases of women prosecuted for miscarriage PDF (267 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: notably the dissolution of CNRP Party PDF (283 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Vietnam, notably the case of Nguyen Van Hoa PDF (280 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan PDF (401 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya people PDF (292 KB) DOC (60 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on El Salvador: the cases of women prosecuted for miscarriage PDF (149 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: the banning of the opposition PDF (139 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Freedom of expression in Vietnam, notably the case of Nguyen Van Hoa PDF (264 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan PDF (275 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya people PDF (175 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (294 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Madagascar PDF (291 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine al-Abidine PDF (155 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on terrorist attacks in Somalia PDF (162 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Madagascar PDF (154 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine El Abidine PDF (151 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Terrorist attacks in Somalia PDF (155 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (287 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and the journalist Mykola Semena PDF (284 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of persons with albinism in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (287 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in the Maldives PDF (145 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and journalist Mykola Semena PDF (152 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of people with albinism in Malawi and other African countries PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Moldova PDF (265 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Laos, notably the cases of Somphone Phimmasone, Lod Thammavong and Soukane Chaithad PDF (148 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gabon: repression of the opposition PDF (162 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gabon, repression of the opposition PDF (271 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Laos: notably the cases of Somphone Phimmasone, Lod Thammavong and Soukane Chaithad PDF (137 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: notably the case of Mr Kem Sokha PDF (137 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (156 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak PDF (169 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-che PDF (153 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-Che PDF (146 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Indonesia PDF (157 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, notably the situation of human rights defenders and the death penalty PDF (278 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli PDF (151 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Yemen PDF (162 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (276 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights situation in Indonesia PDF (142 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, notably the situation of human rights defenders and the death penalty PDF (147 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Afgan Mukhtarli and situation of media in Azerbaijan PDF (142 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Yemen PDF (167 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (275 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina PDF (163 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan PDF (164 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East PDF (286 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU strategy on Syria PDF (295 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the implementation of the Council’s LGBTI Guidelines, particularly in relation to the persecution of (perceived) homosexual men in Chechnya, Russia PDF (153 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Dadaab refugee camp PDF (159 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East PDF (178 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU Strategy on Syria PDF (269 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Dadaab refugee camp PDF (149 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (278 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (174 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (288 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh, including child marriages PDF (152 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors PDF (158 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh, including child marriages PDF (144 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (154 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors PDF (143 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines – the case of Senator Leila M. De Lima PDF (156 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of Pastor Evan Mawarire and other cases of restriction of freedom of expression PDF (150 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Ukrainian prisoners in Russia and the situation in Crimea PDF (157 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU priorities for the UN Human Rights Council sessions in 2017 PDF (395 KB) DOC (66 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines, the case of senator Leila M. De Lima PDF (138 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of Pastor Evan Mawarire PDF (148 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia and situation in Crimea PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU priorities for the UN Human Rights Council sessions in 2017 PDF (286 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua – the case of Francisca Ramirez PDF (149 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Guatemala, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (165 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on executions in Kuwait and Bahrain PDF (155 KB) DOC (79 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua, the case of Francesca Ramirez PDF (158 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Guatemala, notably the situation of human rights defenders PDF (149 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on executions in Kuwait and Bahrain PDF (145 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the rule of law crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Gabon PDF (288 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the rule of law crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Gabon PDF (273 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (152 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Central African Republic PDF (162 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Indonesia, notably the case of Hosea Yeimo and Ismael Alua PDF (148 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Central African Republic PDF (292 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (275 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Indonesia, notably the cases of Hosea Yeimo, Ismael Alua and the Governor of Jakarta PDF (265 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy and Ilham Tohti PDF (163 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar PDF (157 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves in Iraq PDF (158 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy and Ilham Tohti PDF (148 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves in Iraq PDF (144 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (276 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (202 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU-Turkey relations PDF (275 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ildar Dadin, prisoner of conscience in Russia PDF (154 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Guarani-Kaiowá in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso Do Sul PDF (149 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China PDF (157 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (167 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU-Turkey relations PDF (164 KB) DOC (64 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (289 KB) DOC (83 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Guarani-Kaiowa in the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso PDF (263 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ildar Dadin, prisoner of consience in Russia PDF (274 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China PDF (275 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (268 KB) DOC (74 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (264 KB) DOC (65 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul PDF (161 KB) DOC (87 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of journalists in Turkey PDF (152 KB) DOC (81 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on nuclear security and non-proliferation PDF (159 KB) DOC (88 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of journalists in Turkey PDF (255 KB) DOC (66 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul PDF (275 KB) DOC (80 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on nuclear security and non-proliferation PDF (261 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Thailand, notably the situation of Andy Hall PDF (153 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (167 KB) DOC (89 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Rwanda, the case of Victoire Ingabire PDF (291 KB) DOC (83 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Thailand, notably the case of Andy Hall PDF (276 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (272 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Rwanda, the case of Victoire Ingabire PDF (464 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (289 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines PDF (289 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (295 KB) DOC (91 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (287 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Philippines PDF (265 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (418 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of the Rohingya PDF (164 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain PDF (157 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of people with albinism in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (162 KB) DOC (86 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the situation of Rohingyas PDF (173 KB) DOC (66 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain PDF (386 KB) DOC (70 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of albinos in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (271 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the massacres in eastern Congo PDF (279 KB) DOC (82 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the massacres in eastern Congo PDF (174 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tajikistan: situation of prisoners of conscience PDF (164 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Vietnam PDF (167 KB) DOC (91 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia PDF (161 KB) DOC (87 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (160 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Djibouti PDF (176 KB) DOC (93 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on The Gambia PDF (163 KB) DOC (88 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Crimean Tatars PDF (158 KB) DOC (83 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Djibouti PDF (283 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gambia PDF (341 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Crimean Tatars PDF (283 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the follow-up to and review of the 2030 Agenda PDF (285 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on attacks on hospitals and schools as violations of international humanitarian law PDF (295 KB) DOC (87 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on attacks on hospitals and schools as violations of international humanitarian law PDF (184 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (167 KB) DOC (91 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Honduras: situation of human rights defenders PDF (162 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the attack in Lahore PDF (159 KB) DOC (85 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (372 KB) DOC (77 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Honduras: situation of human rights defenders PDF (161 KB) DOC (68 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the attack in Lahore PDF (272 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (164 KB) DOC (88 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Egypt, notably the case of Giulio Regeni PDF (168 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Kazakhstan PDF (168 KB) DOC (88 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Eritrea PDF (163 KB) DOC (91 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Eritrea PDF (178 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of the missing book publishers in Hong Kong PDF (157 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain: the case of Mohammed Ramadan PDF (149 KB) DOC (82 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Crimea, in particular of the Crimean Tatars PDF (155 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Yemen PDF (159 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’ PDF (168 KB) DOC (94 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (162 KB) DOC (88 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (263 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by ISIS PDF (310 KB) DOC (103 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (61 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Estonian and UK seamen under detention in India PDF (148 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on North Korea PDF (159 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ethiopia PDF (166 KB) DOC (91 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine PDF (166 KB) DOC (94 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s priorities for the UNHRC sessions in 2016 PDF (186 KB) DOC (124 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the mutual defence clause (Article 42(7) TEU) PDF (150 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION in support of the peace process in Colombia PDF (277 KB) DOC (78 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the implementation of the Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine PDF (298 KB) DOC (96 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU priorities for the UNHRC sessions in 2016 PDF (307 KB) DOC (93 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the mutual defence clause (Article 42(7) TEU) PDF (266 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on support for the peace process in Colombia PDF (176 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Malaysia PDF (157 KB) DOC (79 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (285 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ibrahim Halawa, potentially facing the death penalty PDF (287 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement PDF (271 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (303 KB) DOC (93 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement PDF (266 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (178 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political situation in Cambodia PDF (281 KB) DOC (78 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Afghanistan, in particular the killings in the province of Zabul PDF (286 KB) DOC (79 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Bangladesh PDF (292 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the mass displacement of children in Nigeria as a result of Boko Haram attacks PDF (158 KB) DOC (85 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Thailand PDF (166 KB) DOC (84 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Central African Republic PDF (170 KB) DOC (97 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the death penalty PDF (155 KB) DOC (81 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr PDF (159 KB) DOC (80 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the displacement of children in Northern Nigeria as a result of Boko Haram attacks PDF (156 KB) DOC (76 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Ali Mohammed al - Nimr PDF (143 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in Thailand PDF (142 KB) DOC (66 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Central African Republic PDF (156 KB) DOC (78 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the death penalty PDF (259 KB) DOC (66 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Angola PDF (154 KB) DOC (84 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus in the light of the upcoming 2015 presidential elections PDF (262 KB) DOC (67 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Angola PDF (148 KB) DOC (70 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s role in the Middle East peace process PDF (261 KB) DOC (69 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on migration and refugees in Europe PDF (268 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Srebrenica Commemoration PDF (174 KB) DOC (79 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of two Christian pastors in Sudan PDF (146 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in particular the case of the two detained human rights activists Yves Makwambala and Fred Bauma PDF (159 KB) DOC (89 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia’s draft laws on NGOs and trade unions PDF (153 KB) DOC (79 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (155 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (162 KB) DOC (86 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Srebrenica commemoration PDF (251 KB) DOC (64 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of two Christian pastors in Sudan PDF (144 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrain, in particular the case of Nabeel Rajab PDF (141 KB) DOC (71 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in particular the case of two detained human rights activists Yves Makwambala and Fred Bauma PDF (141 KB) DOC (70 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia's draft laws on NGOs and trade unions PDF (136 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (263 KB) DOC (68 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (172 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nepal following the earthquakes PDF (178 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Syria: situation in Palmyra and the case of Mazen Darwish PDF (191 KB) DOC (87 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Paraguay: legal aspects related to child pregnancy PDF (163 KB) DOC (70 KB)
PROPOSITION DE RÉSOLUTION sur Syrie: la situation à Palmyre et le cas de Mazen Darwish FR PDF (166 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu PDF (145 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the plight of Rohingya refugees, including the mass graves in Thailand PDF (138 KB) DOC (68 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of human rights defender Itai Dzamara PDF (140 KB) DOC (68 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Swaziland, the case of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu PDF (129 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the plight of Rohingya refugees, including mass graves in Thailand PDF (128 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of human rights defender Itai Dzamara PDF (128 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Nadiya Savchenko PDF (136 KB) DOC (64 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (139 KB) DOC (67 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria PDF (145 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nigeria PDF (154 KB) DOC (80 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the latest tragedies in the Mediterranean and EU migration and asylum policies PDF (135 KB) DOC (64 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the imprisonment of human and workers' rights activists in Algeria PDF (136 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria PDF (127 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Maldives PDF (216 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nigeria PDF (236 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on persecution of Christians around the world in relation to the killing of students in Kenya by Islamist terror group Al-Shabaab PDF (324 KB) DOC (67 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent migrant ship tragedies in the Mediterranean PDF (232 KB) DOC (63 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 2014 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina PDF (174 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide PDF (127 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide PDF (221 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania, notably the issue of land grabbing PDF (145 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan, including recent child abductions PDF (151 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent attacks and abductions by Da’esh in the Middle East, notably of Assyrians PDF (150 KB) DOC (75 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia PDF (150 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (143 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on relations between the EU and the League of Arab States and cooperation in countering terrorism PDF (142 KB) DOC (67 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s priorities for the UN Human Rights Council in 2015 PDF (183 KB) DOC (104 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Tanzania, notably the issue of land grabbing PDF (127 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan, including recent child abductions PDF (134 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recent attacks and abductions by Daesh in the Middle East, notably of Assyrians PDF (133 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia PDF (236 KB) DOC (64 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (234 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s priorities for the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) PDF (266 KB) DOC (84 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and the League of Arab States to cooperate on counter-terrorism PDF (231 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves of the missing persons of Ashia in Ornithi village in the occupied part of Cyprus PDF (135 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi: the case of Bob Rugurika PDF (138 KB) DOC (74 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria, in particular in the IS context PDF (151 KB) DOC (83 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on anti-terrorism measures PDF (160 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the US Senate report on the use of torture by the CIA PDF (130 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi: the case of Bob Rugurika PDF (130 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Saudi Arabia, the case of Raif Badawi PDF (128 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mass graves of the Missing Persons of Ashia at Ornithi village in the occupied part of Cyprus PDF (131 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria, in particular in the IS context PDF (234 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the US Senate summary report on the use of torture by the CIA PDF (232 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on anti-terrorism measures PDF (242 KB) DOC (70 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Kyrgyzstan, homosexual propaganda bill PDF (141 KB) DOC (65 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the situation following the Peshawar school attack PDF (142 KB) DOC (66 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, in particular the case of Alexei Navalny PDF (142 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Turkey: Recent arrests of journalists, media executives and systematic pressure against media PDF (131 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt PDF (160 KB) DOC (86 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (150 KB) DOC (77 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine PDF (150 KB) DOC (81 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of the two Italian ‘marò’ PDF (144 KB) DOC (60 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan, in particular the situation following the Peshawar school attack PDF (127 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, in particular the case of Alexey Navalny PDF (140 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Turkey: recent arrests of journalists and media executives, and systematic pressure against the media PDF (228 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (234 KB) DOC (63 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine PDF (251 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Egypt PDF (232 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of the two Italian ‘marò’ PDF (227 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan: the case of Dr Amin Mekki Medani PDF (144 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Mauritania, in particular the case of Biram Dah Abeid PDF (144 KB) DOC (69 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the persecution of the democratic opposition in Venezuela PDF (142 KB) DOC (72 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recognition of Palestine statehood PDF (133 KB) DOC (194 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani PDF (130 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Mauritania, in particular the case of Biram Dah Arbeid PDF (133 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the persecution of the democratic opposition in Venezuela PDF (137 KB) DOC (61 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Commission delegated regulation of 19 August 2014 amending Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences PDF (238 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj PDF (136 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan: blasphemy laws PDF (156 KB) DOC (72 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iraq: kidnapping and mistreatment of women PDF (132 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj PDF (133 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan : blasphemy laws PDF (130 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child PDF (159 KB) DOC (91 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on recognition of Palestinian statehood PDF (221 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan PDF (148 KB) DOC (73 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus PDF (131 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan PDF (132 KB) DOC (65 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus PDF (121 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights in Uzbekistan PDF (137 KB) DOC (68 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the closing-down of the NGO ‘Memorial’ (winner of the 2009 Sakharov Prize) in Russia PDF (146 KB) DOC (76 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU’s response to the Ebola outbreak PDF (141 KB) DOC (69 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights violations in Bangladesh PDF (137 KB) DOC (67 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi, in particular the case of Pierre Claver Mbonimpa PDF (137 KB) DOC (64 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Israel-Palestine after the Gaza war and the role of the EU PDF (124 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Libya PDF (125 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU response to the Ebola outbreak PDF (127 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine and the state of play of EU-Russia relations PDF (144 KB) DOC (75 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iraq and Syria, and the ISIS offensive, including the persecution of minorities PDF (134 KB) DOC (64 KB)
PROPOSITION DE RÉSOLUTION on Burundi, in particular the case of Pierre Claver Mbonimpa FR PDF (126 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine PDF (127 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the crime of aggression PDF (133 KB) DOC (64 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan – the case of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim PDF (138 KB) DOC (66 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression and assembly in Egypt PDF (157 KB) DOC (81 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine PDF (119 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the crime of aggression PDF (125 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Iraq PDF (126 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine PDF (133 KB) DOC (63 KB)
Oral questions (3)
Trafficking in Human Beings PDF (98 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Commission's answers to written questions PDF (205 KB) DOC (19 KB)
Commission's answers to Written Questions PDF DOC
Written explanations (3)
Amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure (A8-0462/2018 - Richard Corbett) RO
Am fost împotriva utilizării votului secret pentru amendamentul 20 privind Interesele financiare ale deputaților și Registrul de transparență. În special pentru chestiuni atât de importante precum transparența, este normal ca pozițiile deputaților europeni să fie cunoscute. Sunt totodată în favoarea unei declarații detaliate asupra felului în care deputații europeni utilizează fondurile din indemnizația pentru cheltuieli generale. Fiind vorba despre bani publici, este firesc ca cetățenii europeni să fie informați cum sunt folosiți.
Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Consent) (A8-0232/2017 - Elena Valenciano) FR
J’ai voté contre l’accord de dialogue politique et de coopération avec Cuba car les amendements sur la situation des droits de l’homme dans le pays ont été largement marginalisés. Le texte final n’est pas satisfaisant et il ne reflète pas la réalité de la répression persistante à Cuba. Le régime continue d’attenter à la liberté d’expression, de religion et de réunion, d’emprisonner les journalistes indépendants, les opposants politiques et les défenseurs des droits de l’homme. Il faut que Cuba engage des réformes démocratiques concrètes en conformité avec le respect de l’état de droit et des libertés fondamentales pour devenir un partenaire crédible de l’Union européenne.
Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) (A8-0233/2017 - Elena Valenciano) FR
J’ai voté contre l’accord de dialogue politique et de coopération avec Cuba car les amendements sur la situation des droits de l’homme dans le pays ont été largement marginalisés. Le texte final n’est pas satisfaisant et il ne reflète pas la réalité de la répression persistante à Cuba. Le régime continue d’attenter à la liberté d’expression, de religion et de réunion, d’emprisonner les journalistes indépendants, les opposants politiques et les défenseurs des droits de l’homme. Il faut que Cuba engage des réformes démocratiques concrètes en conformité avec le respect de l’état de droit et des libertés fondamentales pour devenir un partenaire crédible de l’Union européenne.
Major interpellations (1)
VP/HR - Recent state-terror activities by Iran in the EU PDF (53 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Written questions (15)
Genocide denial and glorification of war criminals in Republika Srpska PDF (44 KB) DOC (20 KB)
Results-Oriented Framework (ROF) for the Palestinian Authority PDF (187 KB) DOC (18 KB)
VP/HR - Corruption charges against Dorin Chirtoacă PDF (183 KB) DOC (16 KB)
Precondition for granting macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Moldova PDF (185 KB) DOC (18 KB)
VP/HR - EU-China human rights dialogue PDF (5 KB) DOC (15 KB)
VP/HR - NGO Law adopted in China on 28 April 2016 PDF (191 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Brochure on Commissioner Crețu's first year of mandate PDF (101 KB) DOC (26 KB)
Economic and social reform and development in Lebanon PDF (92 KB) DOC (25 KB)
Census of those living in the camps around Tindouf PDF (6 KB) DOC (24 KB)
EU counter-measures to Russian trade sanctions against Ukraine PDF (95 KB) DOC (25 KB)
Addressing albinism from the human rights perspective PDF (6 KB) DOC (25 KB)
Call for a European Year on Tourism PDF (193 KB) DOC (26 KB)
Competitive disadvantages encountered by Romanian oil importers as a consequence of incorrect transposition of EU legislation into national law PDF (6 KB) DOC (25 KB)
VP/HR - Diplomatic initiatives to save Asia Bibi PDF (100 KB) DOC (27 KB)
Rule of law in Serbia / follow-up of European Parliament resolution of 16 January 2014 PDF (103 KB) DOC (27 KB)
Individual motions (1)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on European Cravat Day PDF (240 KB) DOC (58 KB)
Written declarations (4)
Amendments (1811)
Amendment 4 #
2018/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission Staff Working document of 28 January 2019 on 2019 EU report on Policy Coherence for Development;
Amendment 207 #
2018/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Welcomes the 2019 EU report on Policy Coherence for Development (PCD); notes with satisfaction that PCD is a key pillar in the EU's strategy for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the achievement of the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development; further welcomes the external evaluation of the EU's PCD and its recommendations;
Amendment 208 #
2018/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Is concerned about the confusion that the introduction of the PCSD concept has created in some EU Member States regarding the commitment towards the PCD; believes that the lack of common understanding and clarity of the PCD approach at the European level might slow down its integration within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; strongly recommends to build on the best practices and mechanisms of PCD to further develop and operationalize the EU's implementation of PCSD;
Amendment 209 #
2018/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Supports the reinforcement of the policy-making tools and the PCD awareness raising-mechanisms such as the improvement of the impact assessments and the increasing involvement of EU delegations; regrets the fact that PCD tools still have a limited direct impact on EU policy-making and that non-development policies are still not taking into account development objectives as a result of PCD mechanisms;
Amendment 210 #
2018/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10 d. Urges the European Commission to adopt a follow-up action plan in line with the recommendation of the external evaluation of the PCD calling for the adoption of a clear set of rules for the implementation of the concept; reiterates its call to distinctly define the responsibilities of each EU institution in achieving PCD commitments;
Amendment 211 #
2018/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 e (new)
Paragraph 10 e (new)
10 e. Reiterates its call for the PCD to be discussed at the European Council level in order to give an impetus to the implementation of its mechanisms within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; believes that, as it has been pointed out by the external evaluation of PCD, only EU's political will have a significant impact on the promotion and the efficiency of the PCD approach;
Amendment 19 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point c
Point c
(c) recognise the ongoing administrative and economic reforms to improve the business climate, the judicial system and security services, labour conditions, and administrative accountability and efficiency; welcome the liberalisation of the foreign currency and of the foreign exchange market; highlight that Uzbekistan’s comprehensive reform plan, the Development Strategy for 2017– 2021, must be backed up by measures facilitating external trade and improving the business environment;
Amendment 33 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point d a (new)
Point d a (new)
(da) welcome the new powers given to the Oliy Majlis and the establishment of mechanisms strengthening the parliamentary oversight; encourage the authorities to implement the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR report following the 2014 parliamentary elections and to ensure that the forthcoming 2019 elections will be genuinely competitive, by notably allowing independent candidates to stand and encouraging the formation of new parties;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point e
Point e
(e) welcome the release of political prisoners and encourage the authorities to resolve the cases of prisoners of conscience; human rights activists, civil society and religious activists, journalists and opposition politicians, which are still being held on politically motivated charges; encourage furthermore the removal of restrictions on the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point e a (new)
Point e a (new)
(ea) welcome the measures taken towards ensuring the independence of the media and civil society organisations, for instance the lifting of some restrictions governing their activities, as well as the return of foreign and international media and NGOs, formerly excluded from the country; encourage the authorities to address the remaining restrictions limiting the work of NGOs, such as burdensome registration requirements and intrusive monitoring;
Amendment 75 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point h
Point h
(h) continue holding annual Human Rights Dialogues, while mainstreaming human rights issues in all meetings; encourage compliance with international human rights instruments, as ratified by Uzbekistan, notably within the UN, the OSCE and the ILO;
Amendment 125 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point u
Point u
(u) support Uzbekistan’s renewed efforts towards multilateral and international cooperation on global and regional challenges, such as international security and countering violent extremism, organised crime, drug trafficking, water management, climate change and migration, among others;
Amendment 131 #
2018/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Point v
Point v
(v) enhance provisions related to trade and economic relations, by promoting market economy principles, including legal certainty, and independent and transparent institutions, in order to guarantee sustainable FDI and contribute to the diversification of the economy; improve cooperation in the fight against corruption, money laundering and tax evasion;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Welcomes the EEAS' readiness to implement the recommendations from previous years; acknowledges the considerable challenges facing the institution which was placed at the forefront of the EU’s response regarding terrorism, hybrid threats, ongoing and new conflicts, instability in the neighbourhood, irregular migration, human rights violations, and an increasing contestation of the multilateral order; stresses the importance of using wisely the scarce resources available and of constantly improving the consistency and coherence of the EU's external and internal action;
Amendment 5 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the importance of public diplomacy and strategic communications as an integral aspect of the EU's external relations, as an instrument to communicate its values and interests and to enhance the EU’s visibility; calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS) to continue its efforts to modernise its approaches and to invest in new skills and capabilities; stresses the need for mobilizing context-specific analysis in order to counter anti-EU propaganda; firmly believes that the EU should step up its efforts to develop effective public diplomacy strategies;
Amendment 6 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Points out the strategic importance of enhancing the visibility of EU assistance, in particular in the Western Balkans and for the countries in Europe's Eastern and Southern neighbourhood; takes the view that additional efforts in this area will be critical not only for promoting adherence to the EU values, but also for countering foreign influence in these regions;
Amendment 15 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. While welcoming the establishment of the Task Force ‘Gender and Equal Opportunities’, reiterates its concern regarding the gender imbalances in the EEAS staff, in particular at middle management level and within different categories and grades; emphasizes that further efforts need to be made to address these imbalances; underlines that attention should continue to be devoted more generally to ensuring a balanced repartition between older and newer Member States when it comes to EEAS staff, including at management level and for the positions of Heads of EU Delegations;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Welcomes the increased efforts in the area of training for EEAS staff, towards ensuring the security of staff, as well as regarding improvements to the EEAS building policy and building management; calls for comprehensive implementation of the action plan drawn up in response to the 2016 ECA Special report regarding the EEAS Building Policy Management;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that no estimate of the level of error rate for spending under Heading 4 has been calculated for 2017 by the European Court of Auditors (ECA); stresses that a representative sample size for the audit of ‘Global Europe’ is essential for a rigorous and independent evaluation of financial transactions and calls for swiftly addressing this issue in order to enable better oversight on the use of EU funds by the European Parliament;
Amendment 2 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the ECA’s assessment of performance aspects in addition to checking regularity of transactions in its 2017 report; fully supports all recommendations formulated by the ECA based on the 56 transactions sampled and urg; welcomes the Commission to's readiness to take on these recommendations and calls for their swiftly implement themation;
Amendment 3 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls the importance of the EU's Pre-accession assistance and its contribution to building the political infrastructure to meet and uphold the Copenhagen criteria; welcomes recent efforts to better focus EU support in this area; stresses that improving administrative capacity of beneficiaries of IPA funds should continue to be a priority and points out the need to develop measurable indicators in order to assess progress on this issue; believes, at the same time, that political will of accession countries to enhance administrative capacity is an indispensable element in this regard, as well as for ensuring better absorption of EU funding; underlines that better use of conditionality of EU funds is critical in order to bring about change in beneficiary countries;
Amendment 4 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Calls for sustained efforts in order to address the weaknesses identified by audit authorities in the indirect management in some beneficiary countries of the second Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II); calls on DG NEAR to continue to closely assist national authorities concerned in overcoming the shortcomings and, more specifically, in improving the training and recruitment of their staff, as well as their audit methodology, supervision and planning;
Amendment 5 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Encourages a more rigorous approach regarding disbursements to beneficiary countries in the framework of budget support, based on a comprehensive analysis of whether or not the eligibility criteria, such as satisfactory improvements in public-sector financial management, are met;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of continuing to improve the rationalisation and sound financial management, together with a better budgeting of the expenditure for individual EU election observation missions, notably regarding reoccurring service providers’ procurement costs for technical equipment and visibility material; calls upon the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to engage in a reflection to reform the current system; in line with the findings of ECA's Special report No 22/2017 — Election Observation Missions, points out the importance of gaining a central overview of the EU Election Observation Missions recommendations and of systematically assessing their implementation status; welcomes the Commission's readiness to set up a centralised depository for storing EU EOM recommendations and hopes the necessary resources will be swiftly mobilized;
Amendment 19 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Welcomes ECA's Special report No 3/2017 ‘EU Assistance to Tunisia’ and its finding that EU assistance contributed significantly to the country’s democratic transition and economic stability; calls on the Commission to continue improving the focus of EU support in line with the recommendations contained therein;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Takes note of the publication of ECA's Special report No 20 /2018 “The African Peace and Security Architecture: need to refocus EU support”; calls for swift action in order to address the shortcomings identified therein, including the need to refocus EU support away from supporting operational costs towards capacity-building measures, to make interventions consistently results-based, reduce delays in contracting and retroactive financing, improve monitoring and make coherent use of financing instruments;
Amendment 74 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persist in the MENA region, the picture remains mixed with, on one hand, some positive developments and continuing violthe consolidations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several casdemocratic gains and, on the other, the persistence of significant obstacles in the majority of the countries; is worried about the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;
Amendment 100 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the EU’s continued efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; condemns the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in some countries; takes the view, however, that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been completely achieved;
Amendment 109 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of itWelcomes EU's considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, in the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the groundregion, notes, however, that the impact of EU policies remains limited; calls for a stronger commitment from the EU towards being a more active player in the region; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;
Amendment 127 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objectivedid not take enough into consideration EU's partner countries interests and expectations, with little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real changhave a greater positive influence in the areas of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries;
Amendment 150 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 190 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up withis elaborating a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead,involving MENA region partners in the implementation of common solutions to tackle issues such as irregular migration, human trafficking and terrorism should be a top priority; stresses the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;
Amendment 216 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for more inclusiveness and a closer involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; takes the view that the EU should make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership;
Amendment 243 #
2018/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls the added value of parliamentary diplomacy and of the regular bilateral interparliamentary meetings which Parliament holds with its counterparts from the Southern Neighbourhood as a tool for exchanging experiences and fostering mutual understanding; points out the importance of the Joint Parliamentary Committees in this context as a unique instrument to formulate ambitious joint policies between the EU and its closest partners; encourages the EU’s national parliaments to hold bilateral interparliamentary meetings within the framework of the ENP; underlines once more that political parties in the national parliaments and the European Parliament can play a role in this regard; takes the view that dialogue between the European Parliament, EU national parliaments and the parliaments of the Southern Neighbourhood could provide a very valuable opportunity to foster regional dialogue and cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood; points, moreover, in this context, to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean as a venue where regional integration and an ambitious political and economic agenda for this organisation could be re- dynamised;
Amendment 265 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that Russia and the EU will remainEU is currently the largest trading partner of Russia and will keep its key position of key economic partners in the foreseeable future, bu; notes however that Nord Stream 2 reinforces EU dependency on Russian gas supplies, threatens the EU internal market and is not in line with EU energy policy, and therefore needs to be stopped;
Amendment 278 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the importance of continued political and financial support for civil society activists, human rights defenders, bloggers, independent media, investigative journalists, outspoken academics and public figures, and NGOs; calls on the Commission to programme more ambitious financialand long-term financial, institutional and capacity building assistance to Russian civil society from the existing external financial instruments; encourages Member States to actively implement the EU guidelines on human rights defenders by providing effective and timely support and protection to human rights defenders, journalists and other activists; encourages notably Member States to issue long-term visas to human rights defenders at risk and their family members;
Amendment 283 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls for the unconditional release of all human rights defenders and other persons detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, including of the Director of the Memorial Human Rights Centre in the Chechen Republic, Mr Oyub Titiev, who is on trial for fabricated charges of drug possession; urges the Russian authorities to ensure full respect for their human and legal rights, including access to a lawyer and medical care, physical integrity and dignity, and protection from judicial harassment, criminalisation and arbitrary arrest;
Amendment 287 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines that the promotion of human rights and the rule of law must be at the core of the EU's engagement with Russia; calls therefore on the EU and Members States to continue bringing up human rights issues in all contacts with Russian officials; encourages the EU to continuously call on Russia to repeal or amend all laws and regulations incompatible with international human rights standards, including provision restricting the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association;
Amendment 312 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the EU institutions and Member States to stay firm on its values and principles and to make greater efforts to build resilience, particularly in the cyber and media fields; calls for EU-wide support for the European cyber-security industry and a stronger engagement in research; encourages, in this context, the promotion of European values in Russian by East Stratcom;
Amendment 325 #
2018/2158(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that meaningful dialogue requires firmer unity among Member States and clearer communication of red lines on the EU side; stresses therefore that the EU should stand ready to consider adopting further sanctions, including targeted personal sanctions, in response to Russia’s continued actions;
Amendment 54 #
2018/2150(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that since the introduction of the state of emergency more than 152 000 civil servants - including teachers, doctors, (peace) academics, judges and prosecutors - have been dismissed; notes that 125 000 people applied to the Inquiry Commission on the State of Emergency Measures (CoSEM), which is tasked with reviewing and deciding within two years on complaints against measures taken under the state of emergency and related decrees, and 89 000 of them are still awaiting a decision; is concerned about the narrow scope of the mandate of the Inquiry Commission, its lack of independence, and the fact that examinations are made on the sole basis of documents in the case-file, without participation of the person concerned; notes that the dismissals have had an extremely harsh impact on the individuals concerned and on their families, including financially, and come with a lasting social and professional stigma; calls on the Turkish government to ensure that all individuals have the right to have their cases reviewed by an independent court that can award compensation for the material and moral damage caused by their arbitrary dismissal; call furthermore on Turkey to bring the National Human Rights and Equality Institution and the Ombudsman Institution in line with the Paris Principles and to ensure their operational, structural and financial independence;
Amendment 60 #
2018/2150(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Condemns the increased executive control over and political interference with the work of judges and prosecutors; stresses that a serious reform of the legislative and judicial branches of power is needed for Turkey to comply with its obligationin order to improve the access to the justice system, increase its effectiveness uander international human rights law; is awaiting, in this regard, the Reform Action Group’s action plan on judici provide better protection for the right to trial within a reasonable time; is awaiting, in this regard, the Reform Action Group to review the judicial reform strategy and bring it in line with the required standards of the EU and Council of Europe; calls on Turkey to ensure throughout the reform process the participation of all reformlevant stakeholders and notably of civil society organisations;
Amendment 92 #
2018/2150(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Is deeply concerned over Turkey's recent tendency to increase its diplomatic efforts to curb the presence and influence of the Gülen movement abroad, notably by calling on the EU and its partner countries to extradite Turkish citizens over alleged links with the Gülen movement; calls therefore on Turkey to stop this practice and urges EU Member States to ensure that any extradition requests are processed in a transparent manner while following judicial procedures fully in line with international human rights standards;
Amendment 162 #
2018/2150(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that the Venice Commission assessed the constitutional amendments related to the introduction of a presidential system as lacking sufficient checks and balances as well as, endangering the separation of powers between executive and judiciary as well as curtailing the parliamentary oversight over the executive branch; recalls further that the European Parliament called on the Government of Turkey to implement constitutional and judicial changes and reforms in cooperation with the Venice Commission, and last year also called for the formal suspension of the accession negotiations should the constitutional reform be implemented unchanged, since this would be incompatible with the Copenhagen criteria;
Amendment 17 #
2018/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas five EU Member States have not recognized Kosovo;
Amendment 39 #
2018/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the obstructive behaviour of some parliamentarians, including the use of teargas in the chambers, which has hindered the work of the Assembly; underlines that ensuring inclusive political dialogue, notably within parliaments, is an essential element of a well-functioning democracy;
Amendment 177 #
2018/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes that five Member States have not recognised Kosovo and acknowledges the efforts of all Member States to further strengthen EU and Kosovo relations; recalls the need for all EU Member States to facilitate economic, people-to-people contacts and social relations between their citizens and Kosovo;
Amendment 182 #
2018/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for sustained efforts to comprehensively normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo; considers that a full normalisation of relations with Serbia, under a legally binding agreement and its implementing arrangements, will not be possible without a comprehensive application of the existing agreements, including regarding the establishment of the Association of Serb municipalities;
Amendment 15 #
2018/2148(INI)
Ba. whereas since mid-2017 there was a marked slowdown in the adoption of EU related reforms, despite BiH’s commitment to the Reform Agenda;
Amendment 18 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas general elections were held in BiH on 7 October 2018; whereas political parties have not been able to agree on the changes to the elections law needed to implement the Constitutional Court decisions in the Ljubić case concerning the election of the members of the Federation’s House of People; whereas the facilitation efforts on this issue, led by the EU and US ambassadors to BiH, with involvement from the Venice Commission, have not been fruitful;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas BiH remains in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, as per the Sejdić-Finci and related cases;
Amendment 21 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
B d. whereas there is no place in modern Europe for the glorification of persons convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity;
Amendment 22 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas the persistent challenges in the reconciliation process should be addressed more forcefully;
Amendment 23 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B f (new)
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas corruption, including at the highest level, continues to be widespread;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned about the marked slowdown in the pace of reforms due to disagreements between parties and the pre- electoral campaign that started very early; stresses that the declared commitment of the BiH authorities to the European path must be matched by consistent implementation of reforms stemming from the Reform Agenda and translated into concrete results, to the benefit of citizens; regrets that, apart from the adoption of the countrywide strategies in the field of the environment and, rural development and energy, and of some important reform measures, such as the Law on Excise Duties, no substantial progress has been achieved;
Amendment 46 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that no compromise has been reached with regard to changes to the electoral legislation required to implement the Constitutional Court decision in the Ljubić case on the election of the members of the Federation House of Peoples; urges all political leaders to show responsibility and amend swiftly the electoral framework in order to ensure smooth implementation ofNotes that the 7 October elections were competitive and generally orderly, despite some irregularities on elections day; notes that this electoral cycle was also marked by segmentation along ethnic lines and the electoral campaign was focused mainly on divisive issues linked to the past, rather than on proposing concrete solutions to answer the daily problems of people from BiH; regrets that no compromise has been reached with regard to changes to the electoral legislation required to implement the Constitutional Court decision in the Ljubić case on the election of the members of the Federation House of Peoples; hopes that a solution will be found in order to ensure smooth implementation of the results of the elections; urges all political leaders to show responsibility and warns against delays and attempts of blocking the formation of the authorities after the elections, as this will not serve the interesults of the electionscitizens, nor the objective of European integration; stresses that holding credible elections and implementing the results is an essential feature of a well-functioning democracy, as well as a requirement for any country aspiring to join the EU;
Amendment 67 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the adoption of further countrywide strategies in areas such as energy, employment and public financial management, which will enable consistent implementation of reforms throughout the country, as well as access to further IPA funding; stresses the need to ensure better absorption of IPA funding, notably by improving donor coordination and administrative capacity; urges the adoption of a national programme for approximation of the country’s laws with the EU acquis, a legal requirement under the SAA and an indispensable means of preparing for EU accession;
Amendment 77 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Renews its call for the adoption of a countrywide strategy on human rights; underlines that amendments to the Ombudsman Law should be adopted as soon as possible, in order to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles; urges once more the authorities in Republika Srpska to repeal the provision on the death penalty from the entity’s constitution; deems necessary the establishment of a national preventive mechanism for the prevention of torture and ill treatment, as well as the adoption of a state Law on the rights of civilians tortured during the war, in accordance with BiH’s international obligations; considers that BiH should make more efforts to bring in line with international standards the conditions in prison and police holding facilities; reiterates the need to ensure non- discriminatory access to justice throughout the country through a harmonised and sustainable system of free legal aid;
Amendment 96 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for more effective measures to combat all forms of discrimination, in particular by adopting country-wide human rights and anti-discrimination strategies; regrets that there was no progress in addressing the ‘two schools under one roof’ issue; urges that decisive action be taken at all levels in order to find systemic solutions that will ensure inclusive and non-discriminatory education for all children; calls for more effective implementation of the legal provisions regarding equality between men and women; urges that progress be made towards ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected, in particular by swiftly addressing the relevant UN recommendationnotes with concern the lack of effective implementation of the legislation for the prevention and protection from gender-based violence, in particular domestic violence; points out the need to bring the legislation in line with the Istanbul Convention; is concerned that lack of resources and coordination hampers the implementation of the 2015- 2018 action plan for children; welcomes the FBiH legislation on foster care and underlines the need to support further deinstitutionalization of children throughout the country; urges that progress be made towards ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected, in particular by swiftly addressing the relevant UN recommendations; calls for improved access to education and to appropriate social services for children with disabilities, as well as more generally, enhancing access to buildings, institutions and transport for persons with disabilities; acknowledges the steps taken towards the legal protection of LGBTI persons but stresses that more needs to be done in order to prosecute violence and hate crimes against them, as well as to promote their social inclusion; is concerned that lack of coordination between different levels of authority and lack of funding continue to hamper effective protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, in particular Roma people;
Amendment 106 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for a comprehensive reform of the social protection systems, by eliminating discriminatory practices in accordance with human rights obligations and ensuring that adequate minimum standards are set for the protection of the most vulnerable population, including addressing gaps in legislation that prevent some children from having medical insurance; invites all the relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen coordination and collaboration on child rights monitoring, including establishment of a comprehensive child rights data collection mechanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Amendment 112 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Is concerned about the high rates of young people leaving the country and the lack of adequate policies and investments regarding children and youth;
Amendment 114 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Calls on BiH to ensure the right to property; points out the lack of a comprehensive legislative framework on handling restitution claims and encourages the authorities to open a dialogue with interested parties on issues pertaining to the restitution of, or compensation for property seized;
Amendment 119 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets the lack of progress on freedom of expression and the independence of the media; clearly rejects continued attempts to put political and financial pressure on the media; condemns the recurrent cases of intimidation, threats, and verbal and physical attacks against journalists; calls on the authorities to collect data on these cases, ensure swift investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators and promote an environment conducive to freedom of expression; points out the need to strengthen the Communications Regulatory Agency’s financial stability, as well as its political neutrality; reiterates its call for the independence and sustainable financing of the public broadcasters to be ensured; deplores the fact that due to political obstruction a functional public broadcasting service, could not be established; renews its call for the transparency of media ownership to be ensured, notably through a dedicated law; emphasizes that, like for other countries in the region, concerns remain regarding political instrumentalisation of the media, either directly by political players, or by business players in their attempts to exert political influence;
Amendment 125 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes efforts aiming at promoting reconciliation, mutual respect and religious tolerance in the country, including those of the Inter-religious Council of BiH; deplores continued cases of discrimination on religious grounds, as well as incidents targeting religious sites, and calls on the authorities to react promptly and consistently in these cases;
Amendment 127 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets the lack of progress with regard to the reform of public administration; acknowledges the steps taken towards the development of the new country-wide pWelcomes the adoption of the Strategic Framework for the Public aAdministration rReform strategyin Bosnia and Herzegovina 2018-2022 and calls for its swift adopimplementation; draws attention again to the fragmentation of the policy- making system in BiH and stresses the need to improve the quality, coherence and financial affordability of public policies throughout the country; calls for the adoption of a country-wide strategy on public financial management and for increased budget transparency in BiH, as well as for stronger mechanisms to prevent inefficiency and waste of public resources, including in the area of public procurement; calls in particular for action to be taken to reduce the risk of politicisation of civil service, through an effective human resources management system at all administrative levels;
Amendment 136 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges that some progress has been made in establishing institutional mechanisms of cooperation between authorities and civil society organisations (CSOs) and in ensuring public financing for CSOs; reiterates its call for the adoption of a strategic framework of cooperation with civil society at all levels of governance, for enhancing the transparency of public-decision making and for additional efforts in enabling public scrutiny of governments’ work;
Amendment 139 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges that action be taken to significantly improve track records in the area of prevention and repression of corruption, including measures to impose effective and deterrent sanctions; emphasizes the need for capacity building regarding the investigation of economic, financial and public procurement related crimes; stresses that particular attention should be given to conducting effective checks on the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns and to improving public access to and oversight over the asset declarations of public officials, including those standing for election; calls for the GRECO recommendations to be addresses, notably those on political party financing and conflicts of interest; deems it essential for BiH to adopt a law on conflicts of interest in accordance with European and international standards; urges BiH to conduct an analysis of the existing anti-corruption legal framework and subsequently to adopt a coherent strategy to address gaps and weaknesses identified, in accordance with international and European standards;
Amendment 143 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the adoption of the action plan on the implementation of the 2014-2018 Justice Sector Reform Strategy in March 2017 and the establishment of the necessary reporting and monitoring structures; points to the need for decisive action regarding its implementation; is concerned by continuing politically motivated threats against the judiciary; reiterates the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, including from political influence, as well as its impartiality, professionalism, efficiency and accountability; welcomes the implementation of the action plan adopted by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) aimed at strengthening appointment, disciplinary and integrity measures as regards the judiciary, including through improved assets declarations; emphasises the necessity of revising the HJPC Law based on the Commission’s recommendations and the Opinion of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 153 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that a comprehensive transitional justice strategy, as well as a solid mechanism for compensation of wartime gross human rights violations across the country, including for victims of war related sexual violence, are still lacking;
Amendment 160 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes recent initiatives aiming at enhancing regional cooperation for resolving the issue of persons missing as a result of the war; calls on the authorities in BiH to be engaged in this process, including by intensifying cooperation between the two entities;
Amendment 161 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the adoption of the 2017-2020 Strategy for Combatting Organised Crime and the progress in implementing the action plans on anti- money laundering measures and on the financing of terrorism; calls for a stepping- up of efforts to establish a track record of investigations, prosecutions, final convictions and confiscation of proceeds of organised crime; bwelievcomes thate adopting the necessaryon of the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Law on the Intelligence Security Agency, in order to align the provisions on special investigative measures and witness immunity with the BiH Constitutional Court decision and(CPC) by the BiH House of Representatives on 17 September 2018, as they are essential for the ability of rule of law institutions to conduct sensitive investigations and cooperate with international law enforcement agencies; stresses that bringing the Law on the Intelligence Security Agency in line with European and international standards, should be theremain a highest priority for the authorities; appreciates the fact that BiH has been removed from the FATF list of ‘high-risk third countries with structural deficiencies in anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing’ and calls further efforts in that area in order to be removed from the EU list of high-risk countries; encourages the authorities to further improve BiH capacities for countering terrorism through better coordination and cooperation, exchange of criminal intelligence, prevention of radicalization and de-radicalization programs;
Amendment 172 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Acknowledges that some progress has been made by BiH regarding economic development and competitiveness, but notes that the country is still at an early stage of establishing a functioning market economy; strongly believes that advancing socio-economic reforms should be a high priority up to the elections and beyond; after the elections; stresses the need to strengthen the economic fundamentals, such as growth, employment and the fight against informal economy; points out the importance of restructuring of public sector, including public enterprises, further reduction of labour costs, improving the business environment (also through developing a single economic space), strengthening the growth- friendliness of public finances, notably by focusing on medium term needs, such as infrastructure and education, providing timely and exhaustive statistics in line with European and international standards;
Amendment 178 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Reiterates that BiH needs to ensure an effective and structured implementation of the environmental legislation in accordance with EU standards throughout the country, in line with the countrywide Environmental Approximation Strategy; stresses again the need to swiftly address the transboundary air pollution caused by the oil refinery in Bosanski Brod;
Amendment 184 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls on BiH to further develop its transport and energy infrastructure, and to take advantage of the new EU package for development of regional connectivity, as well as to work towards completing the Regional Energy Market in line with its climate commitments;
Amendment 189 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Regrets that the degree of compliance with EU declarations and decisions of the Council of the EU regarding the Common Foreign and Security Policy(CFSP) has dropped to 61% alignment in 2017 and calls on BiH to step up its efforts in this area;
Amendment 190 #
2018/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20 d. Notes the increasing influence of foreign powers in BiH; strongly believes that stronger EU engagement in BiH remains the best way to ensure progress towards European values, stability and prosperity in the country;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Commission has recommended the opening of accession negotiations with Albania given the good progress achieved in the fulfilment of the five key priorities; whereas accession negotiations will allow closer EU scrutiny and are a powerful catalyst for implementing further reforms and consolidating democratic institutions and practices;
Amendment 28 #
2018/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Fully supports the Commission’s recommendation that accession negotiations be opened in recognition of the reform efforts made by Albania; calls on the Council to open accession talks without delay in order to sustain the reform momentum; considers that the opening of negotiations would positively contribute to the reinforcement of democracy and rule of law by provideing further incentives for the reform process and enhance its scrutiny;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for action addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) as regards electoral reform with a view to increasing public trust in the electoral process; draws attention in particular to the need to urgently address the politicisation of electoral bodies, the allegations of vote-buying, as well as the transparency and accountability of campaign financing; welcomes the work by the Ad-hoc Committee on Electoral Reform of the Albanian Parliament related to election administration, campaign finance, voter registration, vote buying, the use of new voting technologies and out-of- country voting, and urges it to reach consensus on, and adoption of, the necessary reforms in due time before the 2019 local elections;
Amendment 43 #
2018/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates that constructive political dialogue, willingness to compromise and the maintenance of unwavering commitment to the implementation and consolidation of the reforms across all five key priorities are essential to the effort to advance the EU accession process and also for the good functioning of a democratic regime; takes positive note in this context of the growing bipartisan collaboration and wide cross-party consensus that was reached when dealing with certain key reforms and encourages all political forces to continue to engage in constructive political dialogue;
Amendment 105 #
2018/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Albanian authorities to enhance cooperation with civil society organisations, ensuring effective public participation and consultation throughout the decision-making process, including at local level; draws attention to the need of reform of the legal and regulatory framework of the tax regime for civil society organisations, as financial sustainability remains a significant challenge for an important number of such organisations;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges the government’s strong political resolve to fully implement the Pržino Agreement and the Urgent Reform Priorities, leading to intensified efforts on EU-related reforms, based on cross-party and inter-ethnic cooperation and consultations with civil society and underlines the importance of pursuing these efforts for the European future of the country;
Amendment 53 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the ratification by the Parliament of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia of the strategic partnership agreement with Greece on 20 June 2018; urges the parties to duly inform their citizens of the contents and implications of the agreement and to diligently complete all internal procedures for the ratification and implementation of this strategically important agreement, bringing an end to a protracted geopolitical limbo; considers that it is in the interest of the citizens of the country that all political actors act in a constructive manner and take the measure of their historic responsibility;
Amendment 64 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the country has already achieved a high level of alignment with the acquis; welcomes its cotakes note of the improvement inued alignment with EU declarations and Council decisions on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and notes thatstresses the importance of full alignment, which is a prerequisite for the Euro- Atlantic future of the country;
Amendment 104 #
2018/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recommends that the country’s Parliament make full use of its oversight and legislative functions and strictly limit the use of urgency procedures; emphasises the importance of constructive political dialogue for the work of the Parliament;
Amendment 185 #
2018/2145(INI)
26. Notes modest improvements in the media environment and conditions for independent reporting; calls for initiatives to create a climate that is favourable to a professional conduct of all media stakeholders, free from any internal and external influence, as well as to investigative journalism; welcomes the termination of state-sponsored advertising in the media as an important measure to foster a level playing field in the sector and calls for further safeguards against politicisation of the media; stresses the need to strengthen the independence and capacity of the media regulator and the public service broadcaster; calls for measures to increase the protection of the labour and social rights of journalists and to ensure that there is no impunity in case of violence, abuses of threats against journalists;
Amendment 8 #
2018/2144(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Montenegro has to further strengthen, inter alia, parliamentary, legislative and oversight capacity, institutional transparency, respect for the rule of law and independence of justice, integrity of the electoral process, media freedom, and the fight against corruption, organised crime and the informal economy;
Amendment 14 #
2018/2144(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reminds all political parties that constructive political engagement depends on a fully functioning parliament in which all politicians assume their responsibility towards voters by taking up their seats in the parliament; welcomes the fact that most opposition parties have returned to the parliament following a longstanding parliamentary boycott; urges all other political parties to return at the earliest opportunity in order to ensure that the Parliament has the means to fully play its legislative and oversight role;
Amendment 23 #
2018/2144(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that fundamental freedoms were respected in the April 2018 presidential elections; calls for shortcomings identified by the OSCE ODIHR to be comprehensively addressed in order to improve public trust in the electoral process, in particular the need to reinforce the transparency and professionalisation of the electoral administration;
Amendment 27 #
2018/2144(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the central role played by the Audit Authority, the Ombudsman, the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Public Procurement Control Commission, the Competition Agency and the State Aid Authority in tackling organised crime and corruption; welcomes the continued reforms aimed at improving the capacity and independence of these institutions, but notes the need to improve efficiency, establish better track records, encourage the prevention of corruption including through appropriate sanctions and remove remaining obstacles to achieving their full independence;
Amendment 71 #
2018/2144(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates its call for systematic, inclusive, timely and genuine consultations with civil society on key EU-related legislative reforms, including their implementation at local level; takes note of the changes to the law on NGOs that aims to improve their public funding and recommends a swift adoption of the needed secondary legislation;
Amendment 8 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to ensure a firm engagement from both sides to respect and advance democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law; to pursue a regular dialogue on human right in full respect of the criteria required for the GSP+ status granted to the Kyrgyz Republic, including the ratification of the relevant international conventions and the effective implementation of the conclusions and recommendations of the relevant monitoring bodies established under those conventions; to pursue a regular dialogue on human rights with the aim of strengthening the institutional framework and public policies;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to step up cooperation in crisis management, conflict prevention, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the prevention of violent radicalisation and cross- border crime, and integrated border management, in full respect of the protection of human rights;
Amendment 24 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to enhance provisions related to trade and economic relations, contributing to the diversification of the Kyrgyz economy; to strengthen legal certainty, regulatory transparency, good governance, a functioning judiciary, cutting red tape and promoting economic development; to contribute to supporting the establishment and development of small and medium enterprises;
Amendment 28 #
2018/2118(INI)
(h) to enhance cooperation in the fight against corruption, money laundering and tax evasion; to include provisions on tax good governance and transparency standards that reaffirm the parties’ commitment to implementing international standards in the fight against tax avoidance and tax evasion;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to ensure the transmission of the negotiating directives to the European Parliament, subject to confidentiality rules, to enable proper scrutiny by Parliament of the negotiating process, and to fulfil the interinstitutional obligations stemming from Article 218(10) TFEU, according to which the it shall be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n – indent 3
Paragraph 1 – point n – indent 3
Amendment 38 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
(oa) to facilitate and conduct regularly an in-depth dialogue on human rights issues of interest for both sides, and that should include authorities and civil society;
Amendment 40 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(qa) to allocate, both at the level of the EU and of the Member States, adequate resources for the implementation of the comprehensive agreement, so as to ensure the achievement of all the ambitious objectives set during the negotiations;
Amendment 42 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) to pursue efforts to consolidate a functioning parliamentary democracy with a genuine multi-party system and constitutional checks and balances, as one of the pilot countries for EU democracy support; to relay its concern about the constitutional amendments of 2016, in particular a substantial reinforcement of the prime minister’s powers, the supremacy of the national courts’ rulings over international human rights treaties and the loss of independence of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
Amendment 48 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) to reaffirm the importance of working systematically to promote the values of democracy and human rights, including freedom of expression, association and assembly, with particular emphasis to journalists and independent media and the independence of the judiciary;
Amendment 55 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) to urge Kyrgyzstan to reverse any negative authoritarian trends such as the political instrumentalisation of the administration of justice, unfair judicial punishments, unfair and non-transparent trials, interference in media freedom, the impunity of law enforcement agents and the alleged ill-treatment and torture of those held in custody, as well as discrimination against minorities and the limitations placed on the freedom of assembly and expression; and to urge Kyrgyzstan to thoroughly investigate all allegations of evidence planting, extortion, torture and ill-treatment;
Amendment 57 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point v a (new)
(va) to raise concern that freedoms have been curtailed in the recent years, and political leaders as well as potential presidential candidates have been jailed on alleged corruption charges;
Amendment 58 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) to recall that corruption undermines human rights, equality, trade and fair competition, thereby impeding economic growth; to include specific sections outlining clear and strong commitments and measures to combat corruption in all its forms and to implement international standards and multilateral anti-corruption conventions;
Amendment 65 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) to expresses dissatisfaction, in this context, with the upholding of the life sentence handed down to the human rights activist Azimjon Askarov, who documented the inter-ethnic violence in 2010 and request his immediate release;
Amendment 68 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
(xb) to ensure that Kyrgyzstan allows banned foreign human rights workers and journalists to enter the country and continue their work without interference;
Amendment 71 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) to support further regional cooperation in Central Asia, which is one of the least integrated regions in the world, following the current positive dynamics; to acknowledge the country’s involvement in EU programmes aimed in this direction as well as implementation of EU-Central Asia strategy in areas of energy, water management and environmental challenges, and in regular political and human rights dialogues with the EU;
Amendment 74 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z
Paragraph 1 – point z
(z) to reassure that Kyrgyzstan’s membership of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) does not affect the strengthening of its relations with the EU, as proven by the recently ratified EU- Kazakhstan Enhanced PCA;
Amendment 77 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point z a (new)
(za) to ensure that countering the propaganda spread by Russian media in the country is significantly enhanced;
Amendment 80 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point z b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point z b (new)
(zb) to encourage Kyrgyzstan to diversify its economy with a view to reducing its significant political dependence on external actors, such as Russia or China;
Amendment 81 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a
Paragraph 1 – point a a
(aa) to contribute to pursueing the easing of the recent diplomatic and economic tensions in the region, including between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan;
Amendment 82 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
(aba) to highlight Kyrgyzstan’s constructive membership of the UN Human Rights Council during 2016-2018 and encourage its further international involvement;
Amendment 85 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ac a (new)
(aca) to encourage continuous progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and to ensure that the agreement will be fully aligned with this objective; to implement new National Development Strategy 2018 - 2040;
Amendment 86 #
2018/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ac b (new)
(acb) to ensure in the agreement a strong focus on climate change, water management, as well as disaster risk prevention and preparedness due to the high risk of natural catastrophes, including earthquakes;
Amendment 3 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament recommendation of 15 November 2017 to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the Eastern Partnership, in the run-up to the November 2017 Summit,
Amendment 4 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
- having regard to the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council of 13 September 2017, entitled ‘Resilience, Deterrence and Defence: Building strong cybersecurity for the EU’ (JOIN(2017) 450),
Amendment 5 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 c (new)
Citation 3 c (new)
- having regard to the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council of 7 July 2017, entitled ‘A Strategic Approach to Resilience in the EU's external action’(JOIN(2017)21),
Amendment 88 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph f
Paragraph f
f) to focus on the continuously growing sophistication of the tools used to spread fake news, including the new ways of spreading propaganda by using multiple low-level websites, portals and TV stations to disseminate the main narratives; is concerned about Russia’s activities in this contextand tools used in this context, which seek to undermine or suspend the normative foundations and principles of European democracies, such as elections;
Amendment 156 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph m a (new)
Paragraph m a (new)
ma) to pay special attention to the need of improving the media literacy and critical thinking through training and education, raising awareness, and promoting independent and investigative journalism within the EU and its neighbourhood;
Amendment 195 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph r
Paragraph r
r) to engagintensify the cooperation between the East StratCom Task Force and all the EU institutions, Member States and like-minded partners; to engage for instance the EU Representations inside the EU, and the EU Delegations outside the EU, in supporting theits work of the East StratCom Task Force, including by providing translations of their publications in local languages;
Amendment 205 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph s
Paragraph s
s) to focus on the accession countries and partners in the EU neighbourhood, which are often on the front line in terms of exposure to Russian propaganda; to prioritize notably the development of a long term strategic approach and outreach towards Eastern Partnership countries, focusing on people-to-people exchanges, and working with existing civil society networks that already represent a source of community-based resilience;
Amendment 46 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas respect for and the promotion, indivisibility and safeguarding of the universality of human rights, as well as the promotion of democratic principles and values are the cornerstones of the EU’s ethical and legal acquis and its common security and defenceforeign and security policy (CFSP); whereas the EU should continue to strive to be a leading player in the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including at via multilateral levelcooperation, in particular through an active and constructive role in diverse UN bodies;
Amendment 83 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the vital and central role played by human rights defenders and NGOs in promoting and supporting the application of the fundamental rights enshrined in the core international human rights treaties; underlines, in this respect, the importance of the EU’s capacity to maintain support, through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and European Endowment for Democracy (EED) for human rights defenders and NGOs in situations where they are most at risk, while devoting special attention to the ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism;
Amendment 89 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the EU’s active participation in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which has seen it sponsor and co-sponsor resolutions, issue statements, intervene in interactive dialogues and debates, and call for special sessions on the situation regarding human rights; recognises the EU’s commitments to addressing country situations in the UNHRC; stresses the importance of the EU’s engagement in dialogues and cooperation on human rights at a multilateral level; fully supports the UNHRC’s activities and engagement when defending human rights worldwide;
Amendment 91 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Praises the work done by the EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights (EUSR), Stavros Lambrinidis, in increasing the effectiveness, cohesion and visibility of human rights in EU foreign policy and recalls its request for this mandate to be made permanent; welcomes the recent approach on the EU’s Good Human Rights Stories initiative, which focuses on the best practices employed by various countries; calls once more for a revision of the mandate, so as to grant the EUSR own-initiative powers, adequate resources and the ability to speak publicly in order to report on achievements of visits to third countries and to communicate the EU's positions on human rights topics;
Amendment 100 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2017 and notes that it was adopted much earlier this year, in line with Parliament’s expectations expressed in the previous reports; asks that the Council continues its efforts to finalise these annual reports earlier in the year; encourages the Council to ensure that the adoption of the next annual report is based on an adequate consultation process; considers the annual report to be an indispensable tool for scrutiny, communication and debate on the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy in the world;
Amendment 105 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates the importance of an overview of key positive and negative trends in order to evaluate the efficiency of the EU’s actions; considers, in this sense, that more thorough public reporting, where appropriate, based in particular on the priorities and indicators identified in the EU’s human rights country strategies, inter alia, would encourage greater consistency in implementing human rights conditionality clauses and assessing and adjusting the human rights impact of EU policies;
Amendment 110 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Acknowledges that the EU Human Rights Dialogues (HRDs) constitute a valuable mixed diplomacy tool for the promotion of human rights and democracy in bilateral relations with third countries; notes, however, the enduring obstacles to the achievement of concrete results via HRDs, such as the prevalence of double standards, a or lack of a unified stance and divergent interests among the Member States; calls on the Commission to seek ways to make human rights dialogues more effective and meaningful and to react swiftlycomplement them when they are not constructive, by utilising political dialogue or public diplomacy, in order to keep human rights concerns high on the political agenda; encourages the Commission to use clear benchmarks for the purposes of evaluating the success of each dialogue; advises the EU institutions, moreover, to provide adequate training on human rights and democracy for EU delegation officials and staff;
Amendment 143 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Denounces the fact that media freedom had nevers been sovery threatened as it was in 2017; reiterates the importance of freedom of expression, both online and offline, as it fosters a culture of pluralism; strongly condemns the threats, intimidation and attacks against journalists, independent media, bloggers and whistle-blowers, as well as hate speech, defamation laws and incitements to violence occurring mostly in authoritarian and semi-authoritarian regimes, as they constitute a threat to the rule of law and the values embodied by human rights; believes that the free expression of legitimate and peaceful grievances must be allowed;
Amendment 165 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Acknowledges that the open internet and technological advances have enabled human rights abuses to be reported more swiftly; criticises the attempts by some governments to control mass communication tools; is concerned at the prevalence of fake news and disinformation generated by state and non- state actors in 2017, which may have contributed to the spreading of anti-human rights narratives, limited access to free, accurate and impartial information, incited violence, hatred or discrimination against certain groups or individuals, and affected the outcomes of elections;
Amendment 169 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reaffirms that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, and the rights to apostasy and to espouse atheistic views, must be enhanced unconditionally through interreligious and intercultural dialogue; condemns the persecution of and attacks against ethnic and religious groups in 2017; deplores the attempts by state and non-state actors to limit freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression by adopting and implementing blasphemy laws, among other means; requests that further action be taken to protect religious minorities, non-believers and atheists, including the victims of blasphemy laws, and calls for the EU and its Member States to increase their engagement in political discussions to repeal such laws; supports the EU’s efforts torequests concrete action towards the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, including by ensuring the systematic and consistent training of EU staff at headquarters and in delegations; supports fully the EU practice of taking the lead on thematic resolutions on freedom of religion and belief at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA); supports fully the work of the EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, Mr Ján Figel;
Amendment 188 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly condemns all heinous crimes and human rights violations committed by state and non-state actors, such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and ISIS/Daesh in Syria and Iraq; is horrified at the vast range of crimes committed, including murder, torture, rape, enslavement and sexual slavery, the recruitment of child soldiers, forced religious conversions and the systematic killing of religious minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and others; urges the EU and its Member States to fight crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice; calls for the EU to provide support for organisations that collect, keep and protect evidence – digital or otherwise – of the crimes committed by any parties to these conflicts, in order to facilitate their prosecution at an international level; supports the key role played by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in cases where the states concerned are unable or unwilling to exercise their jurisdiction; calls on all the signatories of the Rome Statute to coordinate and cooperate with the ICC; reiterates its call for the VP/HR to appoint an EUSR on International Humanitarian Law and International Justice with a mandate to promote, mainstream and represent the EU’s commitment to the fight against impunity;
Amendment 205 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Deeply regrets the lack of respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) and expresses its strong condemnation of the deadly attacks that were carried out with such alarming frequency against hospitals, schools and other civilian targets in armed conflicts around the world in 2017; believes that the international condemnation of attacks must be backed up by independent investigations and genuine accountability; commends the work done by aid workers when delivering humanitarian aid; calls on the Member States, the EU institutions and the VP/HR to ensure that EU policies and actions relating to IHL are developed coherently and effectively and to use all the instruments at their disposal to address this matter; concludes that more detailed reporting by the EU and its Member States on the implementation of the Guidelines on Promoting Compliance with International Humanitarian Law in specific conflict situations should have been made available, not least the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy; calls on the international community to set up instruments to minimise the warning- response gap in order to prevent the emergence, re-emergence and escalation of violent conflict, such as the EU’s early warning system;
Amendment 226 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Stresses that the EU should continue to actively support democratic and effective human rights institutions and civil society in their efforts to promote democratisation; welcomes, in this context, the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent efforts to promote democracy and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods of the EU;
Amendment 227 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Recalls that the experience gained and lessons learned from transitions to democracy within the framework of enlargement and neighbourhood policy could contribute positively to the identification of best practices that could be used to support and consolidate other democratisation processes worldwide; expresses its conviction that the revised European neighbourhood policy should continue to have the promotion of human rights and democratic principles at its core; reiterates the fact that the promotion of human rights and democracy are in the interest of both partner countries and the EU;
Amendment 228 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21 c. Considers that development cooperation and the promotion of human rights and democratic principles should go hand in hand;recalls, in this context, that the UN has stated that without a human rights-based approach, development goals cannot be fully achieved; recalls, in addition, that the EU has committed to supporting partner countries, taking into account their development situation and their progress as regards human rights and democracy;
Amendment 265 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Welcomes the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; reiterates the importance of its efficient implementation by both the Member States and the EU institutions; stresses, in particular, the need to mainstream credibly the principle of universal accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities in all relevant EU policies, including in the area of development cooperation, and underlines the prescriptive and horizontal nature of this issue; calls for the EU to incorporate the fight against discrimination on grounds of disability in its external action and development aid policies;
Amendment 281 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. CExpresses profound concern at and solidarity with the large number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as the victims of conflicts, persecution, governance failures and illegal migration, trafficking and smuggling networks; stresses the urgent need to tackle the root causes of migration flows and therefore to address the external dimension of the refugee crisis, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in our neighbourhood by developing cooperation and partnerships with the third countries concerned; calls on the EU and its Member States to establish full transparency as regards the funds allocated to third countries for cooperation on migration and to ensure that such cooperation should not benefit, either directly or indirectly, security, police and justice systems involved in human rights violations; warns against the instrumentalisation of EU foreign policy as ‘migration management’ and emphasises that all attempts to work with third countries on migration must go hand in hand with improving human rights conditions within these countries; calls on the Commission to continue to treat the protection and promotion of the rights of migrants and refugees as aone of its priorityies in its policies; insists on the need to develop and better implement protection frameworks for migrants and refugees; calls for the European Parliament to have oversight of migration agreements;
Amendment 308 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to explore ways and means for the EU to accede unilaterally to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child considering that all EU Member States have ratified the UNCRC and primary and secondary EU law contains substantive provisions regarding the protection of the rights of the child;
Amendment 316 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Encourages all countries, including the Member States, and the EU toNotes the engagement in the negotiations to adopt a legally binding international human rights instrument for transnational corporations and other companies with respect to human rights, through active participation in the UN- established open-ended intergovernmental working group; welcomes the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and calls for their universal application; recognises the major importance of the UN Global Compact and the National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights; encourages companies to exercise due diligence; calls on all countries to swiftly implement the UNGPs and guarantee that businesses in their jurisdictions abide by human rights and social labour standards; encourages all countreaffirms, moreover, the importance of promoting corporate social responsibility and of European enterprises to tackle companies which use raw materials or other commodities originating from conflict zones; reiterates its call to include the rules of corporate liability for human rights violations into trade and investment agreementplaying a leading role in promoting international standards on business and human rights; acknowledges that global value chains contribute to enhancing international core labour, environmental and social standards, and represent an opportunity for sustainable progress, especially in developing countries; encourages all countries to address companies which use raw materials or other commodities originating from conflict zones; emphasises that the victims of business- related human rights abuses should be guaranteed effective access to remedies;
Amendment 326 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers GSP+ trade schemes to be one of the main EU trade policy instruments for promoting democracy, human rights and environmental standards with third countries; calls on the Commission to review and better monitor GSP+ schemes in order to ensure that human rights standards are upheld by beneficiary countries;
Amendment 342 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Strongly condemns all forms of discrimination, including that carried out on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other status; is alarmed by the many manifestations of racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance and a lack of political representation for the most vulnerable groups, such as ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, the LGBTI community, women and children; calls for the EU to enhance its efforts to eradicate, without distinction, all forms of discrimination and to promote awareness, a culture of tolerance and inclusion, and special protection for the most vulnerable groups by means of human rights and political dialogues, the work of EU delegations and public diplomacy; calls on all countries to ensure that their respective institutions provide effective legal protection within their jurisdictions;
Amendment 284 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 e (new)
Paragraph 17 e (new)
17e. Emphasises that strengthening regional security in the Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to the interests of the EU and its Member States; stresses that all disputes should be settled through peaceful means based on international laws; takes note that official dialogue between China and Taiwan has been frozen over the past two years; encourages a quick resumption of bilateral talks to de-escalate tensions between the two sides and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; reiterates its firm support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, mechanisms and activities;
Amendment 14 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas, if differentiated integration can be a pragmatic solution to push forward European integration, it should be used with parsimony and within narrowly defined limits because of the risk of fragmentation of the Union and of its institutional framework; whereas the end goal of differentiated integration should be to promote inclusion of Member States and not exclusion;
Amendment 34 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that differentiated integration should reflect the idea that Europe does not work on a one-size fits all approach and should adapt to the needs and wishes of its citizens; Believes that differentiation should be used as a constitutional tool to ensure flexibility without undermining the general interest of the Union and the equality of rights and opportunities between citizens; reiterates that differentiation should be conceived only as a temporary step on the way towards more effective and integrated policy making;
Amendment 40 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that Parliament believes that differentiated integration must remain open to all Member States and continue to act as an example of deeper European integration, not as a way to facilitate ‘à la carte’ solutions’ that threaten to undermine the Union method and EU's institutional system;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that, if the intergovernmental approach may be needed sometimes to start new European projects, it has to remain an exception;
Amendment 56 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Demands that opt-outs from the Treaty provisions should not be permissibleRecalls its proposal 1a that the next revision of the Treaties rationalises differentiation by ending, or at least drastically reducing, the practice of opt- outs and exceptions for individual Member States at Union primary-law level, as they lead to negative differentiation in Union primary law and distort the homogeneity of Union law; _________________ 1a P8_TA-PROV(2017)0048, §10
Amendment 63 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 67 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. SuggeInsists that full membership wof the EU should require full compliance with Union primary law and all the policy areas whereas associated membership would entail the participation in certain policies only and would not be fully integrated into the EU decision-making process; Believes that the associated membership should be accompanied by obligations corresponding to the associated rights, as for example a contribution to the EU budget and should be conditional to the respect of the Union’s fundamental values and to the four freedoms;
Amendment 73 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges that some transitional periods can be necessary for fullnew members on an exceptional and temporary basis only; insists that some clear and enforceable legal provisions should be introduced in order to avoid their perpetuation in time;
Amendment 74 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Reminds its recommendation 1a to define a partnership in order to set up a ring of partners around the EU for states which cannot or will not join the Union, but want nonetheless a close relationship with the EU; _________________ 1a P8_TA(2017)0048, §11
Amendment 90 #
2018/2093(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 12 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that trade liberalisation is notcan have positive, per se, effects in terms of reducing poverty and inequalities, and that it can even havepotential negative effects on sustainable development if it is notshould be addressed properly by regulatedion; underlines, in this context, the potential of the WTO as an efficient rules-based multilateral negotiating forum which provides a platform for open discussion on global trade-related issues; insists that the EU should continue to promote the democratisation of the WTO;
Amendment 27 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reiterates its call on the EU to ensure that its activities with developing countries, both in the field of development and trade, are based on a balanced framework among equal partners, are aligned with the principle of Policy Coherence for Development established in Article 208 TFUE, and are aimed at the promotion and respect of human rights;
Amendment 33 #
2018/2080(INI)
Recital 10
(10) Whereas provisions should be laid down regarding the officials and servants of the Ombudsman´s secretariat which will assist him and the budget thereof; whereas the seat of the Ombudsman should be that of the seat of the European Parliament;
Amendment 77 #
2018/2080(INI)
Article 13
The seat of the Ombudsman shall be that of the seat of the European Parliament.
Amendment 3 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges the increase in commitment appropriations for Heading 4, although notes that most of that increase is due to the larger contribution toward the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRiT); underlines that given the multiple challenges the EU is facing on the international scene, external action can only be credible if enough resources are provided;
Amendment 5 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NotesIs concerned that the draft budget completely exhausts the margins for Heading 4, leaving the Union very little room for manoeuvre in the event of unforeseen external crises;
Amendment 13 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the need for sufficient funding for the Western Balkans and regrets, in this regard, the proposal to cut the allocation for political reform in the Western Balkans by EUR 10 million; requests for this trend to be reversed, taking into account that political reforms are the backbone of any democratic transformation and implicitly of the EU accession process;
Amendment 36 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to continue to provide increased support to Ukraine and Tunisia; calls for more funding in support of the stabilisation of Libya; calls for increased support for political reforms and democratic processes in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 59 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Calls for additional funds for the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, given its significant role in crisis response, crisis preparedness, conflict prevention and peace-building;
Amendment 60 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Welcomes the integration of the European Defence Industrial Programme in the 2019 draft budget; considers that, together with the on-going preparatory action for the EU defence research, this programme will contribute to the development of a European defence industry;
Amendment 30 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU and its Member States remain collectively the single largest financial contributor to the UN; whereas EU contributions to the UN should be more visible;
Amendment 40 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas peace and security, human rights and development are inseparable and mutually reinforcing;
Amendment 43 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
E c. whereas to respond successfully to global crises, threats and challenges requires an efficient multilateral system, founded on universal rules and values;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas the promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of multilateralism and a central pillar of the UN system; whereas the EU has a strong position that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and inter-related;
Amendment 49 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to actively support the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) three pillar reform agenda with the aim of making the UN system truly coordinated, efficient, effective, integrated, transparent and accountable; to support the streamlining of the peace and security structure, which needs to become more efficient, focused and operational;
Amendment 53 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to support the UNSG’s efforts in making a substantial change in order to align the UN development system with the priorities of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make it fit for the purpose of better supporting their implementation;
Amendment 118 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) to recall EU’s commitment to implementing the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), preventing and halting human rights violations in the context of atrocities; to continue to support efforts to further operationalise R2P and UN actions of assisting countries in the implementation of R2P in order to uphold human rights, the rule of law and international humanitarian law;
Amendment 292 #
Amendment 294 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point -z b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point -z b (new)
(-zb) to ensure that the EU and the UN continue to play a major role in implementing the UN 2030 Agenda with a view to eradicating poverty and generating collective prosperity, addressing inequalities, creating a safer and more just world, and combatting climate change and protecting the natural environment;
Amendment 295 #
2018/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point -z c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point -z c (new)
(-zc) to pursue its efforts of achieving policy coherence for development across all EU policies, which is crucial for achieving the SDGs, and to push also at the UN level for greater policy coherence in accordance with Goal 17;
Amendment 18 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas the political climate in Libya is characterised by a deep mistrust between the main political and military actors from different regions;
Amendment 49 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to ensure the strongest support for the UN Action Plan for Libya presented in September 2017 by the UN Special Representative Ghassan Salamé, for the stabilisation of Libya and for an inclusive national reconciliation process; to continue to cooperate closely with the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL); to strongly condemn any attempt at undermining the UN-led peace process and urge all actors to join the diplomatic track;
Amendment 63 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to further reflect on and discuss within the EU institutions how better to address all aspects of the Libyan conflict and how to put in place an effective comprehensive approach towards the country, including by devoting greater attention to local dynamics, and to show unity of purpose and initiative among all institutions and the Member States in order to ensure coherence of the measures by all actors involved and avoid isolated activities that are less likely to improve the situation on the ground;
Amendment 71 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to continue to emphasise that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis and to reaffirm the need for all parties and armed groups in Libya to refrain from violent rhetoric and from the use of violence, and to demobilise and commit to a peaceful solution to the conflict, thus avoiding further damage and loss of life; considers that negotiations should serve to unify the Libyan forces from all regions in order to build a civilian- controlled national security architecture particularly since security issues lie at the heart of disagreements over the future of the country, and should lead to the signing of a protocol that commits all armed groups to renouncing the use of force and violence, and the withdrawal of all heavy weapons from the cities; believes that the signing of such a protocol should bring about economic and financial incentives and prompt the signatories to work towards building the new institutions of state;
Amendment 74 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) to intensify diplomatic efforts with all local actors in order to work for a number of regional ceasefires, which ideally will be culminating in a country- wide ceasefire, which is the precondition for any successful stabilisation efforts;
Amendment 81 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to intensify cooperation with all international organisations and other actors on the ground in order to strengthen the coherence and convergence of international action since too many competing initiatives create confusion among Libyan actors and could be manipulated by different factions; to step up diplomatic efforts with all regional actors and neighbouring countries, especially Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt, to ensure they contribute to a positive solution to the crisis in Libya in line with the UN Action Plan – the only possible framework for a solution to the crisis; to support the holding of a National Conference inside Libya with the objective of achieving an agreement between the different Libyan parties on the next steps to complete the transition;
Amendment 85 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) to support efforts of the United Nations in the organisation of a constitutional referendum and elections for a permanent government; to make sure that an agreement on a transitional arrangement is adopted before the elections in order to rebuild trust and thus strengthen the international and national new government's legitimacy;
Amendment 111 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) to further encourage the Libyan authorities and institutions to work towards improving the living conditions of all Libyans, to enhance the economic governance of the country, to resolve the liquidity crisis, and to implement the necessary financial and economic reforms requested by the international financial institutions to help economic recovery and stabilisation; to urge the Libyan authorities to ensure that natural resources are exploited for the benefit of the whole population, including at the local level; to help the Libyan authorities to fight against the criminalisation of the economy;
Amendment 118 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) to accelerate efforts regarding the UNHCR emergency evacuation mechanism funded by the EU that has allowed around 1000 most vulnerable refugees in need of protection to be evacuated from Libya; encourage the Libyan counterparts to expand the current number of nationalities which Libya currently allows UNHCR to work with;
Amendment 131 #
2018/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(ja) to further develop its efforts against all acts of people smuggling and human trafficking into, through and from the Libyan territory and off the coast of Libya which undermines the process of stabilisation of Libya and endangers the lives of thousands of people; in that sense to ensure continuity of EU contribution to countering these problems by assisting Libyan counterparts in building the long- needed capacity to secure its land and sea borders and engaging with the Libyan authorities to put in place a comprehensive border management strategy;
Amendment 41 #
2018/2005(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Insists on the inclusion of strong provisions to tackle tax evasion and avoidance in EU FTAs and preferential trade regimes;
Amendment 61 #
2018/2005(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes the EU external investment plan with the aim to foster sustainable growth, investment and job creation inside developing countries; calls for an expansion of the current EIB external lending mandate, to increase its role in achieving sustainable development –through blending, co-financing of projects and local private sector development– with a focus on least- developed countries and fragile states;
Amendment 63 #
2018/2005(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Welcomes the Commission’s “Aid for Trade” updated 2017 strategy aiming to strengthen and modernise EU support to developing countries; stresses that more efforts are necessary in order to help developing countries, especially LDCs, achieve prosperity through trade and investments and support their efforts towards realizing the SDGs;
Amendment 1 #
2018/0358M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses regret at the fact that no human rights impact assessment was carried out by the EU prior to the launching of negotiations; reaffirms in the strongest possible terms that thNotes the lack of a human rights impact assessment by the European Commission prior to the launching of negotiations; acknowledges that the Commission responded to calls for a separate human rights impact assessment by conducting talks with stakeholders and subsequently drawing up a detailed document1a discussing in depth the FTA and IPA human rights and sustainability implications; stresses the importance of the implementation of the FTA and IPA and calls for swift adoption of the flanking measures identified in this area; recalls that an accurate assessment of the impacts of the EU-Vietnam FTA and IPA agreements will be made during the ex- post evaluation that will be pcartries to the Investment Protection Agreement (d out by the Commission, including through an extensive consultation of stakeholders; reaffirms in the strongest terms that the parties to the IPA) and thes well as investors protected by it must abide bythe IPA must respect all international human rights standards and obligations, in addition to those arising from domestic laws; reiterates its calls on the European Commission to carry out independent human rights impact assessments and undertakeconduct prior consultation with the individuals and communities which couldo may be affected by trade and investment agreements before the conclusion of future agreements; __________________ 1a Commission Staff Working Document, Human Rights and Sustainable Development in the EU-Vietnam Relations with specific regard to the to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, SWD(2016)21 final, 26.1.2016.
Amendment 4 #
2018/0358M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that the protections afforded to investors are outpacing the development of investor responsibilities; underlines, in this regard, the importance of an independent monitoring and complaint mechanism that can be utilised by the populations affected and that has the authority to provide for binding rulings with regard to theregarding the potential negative impact ofthat trade and investments agreements may have on human rights; further calls foron the EU and Vietnam to take a leading role in addressing this issue at a multilateral level, by taking an active part in UN through active participation in constructive negotiations at the UN for a legally binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights lawat global level, the activities of multitransnational corporations and other business enterprises;
Amendment 5 #
2018/0358M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Parties to protect civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders which seek; takes the view that investment and trade agreements provide an opportunity to address the harmful respercussions of tradect of human rights in Vietnam, notably by providing and investment agreements for human rights and safeguard the environment from any attacks that might ensue; stitutional framework for systematically raising these issues; calls on the Commission and Member States to use these opportunities fully in order to improve the human rights situation in Vietnam;
Amendment 8 #
2018/0358M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises that the Investment Court System (ICS) marks an improvement from the current bexisting Bilateral iInvestment tTreaties between 21 EU Member States and Vietnam; welcomes the use of UNCITRAL transparency rules from the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in dispute settlement provisions; emphasises that the protection of legitimate public policy decisions and the right to regulate must not be challenged by investorsbe ensured during the implementation of the agreement; insists on regular monitoring and reporting back to the European Parliament on how European investors make use of the ICS.the use of this provision by European investors;
Amendment 1 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Recalls that the EU and its Member States are among the top donors in Vietnam and the largest grant donor;
Amendment 2 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1 a. Stresses that open trade is a driver of prosperity by deepening economic ties; takes the view that the FTA and IPA will benefit Vietnam, as trade and investment fuel continued economic growth, bringing the country closer to its target of becoming an advanced industrialised economy;
Amendment 3 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 b (new)
Paragraph -1 b (new)
-1 b. Reminds that the EU’s trade policy promotes its values and respect for human rights; stresses that opening up of the economic space should go hand in hand with improvements of the political life and the human rights situation in Vietnam;
Amendment 5 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. UrgWelcomes the EU and Vietnam to use the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to, inter alia, help toinstitutional framework and procedures under the EU- Vietnam PCA and FTA which will provide the EU with an enhanced basis for actively promoting respect for human rights and sustainable development in its relations with Vietnam; urges the EU and Vietnam to make full use of the provisions in the FTA in order to contribute to the strengthening of human rights in Vietnam; reiterates the importance of athe well- developed bilateral EU- and Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue; recalls the EUnion’s commitment, under its Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, to include human rights in its impact assessments, as and when they are carried out, including for trade agreements that have a significant economic, social and environmental impacts;
Amendment 7 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of theWelcomes the inclusion of a robust, comprehensive and binding chapter on tTrade and sSustainable dDevelopment, dealing in an integrated manner with labour and environmental matters in the context of the Union’s trade relations with Vietnam; underlines the importance of this chapter in contributing to the strengthening of labour rights and environmental standards, including corporate responsibility and fair and ethical trade; notes, in this regard, that the ratification and implementation of core International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions is key to ensuring that the FTA does not cLO conventions is key to ensuring the FTA does not contribute to a race to the bottom; notes the steps taken by Vietnam regarding the drawing up of a revised version of its Labour Code, as well as the expected ratification of ILO Convention no. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining in 2019; takes the view that advancing swiftly on these issues will demonstribute to a ate Vietnam’s commitment to workers rights and provide reassurance to the bottoms that the country will comply with the labour obligations contained in the EU-Vietnam FTA; urges therefore the Vietnamese Ggovernment to commit to a speedyspeed up the reform of its labour code including the ratification and implementation of the outstanding core ILO cConventions and establis, with a clear timetable for its progress, prior to the European Parliament’s ratification of the FTA; calls on the Commission to monitor closely and keep the Parliament regularly informed about developments in this area;
Amendment 8 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the importance of the full involvement of civil society organisations (CSOs) for the purposes ofWelcomes the introduction of provisions ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in the decision-making process; emphasises the importance of full involvement of CSOs in implementing and monitoring the provisions of the FTA; urges both parties to initiate the requisitebegin the necessary procedures to establish the Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) as soon as possible; notes that the DAG must be genuinely representative of civil society and, includeing participants that representing organisations advocating the advancement of human rights, labour rights and environmental protection; welcomes the Commission’s readiness to step up support for civil society during the implementation of the FTA with Vietnam, as well as its intention to enhance technical and logistical support to DAGs and other mechanisms of civil society participation as this will be crucial for ensuring transparency and their meaningful involvement;
Amendment 9 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls its concern atwith the general human rights situation in Vietnam, as well as with the increasingly restrictive approach of the Vietnamese authorities with regard to the freedom of expression and other freedoms; recalls the close linksage between the FTA and the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) andPCA and stresses that making improvements of human rights should be a central element of the EU’s engagement with Vietnam; urges the Commission to use all available tools in the aAgreements, including suspension when needed, to protect and promote fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 3 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. RecallsHighlights that for over fifty years the European Union and Morocco have built a rewarding and multi-faceted partnership; recalls furthermore that Morocco isbecame a privileged EU partner in the Southern Neighbourhood, with which the EU has built up a strong and broadategic partnership that covers political, economic and social aspects, but alsoas well as security and migration;
Amendment 15 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that it is important for this agreement to give guarantees regarding respect for international law, including human rights, in the territories concerned; underlines that the extension of the Agreement to cover products from the Southern Provinces, could serve as a lever for improving socio-economic and human rights standards in the region;
Amendment 33 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that this agreement does not imply recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and that the EU’s position remains that of supporting UN efforts to secure a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable settlement of the Western Sahara conflict, on the basis of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people and in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions; reiterates, therefore, its full support to the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr Horst Köhler, in helping the parties to achieve this settlement, which can only bolster the Association Agreement politically and legally;
Amendment 37 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recalls the right to development of the population living in the Southern Provinces and highlights the positive long-term implications of the Association Agreement on the socio-economic development of the territory; stresses therefore that persistent legal uncertainty can only undermine the socio-economic and political growth;
Amendment 51 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that during inclusive consultations led by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) with a wide varietyrange of Western Saharan local representatives, civil society organisations and other organisations and bodiepolitical and socio-economic actors, civil society organisations, notably those working in the field of human rights, broad support was expressed for the socio-economic benefits the proposed tariff preferences would bring;
Amendment 59 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses, as stated in the European Commission report, that all reasonable and feasible steps have been taken to inquire about the consent of the population concerned, through these inclusive consultations;
Amendment 62 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Underlines that throughout the consultation process, the Commission and the EEAS maintained regular contacts with the team of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara to ensure that the proposed agreement supports UN efforts to achieve a lasting settlement;
Amendment 64 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Calls on the EU to step-up efforts to foster regional cooperation between the Maghreb countries, which can only have tremendous positive implications for the region and beyond;
Amendment 66 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4 d. Points to the strategic need for the EU to closer engage and foster its ties with the countries in the Maghreb region; and in this context views the extension of the Association Agreement as a logical component of this strategy;
Amendment 71 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes good note of the exchange of letters and acknowledges the efforts of the Commission and the EEAS in trying, within the remit of their competences, to evaluate the benefit for the population and to ascertain their consent to this agreement; stresses, nevertheless, that more could be done to improve the traceability of products coming from Western Saharanotes that the agreement provides for a mutual and regular exchange of information between the European Union and Morocco concerning the products coming from the territories covered by the Association Agreement; invites the Commission services, therefore, to engage further with the Moroccan authorities to improve this aspect, notably in order to produce clear and reliable statistics.in order to produce clear statistics and on a regular basis;
Amendment 109 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Commission and the Member States should ensure compliance, coherence, and complementarity of their assistance, in particular through regular consultations and frequent exchanges of information during the different phases of the assistance cycle. The necessary steps should also be taken to ensure better coordination and complementarity, including through regular consultations, with other donors. The role of civil society should be enhanced both in programmes implemented through government bodies and as a direct beneficiary of Union assistance. It should be in particular ensured, in line with the principle of inclusive partnership, that civil society and local authorities play a meaningful role in the design, implementation and monitoring phases.
Amendment 204 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The enlargement policy framework defined by the European Council and the Council, the agreements that establish a legally binding relationship with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, as well as relevant resolutions of the European Parliament, communications of the Commission or joint Communications of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall constitute the overall policy framework for the implementation of this regulation. The Commission shall ensure coherence between the assistance and the enlargement policy framework, with appropriate involvement of the EEAS during the programming and management cycle of this Regulation.
Amendment 342 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point g
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) Strengthening access to and quality of education, training and lifelong learning at all levels, and offering support to cultural and creative sectors. Interventions in this area shall aim at: promoting equal access to quality early-childhood education and care, primary and secondary education, improving the provision of basic skills; increasing educational attainment levels, reducing early school-leaving and reinforcing teachers’ training; empowering children and youth and enabling them to reach their full potential. Developing vocational education and training (VET) systems and promoting work-based learning systems to facilitate the transition to the labour market; improving the quality and relevance of higher education; encouraging alumni related activities; enhancing access to lifelong learning and supporting investment in education and training infrastructure particularly with a view to reducing territorial disparities and fostering non-segregated education and including through the use of digital technologies.
Amendment 355 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) Promoting social protection and inclusion and combating poverty. Interventions in this area shall aim at modernising social protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and adequate protection throughout all stages of a person’s life, fostering social inclusion, promoting equal opportunities and addressing inequalities and poverty. Interventions in this area shall also focus on: integrating marginalised communities such as the Roma; combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services, such as early childhood education and care, including promoting the transition from institutional to family and community based care, housing, healthcare and essential social services and long term care, including through the modernisation of social protection systems.
Amendment 837 #
2018/0243(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Multiannual programmes may provide for an amount of funds, not exceeding 5 % of the total amount, that is not allocated to a priority area or partner country or group of countries.Those funds shall be committed in accordance with Article 21.
Amendment 917 #
2018/0243(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Before adopting action plans and measures not based on programming documents pursuant to Article 19(2), except for cases referred to in Article 19 (3) and (4), the Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 34 supplementing this Regulation by setting out the specific objectives to be pursued, the results expected, the instruments to be used, the main activities and the indicative financial allocations of these action plans and measures.
Amendment 119 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. WelcomesTakes notes of Ukraine’'s intention to amend the law on education in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission and calls for a swift translation into concrete actions; deplores the effects of the current state of the law on national minorities, as it foresees the reduction of scope of instruction in mother tongue at the secondary education level;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Warmly welcomes the progress made in implementing the Association Agreement and calls on the Georgian authorities to keep up the momentum and to ensure stability, further democratic reforms and economic improvements as a key factor in winning hearts and minds on the path towards re-establishing Georgia’s sovereignty over the whole of its internationally recognised territory and towards reinforcing cooperation between the European Union and Georgia;
Amendment 73 #
2017/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the democratic strengthening of Georgia’s political institutions and is dedicated to assisting in this area, notably through the capacity- building programme for the Georgian Parliament; underlines the importance of pursuing an ambitious reform agenda aimed at the depoliticization of state institutions, at annihilating informal governance and at strengthening the rule of law;
Amendment 116 #
2017/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with satisfaction Georgia’s results in fighting corruption; commends Georgia’s continued implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Action Plan; calls on Georgia to ensure that the Anti-Corruption Agency is separated from the State Security Service; stresses, nevertheless, that fight against corruption and independence of justice need to go hand in hand and that a solid track record of investigations into high-level cases of corruption is yet to be established;
Amendment 136 #
2017/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the progress of the judicial reform; calls for more transparency of the judicial system and for further improvements to its independence and depoliticization, as well as for the reinforcement of its administrative capacity;
Amendment 189 #
2017/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls the importance of free and independent mass media and a pluralistic media environment as key democratic principles; notes with satisfaction the improvements in Georgia as reflected in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index established by Reporters Without Borders; underlines, nevertheless, that significant challenges remain when it comes to freedom of media and media pluralism, in particular regarding pressure and intimidation of journalists and media owners, as well as regarding politicization of media content;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the importance of the Association Agreement / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA), and welcomes thetakes note of the limited progress achieved by Moldova to date; insists, however, that full implementation of the AA/DCFTA must be a top priority, enabling a further deepening of the country’s relations with the EU, for the benefit of all Moldovan citizens, as well as unlocking additional perspectives in line with the Eastern Partnership Plus (EaP+) policy advocated by Parliament;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Praises the courageous agents for positive change in Moldova, notably those leading the efforts to reform the banking sector following the 2014 bank fraud, which should be pursued; calls on Moldovan politicians and the judiciary as a whole to join in with such efforts to reform the country and fight corruption in line with the AA commitments, as the lack of political will and commitment are some of the main bottlenecks for credible reforms;
Amendment 29 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses grave concern about backsliding in relation to democratic standards in Moldova, with core values, to which Moldova had subscribed notably as part of the AA, such as democracy – including fair and transparent elections respecting the will of the citizens – and the rule of law – including the independence of the judiciary – being undermined by the ruling political leaders colluding with business interests and unopposed by much of the political class and the judiciary, resulting in the Republic of Moldova being a state captured by oligarchic interests; reiterates its determination to focus on the fulfilment of commitments to uphold common values rather than unconvincing so-called ‘geopolitical’ arguments;
Amendment 49 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its position that any decision on future MFA disbursement should only take place after the planned parliamentary elections and on condition that they are conducted in line with internationally recognised standards and assessed by specialised international bodies, and that the payment of all budget support programmes should remain on hold until meaningful progress in democratic standards takes place, as well as in identifying and punishing the responsible persons for the bank fraud; calls, in the meantime, on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to continue reallocating funds to support civil society in Moldova, in particular to the free and independent media, as well as the private sector and local authorities, preferably coordinated with assistance from other EU countries, and to coordinate efforts with other organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to ensure greater coherence in terms of financial assistance conditionality;
Amendment 51 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls, moreover, for any future MFA disbursement, as well as any budget support programme to be equally conditional upon the validation of the 2018 mayoral elections that took place in Chișinău and on the return to a rule of law instead of a rule of an oligarch, return which should include credible reforms in the judiciary sector;
Amendment 71 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Moldovan authorities to swiftly adopt and fully implement thea new audiovisual code in line with European standards of media freedom and pluralism as recommended by the European Commission and the Venice Commission; emphasises the importance of genuine consultations with civil society and the independent media before the final adoption of the new audiovisual code, and the need to discard all aspects that may undermine media pluralism; notes with concern that currently, the media is highly monopolised and subordinate to the country's political and business groups, as according to an Amnesty International report, ownership remains concentrated in the hands of a few individuals;
Amendment 90 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Commends the Moldovan authorities for the incremental improvement of relations with Tiraspol notably with the opening of the Gura Bîcului-Bîcioc bridge and the signature of an additional six protocols, thus improving the lives of citizens on both sides of the Nistru river; encourages the authorities to further build on this level of engagementcooperate in particular with SMEs from Transnistria, to further build on this level of engagement and to make additional efforts in ensuring that human rights, including the right to use the mother tongue, are respected on both sides of the Nistru river; urges the authorities in Chisinau to abide by all ECHR decisions; calls on the Moldovan authorities to undertake additional efforts to ensure a swift and final adoption of the Law of the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia;
Amendment 99 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges the authorities to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and specialised anti-corruption institutions, including the Superior Council of Prosecutors, the National Integrity Authority and the Criminal Assets Recovery Agency, notably through maintaining the allocation of adequate resources and guaranteeing transparent selection procedures with the participation of independent expert recruiters; notes the importance of establishing a solid track record of investigations in corruption cases, including high-level profiles;
Amendment 104 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is deeply concerned with the selective justice practices of the Moldovan judiciary, which remains highly corrupt, demonstrating a servile attitude towards the ruling political and business groups, and being often used as an instrument against political and business opponents; regrets that the Constitutional Court remains highly politicised; urges the Moldovan Government to amend the Constitution, as to guarantee the independence of all judges; reiterates that ensuring the independence of the judiciary is essential to fully implementing the provisions of the AA;
Amendment 115 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its calls, based on the findings and recommendations of the first and second Kroll reports, for a swift prosecution of all those responsible for the USD 1 billion bank fraud unveiled in 2014, as well as the recovery of stolen assets; notes with concern that the investigation into this case has been conducted rather ineffectively and that the Moldovan authorities have only managed to recover a relatively small part of the funds caught in the fraud; deplores the numerous delays in the trial, which for over one year, have less to a person convicted by the first instance court to over 7 years in prison, to avoid serving the sentence in prison, in the absence of a final conviction, as the appeal is being postponed; urges the Moldovan authorities to publish the Kroll report on the bank fraud, so that taxpayers can get information on how their money disappeared;
Amendment 123 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)
Paragraph 11 f (new)
11f. Acknowledges with deep regret that the recent fiscal reforms have been adopted hastily and without any public consultation or a debate in parliament; is concerned that some provisions may seriously undermine the country's efforts to effectively fight corruption, money laundering or fraud; warns that these provisions may lead to a breach of the commitments made within the framework of the AA;
Amendment 139 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls for the efficient implementation of the European Parliament Resolution of 5 July 2018 on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chisinau (2018/2783(RSP)) where it was demanded to the European Commission to suspend budgetary support for Moldova and provided a list of conditions that have to be implemented by the Moldovan authorities;
Amendment 140 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Considers that the EU financial support to Moldova should give priority to new partnership projects, based on the experiences of past such projects, where local authorities are involved in order to receive direct financial assistance; encourages the Moldovan authorities to fully take into account the good practices already developed by some EU Member States in this respect; calls on the Committee of Regions to support this initiative;
Amendment 150 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Underlines the importance of freedom of assembly for the functioning of any democracy; deplores in this context the negative trends that can be observed in this area, notably the limitation of access to demonstrations, intimidation, threats and abuse of violence by the authorities and calls for a strict respect of this fundamental right;
Amendment 153 #
2017/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. CReminds that hate speech, harassment and discrimination against LGBTQI people, persons with disabilities and minorities such as the Roma population remain of great concern; calls on the authorities to significantly step up efforts to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, notably for vulnerable groups, by fighting hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQI people, persons with disabilities and minorities such as the Roma populationeffectively fighting these practices;
Amendment 239 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Stresses that a single instrument cannot exist without the inclusion of clear and dedicated envelopes for the various goals, objectives and priorities of EU external action, including democracy, human rights, the rule of law, support to civil society, conflict resolution, fragiCalls for a streamlining of the EFIs, for example by merging all existing thematic instruments within the Foreign Affairs Committee’s remit (IcSP, PI and the EIDHR) into one single instrument; suggests that such a merger could include the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the budgetised European Development Fund (EDF) without the African Peace Facility (APF), subject to the agreement of the Committee on Development as the committee responsible; states, development policy, economic and social development, and support to countries in various resses, however, that safeguarding the independence of IPA II and ENI, is the best way to enact the EU´s Neighbourhood and Enlargement policies and influence our closesta ges of EU accessionographical and strategic partners;
Amendment 249 #
2017/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Insists that any merger must be conditional on the new thematic instrument being policy driven and the predictability of long-term funding of all programmes being ensured to the greatest extent possible, while introducing a large amount of flexibility; considers, in addition, that the simplified structure calls for proper checks and balances and sufficient transparency, including enhanced strategic policy input and scrutiny of implementation by Parliament; calls for the inclusion of clear and dedicated envelopes for the various goals and objectives of EU external action, including the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, support to civil society, conflict resolution, fragile states, development policy, economic and social development;
Amendment 76 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the new regulations on religious affairs that took effect on 1 February 2018 are more restrictive towards religious groups and activities; whereas religious freedom has reached a new low since the start of the economic reforms and the opening up of China in the late 1970s; whereas Christians have been facing increasing repression in China with both underground and state sanctioned churches being targeted through the harassment and detention of believers, the demolition of churches and the crackdown on Christian gatherings;
Amendment 83 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas no progress has been made in the resolution of the Tibetan crisis in the last few years as the last round of peace talks took place in 2010; whereas the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Tibet has led to an increase of self-immolation cases with a total number of 156 since 2009;
Amendment 87 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas the Chinese authorities security's approach to Tibet is impacting negatively the human rights of Tibetans; whereas the surveillance and control measures have been increasing over the past few years as well as arbitrary detentions, acts of torture and ill- treatment;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reminds that the EU-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is founded on a shared commitment to openness and working together as part of a rules-based international system; stresses that both sides committed to establishing a transparent, just and equitable system of global governance with a central role for the UN in international affairs, sharing the responsibility for promoting peace, prosperity and sustainable development;
Amendment 127 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the EU Member States to urgently and decisively step up collaboration and unity on their China policies, with a view to speaking with one voice including in the UN fora, and strongly suggests taking advantage of Europe’s much greater collective bargaining power with China, and that Europe defends its free democracies so as to better face up to China’s systematic efforts to influence its politicians and civil society, in order to shape an opinion more conducive to China’s strategic interests; is concerned that China is also attempting to influence educational and academic institutions and their curricula; proposes that the EU and the Member States foster high-quality European think tanks on China in order to ensure the availability of independent expert advice for strategic orientations and decision-making;
Amendment 136 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Is worried about the increase of Chinese investment activity in recent years overall in the EU with several high- profile deals and acquisitions in particular in the west in high-tech industries and advanced manufacturing, such as industrial machinery and equipment, automotive industry and electronics; calls therefore on all EU member states receiving such investment to protect European interests, in particular in strategic industries and critical or security-sensitive technologies;
Amendment 140 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Is concerned about the lack of reciprocity and fair competition on issues such as trade and investment in EU- China relations, leading to a highly restricted Chinese market and a much more open European economy; calls therefore on China to open more sectors in its market, such as telecommunications, energy, healthcare and finance, in line with commitments articulated by the Chinese leadership;
Amendment 204 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes with grave concern the shrinking space for civil society, academics, human rights defenders, lawyers and bloggers in China; firmly condemns the harassment, arbitrary arrest and prosecution of human rights defenders without due process including foreign nationals both in mainland China and abroad; regrets the restrictions imposed on NGOs that are inconsistent with the right to freedom of association, opinion and expression;
Amendment 225 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Urges China to review its policies in Tibet, which far from creating stability are only heightening tensions, as highlighted by the over 150 self- immolations in Tibet since 2009; calls for the resumption of a constructive dialogue based on the Middle Way Approach between the Chinese Government and the representatives of the Dalai Lama namely the Central Tibetan Administration; urges China to give EU diplomats, journalists and citizens unfettered access to Tibet in reciprocity to the free and open access to the entire territories of the EU Member States that Chinese travellers enjoy; calls on the Chinese authorities to allow Tibetans in Tibet to travel freely and to respect their right to freedom of movement; urges the EU Institutions to take the issue of access to Tibet into serious consideration in the discussions on the EU-China visa facilitation agreement;
Amendment 230 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Chinese government to investigate the ongoing cases of enforced disappearances, torture and ill- treatment of Tibetans and to respect their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, freedom of religion and belief in line with international human rights standards; urges the Chinese authorities to allow independent observers including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to access Tibet;
Amendment 253 #
2017/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Reminds that as North Korea’s biggest trade partner and main source of food and energy, China remains of instrumental role in addressing North Korea’s globally threatening provocations together with the international community; welcomes therefore China’s recent inclination to uphold some of the international sanctions against Pyongyang, including suspending coal imports from North Korea and restricting financial activities of North Korean individuals and businesses and trade restrictions in textiles and seafood and welcomes Beijing’s efforts to establish dialogue with Pyongyang; urges the EU to speak with unity on China to play a constructive role on supporting the upcoming Inter-Korean summit as well as the North Korea-US summit with a view to actively assisting with the verifiable denuclearization of North Korea and establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula;
Amendment 30 #
2017/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Supports the suggestions of the European Ombudsman on timeliness and transparency of “EU Pilot” pre- infringement cases; calls on the Commission to inform the Committee on Petitions of any significant new step in “EU Pilot” procedures of the investigation and ongoing dialogue with Member States when open petitions are concerned;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to examine thoroughly the petitions, related to quality differences of the same brand food products in different Member States; urges the Commission to put an end to unfair practices and make sure that all consumers are treated equally;
Amendment 73 #
2017/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Welcomes the Commission’s active involvement in improving the monitoring of EU law application; underlines the importance of petition-based fact-finding missions to Member States, organised by the Committee on Petitions, whenever possible and reasonable to improve the investigation of petitioners’ claims and establishing of facts; calls on the Commission to take serious note of the mission reports thereof as an essential source of information for detecting possible breaches of EU law;
Amendment 28 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the EU remains fully committed to multilateralism and the promotion of shared values; whereas the rules-based international order benefits both US and the EU and needs their collaborative support;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the partnership between the US and Europe has been essential for the global economic, political and security order for over seven decades; whereas the transatlantic relationship faces many challenges and has been increasingly put under pressure on many issues since the election of President Trump;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas both US and EU should support the aspirations of the Western Balkans countries to join the transatlantic community; whereas alongside reinforced engagement by the EU, continued US commitment is critical in this respect;
Amendment 83 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned about the diverging views on addressing global issues and regional conflicts that have appeared since the election of President Trump; seeks clarity as to whether the transatlantic relationship, which was defined over decades, still has the same relevance today; stresses that the values-based overarching framework of our partnership is essential to securing the architecture of the global economy and security; underlines that the issues that bring US and EU together ultimately should carry greater weight than what divides them;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Takes the view that addressing Russia's attempts to destabilise and exploit the weaknesses of Western societies requires a joint transatlantic response; believes therefore that the US and the EU should give priority to coordinated actions with respect to Russia, with NATO involvement when appropriate;
Amendment 266 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Commends the strategic focus and invites the US to benhance its involvedment in further joint efforts in the Western Balkans; takes the view that, in the face of regional instability, the EU and US should initiate a new high-level dialogue on the Western Balkans in order to make sure policy goals and assistance programs are in alignment ; stresses that EU and US efforts should focus on strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms and institutions building, with strong emphasis on benchmarks for Rule of Law, which would help the countries of the region to build resilience, avoid democratic back-sliding and reduce the negative influence of external powers;
Amendment 305 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls that the EU is determined to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran as a key pillar of the international non-proliferation architecture, with relevance also for the North Korean question, and as a crucial element for the security and stability of the region; reiterates the need to address more critically Iranian activities related to ballistic missiles and regional stability that are separate from the JCPOA, in the relevant formats and forums; stresses that transatlantic cooperation in addressing this issue is key; criticises strongly President Trump's decision to leave the JCPOA unilaterally and to put extraterritorial measures on EU companies which are active in Iran; underlines the need for Europe to engage with US administration on preventing Iran from going nuclear, curbing the Iranian regime quest for regional hegemony, fighting terrorism, and upholding universal human rights, which are still shared key objectives;
Amendment 337 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that the EU supports the resumption of a meaningful Middle East Peace Process towards a two-state solution and insists that any action that would undermine these efforts must be avoided; points out the need for the US to coordinate with its European partners on its peace efforts in the Middle East; underlines that the question of Jerusalem must be part of a final peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians; stresses that the joint road map should the strengthened;
Amendment 348 #
2017/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates that we have shared interests in Africa where we must intensify our support for good governance, democracy, human rights and security issues; takes the view that better coordination between EU and US, including through enhanced political dialogue and devising joint strategies on Africa, while duly taking into account the views of regional organisations and sub- regional groupings, would lead to more effective actions and use of resources;
Amendment 9 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas, through the Eastern Partnership, the EU and Armenia have based their relations on a shared commitment to international law and fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D (new)
Recital D (new)
D. whereas the geographic location of Armenia between Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East and neighbouring regional powers, notably Russia, Iran and Turkey, is both strategic and challenging; whereas the non-recognition by some of past tragedies - notably the Armenian genocide, the presence of foreign troops in Armenia as well as the protracted conflicts in the South Caucasus, affecting also Azerbaijan and Georgia, pose a major threat to all partners’ security and regional stability; whereas the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict can only be solved peacefully in line with the OSCE 2009 Basic Principles, notably through the efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E (new)
Recital E (new)
E. whereas the EU is Armenia’s main trading partner and first donor, whereas Armenia is also a member of the Eurasian Economic Union thus demonstrating that the European Union does not hold as a prerequisite for partners to choose a deepening of relations with the EU at the expense of their relations with third parties, even if some opportunities - such as a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the EU - were not attainable in this context;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F (new)
Recital F (new)
F. whereas the new agreement sets a new legal basis to reinvigorate the political dialogue and broaden the scope of economic cooperation as well as cooperation in sectors such as energy, transport, infrastructure and the environment; whereas these provisions are expected to have a positive impact on Armenia in terms of promoting democratic standards, economic growth and sustainable development; whereby such prospects are particularly important for Armenia’s youth including through improved education and more job opportunities; whereas both EU and Armenian citizens stand to benefit from increased cooperation;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that significant progress in terms of upholding core values such as the rule of law, defending the independence of the judiciary and delivering results in the fight against corruption, is key to unlocking further prospects, notably that of a possible visa libera; in this respect, looks forward to the EU considering in due course the opening of visa liberalisation dialogue with Armenia, provided that conditions for well-managed and secure mobility are in place, including the effective implementation of visa facilistation dialogue; and readmission agreements between the Parties;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the number of petitions received is modest compared to the EU’s total population; whereas the number nevertheless indicates that EU citizens are aware, and make use, of the right to petition, and expect to draw the attention of the EU institutions to matters which they are concerned about and that fall under the scope of EU competences, through the petition procedure;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas petitions are a useful source of information, among others, with regard to detecting breaches of EU law;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the work of the Committee on Petitions has improved significantly since the introduction of the administrative procedure in 2014 that covers the entire life cycle of a petition with the objective of delivering an efficient and transparent written reply to the petitioner within nine months;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas, to ensure an efficient work of the Committee on Petitions, the unfounded or inadmissible petitions should be closed rapidly and justified to the petitioner in order not to burden the work of the Committee; whereas the administrative procedure to deal with petitions should always be based on the best interest of the petitioners;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the European Citizen’s Initiative is potentially an important tool for strengthening citizens’ participation in the EU political decision-making process and should be exploited fullythat, if used to its full potential, could increase citizens’ trust in the EU institutions and contribute to the construction of a genuine and inclusive European Union;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U a (new)
Recital U a (new)
Ua. whereas the role of the working groups in the Committee on Petitions is to allow for a speedy and efficient processing of the petitions by reporting to the Committee on the progress made; whereas, in that context, their mandate should be very clear and limited in terms of objectives and timing in order not to delay the work of the Committee;
Amendment 50 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Encourages the use of new audio- visual technologies to enable the petitioners to play a greater role in the work of the Committee by participating in real time in the consideration of their petition;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls for a definition of a clear distinction between the status and rights of the petitioners and of their supporters in compliance with transparency principles;
Amendment 61 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reminds the Commission that requests for assistance from the Committee on Petitions should be followed up properly, and reiterates its call on the Commission to improve the quality of its replies including during committee meetings, in substance as well as depth, to ensure that the concerns of European citizens are addressed properly; insists that the Commission identifies the means for enhancing cooperation with Member States’ authorities when it comes to responding to inquiries regarding the implementation of, and compliance with, EU law;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Asks the Commission to inform the Committee on Petitions regularly on developments with regard to ongoing infringement proceedings brought before EU Member States, and to guarantee its timely access to relevant Commission documents on infringements, and to EU pilot procedures pertaining to petitions in this regard; recalls that a better cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and the Commission allows the Parliament to inform the petitioners about the progress made by their petitions in due time;
Amendment 75 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 80 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the anxiety of petitioners concerned about their future rights following the referendum in the United Kingdom on withdrawal from the European Union; supports the Commission’s commitment to fully guarantee the rights of European citizens residing in the United Kingdom during the Brexit negotiations and following its exit from the EU; recalls that the Committee on Petitions has been playing an active role in defending the rights of EU and British citizens by contributing to the Parliament’s resolutions of 10 April 2017 and of 3 October 2017 on the state of play of the negotiations with the United Kingdom following its notification to withdraw from the EU as well as by commissioning a study on the impact of Brexit in relation to the right to petition and on the competences, responsibilities and activities of the Committee on Petitions and by examining the petitions dealing with Brexit and the rights of citizens in its meeting on 21 June 2017;
Amendment 85 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points to the important ongoing work carried out by the Committee on Petitions in connection with petitions pertaining to issues on disabilities, and underlines the willingness of the committee to continue its support to efforts to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities; emphasises that a fact-finding visit to Slovakia took place on 22 and 23 September 2016 to gather information on the issue of the quality of the lives of persons with disabilities who are institutionalised and that the Committee on Petitions recommended to the Commission to look into the situation of investments in institutions for persons with disabilities;
Amendment 94 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points to the committee’s support of the European Citizens’ Initiative; notwelcomes the Commission’s proposal for a revision of the regulation with a view to maintaining its relevance as a tool for democratic participation; invites the Commission to consider Parliament’s substantive input, in particular the opinion of the Committee on Petitions on the European Citizens’ initiative;
Amendment 96 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Regrets that the inter-institutional agreement was not fully respected by the European Commission and that the work calendar of the proposal for a revision of the regulation on the European Citizens 'Initiative did not take into account the principle of sincere and mutual cooperation between EU institutions;
Amendment 111 #
2017/2222(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 44 #
2017/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) to condemn the constant interference of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong internal affairs which might put at risk the long-term viability of the ‘one country, two systems’ model;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to express deep concern about the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee issuing interpretations, whether unsolicited or otherwise, of the Basic Law, preceding court rulings thatwith the objective of disqualifying democratically elected legislators; to point out that this interference raises doubts about the full independence of the judiciary in the individual cases in question and endangers the rule of law in Hong Kong; to recall that the Hong Kong court system and normal judicial process should be the main instrument to resolve disputes;
Amendment 80 #
2017/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
(oa) to encourage and support the regionally coordinated pro-democracy movements as a key tool to foster the Asian cooperation on democracy and human rights issues;
Amendment 89 #
2017/2204(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) to recommend to the legislative Council of Hong Kong to carefully examine the future legislation on the high speed rail in consultation with civil society organisations and the citizens of Hong Kong;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the external and internal dimensions of the fight against terrorism are inter-linked; whereas cutting off the sources of financing of terrorism should be part of an EU broader strategy integrating both external and internal security dimensions;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas there is a need for a preventive strategy based on the exchange of basic information among intelligence agencies involved in combating the financing of terrorism; whereas the financial data are a significant tool to gather intelligence in order to analyse terrorist networks and how to better disrupt their operations;
Amendment 66 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas a number of international non-profit organisations, charities and other foundations, some of them located in Gulf countries, act as a cover for abusive practices; whereas surveillance of these networks, which are often extensive, is therefore vital; whereas their support for the expansion of extremist Salafradicalism in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe cannot be tolerated;
Amendment 83 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas leaked intelligence even suggests that institutions and individuals in the Arabian Gulf are providing financial and logistical support to ISIS/Da’esh and other radical groups, and whereas without this funding many of these terrorist groups would not be self-sufficient;
Amendment 123 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 144 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) recalls that a strengthened political dialogue, an increased financial assistance and a support for counter- terrorism capacity building of EU's partners that are at the front line in the fight against terrorism are of outmost importance;
Amendment 145 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) calls for the reinforcement of the cooperation between Europol and EU's key strategic partners that play a key role in the fight against terrorism worldwide; believes that a closer cooperation would allow to better prevent, detect and respond to terrorism financial hubs;
Amendment 182 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
Amendment 239 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) welcomes the proposal for a regulation on the import of cultural goods and highlights its importance in tackling the illegal import of these goods to finance terrorism; ; calls on the Commission to bring in a traceability certificate for artworks and antiques entering the EU market and originating in territories or places controlled by jihadists; calls on the Member States to establish police units that are specialised in dealing with the trafficking of cultural goods, and to ensure coordination of those units across the Member States; calls on the Member States to make it mandatory for companies involved in art dealing to declare all suspicious transactions, imposing penalties – including criminal penalties, where necessary – for the financing of terrorism through negligence on the owners of companies dealing in art and antiques who become involved in the trafficking of such goods;
Amendment 253 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
(oa) points out the importance of the inclusion of counter-terrorism objectives in the mandates of EU CSDP missions and operations; calls for this practice to be extended to all EU missions and operations and particularly in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East;
Amendment 255 #
2017/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o b (new)
(ob) welcomes the establishment of counter-terrorism experts network in EU delegations; calls for the reinforcement of this network and for its extension to more regions and particularly the Horn of Africa and South-East Asia;
Amendment 7 #
2017/2145(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the implementation by the EEAS of the mandatory 1% reduction of statutory staff continued in 2016;underlines nevertheless the importance of matching the ambitious objectives of the EU external policies defined in the Global Strategy with appropriate resources, both in the Headquarters and in the EU Delegations; draws attention that the effectiveness of the EU action on the ground should not be hampered by an overwhelming workload of the staff, especially in small sized delegations or when a delegation is in charge of more than one country;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2145(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to fulfil their legal obligation to send to the European Parliament, without delay and without requiring requests, all relevant documents related to negotiations on international agreements, including negotiating directives, agreed texts and minutes of each negotiation round in line with Article 218(10) TFEU, according to which the "European Parliament shall be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure"; reminds the Council and the EEAS that, due to the infringement of Article 218(10) in the past, the European Court of Justice has already annulled the Council decisions on the signing and conclusion of several agreements and emphasises that the Parliament's consent on new agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership with Armenia, may also be withheld in the future, until the Council and the EEAS fulfil their legal obligation;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concern the persisting deficiencies in the quality of expenditure verificationweaknesses in the indirect management by audit authorities in some beneficiary countries of the second Instrument for Pre- Accession (IPA II), carried out by the audit authorities in some candidate countries; calls on DG NEAR to closely assist national authorities concerned in overcoming the shortcomings and, more specifically, in improving the training and recruitment of their staff, as well as their audit methodology, supervision and planning;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the ECA’s special report on the “EU Assistance to Tunisia” and takes positive note that, through its funding, the EU made a significant and timely contribution to the democratic transition and to the economic development of the country in a challenging environment; recommends to the Commission to fully implement the recommendations of the ECA, including regarding the “more for more” approach and the need of reducing the number of priorities in order to increase the impact of the EU assistance;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Welcomes equally the ECA’s special report on the “EU support to fight human trafficking in South/South-East Asia”; encourages the Commission, in coordination with the EEAS, to pursue the development of the human trafficking strategic framework, including for South and South-East Asia, and to ensure the consistency of implemented projects with this framework;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is worried by the recent developments in Hungary, where there are serious concerns about the fulfilment of the principles of the Rule of Law and the principles stated in Article 2 TEU, including the functioning of the constitutional system, the independence of the judiciary and of other institutions and the systematic removal of checks and balances, freedom of expression, academic freedom, human rights, the right to equal treatment, social rights, the defence of civil society organisations, the functioning of the constitutional system, the independence of the judiciary and of other institutions;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Deeply regrets the antagonistic and misleading rhetoric sometimes used by the Hungarian institutions referring to the European Union and the deliberate choice of the authorities to put in place legislation directly breaching Union values; recalls the objectives stated in Article 3(1) and (2) TEU that Hungary accepted to attain when joining the Union in 2004;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Believes that if a serious and persistent breach of the rule of law by a Member State has been established, the Commission as the 'guardian of the Treaties' should use every tool at its disposal to defend the fundamental values on which the Union is founded, including the activation of Article 7 TEU; highlights that an appropriate response to the violation of Union fundamental values requires a combination of adequate legal instruments and political will, despite the difficulty to reach a decision in the European Council because of the unanimity requirement;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Emphasises that the infringement procedure has shown its limits in addressing systematic violations of Union values because of its main focus on technical matters which allow governments to propose formal remedies while keeping the laws breaching Union law in force; believes that in the case of the violation of the principle of sincere cooperation embodied in Article 4 TEU, the Commission has no legal obstacle preventing it from building on infringement cases to identify a pattern amounting to a breach of Article 2 TEU;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that its resolution of 25 October 2016 with recommendations to the Commission on the establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights1 asked the Commission to submit by September 2017 a proposal for the conclusion of a Union Pact for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (EU Pact for DRF); notes that this proposal is yet to come; _________________ 1 and that there is an urgent need to set-up an efficient mechanism to safeguard Union's fundamental values considering the increasing frequency of the violations of Union law by some Member States; _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0409. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0409.
Amendment 64 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) to encourage electoral reforms that are in line with international standards, that implement recommendations by OSCE-led international observation missions and Venice Commission opinions and that are the subject of broad consultation and, as far as possible, consensus with opposition and civil society, in order to improve electoral frameworks without any bias towards ruling parties; to strictly apply existing conditionalities and make full use of available means to condemn cases of adoption of electoral reforms which are disrespectful to the principles mentioned, such as Moldova in July 2017;
Amendment 78 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) to ask the Commission together with the European Investment Bank to propose arrangements for the implementation of a new European Investment Plan for Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries that have made the most progress on reforms towards gradual economic and political integration with the European Union, by increasing the lending capacity of the European Investment Bank from the current EaP levels of EUR 1.6 billion per year and by taking into account EEIP provisions in carrying out its investment mandate; to request as a first step in this regard the establishment of a separate investment window in the form of a trust fund for Ukraine based on the best practices of multi-donor instruments, stressing that this trust fund should focus on private and public investments, in particular on social and economic infrastructure and those aimed at boosting investment absorption capacity, and on the coordination of IFIs and international donor support on the ground;
Amendment 145 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point q
(q) to commit to sustaining the unity of action among EU Member States in maintaining collective pressure on Russia, whose military presence in the Eastern Partnership countries and the Black Sea region has worryingly grown over the last years, in particular through strengthened targeted restrictive measures, to solving the conflict in Ukraine through genuine implementation of the Minsk agreements, to re-establishing Ukraine’s full sovereignty in Crimea, and that of Georgia in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and of Moldova in Transnistria, and to putting an end to the additional threats of state- sponsored assassinations, cyber warfare, disinformation and other types of destabilisation;
Amendment 197 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point x
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point x
(x) to underline that the Eastern Partnership aims to create the necessary conditions for close political association and economic integration, including participation in EU programmes; reiterates that Association Agreements with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine do not constitute the final goal in their relations with the EU; points out that, pursuant to Article 49 of the TEU, any European state may apply to become a member of the European Union, provided it adheres to the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of democracy, that it respects fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights and that it upholds the rule of law;
Amendment 221 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point ac
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point ac
(ac) to maintain that EU support should be tailor-made to match the level of shared ambition regarding cooperation with each partner following the principles of both ‘more for more’ and ‘less for less’; to call in particular for the EU to align budgetary instruments such as the European Neighbourhood Instrument and the European Fund for Sustainable Development to political ambitions and to provide sufficient funding to Eastern Partnership countries - in particular those committed to implementing the Association Agreements, notably within its annual and multiannual budgetary procedures;
Amendment 225 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point ad
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point ad
(ad) to welcome the Commission proposals to provide the partners with macro-financial assistance while insisting on strict and effective conditionality attached to the proposals, notably in terms of upholding the rule of law (including an independent judiciary), ensuring good governance (including combating corruption effectively) and defending human rights; to call on the Commission to make systematic provision for this conditionality in future proposals for such assistance and to ensure it is strictly applied, including in the case of Moldova; to provide Parliament and the Council with a detailed written report every six months on the progress made in these three areas for partners already benefiting from such assistance;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that in its resolution of 15 March 2017 on obstacles to EU citizens’ freedom to move and work in the Internal Market, the European Parliament called on the Member States to remove any discriminatory practices and barriers from their legislation with a view to facilitating mobility and residence across the EU;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses that the respect for the rule of law is a precondition for the protection of fundamental rights and a core value of the European Union; supports the establishment of a comprehensive Union mechanism for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; believes that the Commission should use every tool as its disposal to defend the rule of law including the activation of Article 7 TEU in case of systematic threats;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Member States to promote the protection of the rights of the child, in line with the Treaty on European Union (TEU), namely by ensuringCalls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure specific follow- up actions to the European Parliament resolution on safeguarding the best interests of the child across the EU of 20 April 2016; urges the Member States to promote the protection of the rights of thate children’s views are taken into account in matters that concern them and that their best interests are a primary consideration in any decisions that affect them; recalls the consistently high number of petitions on discrimination based on nationality, gender or financial status when grant through a proper implementation of the Brussels IIa Regulation, by improving and facilitating the judicial cooperation in cases involving a child and by promoting cross-border cooperation in child abduction cases; recalls the consistently high number of petitions on the protection of children’s rights particularly ing custody rightross-border situations; calls on the Commission to move forward with the recasting of the Brussels II Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003) announced in June 2016;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for a coherent and uniform implementation of the Charter and for a maximisation of its potential; points out that according to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights , the Charter will reach its full potential only when it will play a significant role in national law and national policy-making when implementing EU legislation; in this context, calls on the judges and courts to exchange best practices across the EU ;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reiterates its call to the European Commission to relaunch the accession process of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights by exploring solutions to address the objections of the European Court of Justice opinion of 18 December 2014; believes that the EU accession to the Convention would be a significant improvement for the protection of EU citizens' fundamental rights and would achieve a coherent system for the protection of Human Rights in Europe;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Reiterates its call to the Council to adopt its position on the proposed 2008 Equal Treatment Directive as discrimination issues are of outmost importance to petitioners; calls the European institutions and the Member States to acknowledge multiple and intersectional discrimination when elaborating and implementing their anti- discrimination agenda; supports a speedy adoption and implementation of the European Accessibility Act in order to improve the inclusion of disabled citizens and consumers in the EU internal market;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2125(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Strongly supports the need for effective environmental protection in line with the principle of sustainable development, this being by farone of the most recurrent issue ins raised by the petitioners;
Amendment 88 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses profound concern that human rights, the rule of law and democratic values continue to be under threat worldwide; recalls that the EU has committed to promoting the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as to advancing democratic principles; considers that, given the current challenging times, the EU, together with its Member States, should double their efforts in promoting these values worldwide;
Amendment 96 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its firm belief that the EU and its Member States must actively pursue the principle of mainstreaming human rights and democracy in all EU policies as mutually reinforcing and fundamental principles at the core of the EU; reiterates, in this regard, the crucial importance of ensuring increased coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies;
Amendment 100 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls that the EU’s objective to increase its international influence as a credible and legitimate international actor is greatly shaped by its ability to pursue human rights and democracy externally, in line with its commitments enshrined in its founding treaties;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the importance of enhanced cooperation between the Commission, the Council, the European External Action Service (EEAS), Parliament and the EU delegations to ensure a consistent and united voice in favour of human rights and democratic principles; underlines, moreover, the importance of a strong engagement for promoting those values in multilateral fora, including through timely coordination at the EU level and an active approach during negotiations; encourages, in this context, the EU to initiate and co-sponsor resolutions and to intensify the practice of cross-regional initiatives in all UN human rights mechanisms;
Amendment 144 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Recalls the European Union's strong opposition to the death penalty;takes note that in 2016 there was a decrease in the number of executions carried out globally compared to the previous year and expresses its grave concern that, nevertheless, the overall number of executions remains higher than the average recorded for the previous decade;underlines in this context the importance for the EU and its Member States to continue their efforts towards a global abolition of the death penalty;
Amendment 259 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Is of the opinion thatUrges the EU shouldto step up its efforts to promote the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary at multilateral and bilateral levels as a fundamental principle for the consolidations of democracy; encourages the EU to support the fair administration of justice worldwide by assisting legislative and institutional reform processes in third countries; encourages, in addition, the EU delegations and Member States’ embassies to monitor trials systematically with a view to promoting the independence of the judiciary;
Amendment 282 #
2017/2122(INI)
24. Considers that development cooperation and the promotion of human rights, and democratic principles including the rule of law and good governance, should go hand in hand; recalls, in this context, that the UN has stated that without a human rights-based approach, development goals cannot be fully achieved; recalls, in addition, that the EU has committed to supporting partner countries, taking into account their development situation and their progress as regards human rights and democracy;
Amendment 310 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Stresses that enlargement policy is one of the strongest tools for reinforcing respect for democratic principles and human rights in the light of current political developments in candidate and potential candidate countries; calls on the Commission to strengthen its efforts to support the reinforcement of democratic political cultures, the respect of the rule of law, the independence of media, as well as of the judiciary, and the fight against corruption in those countries;
Amendment 311 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Reiterates, in this context, its call on the Commission to develop EU guidelines for democracy support;
Amendment 324 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2015; considers that the Annual Report is an indispensable tool for scrutiny, communication and debate on the EU’s policy on human rights and democracy in the world; and a valuable instrument providing a comprehensive overview on the EU’s priorities, efforts and also challenges in this field and to identify further effective ways to address them;
Amendment 327 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Reiterates its invitation to the VP/HR to take part in a debate with MEPs in two plenary sessions per year, once when the Annual Report is presented and once in response to its own report; recalls that written answers also play an important role in interinstitutional relations, as they allow for a systematic and in-depth follow- up to all the points raised by Parliament and thus contribute to the strengthening of effective coordination;
Amendment 338 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Supports fully the human rights country strategies (HRCSs), which tailor EU action to each country’s specific situation and needs; reiterates its call for MEPs to be given access to strategy content; underlines strongly the importance of taking into account the HRCSs at all levels of policy-making vis-à-vis individual third countries; reiterates that HRCSs should correspond to EU actions to be implemented in each country depending on specific situations, and should contain measurable progress indicators and the possibility to adjust them if necessary;
Amendment 343 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Recalls the EU’s commitment to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries; stresses, therefore, that the advancement of human rights and democratic principles needs to be supported through all EU policies with an external dimension, such as enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the CSDP, and environment, development, trade, justice and home affairs policies;
Amendment 351 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Stresses that in order to fulfil the ambitious objectives set out in the new Action Plan, the EU must set aside sufficient resources and expertise, both in terms of dedicated human resources in delegations and in headquarters and in terms of funds available;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises thate added value for Member States must change of furtheir mentality from a national todeveloping a European perspective of external action, as the most effective solution to protect Europe from increased threats is common EU action; is concerned about the EU’s security architecture, which remains fragile in the face of continued and fresh challenges every day and in which a ‘hybrid peace’ has become an unsatisfactory reality; urges the Member States to take action and fulfil the wishes of those European citizens who have repeatedly stressed that EU foreign and security policy is the most important and most necessary of all EU policies;
Amendment 202 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates the need for a strategic refocus on the Western Balkans, giving a fresh impetus to EU enlargement policy and strengthening the rule of law and the resilience of state institutions; is convinced that regional reconciliation and integration through the transatlantic institutional architecture is the best means to address the dangers stemming from destabilising foreign interference, organised crime, disinformation and hybrid threats; calls for more efforts in focusing on regional economic development, which will decrease unemployment and poverty in the Western Balkans, as well as the prospects of ethnic and cross-border tensions;
Amendment 238 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recommendsiterates the need for an updated strategy for EU-Asia relations; voices support in this context for stronger cooperation within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meetings, including in terms of its parliamentary dimension; encourages support for closer regional cooperation and trust-building measures in South Asia with a view to reducing tensions between India and Pakistan; recommends continued support for EU peace mediation in the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process; recommends developing an updated EU strategy for the North-East Asia region in the light of the continued military build-up and the most recent nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK);
Amendment 240 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Stresses that preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region is of substantial interest to the EU and its member states; calls for all parties concerned in the region to solve differences through peaceful means and to refrain from taking unilateral actions to change the status quo, including in the East and South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, in order to safeguard regional security; acknowledges the continued good will and flexibility shown by the government of Taiwan in maintaining cross-Strait relations and encourages the resumption of bilateral dialogues, which will be conducive to regional peace and stability; reiterates its commitment to supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and activities;
Amendment 243 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Believes that the EU should play a greater role in resolving the Korean's peninsula nuclear crisis by engaging in mediation efforts; considers that the DPRK should enter in a meaningful dialogue with the international community as only a political settlement represents a viable solution to the crisis; calls on all parties to take significant steps to de-escalate the crisis with a focus on the diplomatic approach;
Amendment 262 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Reminds the EU`s commitment to develop a Common Foreign and Security Policy guided by the values of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and compliance with the UN Charter and international law; considers that, in order to live up to this commitment and to contribute to advancing human rights and democracy in the world, the EU and its Member States need to speak with a united voice and ensure that their message is heard;
Amendment 277 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that the EU institutions must improve their capacity to anticipate conflicts and crises; believes that the EU needs to be able to react more swiftly and effectively to developing crises and should place a greater emphasis on preventing conflicts at an early stage; underlines, in particular, the importance of an effective exchange of information and coordination of preventive actions between the EU institutions, along with EU delegations, common security and defence missions and operations and Member States, together with their diplomatic representations;
Amendment 372 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Reiterates its conviction that a revitalization of the strategic partnerships, seeking to transform them into an effective foreign policy instrument, should be a priority for the EU;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the increasing importance of political, security and economic relations between the EU and Africa at a time when both are experiencing profound changes, and recognises the contribution made by the Joint Africa-EU Strategy to building a stronger partnership over the past 10 years; emphasizes the need to build on these achievements and work towards the construction of an equal, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship with Africa, in a spirit of shared ownership and responsibility;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need for a stronger and more political partnership between the EU and Africa, based on shared values and interests, in order to tackle global issues such as climate change, terrorism, organised crime and migratory flows, and to promote a rule- based global order based on a strong UN; highlights the need for greater African ownership on programs and goals;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for continued EU support to African partners in the area of peace and security and conflict prevention, including through specific instruments such as CSDP operations and the African Peace Facility; highlights the importance of fostering security and stability by helping our partners to build more resilient states and societies, including through capacity building and security sector reforms, the creation of more and better jobs, especially for young people, the empowerment of women and the support of education; stresses that addressing with more determination the governance challenges in Africa is of paramount importance for building fairer, more stable and secure societies and should consequently be given high priority in the new EU-Africa Strategy;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Takes the view that enhanced joint efforts are needed to address adequately the issues of conflict and insecurity in Africa, with due regard to the specific problems of fragile states; points out, furthermore, to the necessity of integrating in a more coherent way security concerns and development aims;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Underscores the need for fully democratic political elections and transitions, rule of law, anti-corruption measures and free media; takes the view that these elements are vital for ensuring a stable and inclusive political, social and economic environment in Africa;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Deems an effective EU-Africa partnership essential for addressing the common challenges of fighting terrorism, extremism and radicalization; stresses the terrible effects on local populations of groups like Daesh or Boko Haram, as well as the danger they represent for economic development; calls therefore for intensified cooperation with the African partners in the field of security and for more efforts in terms of education and rehabilitation programmes;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the pursuit of common interests and cooperation on security must be totally consistent with the EU’s fundamental values and with the objectives of supporting democracy and promoting human rights and the rule of law; calls for strengthening EU support to democracy, promotion of human rights and rule of law in Africa; calls for a more strategic, comprehensive and structured approach to political dialogue under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, with the greater involvement of civil society and a stronger people-to-people dimension;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the focus on youth of the next EU-Africa Summit to be held in Abidjan in November 2017, as it is essential to jointly work towards building a better future for youth in Africa; points out to the need to prioritise more generally job creation and economic development across societies and to harness the role of private sector on the African continent;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2069(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is engaged in enhancing the democratic dimension of the European elections by reforming current European electoral law with a view to increasing citizens’ participation and confidence in the EU democratic system, thanks to increased transparency and awareness and new voting systems, including e- democracy tools; is convinced that better and more focused information on European politics and the impact of EU legislation on citizens' daily lives would improve the turnout in these elections; recalls that promoting the participation in European elections is a shared responsibility between the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2069(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the security of EU citizens and the fight against terrorism should be a top priority for the EU; welcomes the steps taken by the EU to reinforce the Security Union; calls for the speedy implementation of the interoperability of EU information systems for security, migration and border management; emphasises that the coordination of internal and external EU action in the field of security is essential for the efficient protection of EU citizens.; recalls that consular protection is key in ensuring such protection abroad and believes that, in line with the European Commission's recommendations, further steps should be taken towards the harmonization and the modernisation of the rules on emergency travel documents;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2069(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its call to the European Commission to relaunch the accession process of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights by exploring solutions to address the objections of the European Court of Justice opinion of 18 December 2014; believes that the EU accession to the Convention would be a significant improvement for the protection of EU citizens' fundamental rights and would achieve a coherent system for the protection of Human Rights in Europe;
Amendment 43 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to ensure that the deepening of relations between the EU and Azerbaijan is undertaken on the basis of mutually agreed ambitions and theconditional on upholding of the core values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for and good governance, as well as on providing solid legal guarantees in the areas of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, in the interest of both parties and especially their citizens;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to remind the Azerbaijani authorities about the European Parliament’s position as expressed in its resolution of 15 November 2017 on the Eastern Partnership, which unambiguous and clearly states that no comprehensive agreement will be ratified with a country that does not respect EU values, in particular with regard to the non-implementation of decisions by the European Court of Human Rights and the harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders, NGOs and journalists; to ensurge that significant steps are taken as regards the release of political prisonere Azerbaijani authorities to implement the ECtHR decisions; to ensure that all political prisoners, including journalists, activists and prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan are released before any new EU- Azerbaijan agreement; to ensureinclude in the new agreement a dedicated suspension mechanism related to human rights and fundamental freedoms is included in the new agreementwith clear provisions on respect for human rights, rule of law and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 64 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to ensure that the future agreement with Azerbaijan is ambitious, comprehensive and forward-looking, and will delivering tangible and concrete benefits not only for large companies but also for SMEs and for the citizens of the EU and of Azerbaijan; to include in the new agreement specific supervision and control mechanisms against money laundering schemes, fraud and corruption;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to ensure, in so far as the above conditions are fulfilled, speedy and steady progress in the negotiations with the objective of signing this new agreement before the next Eastern Partnership Summit in 2019, only in so far as the above conditions are fulfilled;
Amendment 74 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to actively and clearly communicate about the conditions and aims of the new agreement, in order to improve public awareness, both in Azerbaijan and in the EU, about the expected opportunities and benefits that would arise from its conclusion, thereby countering all disinformation campaigns;
Amendment 81 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) to provide for regular and in-depth dialogue, notably on politicalpushing for solid reforms aimed at bolstering institutions, such as the judiciary in order to make them more democratic and independent, onwith a strong focus on the judiciary, upholding of human rights, and onprotecting investigative journalism, fostering a strong civil society and ensuring its involvement in the reform process; to include in the new agreement regular reporting mechanisms on the status of the above- mentioned reforms;
Amendment 90 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) to establish specific measures aimed at implementingnsure that the recommendations by the OSCE/ODHIR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission with a view to ensuring progress towardsare implemented, with a view to establish new legislation guaranteeing the organization of elections and referenda that allow for a free and fair expression of Azerbaijani citizens’ views and aspirations; to put strong emphasis on the effectiveness and impartiality of the election administration, the conduct of the campaign and the respect for fundamental freedoms, media coverage of the elections and the administration of election day procedures, including the vote count and tabulation of results, as called for by the OSCE; to further monitor the organization of future elections until these requirements are met;
Amendment 93 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) to aim for provisions that enhance cooperation in promoting peace and international justice and in particular for Azerbaijan to sign and ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); to calsl upon Azerbaijan to respect its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe and abide by the decisions of the ECtHR; to seek stronger cooperation measures in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as well as tackling illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to provide for closer cooperation in foreign and security matters to ensure as much convergence as possible, in particular as regards responses to global threats, conflict prevention, crisis management and regional cooperation;
Amendment 148 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) to provide support for reform of the judiciary aimed at ensuring its independence from the executive and at strengthening the rule of law, as well as developing a strong framework for the protection of human rights and gender equality; to make sure that strong legislation is in place for preventing and sanctioning politically exposed persons´ involvement in corruption, traffic of influence, money laundering, abuse of office and other related offences, particularly within the framework of the recent joint journalistic investigations revealing the involvement of a number of Azeri officials in such activities;
Amendment 160 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to put in place specific proviclosely monitor and evaluate, before any agreement is in place, Azerbaijan´s progress in fighting corruption, money laundering and tax evasions; to support Azerbaijan in fighting corruption, money laundering and tax evasiontake into account and push for the investigation of all recent disclosures related to the Azeri Laundromat, a money-laundering operation which, according to OCCRP, handled $2.9 billion over a two-year period, between 2012 and 2014, through four shell companies registered in the United Kingdom, as well as for the investigation of the findings related to Azerbaijan in the PANA fact finding EP mission’s report in Malta; to be aware that there is evidence revealing government ministries as the direct source of some of this money, as well as strong connections to high-ranking Azeri officials;
Amendment 164 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n d (new)
Amendment 171 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) to include provisions related to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms aimed at endingnd ensure that political prosecutions and abductions, the targeting of political dissidents, independent journalists, human rights defenders, NGO representatives and members of some minority groups including the LGBTQ community; to set up a reinforced forum for a human rights dialogue are put to an end by Azeri authorities and to reiterate that these practices are unacceptable for any potential partner country of the EU; to reinforce the dialogue on human rights and fundamental freedoms between the EU and Azerbaijan to encourage and to support in particular the implementation of comprehensive reforms of the judiciary, all in line with EU standards;
Amendment 192 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(qa) to ensure an immediate review of legislation decriminalising online defamation, in particular that of the president, especially as the penalty for this offence has recently been increased to up to 5 years of imprisonment; to urge Azerbaijan to move away from such dictatorial practices and align to EU standards;
Amendment 196 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) to ensure, before the conclusion of the negotiations, that Azerbaijan takes significant steps as regards the release ofreleases the political prisoners and prisoners of conscience which, in 2017, exceeded 150 persons, including, among the most emblematic cases, Ilgar Mammadov, Afgan Mukhtarli, Mehman Huseynov, Ilkin Rustamzada, Seymur Hazi, Rashad Ramazanov, Elchin Ismayilli, Giyas Ibrahimov, Beyram Mammadov, Asif Yusifli, Fuad Gahramanli and Aziz Orujov, theand lifting ofs their travel bans, once released, including those of Khadija Ismayilova and Intigam Aliyev; to immediately secure the release and improvement of the situation of these individuals via the judiciary and the application of the rule of law;
Amendment 206 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r c (new)
(rc) to urge Azerbaijan to immediately address the unprecedented infringement proceedings launched by the Council of Europe in 2017 and ensure the unconditional release of opposition politician Ilgar Mammadov, thus complying with a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights from 2014;
Amendment 216 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point s
Paragraph 1 – point s
(s) to seek, before the conclusion of the negotiations, that Azerbaijan commits to investigations intoi authorities investigate into and report on results concerning all cases of mistreatment of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, notably in the case of the late Mehman Galandarov, who died in custody;
Amendment 231 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) to underline the importance of a free and independent media, both off and on-line and to ensure a strengthened EU support for free and pluralistic media in Azerbaijan, with editorial independence and in line with EU standards, and pointing out that ain light of the fact that currently 5 major media outlets are permanently blocked by Azerbaijan under the pretext of national security and that for press freedom, Azerbaijan ranks 162 out of 180 countries, according to Reporters Without Borders; to point out that reinforced attention to press and media freedom cshould take the form of a regional initiative encompassing all the Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 245 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) to allow for increased cooperation in the energy sector in line with the EU’s and Azerbaijan’s strategic energy partnership, while taking into account that in March 2017, the EITI (The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) suspended Azerbaijan’s membership for failing to comply with the group’s civil society requirements; to push for Azerbaijan to realign to these requirements;
Amendment 251 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) to put in place ambitious provisions on environmental protection and climate change reduction, in line with the Union´s climate change agenda, as part of the new agreement, including through a mainstreaming of these policies as part of other sector policies;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2054(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union emphasize the importance of equality and equal treatment of citizens by Union institutions; whereas it is essential to enhance the equality of representation with a view to increasing the legitimacy of the European Parliament as legislative body representing Union citizens equally;
Amendment 27 #
2017/2054(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas a modification of the electoral law of the EU will be necessary to create the legal basis for such a joint constituency; whereas the introduction of such a constituency would reinforce the role of the European political parties and strengthen the European character of the elections for the European Parliament; whereas the introduction of this joint constituency as soon as possible will enrich the notion of citizenship of the Union and strengthen political cohesion across Europe; whereas, against the backdrop of Brexit, the introduction of the joint constituency will keep the spirit of the European project alive and send a positive message;
Amendment 85 #
2017/2054(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Proposes that this new distribution of seats should be fair, objective and based on the following principles: respect for the principle of degressive proportionality, no loss of seats for any Member State, and the use of only a minimal fraction of the seats vacated by the UK; points out that, in compliance with the principle of fairness, the new distribution of seats should duly take into account the situation of the Members States that lost seats further to the European Council Decision 2013/312/EU of 28 June 2013;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its strong support for a comprehensive reform of the European Union's system of own resources; recalls that the current system of own resources contradicts the letter and spirit of the Treaties in two major ways: firstly, ingiven that that Article 310(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that the Union shall not adopt any act that would have budgetary implications without providing assurance that such expenditure can be financed within the limit of the Union’s own resources, and secondly, in that Article 311 of the TFEU stipulates that the Union budget shall be financed wholly from own resources, while; underlines that, nevertheless, in practice the majority of ithe EU's revenue comes from national contributions in the form of a percentage of GNI (69.1 %) and VAT (12.4 %), which are not perceived as genuine own resources, as they've lead to a zero-sum game between the Member States;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. IConsists on the use of the passerelle clause enshrined in Article 48(7) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) to switch from voting by unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) and the ordinary legislative procedure for the adoption of own resources, thusders that the Parliament role in the procedure for the adoption of own resources should be reinforced; insists that a thorough reflection should take place on the legal aspects of putting the Parliament on an equal footing with the Council when it comes to decision-making on both the revenue and expenditure sides of the EU budget;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes note ofUnderlines the importance of using the opportunity presented by Brexit to reconsiderabolish the current system of rebates and corrections, which are not only contrary to the letter and spirit of the Treaties, but which have also proven to shift the focus of discussions from the European added value of the EU budget to the ‘net balance’ effect on the contributions of Member States, which overlooks benefits of European budget that are not measurable on short-term;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that any reform of the system of own resources should be based on the principles of fairness, stability and unity, subsidiary and, comprehensibility for European citizens and visibility; underlines moreover the importance of ensuring sufficient revenues to the EU budget in order for the EU policies to be adequately and credibly financed, in particular after Brexit;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that reform on the revenue side should go hand in hand with reform on the expenditure side to ensure a visible link with EU policies and priorities and to support EU policies in key areas of EU competence, such as the single market, environmental protection and climate action, energy union, and reducing fiscal heterogeneity in the single market, as recommended in the Monti report1 ; ;draws attention, moreover, to the importance of prioritizing policy areas with a high potential for added value at the European level at the economic, political and social levels, such as research and development and internal and external security; _________________ 1 Final report and recommendations of the High Level Group on Own Resources on the future financing of the EU, adopted in December 2016
Amendment 28 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes the view that all five scenarios forDraws attention that a thorough reflection is needed on the effects of the debate on the future of the EU presentEurope, launched by the Commission in March 2017 would necessitate additional financing for the new priorities of the Union derived from genuine own resources., on the reform of the system of own resources; insists on the importance of respecting the unity of the budget and of reducing, and not increasing, its complexity in order to ensure the coherence of EU policies internally and externally;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the EU is faced with multiple challenges that affect global stability and that can only be tackled with long-term and holistic external actions; recalls the ambition of EU leaders as expressed in the Rome Declaration to strive towards a Union that is ‘big on big issues and small on small ones’; callsunderlines the significant added value for the EU’s citizens of a common European external and security policy; calls therefore for the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) to make this a realityirror this high added value by substantially increasing external action appropriations (Heading 4), thereby making common foreign policy a core EU function;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that increased funding is needed for an effective European response to modern challenges and to tackle Europe’s new priorities, which are reflected in the EU Global Strategy and, the renewed European Neighbourhood policy, includingenlargement policy and the European Defense Action Plan, including security threats, armed conflicts, disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks, terrorism and radicalisation, development aid, human rights violations, bad governance, security threats and armed conflicts, and natural disasters and climate change as well as the refugee and migratory challenges caused by these issues;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines that the establishment of new priorities in the area of external action and defence cooperation at the EU level should be accompanied by new resources, both at an operational and administrative level, in order for the external action to be credible and effective;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that the existing EU Trust Funds should also prove their added value in their ability to mobilise additional funding; notes that a simple relabeling of existing EU funding for political purposes does not represent increases per se, and creates an additional layer of complexity in terms of democratic oversight and budgetary scrutiny; emphasises the needimportance of strengthening the unity of the EU budget, and therefore of reducing the use of ad hoc financial instruments outside it, and strongly calls for increased parliamentary scrutiny of activities under the existing EU Trust Funds and the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey;
Amendment 45 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Maintains that EU external financing instruments are essential for effective EU external action in particular in the European Neighbourhood (European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI)) and pre- accession countries (Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance II (IPA II)); points out that the ENI should take account of the increased emphasis on stabilisation, peace processes, post-crisis reconstruction and resilience, both in the East and the South; stresses that the result-oriented approach of IPA II available for candidate and potential candidate countries should be reinforced in order to efficiently contribute to the democratisation of those countries and their economic and social development, especially given the worrying political developments in the Western Balkans;
Amendment 53 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Draws attention to the potential inherent in the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace for promoting the EU’s security and border integrity and contribute to peace and stability worldwide;
Amendment 58 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of strengthened support for the rule of law, democracy and human rights as a cross- cutting issue in EU instruments in view of ongoing developments in the Western Balkans, European Neighbourhood and beyond; points out in particular the role of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, including its support for election observation.
Amendment 630 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 a (new)
Paragraph 90 a (new)
90a. Underlines the need for an increased engagement with the private sector when it comes to the external policies and the support to our partners; building on the evaluation of the existing models and the cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and financial institutions, calls for a more effective and efficient delivery model to promote public and private investment abroad;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Draws attention to recent worrying political developments in the Western Balkans that require the Union's urgent attention to avoid progress achieved in the past decades being put into question; rejects, therefore, the proposed cut of almost EUR 90 million to support for political reforms in the region under the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA); recalls that support for candidate countries and potential candidate countries in adopting and implementing political, economic and social reforms in view of their accession is an important tool to foster stability;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the strategic importance of both the Southern and Eastern neighbourhood for the Union and demands that the proposed decrease of resources for the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) is avoided; supports the pledge of April 2017 Brussels Conference for an increased assistance in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon and stresses that a corresponding reinforcement of ENI should be foreseen; takes positive note of the slight increase of funding for the Eastern Partnership countries under ENI and draws attention to the fact that, given the current challenges, further increases should be envisaged;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls for significant new resources to counter disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks, which are increasingly used to undermine democratic order in countries in the Union's neighbourhood, as well as in the Union itself;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU should play a proactive part in building a United Nations that can contribute effectively to global solutions, peace and security, development, human rights, democracy and a rule-of- law-based international order; whereas EU Member States need to make every effort to coordinate their action in the organs and bodies of the United Nations system in accordance with the mandate contained in Article 34(1) TEU;
Amendment 43 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the EU and the UN should play a major role in implementing the 2030 Development Agenda with a view to eradicating poverty and generating collective prosperity, addressing inequalities, creating a safer and more just world, and combatting climate change and protecting the natural environment; whereas the UNGA has decided to step up the organization's efforts to implement the new development agenda;
Amendment 65 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph b a (new)
Paragraph b a (new)
(ba) to support the Intra-Syrian Talks that are guided by the Security Council resolution 2254; to stress that the sides should aim at a framework agreement containing a political package so that a negotiated transitional political process can be implemented in accordance with the clear sequencing and target timelines set out in resolution 2254; to underline that to achieve this goal, a clear agenda has emerged consisting of four baskets; to express its concern that the continuous fighting in Syria is undermining the ceasefire regime that came into effect on 30 December 2016, with significant negative consequences for the safety of Syrian civilians, humanitarian access and the momentum of the political process; to support the call of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria on the guarantor-States of the ceasefire in Syria to undertake urgent efforts to uphold the ceasefire regime;
Amendment 100 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph j a (new)
Paragraph j a (new)
(ja) to continue working towards the full implementation of all the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and promote an active involvement of women in conflict prevention and solution and the role of women in combatting violent extremism;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph k
Paragraph k
(k) to continue to support the efforts to further operationalise R2P and to support the UN in continuing to play a critical role in assisting countries in the implementation of R2P; to further strengthen the role of R2P as an important principle in UN Member States' work on conflict resolution, human rights and development;
Amendment 199 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph aa
Paragraph aa
(aa) to underline the leading role of the EU in the process that led to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030) and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the General Assembly in September 2015; to take concrete steps to ensure the efficient implementation of Agenda 2030 and the 17 SDGs as important instruments for prevention and development; to work towards improving the lives of future generations and to encourage and support countries to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 goals; to encourage UN member states to meet their commitments on development aid spending and to call for the adoption of a solid framework of indicators and the use of statistical data to monitor progress and ensure the accountability of all; to insist that the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development should become the main decision-making body competent for ensuring the follow-up and review of the implementation of the SDGs and to present a common EU position on the implementation of Agenda 2030;
Amendment 210 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph aa a (new)
Paragraph aa a (new)
(aaa) to recall that development is not possible without peace, nor peace without development, stressing the importance of the SDG 16 on peace, justice and governance, which should be one of the priorities in development cooperation financing; to call on the UN to systematically integrate capacity-building and good governance into long-term development strategies;
Amendment 213 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph aa a (new)
Paragraph aa a (new)
(aaa) to emphasize that strong monitoring of implementation of the 2030 Agenda is vital for its success and to continue to support the development of a coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review process in the UN;
Amendment 216 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph aa b (new)
Paragraph aa b (new)
(aab) to work towards strengthening the security-development nexus in accordance with the SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions;
Amendment 217 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph aa c (new)
Paragraph aa c (new)
(aac) to pursue its efforts of achieving policy coherence for development across all EU policies, which is crucial for achieving the SDGs, and to push also at the UN level for greater policy coherence in accordance with Goal 17.14;
Amendment 229 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph ac
Paragraph ac
(ac) to underline the importance that EU Member States attach to coordinating their action in the organs and bodies of the United Nations system; to strengthen the communication and to ensure that Member States' positions at the EU level are ever more coordinated; to strive for alignment of positions with candidate countries, partner countries and other likeminded states;
Amendment 246 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph ad a (new)
Paragraph ad a (new)
(ada) to strongly support the newly elected UN Secretary General's reform agenda; to encourage the impetus for a reform of the UN peace and security architecture, the functioning and architecture of the Secretariat through simplification, decentralization and flexibility and the support to Member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 248 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph ad a (new)
Paragraph ad a (new)
(ada) to support the UN push for stepping up efforts to deliver integrated and coordinated policy support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and consequently promote a UN Development system that works in a more integrated fashion, with strengthened inter-agency work and joint implementation of projects;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas a clear distinction should be made between cities' representatives enshrined in the treaties such as members of the Committee of the Regions and between associations representing cities' interests;
Amendment 29 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas new challenges posed by security and immigration, demographic shift, youth unemployment, and challenges relating to the quality of public services, access to clean and affordable energy, natural disasters and environmental protection demand a stronger commitment from cities when designing and implementing EU policies;
Amendment 35 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas an increased cities’ participation in the EU policies will contribute to stronger, more capable public institutions, to a reinforced local ownership of EU policies, to better governance, to the improvement in the quality of public services at the scale of the whole EU and thus the development of the citizens’ right to live in the city, as a significant part of the right to have a good public administration;
Amendment 41 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that there is no legal basis in involvement of the Treacities allowing cities to be formally involved in decision-making at EU level; believes, however,in decision-making process at EU level is organized through their participation in the Committee of the Regions as a consultative and advisory body; believes that the current institutional set-up allows for encouraging informal platforms of cooperation between cities, and between cities and the decision-making bodies at both national and EU level;
Amendment 45 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that at the level of secondary law, cities do have a certain role in the implementation of certain policies and instruments, such as in the area of the European structural and investment funds; in that sense, calls the cities to work towards more territorial cohesion in an integrated way by cooperating with all levels of administration, the private sector and the civil society;
Amendment 47 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. welcomes the platforms of cooperation between cities that allow the creation of synergies for cross-border cooperation and a better implementation of EU's policies on the ground; believes that the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a good example to be followed;
Amendment 51 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Deems it necessary to build upon the current institutional set-up of the EU and to gauge recent developments, in order to reinforce cities’ involvement in the current EU decision-making and institutional architecture and particularly regarding legislation that affect cities directly in order to reduce existing overlaps and inconsistencies, in the light of the principle of subsidiarity, and to strengthen democratic legitimacy and accountability within the spirit of the Treaties, while also safeguarding transparency in policy and decision- making;
Amendment 62 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends a stronger political representation of cities in the current structures, including a stronger cities’ role within the Committee of the Regions;
Amendment 69 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Advocates the consolidation of the involvement of associations representing local authorities and urban interests in policy design, such as the Eurocities network and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), and considers that such associations should become permanesignificant consultants of EU policies through the Committee of the Regions;
Amendment 77 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the Council to consider launching meetings of the Council especially dedicated to urban matters; calls for cities and regions to have access to the Council working groups so that they can follow and more accuratelygreater cooperation between the Council and local authorities; calls for cities and regions to provide input into the work of the Council in areas that impact them and their competences;
Amendment 95 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Calls for the attribution of sufficient support to cities and local authorities to enable them to improve the urban dimension of EU policy-making;
Amendment 120 #
2017/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the consolidation of the cities’ position in shaping the EU policies does not undermine the trust in othe Member Statesr levels of governance, as it reinforces multi-level governance and subsidiarity based on the bilateral trust between the EU, Member States and regional and local structures;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regards to the findings of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Cuba issued on 17 March 2017,
Amendment 11 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the historical, economic and cultural ties linkingexist between Europe and Cuba are characterised by their depth and strength;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the European Union maintain's relations with the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean and there is broad consensus among its 33 member states on the desirability of expanding relations between the European Union and Cubaoffer an opportunity to expand relations between the European Union and Cuba on the basis of democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas human rights feature in both the political dialogue and cooperation chapters; whereas in particular the protection of the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights is one of the main objectives of the European Union, both internally and in its relations with third countries; whereas in this sense the full compliance with human rights and the defence of democracy and the rule of law, must be an essential condition of the EU- Cuba Agreement;
Amendment 29 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas both parties recognise that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of life which can only be realized by genuinely democratic elections;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba, led by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, began in 2015; whereas no tangible results have been achieved and the situation of human rights remains extremely worrying, despite the setup of the Human rights dialogue;
Amendment 35 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas according to Freedom House Organisation, Cuba is one of the "least free" countries in the world;
Amendment 42 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas on 20 March 2017 Eduardo Cardet Concepcion, national coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) was sentenced for three years imprisonment as a result of criticism of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro; whereas for decades the Cuban authorities have harassed and intimidated members of the Christian Liberation Movement in an attempt to silence and dissenting ideas; whereas such proceedings are in breach of freedom of speech and expression;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas independent journalists, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders, mostly members of the democratic opposition, are still persecuted, arbitrarily detained or being held in jail in Cuba for exercising the basic rights of expression, assembly and political association;
Amendment 48 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas throughout March 2017 the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation verified at least 432 arbitrary detentions of peaceful dissidents in Cuba; whereas 11 cases of physical assaults and 8 cases of harassment by secret political police and para-police agents, of which peaceful opponents were also victims, were also documented;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
V. whereas the United Nations General Assembly has adopted 26 consecutive resolutions calling for the end of the United States embargo on Cuba, and the resolution was adopted unanimously for the first time in October 2016; whereas Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament decided to send a long -pending delegation to Cuba without any positive response from the Cuban authorities yet;
Amendment 97 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the Cuban authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, arbitrarily detained solely for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and strongly condemns such detentions; urges the authorities to stop harassing, persecuting and intimidating independent journalists, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders and to hold those responsible accountable; considers the civil society to be a vital part of democratic regimes;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Demands that the Cuban authorities permit members of the political opposition, human rights activists and all citizens to travel abroad and return freely to Cuba; calls for free and full access for the Cuban population to information in all forms;
Amendment 102 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Denounces imposed charges against Eduardo Cardet Concepcion, national coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL), for exercising his right of freedom of speech; condemns violent detentions of 10 Members of Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), including its leader Jose Daniel Ferrer; calls on the Cuban authorities for their immediate and unconditional release; urges to stop the harassment and intimidation of members of MCL as well as UNPACU;
Amendment 115 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Demands that, in line with the recognition of both parties that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of life, future elections in Cuba must be genuinely democratic; emphasises that this includes the right to vote freely and to be elected fairly at periodic elections held on the basis of universal and equal suffrage and free voting procedures, the results of which are accurately counted and respected; encourages the Cuban people and government to have such elections within the next year and offers the support of European Election Observers;
Amendment 120 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Supports the findings of the UN Committee on enforced disappearances in Cuba of 17 March 2017 urging Cuba to take the necessary measures to guarantee the full independence of its judicial system as well as to set up an independent National Institution of Human Rights in lines with the Paris Principles;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for a transitional provision establishing a graduated entry into force of the different areas of cooperation, postponing the economic and financial cooperation until the progress made by the Cuban government in the areas of human rights and economic freedoms is demonstrated;
Amendment 153 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in case of violation of the provisions on human rights; calls to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding road map which should be aimed at safeguarding and monitoring all human ,environmental and labour rights provisions mentioned in this resolution; in this sense calls on the EU to closely follow and report back to the European Parliament about the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba within the provision of suspension of the agreement;
Amendment 167 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for Cuba to be included as an eligible country under the EIB’s external mandate provided it meets the requirements laid down by the EIB;
Amendment 170 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the PDCA’s explicit references to civil society as an actor of cooperation; voices its profound solidarity with the entire Cuban population and its support for needed progress towards democracy and respect and promotion of fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Confirms its decision to send an official long- pending delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament to Cuba, and urges the Cuban authorities to allow the entry of such a delegation without any further delays in the view of the upcoming PDCA; calls on the Cuban authorities to ensure unimpeded access to all venues and meetings with the requested interlocutors;
Amendment 41 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EU experience has in the past served as a source of inspiration for other regional integration processes; whereas the ASEAN countries, however, have been waiting to see whether the EU will be able to overcome its problems and divisions;
Amendment 49 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas at present centrifugal forces are threatening the integration processes in both regions are being challenged; whereas the EU is struggling withfacing several overlapping crises ranging from the euro to migration and Brexit, and whereas ASEAN, in spite of the goal of fostering ASEAN centrality, saw intra-ASEAN trade decline in 2016 and has been beset with problems, including diverging foreign policy trajectories and spillover effects from domestic problems pertaining to religious relations, social inequalities and human rights;
Amendment 66 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) constitute a dominant challenge for the region; whereas the most worrying trend is the militarization of the South China Sea; whereas the ASEAN- China Dialogue on a Code of Conduct remains ASEAN’s primary mechanism for exchanges with China on the SCS; whereas Chinese activities – from military patrols and drills to construction activities in disregard of the principles outlined in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea of 2002 – remain an issue of concern;
Amendment 84 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends the VP/HR and the Commission for adopting a Joint Communication setting out a roadmap for deepening the partnership in political, security and economic matters, and in connectivity, the environment, natural resources and other domains; calls for the EU and ASEAN to reinforce their cooperation and share good practices in the areas of transnational crimes, border management and maritime security;
Amendment 89 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recalls that EU's support for the integration of ASEAN contributes to its resilience and improves its capacity to stabilise the region;
Amendment 95 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. RegretNotes the late and restrained reaction of the European Union to the UNCLOS award on the South China Sea dispute; insists on the freedom of navigation; calls on China to accept the tribunal’s award; encourages the parties to aim for a peaceful settlement of the disputes based on the principles of international law under UNCLOS; regrets actions such as extensive land reclamation and the placing of military installations and arsenal on reclaimed land, which risks militarising the conflict;
Amendment 108 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Supports EU-ASEAN cooperation on a host of non-conventional security issues; calls for the EU to step-up its cooperation with ASEAN in counter- terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through an increased contribution to the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia Europe Meeting; believes that the EU and ASEAN can share experiences for a greater regional cooperation and resource-pooling;
Amendment 113 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the EU’s particular experience in institution building, the single market, regulatory convergence, conflict and crisis management, maritime security, mediation, humanitarian assistance and disaster reliefediation, and the EU’s willingness to share such experience where useful; highlights the EU-ASEAN Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA) negotiations and the broader connectivity agenda;
Amendment 122 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that negotiations on a regional EU-ASEAN free trade agreement should be re-launched; in order to pursue the final objective of a region to region agreement; calls for the EU and ASEAN to seize the opportunity of the setting-up of the ASEAN Economic Community to advance the free trade agreement agenda;
Amendment 130 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Reiterates EU's support for the respect of the international law under UNCLOS and of peaceful negotiated solutions to international disputes; believes that the EU could play a significant role in the ASEAN region and especially by joining the East Asia Summit;
Amendment 145 #
2017/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is deeply concerned about the erosion of democracy and human rights in certain countries in the region and the restrictions on space for civil society, particularly for environmental and labour rights activists and media worker, academics, researchers and media workers; calls ASEAN to dedicate adequate resources to its Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and facilitate its decision-making processes; hopes that specific and verifiable targets and measures will be included in the AICHR’s five-year work plan and that human rights violations will be actively monitored, investigated and prosecuted; urges all ASEAN member states to ratify further UN human rights conventions and the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC);
Amendment 14 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and India have built over the last two decades a Strategic Partnership founded on shared values and interests, given that they are natural partners and factors of stability in the present multi- polar world; whereas the Strategic Partnership could be deepened;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EU and India, as important economic, trade and investment partners, have been engaged since 2007 in negotiations for an ambitious free trade agreement;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses full support for a stronger and deeper partnership between the EU and India, rooted in their powerful political, economic, social and cultural links and founded on the shared values of democracy and pluralism, as well as on mutual respect and common interests;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that enhanced political relations between the two partners could positively contribute to fostering regional and international cooperation in a world that faces multiple challenges, such as security tensions, disrespect for international law, terrorism, poverty and, inequality and migration flows;
Amendment 48 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Highlights that the EU and India as the world's two largest democracies have a common responsibility of promoting the cause of peace, the rule of law and human rights around the world, including through their increased cooperation at the UN level;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its support for the establishment of a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and India, which should be economically, socially and politically valuable for both sides; reminds that EU is the world's top trading block and India has one of the highest GDP growths worldwide; reminds equally that the EU is India's first partner in terms of trade and investment and that import and export flows between the two are relatively balanced;
Amendment 76 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes positive note that the EU and India have re-engaged in discussion on the ways to proceed with negotiations on an FTA, also known as Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA); urges both sides to proceed with the negotiations with a view to concluding the BTIFTA as soon as possible;
Amendment 93 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Reiterates that in today's international environment, both the EU and India face pressing security challenges, which require a diplomatic response coupled with strengthened deterrence, respect for international law and cooperation among democratic states;
Amendment 105 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Acknowledges the valuable and intensified exchanges on issues of global concern taking place in the framework of Asia-Europe Meeting, which include both the EU and India; supports regional integration processes in Asia, on political and economic levels, as they can positively contribute to the reduction of conflicts and the prosperity of the region;
Amendment 112 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes the India-EU Joint Declaration on the fight against terrorism of 30 March 2016, aimed at reinforcing cooperation on preventing and countering radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism; underlines the importance of pursuing cooperation between the EU’s and India’s security and law enforcement services under the existing arrangement within Europol; recommends facilitating the exchange of best practices and information between India and the EU, including with its Member States; encourages both sides to advocate together the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at UN level, as well as the increase of effectiveness of the UN terrorist designations;
Amendment 117 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of deeper cooperation between the EU and India for contributing in Afghanistan to building an Afghan- led state and institutions, to reconciliation processesand owned peace and reconciliation process, to building stable institutions and a functioning state and to the emergence of a political and economic environment that will allow the consolidation of peace and security; encourages, in particular, enhanced political coordination on security and military questions, development support and measures for addressing the regional context;
Amendment 121 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for renewed efforts of rapprochement and restoration of good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan through a comprehensive dialogue, and for working, including though various regional cooperation fora, towards the establishment of durable peace and cooperation, which would positively contribute to the security of the region; reminds of that responsibility particularly as both states are nuclear powers; stresses the utmost importance of combating terrorism, in all its form and manifestations;
Amendment 135 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Takes note of India's concerns regarding China, particularly taking into account the latter's assertive policy in the South China Sea, substantial military modernisation, strategic relationship with Pakistan and unresolved border issues; considers that only genuine dialogue based on the principles of international law can contribute to overcoming those differences and building trust;
Amendment 146 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Underlines that the EU and India could enhance their cooperation and exchange of best practices with regards to the African countries in order to ensure that their development efforts are complementary;
Amendment 152 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Takes positive note of the Joint Declaration on a Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility which aims to provide a framework for cooperation on promoting regular migration, preventing irregular migration and trafficking in human beings and maximising the development impact of mobility;
Amendment 155 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Considers that people-to-people exchanges should be one of the main dimensions of the strategic partnership between the EU and India; underlines, in particular, the importance of enhancing exchanges in the field of education and culture and welcomes the prospects of cooperation in skills´ development, as stated in the Agenda for Action 2020;
Amendment 162 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the reaffirmed commitment to increased exchanges on the human rights dimension of the EU-India Strategic Partnership, as citizens of both sides can benefit from enhanced cooperation on human rights issues; underlines, in this context,stresses, in particular, the need to strengthen exchange and coordination between the two partners within UN instances; underlines equally the importance of Human Rights Dialogues; notes that no exchange has taken place since 2013, and urges that a dialogue be held as soon as possible;
Amendment 182 #
2017/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines that freedom of expression and association are an integral part of a democratic society; draws attention, in this context, to the limitations to the freedom of association and expression under the current Indian law on foreign participation in the funding of NGOs (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act);
Amendment 20 #
2017/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the firm stance taken by the Commission towards the Member States on the application of EU law in the area of asylum and migration; recalls that, on account of the migratory flows towards Europe, the EU is faced with an unparalleled legal, political and humanitarian challenge; expresses the hope that the Commission will systematically monitor the application of the European Agenda on Migration by the Member States; recalls that an effective EU migration policy needs to be based on a balance between responsibility and solidarity between the Member States;
Amendment 29 #
2017/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with appreciation the abundance of statistics demonstrating the progress achieved in resolving shortcomings in the application of EU law through the EU Pilot procedure; observes that the number of EU Pilot procedures launched in 2015 was the lowest ever recorded, while the number of infringement procedures remains considerable; regrets that transposition of directives by Member States remains a problem as indicated in the annual report 2015;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Supports the introduction of the Better Regulation Agenda as an effort by the Commission to assist Member States in implementing and enforcing EU law effectively; highlights, in this context, the importance of explanatory documents, which facilitate and expedite the exchange of information between the Commission and the Member States, thus ensuring better understanding of transposition measures.; calls on the Member States to take all necessary measures to respect their commitments as agreed in the Joint Political Declaration of 28 September 2011 on Member States and the Commission on explanatory documents, including by providing correlation tables containing clear and precise information on the national measures transposing directives in their domestic legal order;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on the Member States to avoid the practice of "gold-plating" in order to reduce overregulation and administrative burdens that would have a negative effect on EU citizens and businesses; believes that unnecessary national measures going beyond EU requirements increase Euroscepticism and undermine EU legitimacy and actions;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. recalls the need to enhance existing cooperation formats and establish options to improve IPEX platform in order to foster awareness by national parliaments of their role in subsidiarity and proportionality checks, assist them in coping with the information received under the early warning system and improve their cooperation and coordination;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends the placing of subsidiarity and proportionality at the heart of EU decision-making, as evidenced by the Commission’s political priorities and the adoption of the Better Regulation Package; notes that the implementation of the better law making agenda has led the Commission to develop stronger internal instruments and procedures aiming at avoiding infringements of the principle of subsidiarity; highlights, in particular, the role of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board concerning impact assessments and welcomes the fact that subsidiarity and proportionality are now part of the quality check that the Board performs; welcomes the fact that through the Inter- institutional Agreement on Better Regulation, the Commission committed itself to make available to national parliaments the impact assessments of its legislative and non-legislative proposals; reminds that this agreement also emphasized the need for more transparency in the legislative procedure and that the information provided to national parliaments must allow them to exercise fully their prerogatives under the treaties;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates the need to enhance the flexibility of the early warning system, and notably of the eight-week period for submitting reasoned opinions, and to continue to reflect on the introduction of a green card mechanism in line with the proposals contained in the report on the Implementation of the Treaty provisions concerning national parliaments;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the creation of the Task Force on Subsidiarity, Proportionality and ‘Doing Less More Efficiently’, three of whose members will be MEPs; notes that the Task Force will have a critical look at all policy areas to make sure the EU is only acting where its action brings added value; salutes the scrutiny role that its three MEPs will play in the Task Force; looks forward for the report of the Task Force, foreseen for 15 July 2018, which should make recommendations on how the European Union could take better account of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, both with regard to the attribution and the exercise of its competences, as well as identify ways to better involve regional and local authorities in EU policy making; expresses its hope that the proposals put forward in this framework will be swiftly implemented by the Commission;
Amendment 26 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance should be that Moldova fully respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights, a strict separation of powers, the clear independence of the government from any influence of oligarchs – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. Furthermore, assistance should be conditional on strong engagement and concrete measures to reduce politicisation in public administration, to ensure the independence of the judiciary, to create the conditions for pluralistic and free media and to stimulate free and fair political competition. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union's macro- financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems, the governance and supervision of the financial sector in Moldova and promote structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. Both the fulfilment of the preconditions and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission and the European External Action Service.
Amendment 45 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance shall be that Moldova fully respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights, a strict separation of powers and a clear independence of the government from any influence coming from oligarchs – the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. The assistance shall be conditional upon strong engagement and on the adoption of concrete measures to enhance the fight against corruption, to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, to reduce the politicisation of public administration, to ensure there is an environment which allows for pluralistic and free media and stimulates free and fair political competition.
Amendment 50 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2), shall agree with the Moldovan authorities on clearly defined economic policy and, financial conditions, focusing on structural reforms and sound public finances, to which the Union's macro-financial assistance is to be subject, as well as on conditions relating to democracy and rule of law, such as measures to fight corruption and strengthen the independence of the judiciary, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding ("the Memorandum of Understanding") which shall include a timeframe and clear benchmarks for the fulfilment of those conditions. The economic policy and financial conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding shall be consistent with the agreements or understandings referred to in Article 1(3), including the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by Moldova with the support of the IMF.
Amendment 53 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The conditions referred to in paragraph 1 shall aim, in particular, at enhancing the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Moldova, including for the use of the Union's macro- financial assistance. Progress in mutual market opening, the development of rules- based and fair trade, and other priorities in the context of the Union's external policy shall also be duly taken into account when designing the policy measures, including the respect for human rights and democratic principles, such as freedom of the media, the depoliticisation of all State institutions and the stimulation of a free and fair environment allowing political competition. Progress in attaining those objectives shall be regularly monitored by the Commission.
Amendment 55 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall verify, at regular intervals, that the conditions referred to in Article 4(3) continue to be met, including whether the economic policies of Moldova are in accordance with the objectives of the Union's macro- financial assistance. In so doing, the Commission shall coordinate closely with the IMF and the World Bank, and, where necessary, with the European Parliament and the Council.
Amendment 42 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the entry into force of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) on 1 April 2016 as the first contractual relationship and an essential step for the integration of Kosovo into the EUEU- only agreement and without prejudice to positions on status, in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence; welcomes the launch of the European Reform Agenda on 11 November 2016 as a platform to facilitate implementation of the SAA and calls on Kosovo to show clear political will and determination to implement the agreed roadmap including the setting up of the coordination mechanism for the SAA, and to seize the positive momentum created by the SAA;
Amendment 53 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses concern at the persistent extreme polarisation of the political landscape; calls on all the parties to create the conditions for a fruitful, solution and result-oriented dialogue with a view to defusing tension and reaching a sustainable compromise aimed at facilitating the progress of the country on its European path;
Amendment 67 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the leaders of the Kosovo- Serbian community to take full ownership of their place and role in the institutions of the country, acting independently from Belgrade and constructively for the benefit of all the people of Kosovo;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Condemns in the strongest terms the violent disruption of activities which occurred in the first half of the year and welcomes the return of the opposition to participate in Assembly proceedings on most issues; calls for respect of the rule of law and expects all political forces to act constructively and in a democratic spirit;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the remaining five Member States to proceed with the recognition of Kosovo; stresses that recognition would be beneficial to the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina; encourages a positive approach with regard to Kosovo’s participation in international organisationsNotes that five Member States have not recognized Kosovo and acknowledges the efforts of all Member States to further strengthen EU and Kosovo relations; recalls the need for all EU Member States to facilitate economic, people-to-people contacts, and social relations between their citizens and Kosovo;
Amendment 105 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomNotes the proposal by the Commission to grant visa liberalisation, which would be a very positivefurther step for EU- Kosovo on the path to European integrrelations; is concerned by the stalemate in the Assembly with regard to the ratification of the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, and stresses that visa liberalisation can only be granted, without prejudice to different EU Member States positions on status, once Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria, including with regard to building up a track record of high-level convictions for corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 116 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the progress made in implementing the various agreements signed since August 2016 in the normalisation process with Serbia, after months of little to no progress; emphasizes that full implementation of the agreements reached is essential for further successful evolution of the Pristina -Belgrade dialogue; calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to show more engagement and sustained political will as regards the normalisation of relations and recalls that this is a condition for accession to the EUfrain from any actions that would jeopardize progress achieved so far in this process; takes note of some progress on other technical issues such as cadastre, university diplomas and licence plates and on the implementation of the agreement on the Mitrovica Bridge; welcomestakes note of the allocation of an independent international telephone code to Kosovo; reiterates its call on the European External Action Service to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;
Amendment 137 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the Association of Serbian Municipalities has not yet been set up and that the Statute still has to be drafted, and urges Kosovo to establish the association in line with the agreement reached under the EU-facilitated dialogue and with the ruling of the Kosovo Constitutional Court; expresses concern at the continued presence of Serbia’s parallel structures and calls for their dismantlement; encourages all stakeholders to find an acceptable and mutually agreeable long-term solution for the status of the Trepca mining complex;
Amendment 171 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. WelcomNotes the signing of the framework agreement for Kosovo’s participation in EU programmes and encourages the swift entry into force of the agreement;
Amendment 186 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the agreement signed by Kosovo and Serbia on 30 November 2016 on the final steps for the implementation of the Justice Agreement, reached within the Dialogue of 9 February 2015, which will enable the judicial institutions of the country to become operational in the entire territory of Kosovo;
Amendment 194 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its concern about the very slow progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime and calls for renewed efforts and a clear political will to tackle these issues; regrets that corruption and organised crime continue to go unpunished in certain areas of Kosovo, notably in the northKosovo; is concerned that the track record of investigations, prosecutions, final convictions and confiscation and sequestration of criminal assets remains low; calls for direct and effective cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as between all the countries nd within the region, in the fight against organised crime; stresses that Kosovo’s membership of Interpol anenhanced cooperation with Interpol and Europol would facilitate these efforts;
Amendment 252 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Regrets the slow pace of Kosovo’s efforts to build an adequate and efficient administrative capacity, which is preventing ithe country from fully implementing the laws adopted and using EU funds effectively; regrets the political interference and politicisation of staff in public administration at all levels;
Amendment 258 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the extension of the mandate of EULEX Kosovo and calls for continued EU efforts in further strengthening independent justice, police and customs systems beyond 2018 with a view to Kosovo’s full ownership of these functions; calls for an efficient and smooth transition of judicial cases dealt with by EULEX prosecutors to national proseccompetent Kosovo authorities;
Amendment 271 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Warmly welcomNotes the Council of Europe’s decision to grant Kosovo observer status in its Parliamentary Assembly as of January 2017 in respect of Kosovo-related sessions; supports Kosovo’s efforts to integrate into the international community; calls, in this connection, for the participation of Kosovo in all the relevant regional and international organisations and urges Serbia to stop interfering in this process;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to the Protocol on the Adaptation of the SAA between the European Communities and its Member States, on the one part, and BiH, on the other part, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, which was initialled on 18 Julysigned on 15 December 2016,
Amendment 28 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas on 9 December 2016, in Sarajevo, the EU Commissioner for neighbourhood policy and enlargement negotiations has delivered to the BiH authorities the questionnaire;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas education is essential in creating and promoting a tolerant and inclusive society as well as in fostering cultural, religious and ethnic understanding in the country;
Amendment 62 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the consideration of BiH’'s EU membership application by the Council, the handing in of the questionnaire and looks forward to the Commission’'s opinion on the merits of the application for membership; calls on competent BiH authorities at all levels to cooperate and coordinate in participating in the Commission’'s Opinion process by providing a single set of replies to the Commission’'s inquiries;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the progress on the implementation of the 2015-2018 Reform Agenda, as well as the country’s determination to pursue further institutional and socio-economic reforms; stresses that harmonised implementation of the Reform Agenda is needed to achieve real change across the country and to improve the lives of all BiH citizens; calls for the reform momentum to be maintained in order to transform BiH into a fully effective, inclusive and functional state guaranteeing equality and democratic representation of all citizens; regrets that common reform efforts often continue to be hampered by ethnic and political divisions; considers it essential to maintain consensus on EU integration and to advance in a concerted manner on the rule of law, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, the reform of the judiciary and public administration;
Amendment 81 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Underscores that, while broader political and institutional reforms continue to be needed, effective focus on social and economic reforms should remain the top priority;
Amendment 87 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes agreement on setting up a coordination mechanism for EU matters aiming to improve functionality and efficiency in the accession process, including as regards EU financial assistance, and enabling better interaction with the EU; calls on both the state and entities to ensure effective cooperation and communication between all levels of government and with the EU, in order to facilitate the alignment and implementation of the acquis, and to provide satisfactory replies to the Commission’'s inquiries throughout the Opinion process; calls for the role and capacities of the Directorate for European Integration to be further enhanced with a view to it assuming fully its coordinating functions within the implementation of the SAA and, overall, in the accession process;
Amendment 96 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets that the Rules of Procedure of the SAPC have still not been adopted and it therefore could not be properly constituted; urges the presiding bodies of the BiH Parliament to find a solution in order to meet the requirements of the institutional and legal framework of the EU and to provide a meaningful parliamentary oversight of the accession process;
Amendment 125 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its concern about the continued fragmentation into four different legal systems; stresses the need to strengthen judicial independence, including from political pressure, and to fight corruption in the judiciary; urges the rapid adoption of the action plan for the implementation of the 2014-2018 justice sector reform; welcomes the adoption of the law on free legal aid at state level and the introduction by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of guidelines on prevention of conflict of interest, the drafting of integrity plans and disciplinary measures; calls for enhancing the overall efficiency of the judiciary, increasing the transparency and objectivity in the process of selection of new judges and prosecutors, as well for strengthening accountability and integrity mechanisms in the judiciary; underlines the need to reinforce mechanisms for prevention of conflict of interests and for establishing mechanisms for transparency of financial reports and asset declarations in the judiciary; notes the important role of the Structured Dialogue on Justice in addressing the shortcomings in the BiH judiciary;
Amendment 141 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets that a high number of constitutional court decisions are not being implemented, including in particular the decision on the RS day, which was contested in the referendum held on 25 September 2016; emphasises that respect for the rule of law and the country’s constitutional framework is of paramount importance for advancing on the EU path and in order to preserve peace and stability in BiH;
Amendment 155 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes some progress with regard to refugees and internally displaced persons in terms of repossession of property and occupancy rights as well as the reconstruction of houses; calls on the competent authorities to facilitate their access to healthcare, employment, social protection and education and to dedicate further attention to damage compensation for property which cannot be returned;
Amendment 162 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Reiterates the need to address more forcefully the issue of the unresolved fate of missing persons as a result of the war; stresses that solving this issue is of paramount importance for reconciliation and stability in the region;
Amendment 169 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes some progress in fighting organised crime; is concerned, however, about the absence of a consistent approach in tackling organised crime owing to the numerous action plans by the various law enforcement agencies at different levels; highlights the need to strengthen the framework for inter-agency cooperation; welcomes joint investigations but calls for more coordinated operations and better exchange of information; calls for enhancing capacities of law enforcement bodies including on counter-terrorism; welcomes the signing of the operational and strategic cooperation agreement with Europol aimed at combating cross-border criminality by inter alia exchanging information and jointly planning operational activities;
Amendment 185 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Notes with concern the large stockpiles of weapons and ammunition and urges the total eradication of weapons held illegally by citizens;
Amendment 209 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the need for a substantial improvement in the strategic, legal, institutional and policy frameworks on the observance of human rights; calls for the adoption of a countrywide strategy on human rights and non-discrimination; is concerned about continued discrimination against persons with disabilities in the fields of employment, education and access to health care; calls for developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to the social inclusion of Roma; welcomes the fact that some governments and parliaments have begun discussing LGBTI rights and drawing up specific measures for their protection; welcomes changes to the BiH anti-discrimination law extending the listed grounds for discrimination to age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity; urges again for the repeal of the provision on the death penalty in the RS entity Constitution;
Amendment 221 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for efforts to increase the participation of women in political life and employment, to improve their socio- economic situation and to strengthen women’'s rights on the whole; highlights the importance of the effective implementation of the legislation on the prevention of and protection from gender- based violence;
Amendment 236 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is concerned about cases of political pressure and intimidation against journalists, including physical and verbal attacks, and including by high-level officials or former officials, as well as by the lack of transparency in the media ownership; is also concerned by the use of civil defamation lawsuits against critical media outlets and journalists; emphasiszes the need to investigate attacks against journalists and ensure proper judicial follow-up; calls on authorities to unequivocally condemn all attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls on BiH authorities to undertake urgent measures to save public service media from collapse; calls on the competent authorities to ensure the independence and financial stability of the three public service broadcasters as well as the political, operational and financial independence of the Communications Regulatory Authority; calls forurges to finalise the digital switchover to be finalised and forand to set up a broadband strategy to be drawn up;
Amendment 256 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes measures to modernise labour legislation, to improve the business environment and to address weaknesses in the financial sector within the framework of the Reform Agenda; notes positively also the increase in registered employment and the steps taken to strengthen economic policy coordination; welcomes the 3- year Extended Fund Facility programme agreed with the IMF, which is expected to further improve the business climate, to reduce the size of government and to safeguard the financial sector; continues to regret the absence of a unified single economic area, which hampers the business environment and foreign direct investments; calls, as a matter of urgency, for the competent authorities to outline coordinated measures with a view to strengthening the rule of law, simplifying contract enforcement procedures and combating corruption in the economy;
Amendment 271 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Notes that some progress has been achieved in further aligning policies and legislation in the area of environmental protection; calls for significant efforts regarding proper and systematic implementation and enforcement of existing legislation; stresses the need to adopt a country-wide strategy for the approximation of environmental acquis, enhance the legal framework and strengthen administrative and monitoring capacities; points out that the legislation regulating access to environmental information and public participation in decision-making processes must be brought in line with the acquis;
Amendment 276 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Underlines the need to adopt a country-wide energy strategy and to adopt a legal framework for gas in compliance with the Third Energy Package, so that European Energy Community Sanctions can be lifted;
Amendment 285 #
2016/2313(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Welcomes the prolongation of EUFOR's mandate in November 2016 for another year by the UN Security Council;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population; underlines the need for informed and constructive debates on the EU, its institutions and what EU membership entails;
Amendment 66 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies and to undertake further efforts to ensure the systematic inclusion of civil society in policy dialogues;
Amendment 89 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, including regarding campaign financing and transparency of registration process; stresses the need to investigate properly claims of irregularities arising during the electoral process;
Amendment 108 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on Serbia to align progressively its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including on restrictive measures and its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
Amendment 128 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; calls on the authorities to bring the legal framework for the recruitment and the appointment of judges and prosecutors in line with European standards in order to reduce political influence on the judiciary; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;
Amendment 166 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament; stresses that the Head of EU Delegation should be able to present this report without undue obstacles and that this will also enable proper oversight on the accession process by the Serbian parliament;
Amendment 185 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates the importance of all independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his workstresses the necessary transparency and accountability of state institutions; calls on the authorities to protect the independence of and support the work of regulatory bodies such as the Ombudsman, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance, State Audit Institution, Anti- Corruption Agency and Anti-Corruption Council; stresses the need to ensure proper follow-up for the recommendations of all these regulatory bodies;
Amendment 207 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including Roma, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons;
Amendment 215 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to provide adequate resources for investigate anying all cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets, as often investigations are slow and do not lead to results; welcomes the signing of the Memorandum on cooperation and protection of journalists agreed between prosecutors, police and journalists and media outlets and looks forward to its implementation; calls also for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;
Amendment 235 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities and pay particular attention to non- discriminatory treatment of national minorities throughout the country, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;
Amendment 281 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Expresses its concern with the participation of various Serbian officials in the 9th of January celebrations of the Day of Republika Srpska, which have been held in defiance of Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional court decisions; stresses that both Serbia, as candidate country, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as potential candidate, should defend and promote the rule of law by their actions;
Amendment 301 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; calls for the establishment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities in line with the agreement reached under the EU- facilitated dialogue; underlines the need for both Belgrade and Pristina to refrain from any actions that might jeopardize progress achieved so far in this process; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to the European Council’s decision of 16 December 2005 to grant the country the status of candidate for EU membership, to the European Council conclusions of June 2008, and to the conclusions of 13 December 2016, which received the support of the overwhelming majority of delegations and expressed its strong commitment to the EU integration of the Republic of Macedonia,
Amendment 42 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a serious commitment by all political forces is required for the country to return tomaintain its EU integration and euro-atlantic path; whereas a new government needs to adopt and implement robust reforms;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the respect for fundamental freedoms shown at the elections of 11 December 2016; urgeswelcomes that all political parties to accepted its results in the interest of domestic stability and underlines their responsibility to ensure that there is no backsliding into political crisis; calls for a swift formation of a new governmenton all parties to refrain from any obstruction in regard to the effective functioning of the parliament; calls for a swift formation of a new government in line with the constitutional and legal requirements and procedures in order to make use of the mandate to carry on with necessary reforms; considers cross- party cooperation essential for addressing pressing domestic and EU-related challenges;
Amendment 90 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NotWelcomes that the electoral process has improved, including the legal framework, voters’ lists and the media environment; and welcomes civil society representatives observing the elections in a large majority of the polling stations; hopes that the alleged irregularities and shortcomings, including voter intimidation, vote buying, abmisuse of publicadministrative resources, will also be addressed effectively by the competent authorities in view of the local elections in May 2017; stresses the need for afurther de- politicisation of the electoral administration in order to increase the public’s trust in future elections;
Amendment 138 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the backsliding in the reform of the judiciary; deplores recurrent political interference in its work including in the appointment and promotion of judges and prosecutors, as well as the cases of selective justice; calls for greater political will to ensure the full independence of the judiciary; urges once again that the political will be demonstrated to progress in judicial reform including by improving transparency in the appointment and promotion procedures; and by reducing the length of court proceedings;cknowledges that some efforts were made to improve transparency; furthermore, calls on the authorities to ensure the professionalism of the Judicial Council;
Amendment 158 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Remains concerned that corruption is prevalent in many areas and combating corruption is being undermined by political interference; highlights the need for strong political will to tackle corruption; stresses the need to strengthen the independence of the police, the prosecution and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC); calls for improving transparency in the selection and appointment of SCPC members; calls, as a matter of urgency, for efforts to be made to ensure the effective prevention and punishment of conflicts of interest and to establish a credible track record on high- level corruption including the implementation of the legal framework for the protection of whistle-blowers; calls on the authorities to support the work of the Ombudsman with adequate staffing and budgetary measures;
Amendment 242 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the maintenance of macro-economic stability and the reduction of the unemployment rate, but is concerned that unemployment remains high with very low labour market participation, especially among youth and women; further urges competent authorities to tackle long-term and structural unemployment, to promote economic policy cooperation, to better align education with labour market demands and to develop a targeted strategy on how to better integrate young people and women into the labour market; is concerned about the outflow of highly educated young professionals; strongly calls on the government to dedicate particular attention to improving the perspectives of youth;
Amendment 297 #
2016/2310(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes Macedonia’s continued constructive and proactive role in regional and international cooperation; commends the increased alignment with EU foreign policy (73 %); however encourages the country to align its foreign policy with the EU on restrictive measures related to Russian invasion to Ukraine and occupation of Crimea; reiterates the importance of finalising the negotiations on a bilateral treaty with Bulgaria;
Amendment 81 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the strategic importance of good EU-Turkey relations forand the high added value of cooperation in coping with challenges both sides face; recognises that both Turkey and the EU have gone through their own internal transformation processes since the accession negotiations were opened in 2004; regrets that rule of law and human rights, values which stand at the heart of the enlargement process, have been gravely undermined in Turkey; regrets moreover that the accession instruments have not been used to the fullest extent, in particular in those area, and that, over the years, public support for Turkey’'s full integration into the EU has lost public support on both sidesbeen weakened; remains committed to cooperating and maintaining an open dialogue with the Turkish Government, in order to address common challenges; recommends that the Council urgently invite the Turkish Government to a summit to discuss the obvious crisis in EU-Turkey relations that we are faced with;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of the outcome of the referendum that took place on 16 April 2017, held under the state of emergency and in circumstances that prevented a fair campaign; notes with regret, moreover, that the two sides of the campaign did not have equal opportunities and that voters lacked impartial and balanced information on the proposed changes; strongly supports an independent evaluation of all claims regarding irregularities and fraud; notes the remarks of the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform, and underlines that the proposed constitutional amendments do not respect the fundamental principles of the separation of powers and sufficient checks and balances, and are not in line with the Copenhagen criteria;
Amendment 116 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to suspend the accession talks with Turkey if the constitutional package is implemented unchanged or if the capital punishment will be reintroduced; considers that the continuation of accession negotiations should only take place if rule of law and respect for human rights will be fully restored;
Amendment 143 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with regret that measures undertaken following the declaration of the state of emergency, which included arrests, detainments and proprety confiscations, have targeted alleged members/supporters of the Gülen movement, dissent in general and political parties of the opposition in particular; strongly condemns the imprisonment of 13 MPs belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including its co-chairs, and of 90 Kurdish municipal mayors; urges the Turkish Government to lift the state of emergency immediately; underlines that the reintroduction of the death penalty would violate Turkey’s international commitments and lead to an immediate end to the EU accession talks;
Amendment 280 #
2016/2308(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to take into account the latest developments in Turkey when conducting the mid-term review of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds in 2017, the 2018 budget and the MFF review and to suspend all pre-accession funds if Turkey no longer sufficiently complies with the EU’s Copenhagen criteria; calls on the Commission to use those funds to support Turkish civil society, free media, to reinforce rule of law and human rights and to invest more in people-to-people exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+ for students;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the system of reparations for the victims of the crimes within the competences of the Court makes the ICC a unique judicial institution at the international level;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas the European Parliament in its Resolution of 27 October 2016 recalled that 'ISIS/Daesh' human rights abuses include genocide,
Amendment 61 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Contracting Parties to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948, the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984 and to other relevant international agreements, including the EU Member States, to prevent atrocity crimes within their territory as they have committed to doing; calls on all states that have not yet ratified these Conventions to do so;
Amendment 99 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with regret the recent announcements of withdrawals from the Rome Statute, which represent a challenge in terms of victims’ access to justice; strongly calls on the countries concerned to reconsider their decision; welcomes the fact that one of these has alreadyat both Gambia and South Africa have retracted itstheir withdrawal notifications;
Amendment 109 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Takes note of the progress made in the implementation of the Action Plan to follow-up on the Decision on the ICC of 12 July 2011; calls for an evaluation of the implementation of the Action Plan in order to identify possible areas in which the effectiveness of EU action could be improved, including when it comes to promoting the integrity and the independence of the Court;
Amendment 110 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Urges all States having ratified the Rome Statue to fully cooperate with the ICC in its efforts to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for serious international crimes, to respect the authority of the ICC and to fully implement its decisions;
Amendment 134 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Underlines the importance 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 highlights its importance for the effectiveness and good functioning of the international criminal justice system;
Amendment 138 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Considers that the victims of the atrocity crimes should be provided with access to effective and enforceable remedies and reparations; highlights the special role of victims and witnesses in proceedings before the Court and the need for specific measures aimed at ensuring their security and effective participation in accordance with the Rome Statue;
Amendment 191 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the EUʼs efforts to support the work of the Commission for International Justice and Accountability; calls for the EU to give direct support to Iraqi and Syrian civil society in gathering, preserving and protecting evidence of crimes committed by ‘ISIS/Daesh’; supports the United Kingdom and Belgian initiative at UN level to gather evidence of the crimes committed by ‘ISIS/Daesh’ in Syria and Iraq in order to facilitate its prosecution internationallyrecalls that the collection of evidence on war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is a key step in the fight against impunity; supports in this context the British and Belgian initiative at UN level to gather evidence of the crimes committed by ‘ISIS/Daesh’ in Syria and Iraq in order to facilitate its prosecution internationally; further supports the activities of the Cultural Heritage Initiative and its fact- finding activities in Syria and Iraq related to the destruction of archaeological and cultural heritage;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that all individuals are born equal in dignity and rights; whereas the right to a nationality and the right not to be arbitrarily deprived from one’s nationality is enshrined in Article 15 of the same Declaration, as well as in other international human rights instruments and conventions;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by all South and Southeast Asia countries, stipulates that a child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right to acquire a nationality; whereas it is estimated that half of the world’s stateless persons are children and that many of them are stateless from birth;
Amendment 18 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas a stateless person is defined in the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Person as someone ‘who is not considered as a national of any State under operation of its law’; whereas the root causes of statelessness can varyare diverse, including but not limited to being forced to flee, migrstate succession, dissolution of states, violent conflict, discriminatory policy toward a targeted group of persons, gender discrimination, changes and gaps in nationality laws, expiration of nationality throughfor having lived outside of one’s country for an extended period of time, gender discrimination, administrative and bureaucratic hurdles;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas statelessness is a multifaceted problem, including but and the root cause of serious human rights violations that include but are not limited to problems relating to birth certificates and other civil status documents, as well as other documents relating to property, educational achievement and business ownership, political representation and voting participation, access to social security and public services; whereas statelessness may contribute to human trafficking, and child abuse; rbitrary detention, violation of the freedom of movement, child abuse and discrimination against women;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas statelessness continues to receive limited international attention despite its very worrying global and regional human rights implications and continues to be seen as an internal affair of states; whereas reducing and eventually abolishing statelessness should become a human rights priority at the international level;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the international legal instruments to fight statelessness have not achieved their primary objective of protecting the right of every person to a nationality;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 42 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas The Global Action Plan to End Statelessness: 2014 – 2024 of the UNHCR aims to resolve existing major situations of statelessness, prevent new cases of emerging and better identify and protect stateless populations; whereas the EU committed to actively support the UNHCR Action’s Plan to end statelessness;
Amendment 57 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas many of the world’s 10 million stateless persons reside in South and Southeast Asia, with the Rohingya of Myanmar being the single largest stateless group in the world, with over 800 0001 million persons under the UNHCR’s statelessness mandate, but large communities of stateless people are also found in Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and elsewhere; whereas South and Southeast Asia have both protracted and unresolved cases, as well as cases where effective progress has been made, at least on paper;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas significant progress has been made in South and Southeast Asia in recent years with amendments to nationality laws introducing adequate provisions to prevent statelessness and to allow stateless persons to acquire nationality; whereas these efforts need to be pursued and reinforced;
Amendment 62 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the Rohingya are one of the world’s most persecuted minorities, and have been officially stateless since the 1982 Burmese Citizenship Law; whereas the Rohingya are unwanted by the Myanmar authorities and by neighbouring countries, although some of the latter host large refugee populations; whereas ongoing clashes in Rakhine State are causing continued human trafficking; whereas domestic and international responses to the situation of the Rohingya have been largely insufficient and many tools to resolve the issue have not been yet explored;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Regrets that statelessness status is in some cases instrumentalised in order to marginalise specific communities and deprive them of their rights; believes that legal, political and social inclusion of minorities is a key element of a democratic transition and that resolving statelessness issues would contribute to a better social cohesion and political stability;
Amendment 78 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Draws attention to the fact that statelessness can cause significant humanitarian crisis and reminds that statelessness persons should have access to humanitarian programmes; underlines that statelessness often implies lack of access to education, health services, work, freedom of movement and security;
Amendment 86 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Whilst acknowledging national sovereignty over matters such as citizenship, urges countries with stateless populations to take concrete steps towards resolving this issue, in line with the principles enshrined in international conventions and in particular the Convention on the rights of the child that they have all ratified;
Amendment 94 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the EU to promote the setting-up of global solutions to statelessness together with specific regional or local strategies since a "one size fits all" approach will not be efficient enough to tackle statelessness;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Believes that the EU should more strongly underline the major impact of statelessness on global issues such as poverty eradication, the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, the promotion of the rights of the child, addressing illegal migration and human trafficking;
Amendment 96 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Emphasises the importance of an effective communication strategy on statelessness in order to raise awareness on the issue; calls on the EU to communicate more and better on statelessness, in cooperation with UNHCR, and through its delegations in the third countries concerned, and focus on the human rights violations as a consequence of statelessness;
Amendment 97 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Calls for the EU to develop a comprehensive strategy to statelessness based on two sets of measures; considers that the first set should deal with urgent situations and the second one should define long-term measures to end statelessness; believes that the strategy should focus on a limited number of priorities and that the EU should take the lead in case of urgent situations to raise the awareness on statelessness at the international level;
Amendment 98 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Stresses that the EU’s comprehensive strategy on statelessness should be able to adjust to specific situations faced by stateless people; stresses that in order to define appropriate measures, a distinction needs to be made between a statelessness as a result of a lack of administrative capacity and as a result of a discriminatory state policy against certain communities or minorities;
Amendment 100 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Recommends that in the Member States make it a priority to support the positive developments iframework of the comprehensive strategy on statelessness, the EU focuses on the following priority areas when addressing the statelessness issue in South and Southeast Asia, and proposes a new comprehensive policy approach including:
Amendment 101 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
– encouraging relevant ministries and parliaments to highlight the benefits of acceding to the Statelessness Conventcoordinated solutions to statelessness among South and Southeast Asia countries to develop efficient strategies with measurable goals; in this respect, ASEAN could play an important role in coordinating these efforts and aiming towards its objectives of promoting and protecting human rights within the regions;
Amendment 106 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 3
Paragraph 4 – indent 3
– advocating with states on the benefits of gathering national data on stateless persons and those with undetermined nationality for purposes ofas the identification of stateless persons is the first step for the states concerned to take the necessary measures to end statelessness; the data collected will then be used for registration, documentation, delivery of public services, maintenance of law and order and development planning;
Amendment 109 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 4
Paragraph 4 – indent 4
– consistently emphasising that birth registration needs to be free, easily accessible and undertaken on a non- discriminatory basis;
Amendment 112 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 – indent 4 a (new)
– supporting South and Southeast Asia countries to ensure access to education to everyone including stateless children, as statelessness is a significant obstacle for children to get access to equal education opportunities;
Amendment 120 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 7
Paragraph 4 – indent 7
– building the capacity of relevant EU institutions and actors to understand, assess and programme and report on issues of statelessness; putting in place a regular reporting on the EU’s achievements in the fight against statelessness including by integrating a section on statelessness in the EU's Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the world;
Amendment 123 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 8
Paragraph 4 – indent 8
– ensuring that statelessness, nationality and citizenship are appropriately covered in human rights and democracy country strategies; addressing the issue of statelessness during every political and human rights dialogue with the countries concerned;
Amendment 124 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 8 a (new)
Paragraph 4 – indent 8 a (new)
– setting-up EU Human Rights guidelines on statelessness in order to provide concrete measurable objectives for EU's efforts to eliminate statelessness worldwide;
Amendment 129 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 10
Paragraph 4 – indent 10
– reserving funding in the Development Cooperation Instrument, European Development Fund and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights budgets for NGOs and other organisations working to reach stateless communities; promoting partnerships between civil society organisations and statelessness communities in order to empower them so they can fight for their rights;
Amendment 133 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – indent 11
Paragraph 4 – indent 11
– ensuring follow-up, such as awareness raising and technical support for public administrations and capacity building, including at local level for when there have been positive developments that need to be implemented in practice, such as in Bangladesh, where the Biharis have been granted the right to citizenship and voting rights; supporting South and Southeast Asia countries in the promotion and exchange of best practices in implementing international standards related to the fight against statelessness;
Amendment 137 #
2016/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 28 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the paramount importance of SDG 16; stresses that respect for human rights, on ensuring peace, justice and inclusive societies; stresses that respect for human rights is key to any successful democratisation process, and that the consolidation of the rule of law, good governance and stability should be key objectives of all EU external policies;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that abuses and human rights violations are one of the main root causes of migration from developing countries; therefore calls on the EU to focus its development actions on improving good governance, respect for human rights and consolidation of democracy in partner countries;
Amendment 50 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the introduction of a human-rights-based approach (HRBA) in EU development policy aimed at integrating human rights principles into EU operational activities for development , covering arrangements both at headquarters and in the field for the synchronisation of human rights and development cooperation activities; calls for greater dissemination of the HRBA toolbox among our partners, including local authorities, civil society and private sector, and for its implementation to be closely monitored by the Commission;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates its calls on EU institutions and Member States to take into account human rights and development impacts when concluding trade agreements;
Amendment 66 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to include human rights systematically in political dialogues conducted with developing countries and to ensure that development assistance is systematically linked to the progress made as regards the effective promotion of democracy and human rights;
Amendment 74 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. CRecognises the crucial role that EU Delegations play as regards the promotion of human rights in third countries and the effective implementation of EU's external human rights policy; calls on the Commission to carry out an evaluation of the use of the HRBA toolbox in delegations;
Amendment 75 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas the values of freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections are essential elements of democracy; whereas democracy provides the environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights;
Amendment 86 #
2016/2219(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Firmly believes that the private sector is a key partner in achieving the SDGs, including human rights targets; stresses, therefore the importance of ensuring multinational companies' accountability and alignment with human rights standards and principles by regularly assessing the human rights impacts of their development related activities; supports in this regards the dissemination and effective implementation of the UN Guiding Principles and Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 182 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its serious concern at the numerous, ever-increasing attempts made to shrink the space of civil society and human rights defenders, and the growing number of repressive laws affecting civil society adopted throughout the world, under the pretext of combating terrorism (through the introduction of counter-terrorism laws);
Amendment 201 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on all the EU institutions and the Member States to act on their commitments to promote democracy and the rule of law, protect and realise human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to place human rights at the centre of the EU’s relations with all third countries – including its strategic partners – and at all levels;
Amendment 207 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that, in order for the EU to be a credible actor in external relationsto advance human rights and democracy in the world, it should ensure increased coherence between its internal and external policies with regard to respect for human rights and democratic values, and it should aim towards a systematically consistent and coherent implementation of the EU’s human rights policy;
Amendment 209 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Draws attention to its long-term commitment to promote human rights and advance democratic values, as reflected, inter alia, in the annual award of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in the work of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, in support and active involvement in European Endowment for Democracy and in the monthly plenary debates and resolutions on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
Amendment 228 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines that a solid consensus and enhanced coordination between the EU and Member States is needed in order to ensure a coherent implementation of the Action Plan; encourages Member States to take greater ownership of the implementation both of the EU Strategic Framework and of the Action Plan and to use them as their blueprint in promoting human rights and democracy bilaterally and multilaterally;
Amendment 235 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages the EU to develop a work plan, with a clear timetable, measurable benchmarks, and a clear division of roles and responsibilities, for the implementation of the Action Plan; recalls its determination to be closely associated with and consulted on the implementation of the Action Plan;
Amendment 253 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls the importance of the mandate of the EUSR in enhancing the EU’s effectiveness in advancing human rights and democratic principles around the world; reiterates its call for this mandate to become a permanent one; considers, moreover, that the EUSR should have own-initiative powers, higher public visibility and adequate resources to work at its full potential;
Amendment 280 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its support for dedicated Human Rights Dialogues as a tool of the EU’s human rights policy; acknowledges that they can be an efficient tool for bilateral engagement and cooperation, provided they allow counterparts to engage on issues of substance and send meaningful political messages, rather than merely that should go beyond exchanging information on best practices and challenges;
Amendment 335 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. CExpresses its solidarity with the high number of refugees and migrants who suffer grave human rights violations as victims of conflicts, governance failure and networks of trafficking and illegal immigration; condemns the dramatic number of deaths at sea in the Mediterraneanworldwide; is extremely concerned about the growing numbers of human rights abuses against migrants and asylum seekers on their route to Europe; highlights the weaknesses and systematic inurgent need of improving the coherence of the policies of the EU and the Member States in this area and stresses the need for a holistic approach to find long-term solutions;
Amendment 473 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Warmly welcomesTakes note of the work initiated in preparation for a binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights; regrets any obstructive behaviour in relation to this process, and calls on the EU and its Member States to engage constructively in these negotiations;
Amendment 627 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)
Paragraph 69 a (new)
Amendment 634 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
71. Deeply regrets the lack of respect for international humanitarian law, and expresses its grave concern over the alarmingly increasing rate of collateral damage in armed conflicts around the world, and of deadly attacks against hospitals, schools, humanitarian convoys and other civilian targets;
Amendment 636 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71a. Expresses its serious concerns about the rising influence of non-state actors' perpetrations in conflicts around the world;
Amendment 792 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98
Paragraph 98
98. Expresses its grave concern at the continued use of torture and ill-treatment of persons held in detention, i.a. in order to extract confessions that are then used in criminal trials that fall manifestly short of international standards of fairness;
Amendment 817 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 104 a (new)
Paragraph 104 a (new)
104. Reiterates its call for an EU common position on the use of armed drones which upholds human rights and international humanitarian law and should address issues such as legal framework, proportionality, accountability, protection of civilians and transparency; urges once again that the EU ban the development, production and use of fully autonomous weapons which enable strikes to be carried out without human intervention; calls for the EU to oppose and ban the practice of extrajudicial and targeted killings and to commit to ensuring appropriate measures, in accordance with domestic and international legal obligations, where there are reasonable grounds for believing that an individual or entity within its jurisdiction may be connected to unlawful targeted killings abroad;
Amendment 853 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 110 b (new)
Paragraph 110 b (new)
110b. Underlines that corruption is a threat to the equal enjoyment of human rights and undermines democratic processes; considers that the EU should emphasise the importance of integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs in all dialogues with third countries, as stipulated in the UNCAC; encourages the EU to firmly support third countries in tackling corruption;
Amendment 854 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 110 c (new)
Paragraph 110 c (new)
110c. Stresses that enlargement policy is one of the strongest tools for reinforcing respect for democratic principles and human rights; calls on the Commission to continue to support the reinforcement of democratic political cultures, the respect of the rule of law, the independence of media, as well as of the judiciary and the fight against corruption in candidate and potential candidate countries;
Amendment 855 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 110 d (new)
Paragraph 110 d (new)
110d. Welcomes the Joint Communication on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy and reminds that, as stipulated in the TEU, EU's relation with its neighbouring countries should be founded on the values of the Union, which include human rights and democracy; underlines that contributing to the stabilisation of the neighbourhood and promoting democracy, rule of law, good governance and human rights, go hand in hand;
Amendment 857 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 110 f (new)
Paragraph 110 f (new)
110f. Recalls that the experience gained by the EU, politicians, academics, the media, NGOs and civil society, and the lessons learned from transitions to democracy in the framework of the enlargement and neighbourhood policies, could positively contribute to the identification of best practices that could be used to support and consolidate other democratisation processes worldwide; in this context welcomes the work of the European Endowment for Democracy;
Amendment 862 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111 c (new)
Paragraph 111 c (new)
111c. Recalls the commitment made in the Action Plan by the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States to engage more firmly and consistently with election management bodies, parliamentary institutions and civil society organisations in third countries, in order to contribute to their empowerment and, therefore, to the strengthening of the democratic processes;
Amendment 866 #
2016/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112 a (new)
Paragraph 112 a (new)
112a. Stresses that the EU should continue to support democratic and effective human rights institutions and the civil society of neighbouring countries; positively notes in this context the European Endowment for Democracy's consistent engagement in the EU's Eastern and Southern neighbourhood in promoting respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and democratic principles;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2160(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the ECA found certain weaknesses in recruitment procedures of local agents in delegations and in procurement procedures organised by delegations and invites the EEAS to improve the quality of its procedures; points out the challenges of operations within a decentralised network of 139 delegations, with limited human resources and in diverse environments, and stresses the necessity to reduce the administrative burden faced by individual delegations; welcomes the pilot project on the regionalisation of the administrative support to Union delegations in Europe and calls for the centralisation of administrative tasks at Headquarters as far as possible, as well as for adequate training opportunities and ad-hoc support of the delegations;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2160(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes ECA Special Report 07/2016 on the management of buildings by the EEAS; while recognising the challenges of building management in often complex environments; calls on the EEAS to address the individual cases of unoccupied or unnecessarily large premises that have been identified by the ECA as a matter of priority.; recommends to the EEAS to support the EU delegations in identifying suitable solutions in meeting their needs;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with concern the persisting deficiencies in the quality of expenditure verifications carried out by auditors contracted by beneficiaries, which in some cases lead to the Commission's acceptance of ineligible costs and recognizes the need to improve grant supervision; underlines that delays were also identified in the validation, authorization and payment of expenditures by the Commission;
Amendment 18 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Takes note of the ECA Special reports 11/2016, 20/2016 and 21/2016 that focus on EU pre-accession assistance for strengthening administrative capacity in the Western Balkans; welcomes all the recommendations made by the ECA and encourages the Commission to implement them; draws attention in particular to the importance of ensuring responsive, targeted and flexible assistance to the candidate and potential candidate countries from the Western Balkans, as well as of making full use of available instruments for stimulating the necessary reforms for a European path of these countries;
Amendment 20 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Welcomes equally the recommendations suggested by the ECA in the Special report 13/2016 on the EU assistance for strengthening the public administration in Moldova and in the Special report 32/2016 on EU assistance to Ukraine; considers that the EU should fully use the leverage of the conditionality and ensure proper monitoring of the implementation of the reforms undertaken in order to positively contribute to the reinforcement of democratic practices both in Moldova and Ukraine;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Official Development Assistance (ODA) can play a crucial role in delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular in low-income countries and in fighting extreme poverty and inequality, if it is better targeted and if it respects the principles of effective development cooperation, namely democratic country ownership, alignment, strengthening local capacity, transparency and democratic accountability, focus on results, and inclusiveness; stresses that aid conditionalities shall respect the principles of democratic ownership; whereas besides development aid and cooperation, other development policy tools are necessary to effectively eradicate poverty and promote the SDGs;
Amendment 2 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) provides an inclusive forum bringing together governments, bilateral and multilateral organisations, civil society, parliaments, trade unions and the private sector from rich, emerging and developingall countries alike;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas countries such as China, Brazil, Turkey, Russia and India play an increasingly important role as emerging donors and for the transfer of development expertise and technology, not least thanks to their own recent and current development experience; whereas their engagement with more traditional donors in the promotion of global public goods and their participation in the GPEDC can be enhanced;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas-dono provider driven aid agendas risk undermining the ownership and sustainability of development assistance and past progress on alignment; development cooperation agendas and tied aid, including in the area of procurement, can be an expression of diverse political interests which sometimes conflict with development policies and may risk undermining the ownership and sustainability of development assistance and past progress on alignment, resulting, therefore, in ineffectiveness and increasing dependency; whereas local ownership has an important role to play in ensuring effective development for citizens;
Amendment 5 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas development effectiveness, understood as the effective use of all means and resources geared towards development, including poverty reduction, depends nboth only on aid providing aind donors but also recipient countries and on the existence of effective and responsive institutions, sound policies, the rule of law, inclusive democratic governanceinvolvement of local stakeholders and civil society, the rule of law, inclusive democratic governance, the presence of effective and transparent follow-up mechanisms, and safeguards against corruption within developing countries and illicit financial flows at international level; whereas the GPEDC should play an increased role in facilitating and promoting progress on the above determinants for development;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1a (new)
Paragraph 1a (new)
1a. Calls for the utilization of all development policy tools for poverty eradication and the promotion of the SDGs; is of the opinion that the effectiveness of development funding should be assessed on the basis of concrete results and its contribution to development policy as a whole; stresses the key role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in fulfilling the development effectiveness agenda, for poverty eradication, the reduction of inequality, for delivering essential public services and supporting good governance; underlines that ODA is more flexible, predictable and accountable than other flows potentially contributing to development;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2a (new)
Paragraph 2a (new)
2a. Recalls that sufficient funding is a prerequisite for effective development cooperation; notes that most ODA providers have not met their commitments to provide 0.7% of their GNI as development assistance by 2015, resulting in more than USD 2 trillion not being made available to developing countries for attaining the Millennium Development Goals; urges the European Union and its Member States to meet the longstanding commitment to devote 0.7% of GNI to aid and to step up their development assistance, including through the EU budget and the European Development Fund, and to adopt an effective roadmap in order to reach the commitment in a transparent, predictable and accountable way; warns against the dilution of ODA criteria with the aim of covering expenses other than those directly linked to promoting sustainable development in the developing countries;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that the GPEDC ought to play a leading role in ensuring progress on SDG 17, namely on monitoring and accountability, increased effectiveness of aid, quality and capacity aspects of finance for development, tax and debt sustainability, mobilising the private sector and its responsibility for sustainable development, transparency, policy coherence, multi- stakeholder partnerships, south-south and triangular cooperation;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress made, and recommends that the Commission make further efforts to ensure that all actors concerned have access to information on transparency of development cooperation programming, funding mechanisms, projects and aid flows, in particular in the context of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and the setting-up of the ‘EU Aid Explorer’; encourages further efforts website; points out, however, that major steps still need to be taken in this regard and demands that further significant efforts be urgently made by all donors to make information and data more accessible, timely and comparable, and; calls on those Member States which are not yet contributing to IATI to start doing so; calls on the Commission and the Member States to make use of the data available, and support also partner countries, by promoting exchange of information and good practices in this regard;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9a (new)
Paragraph 9a (new)
9a. Considers that monitoring, review, and knowledge sharing about progress in development is paramount to enhance the accountability and impact of cooperation, particularly at country level; therefore urges the Commission to submit reports, at least every 24 months, on EU’s and Member States’ efforts and action plans to comprehensively implement the Busan principles; calls on the EU to further support partner countries in the improvement of their administrative and logistical capacity, and in particular their statistical systems;
Amendment 11 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the role in development of citizens, local communities, elected representatives, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs), and elected representatives,cademia, trade unions and the private sector and stresses that all these actors need to be involved in furthering and implementing the effectiveness agenda at various levels; believes that their effective contribution requires their participatory involvement in planning and implementing, mutual accountability and transparency, monitoring and evaluation and that donors should improve predictability and speediness when working with these actors as implementing partners and basic service supply partners in order genuinely to reach the most vulnerable sections of the population;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13a (new)
Paragraph 13a (new)
13a. Stresses that assistance can only be sustained when recipients are strongly committed and in charge; insists on the importance of shared responsibility for development results, including for the implementation of the Istanbul Principles, and recalls that democratic ownership requires strong institutions that can ensure the full participation of local actors in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13b (new)
Paragraph 13b (new)
13b. Underlines the importance to enable Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to exercise their role as independent development actors, with a particular focus on an enabling environment, consistent with agreed international rights, that maximizes the contributions of CSOs to development; expresses concerns about a shrinking space for civil society organisations in many partner countries; calls on the Commission to improve accessibility of funding for CSOs;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15a (new)
Paragraph 15a (new)
15a. Recalls that the EU and its Member States are committed to untying their aid and acknowledges the progress made in this area; calls for further efforts to accelerate untying of aid at global level by all providers of development aid, including emerging economies; calls on aid providers to use partner countries’ procurement systems as a first option;
Amendment 15 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop new initiatives to explorenhance South-South and triangular cooperation flagship projects, involving new emerging donors and other middle- income countries based on tackling global challenges of mutual interest, without losing the perspective of eradicating poverty; highlights the need to harness the full potential of decentralized cooperation in order to further the development effectiveness agenda, whilst respecting all safeguards in relation to transparency, effectiveness and coherence and avoiding further fragmentation of the international aid architecture;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that development assistance can play an important role in fighting poverty, in tackling inequalities and in promoting development, in particular of least developed countries and ofor boosting access to quality public services for the most deprived and vulnerable groups, as well as catalysing other critical systemic factors that are conducive to development such as promoting gender equality (as articulated in the Busan Partnership), education, health systems strengthening, including the fight against poverty related diseases, if employed in a context of legitimate, inclusive governance based on the rule of law and respect for human rights;
Amendment 17 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines the significance of SDG 16 for development effectiveness overall, and warns that development aid cannot effectively fulfil its purpose where there is a lack of peace, respect for human rights and the rule of law, sufficientan impartial, efficient and independent judicial system, internationally-recognized social, environmental and labour standards and safeguards for the integrity of public institutions and office-holders, inclusive, participatory and representative decision- making at all levels and transparency and accountability;
Amendment 18 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20a (new)
Paragraph 20a (new)
20a. Firmly believes that the private sector is an important partner in achieving the SDGs and mobilizing further resources for development; stresses that, given their increasing role in development cooperation, private sector actors must align with development effectiveness principles and abide by the principles of corporate accountability throughout the whole lifecycle of projects; acknowledges the efforts of some private sector actors to take into account human rights commitments, social inclusion and sustainability as core to their business models and calls for a generalization of this approach; points out the need for the private sector to respect international law principles and social and environmental standards, as well as the UN Global Compact on Human Rights, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ILO core labour standards and the UN Convention Against Corruption; calls on the Commission to ensure that companies operating from tax havens do not participate in ODA-financed projects; underlines in parallel the need for partner countries to foster an enabling environment for businesses, including transparent legal and regulatory systems;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Commission plays an active role within the Steering Committee of the GPEDC, and one of its co-chairs has been from an EU Member State, the Netherlands; whereas Germany is taking over this co-chairing role;
Amendment 28 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas-dono provider driven aiddevelopment cooperation agendas risk undermining the ownership and sustainability of development assistance and past progress on alignment; whereas local ownership has an important role to play in ensuring effective development for citizens;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the 20146 GPEDC Progress Report noted a lack of progress in using and strengthening country systems and stagnation or decline in the use of budget support as a country-aligned modalityMonitoring round noted shows that progress in the use of country systems remains low and that untying aid has not further progressed, being still at the 80% peak reached in 2010 ;
Amendment 49 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that most ODA providers have not met their commitments to provide 0.7% of their GNI as development assistance by 2015, resulting in more than USD 2 trillion not being made available to developing countries for attaining the Millennium Development Goals; reiterates its call on EU Member States to meet their previous commitments and step up their development assistance, including through the EU budget and the European Development Fund;
Amendment 50 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the outcome document of the HLM2 to clearly address and assign thedifferentiated roles and responsibilities of development actors and institutions in a differentiated mannerfor implementing the agenda and applying the principles, in order to enhance progress and facilitate future cooperation;
Amendment 51 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes the Mexican proposal for inclusion of a fifth development effectiveness principle, to "Leave No-one Behind"; acknowledges the importance of placing a strong focus on poor, vulnerable and marginalized groups, duly taking into account gender equality and the situations of fragility and conflict, in the context of development effectiveness agenda; takes the view that, while this principle would correspond to the general philosophy and the overarching commitment of the 2030 Agenda, its possible inclusion should be accompanied by serious discussion and reflection on its operationalization, notably regarding issues of mainstreaming and indicators;
Amendment 52 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. CHighlights the need to position GPEDC strongly in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda; considers that the GPEDC can provide added value if its work is strategically phased and tailored in view of the work and calendar of the UN ECOSOC Development Cooperation Forum, the Financing for Development Forum, and the High Level Political Forum;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the GPEDC should play a strong role in the evidence-based aspects of monitoring and accountability as regards effectiveness principles for achieving the SDGs and in supporting their fuller implementation by all actors at national level; underlines the need for the GPEDC to provide clearly defined channels for cooperation for specific development actors beyond OECD donors, including emerging donors, local and regional governments, civil society organisations, private philanthropists, financial institutions and, private-sector companies and trade unions; believes that the chairing arrangements of the GPEDC should reflect the diversity of stakeholders;
Amendment 61 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that the GPEDC ought to play a leading role in ensuring progress on SDG 17, namely on monitoring and accountability, quality and capacity aspects of finance for development, tax and debt sustainability, mobilising the private sector and its responsibility for sustainable development, policy coherence, multi- stakeholder partnerships, South-South and triangular cooperation;
Amendment 63 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines the important role GPEDC has to play regarding SDG indicator 17.16.1, notably in achieving more effective, inclusive multi- stakeholder partnerships to support and sustain the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, by measuring the quality of their development efforts; welcomes the 2016 Monitoring Round, noting that the number of development partners engaged in this exercise has increased and looks forward to the release of the Progress Report;
Amendment 69 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress made on transparency of development cooperation programming, projects and aid flows, in particular in the context of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and the setting-up of the ‘EU Aid Explorer’ website; encourages further efforts by all donors to make information and data more accessible, timely and comparable, and calls on those Member States which are not yet contributing to IATI to start doing so; calls on the Commission and the Member States to make use of the data available and support also partner countries in this regard;
Amendment 72 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the OECD's initiatives potentially contributing to reducing illicit financial flows and calls on the international community to enhance cooperation to increase transparency of tax regimes and financial flows more generally; insists on the crucial role and responsibilities of multinational companies and financial institutions in this regard;
Amendment 87 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission and Member States to engage with national parliaments of partner countries with a view to constructively supporting the development of such policies, complementing them with mutual accountability arrangements, and welcomes the Commission’s efforts to improve domestic accountability in the context of budget aid by support by reinforcing the institutional capacities of national parliaments and Supreme Audit Institutions;
Amendment 90 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the role in development of citizens, local communities, elected representatives, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs) and elected representatives,, trade unions and the private sector and stresses that all these actors need to be involved in furthering and implementing the effectiveness agenda at various levels; believes that their effective contribution requires their participatory involvement in planning, mutual accountability and transparency, and that donors should improve predictability and speediness when working with these actors as implementing partners;
Amendment 94 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses concerns about a shrinking space for civil society organisations in many partner countries; calls on the Commission to improve accessibility of funding for CSO, including small community and faith based organisations;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the EU’'s progress on and commitment to Joint Programming; notes that Joint Programming should reduces aid fragmentation and transaction costs, increases complementarity through better division of labour, enhance domestic and mutual accountability as well as predictability of development cooperation and thus provides clear advantages for the EU and partner countries alike; observes that Joint Programming is in placehas been explored in 59 countries out of 110 partner countries in receipt of EU development assistance; calls on EU Member States and partner countries to advance engagement with Joint Programming in order to exploit its advantages fully and in all possible countries;
Amendment 100 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the EU and its Member States are committed to untying their aid as much as possible and acknowledges the progress made in this area; calls for further efforts to accelerate untying of aid at global level by all providers of development aid, including emerging economies;
Amendment 102 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop new initiatives to explorenhance South-South and triangular cooperation flagship projects, involving new emerging donors and other middle- income countries; highlights the need to harness the full potential of decentralized cooperation in order to further the development effectiveness agenda;
Amendment 106 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that development assistance can play an important role in fighting poverty, in tackling inequalities and in promoting development, in particular of least developed countries and of the most deprived and vulnerable groups, as well catalysing other factors that are conducive to development if employed in a context of legitimate, inclusive governance based on the rule of law and respect for human rights;
Amendment 120 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Firmly believes that the private sector is a key partner in achieving the SDGs; stresses that given their increasing role in development cooperation, private sector actors should commit to development effectiveness; acknowledges efforts of some private sector actors to take into account human rights commitments, social inclusion and sustainability as core to their business models and calls for a generalization of this approach; underlines the need for partner countries to foster an enabling environment for businesses, including transparent legal and regulatory systems;
Amendment 1072 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 136
Rule 136
Amendment 1 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to the EU Common Position for and the outcome document of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness ofBusan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation2 and the EU Common Position for the second High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) held in Nairobi (28 November– 1 December 2011,26)2a, _________________ 2 http://www.oecd.org/dac/effectiveness/496 50173.pdf 2a http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/docu ment/ST-14684-2016-INIT/en/pdf
Amendment 18 #
2016/2094(INI)
– having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular those of 17 November 2005 on the proposal for a Joint Declaration by the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on the European Development Policy ‘The European Consensus’9 , of 5 July 2011 on increasing the impact of EU development policy10 , of 11 December 2013 on donor coordination on development aid11 , of 25 November 2014 on the EU and the global development framework after 201512 , of 19 May 2015 on financing for development13 , of 8 July 2015 on tax avoidance and tax evasion as challenges for governance, social protection and development in developing countries14 , of 14 April 2016 on the private sector and development15 , of 12 May 2016 on the follow-up to and review of the 2030 Agenda16 and, of 7 June 2016 on the EU 2015 Report on Policy Coherence for Development17 ,and of 22 November 2016 on increasing the effectiveness of development cooperation 17a _________________ 10 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0320.
Amendment 78 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that development effectiveness should be one of the main drivers of the new EU Development Policy;
Amendment 170 #
Amendment 171 #
Amendment 172 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the EU and its Member States to lead the way among development actors and to recommit to the full implementation of the principles of effective development cooperation, namely country ownership of development priorities, focus on results, transparency, shared accountability and inclusiveness of all stakeholders; stresses the importance of reinforcing EU's efforts to make development cooperation as effective as possible, with a view to achieving the ambitious goals and targets set out in the 2030 Agenda and making the best use of public and private resources for development;
Amendment 183 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recalls its request1a for the codification and strengthening of the mechanisms and practices for ensuring better complementarity and effective coordination of development aid among EU Member States and institutions, providing clear and enforceable rules for ensuring democratic domestic ownership, harmonisation, alignment with country strategies and systems, predictability of funds, transparency and mutual accountability; _________________ 1aTexts adopted of 11 December 2013, P7_TA(2013)0558
Amendment 233 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the key importance of internal and externalapplying policy coherence for development (PCD) inprinciples in all EU policies; stresses that PCD should be a major element of the EU's strategy to achievinge the SDGs; reiterates the need for further efforts by EU institutions and Member States to take account of development cooperation objectives in all internal and external policies likely to affect developing countries, to find effective mechanisms to implement and evaluate PCD, and to include all stakeholders in this process;
Amendment 241 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for fura reinforced dialogue between ther EU and Member State support to partnerthe developing countries regarding their own promotion and the implementation of PCD by the EU; believes that the feedback from EU partners on the progress of PCD can play a key role in obtaining an accurate evaluation of its impact;
Amendment 242 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Reiterates its call for the development of governance processes to promote PCD at the global level and for the EU to take the lead in promoting the PCD concept on the international stage;
Amendment 244 #
2016/2094(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls for an EU-wide debate on PCD in order to clarify the link between PCD and Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and to reflect on a concrete way to apply PCD in the framework of the implementation of the SDGs;
Amendment 19 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the EU’s security environment has deteriorated considerably, becoming more fluidcomplex, more dangerous and less predictable; notes that threats are both conventional and hybrid, generated by both state and non-state actors, and coming from the South and the East, and that they affect the Member States differently, thus preventing a more common approachmaking the definition of a common approach more challenging;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with concern that terrorism has brought guerrilla warfare to European streetsfrom radical Islamist organizations is targeting Europe at an unprecedented scale; underlines that, consequently, security of the individual has become paramount, eroding the traditional distinction between its external and internal dimensions; calls therefore on the EU to adapt to these security challenges, in particular by using more efficiently the existing CSDP tools in coherence with other external and internal instruments: calls for better cooperation and coordination between Member States, especially in the field of counter- terrorism;
Amendment 64 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is firmly convinced that, as a result, a thorough revision of the CSDP is needed; believes that a successful revision of CSDP will have to fully integrate EU Member States from the very beginning of the process in order to avoid risks of deadlocks in the future;
Amendment 74 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 90 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the future roadmap on CSDP that will be presented by the VP/HR with concrete timetable and steps; believes that this roadmap should complement the European Defence Action Plan; underlines the need to reinforce the military component of the CSDP;
Amendment 135 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Highlights the need to improve the financing tools of CSDP missions and operations and particularly the Athena mechanism;
Amendment 147 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Salutes the European Security Compact proposed by Germany and France and supports inter alia the idea of a common analysis of Europe’s strategic environment, makingthat would make threat assessment a periodical common activity, and thus getting respect for each other’s concerns and support forat would allow the building of common capabilities and common action;
Amendment 165 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that, as internal and external security are becoming more and more integrated, the integration of their respeUnderlines the importance of making full use of the Treaties and CSDP legal potential by revising EU rapid reactiveon inventories is also becoming necessary,struments and in particular the Battlegroups; empowering the EU to act along the entire spectrum of instruments, up to the level of is key ; Article 44 and Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union are useful tools as well as the structured cooperation mechanism;
Amendment 179 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Supports the idea to change CSDP institutional structure by putting the focus on a more systematic coordination between the civilian and military personnel; welcomes, in that sense, the launching of the future initiative to establish a joint civilian-military planning and conduct capability;
Amendment 234 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 250 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the recent Joint Declaration signed by the EU with NATO in Warsaw and fully supports the fields of collaboration mentioned therein and particularly hybrid threats, capabilities and research;
Amendment 283 #
2016/2067(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that a robust European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, which includes facilities for SMEs, is a fundamental underpinning of the CSDP and a prerequisite for a common market, which should supply all buyers with adequate and affordable means, responding to their individual needsthus allowing the EU to build its strategic autonomy;
Amendment 11 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that some of the barriers to accessing medicines in developing countries include lack of infrastructure, poor quality pharmaceuticals (which are harmful and foster drug resistance), resource constraints, weak pharmaceutical policies, poorly managed supply chains, lack of trained healthcare workers, pricing and limited access to social protection schemes; underlines therefore that the issue of access to medicines in the developing world has to be seen in a broader context and urges the EU to step up efforts to improve countries capacities and help them design working health systems, that aim at improving access to services, particularly for the vulnerable communities;
Amendment 20 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls that SDG target 3.b demands all countries to support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non- communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries and to provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines; calls on EU institutions and Members states to give high priority to these issues;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges not to use free trade agreements with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to introduce TRIPS- plus intellectual property (IP) rules that extend monopoly protection, and not to introduce new IP enforcement rules or investment protection to the detriment of access to medicinesAcknowledges that intellectual property plays an important role in the development of new medicines and represents therefore a tool to improve availability of medicines; takes the view that the international intellectual property system must reflect in a balanced way the concerns of the least developed countries (LDC) regarding access to medicines; notes the decision of 6 November 2015 of the WTO TRIPS Council to extend drug patent exemption for LDCs until January 2033;
Amendment 41 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Supports competition in generic medicines, which allowscan contribute to broader access to medicines in LMICs; calls, in particular, for the EU to support actively government and encourages tphat use the available legal measures, including TRIPS safeguards and flexibilities, to protect and promote public health; calls also for the EU rmaceutical companies to factor immediately stop targeting countries such as India that have implemented progressive TRIPS-compliant IP policies which promote access to medicines, through its watch-list of ‘priority countries’n their business models the issue of access to medicines in the developing world;
Amendment 53 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 65 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges to take advantage of the ongoingTakes notes that the REFIT review process of the EU Tiered Pricing Regulation to repeal it unless it can be amended, in close collaboration with the Commission’s Directorates- General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) and for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTÉ), in order to support all measures that countrihas concluded that this legislation still has a role to play in the context of the overall EU strategy to promote an ambitious global health agenda and better access to medicines in poor countries; underlines thave at their disposal to ensure affordable ac EU Tiered Pricing Regulation remains a valuable instrument to promote lower pricess to medicinin developing countries.;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Urges the EU to step up its support to the global programs promoting access to medicines in developing countries, whether through the World Health Organization or public-private partnerships such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria or the Gavi Alliance, which have been instrumental in advancing health goals and greatly improved access to medicines; welcomes, from this perspective, the recently approved increase of the EU contribution to the Global Fund;
Amendment 83 #
2016/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Highlights the critical need to develop local capacities in terms of pharmaceutical research and medicines production in developing countries; calls for support to innovative ways to address this issue, such as the development of product development partnerships and open centres of research and production in the developing world;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the need to rebuildadapt and strengthen the EU-ACP relationship on fresh foundations as a fair partnership between equals, respecting countries’ heterogeneity and sovereignty; stresses that the partnership must have as its, taking account of the new challenges posed by and the new characteristics of the international environment, in particular globalisation and regionalisation; stresses that meeting the objectives of the United Nations SDGs, the meeting of basic needs and respect for human right should be at the heart of the partnership; stresses that the new SDG approach can help us to get past the donor-receiver paradigm in ACP-EU relations;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to its previous resolutions on policy coherence for development (PCD),
Amendment 14 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Draws attention to the vital importance of consistency between the Union’s external policies and of consistency between the objectives of its internal and external policies, in particular in the areas of trade, agriculture, the environment, energy, security and migration; adds that it is still important that the countries in the ACP group should take full ownership of the ACP-EU partnership and that the review should give the partnership fresh political impetus, over and above any technical or institutional adjustments required;
Amendment 23 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the negative effects ofat the association agreements on the economies of ACP countries; takes the view that the new partnership will need to be based on developing the countries’ productive capacities, completing the most advantageous regional integration processes, protecting traditional agriculture, and combating land grabbing, the privatisation of national natural resources and public services, and over-exploitationwith ACP countries contribute to regional integration processes, to achieving development objectives and to promoting human rights, the rule of law and good governance; calls, therefore, for human rights clauses to be incorporated into these agreements; stresses the importance of ensuring that there is greater transparency in the negotiations on these agreements and proper monitoring of their implementation, so that they can contribute effectively to meeting development objectives;
Amendment 28 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the future of ACP-EU relations should be based on a new reflection on the potential and the obstacles ahead for EU-ACP cooperation;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is convinced that the review of the ACP-EU partnership should take account of the growing importance of regionalisation in order to avoid simply imposing a Union political framework; emphasises that it is crucial that the countries which make up the ACP group should play a full part, as a group and as regions, in the review process; emphasises, in that connection, the role of regional organisations, such as the African Union or the African regional economic communities;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b.Calls for the political dimension of the ACP-EU partnership to be strengthened, in particular with a view to carrying out joint actions and exerting greater influence in international forums;
Amendment 49 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas there is a clear need to ensure that human rights conditionality is maintained and to strengthen political dialogue in the new agreement;
Amendment 52 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Invites ACP countries to audit their debts with a view to their complete elimination, and invites them to claim reparations for the spoliation of natural resources by foreign multinationals, and for the wars that have been sparked; supports the United Nations working group on an international framework for sovereign debt restructuring; supports the United Nations working group on an international framework for sovereign debt restructuring; stresses that eradicating poverty requires the emergence of a dynamic private sector that will foster sustainable economic development; points out that, without respect for the rule of law and functioning political institutions, the private sector will not be able to achieve this goal;
Amendment 65 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the universality of the human rights enshrined in international law,ACP-EU cooperation should be stepped up in areas of common interest such as security, conflict prevention including intern relational law on migrants and refugees, must be respected, along with the Geneva Convention; urge to reducing hunger and the effects of climate change, human rights, the rule of law and democracy; points countries to ratify the United Nations Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their familiest in this connection that the possibilities for political dialogue within the framework of Articles 8 and 96 of the Cotonou agreement have not been fully exploited by either the EU or the ACP side; highlights the important role of the ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in this context;
Amendment 74 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 80 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that both the common framework and the regional agreements should be legally binding; underlines that, in order to strengthen effectiveness and, reduce duplication and avoid overlapping policy frameworks, the regional agreements with Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific should be designed in a way that takes into account existing regional and sub-regional organisations, e.g. the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and regional agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and should allow the inclusion of additional countries, such as northern African countries, or the creation of groupings in accordance with specific interests or needs (e.g. development status, as in the case of LDCs, or geographical peculiarities, as in the case of small island developing states);
Amendment 84 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for the inclusion of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the review of the ACP-EU cooperation framework as a single, universal set of development goals applicable to all; believes that the joint ACP-EU Council should give concrete recommendations on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the framework of the ACP-EU cooperation;
Amendment 85 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 85 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Believes that the review of the ACP-EU cooperation framework needs to respond to the fast and deep changes in an increasingly global and multi-polar world in accordance with the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy; calls the ACP countries to be fully involved in the review process in order to achieve a comprehensive, strategic and forward-looking review;
Amendment 107 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its view that policy coherence for development (PCD) is a key element for achieving the new sustainable development agenda; believes that the comprehensive nature of the Cotonou Agreement promotes PCD and should therefore be safeguarded in a new agreement; points out the need to maintain specific provisions on PCD and to strengthen dialogue on related issues in the framework of the new agreement; recalls its proposal of instituting standing PCD co-rapporteurs in the framework of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly;
Amendment 133 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that the reinforcement of the political dimension of the ACP-EU partnership will allow the EU-ACP agenda to be more visible and will help the EU and ACP countries to play a greater role and undertake joint actions on the international scene;
Amendment 194 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines that future ACP-EU relations must be of a political nature, e.g. working towards common political projects in different international fora, and not mainly of a donor-recipient nature; stresses, therefore, that EU development aid principles must be applied on an equal basis to all developing countries, and that advanced ACP countries must therefore graduate out of receiving EU development aid on the same terms as non-ACP countries; considers that a higher degree of self-financing by the ACP countries would be in line with the ACP ambitions to be an autonomous player;
Amendment 206 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates that the EPAs constitute a basis for regional cooperation and that they must be instruments for development and regional integration; highlights, therefore, the need for legally binding sustainability provisions (on human rights and social and environmental standards) in all EPAs, and underlines the importance of creating effective monitoring systems that include a wide range of civil society in order to avoid the negativmitigate the effects of trade liberalisation;
Amendment 2 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. NotWelcomes the increase in Heading 4 commitment appropriations, but considers it far from sufficient in view ofthat further reinforcements are strongly needed given the current political and security situation in our neighbourhood and beyond; urges an increase above the Heading 4 ceiling as set out in the MFF, using the existing flexibility mechanisms, which is necessary in order to provide a sustainable and effective response to the many challenges of external origin that the EU is facing, including the migration and refugee crisis;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned about the significant impact thatAlso notes the pledges made by the EU at the London conference on supporting Syria and in the context of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey will haveand expresses its concern regarding the impact of the pledges on the external financing instruments and the humanitarian aid budget; while supporting those pledges, stresses that their fulfilment must not be to the detriment of other priority areas and long-term policies; calls in particular for an increase in the funding of the European Neighbourhood Instrument, which plays a vital role in supporting stability among Europe's Eastern and Southern neighbours; considers it essential to maintain the EU’s pivotal role in supporting the Middle East Peace Process, the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the importance of ensuring further support for candidate and potential candidate countries in adopting and implementing political, economic and social reforms; notes that the performance-based approach was used for the budgeting of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA);
Amendment 12 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the proposal for a preparatory action on defence research following a pilot project initiated by the European Parliament, which could positively contribute to increased cooperation between the Member States in the field of security and defence;
Amendment 136 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Reminds the EU's commitment to develop a Common Foreign and Security Policy guided by the principles of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and compliance with the UN Charter and international law; considers that, in order to live up to this commitment and to contribute to advancing human rights and democracy in the world, the EU and its Member States need to speak with a consistent, single voice and ensure that their message is heard;
Amendment 137 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Recalls that enlargement policy is one of the EU's most successful policies and has contributed to ensuring stability, democracy and prosperity on the European continent; reiterates therefore its strong support for the enlargement process;
Amendment 353 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Emphasises that ensuring peace and stability on our continent, in our neighbourhood and in Africa must now be at the heart of Europe’s action; recognises that there can be no sustainable development without security and that sustainable development is the condition for security, stability, social justice and democracy; takes the view that it is necessary to tackle the root causes of instability and forced and irregular migration, namely poverty, the lack of economic opportunities, armed conflict, bad governance, human rights violations, climate change and mistaken trade policies; believes that security, economic and social development and trade are parts of the same comprehensive strategy; calls for European and international action (UN/G20) against illegal financial transfers out of Africa;
Amendment 374 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Underlines that Policy Coherence for Development is a unique tool to achieve an operational EU's comprehensive approach in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals; stresses the importance of Commissioners' Group on External Action chaired by the VP/HR to give impetus to the implementation of the comprehensive approach; calls for a regular reporting from the VP/HR on the work of this group to the European Parliament;
Amendment 469 #
2016/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Points out that a revitalization of the strategic partnerships, seeking to transform them into an effective foreign policy instrument, should be a priority for the EU;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to the motion for a European Parliament resolution of 13 May 2015 on the state of EU - Russia relations,
Amendment 12 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 9 July 2015 on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy,
Amendment 22 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas the EU has committed to guide its actions on the international scene by the principles that have inspired its creation and development, such as democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 40 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the European Council of 19 and 20 March 2015 stressed the need to challenge Russia's ongoing disinformation campaigns and invited the VP/HR, in cooperation with Member States and EU institutions, to prepare an Action Plan on strategic communication;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the overall objectives of the Action Plan are effective communication and promotion of EU policies and values towards the Eastern neighbourhood, strengthening of the overall media environment, including support for independent media, increased public awareness of disinformation activities by external actors, and improved EU capacity to anticipate and respond to such activities;
Amendment 98 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas a truly effective EU counter-propaganda strategy should be differentiated and adapted to the nature of the actors disseminating propaganda;
Amendment 117 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that strategic propaganda against the EU comes in many different forms and uses various tools, often tailored to match Member States’ profiles, with the goal of provoking doubt, paralysing the decision-making process, impacting the behaviour of the targeted audience, discrediting the EU institutions in the eyes and minds of its citizens and of citizens of neighbouring countries and eroding western values and transatlantic ties;
Amendment 169 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia has been aggressively employing a wide range of tools and instruments, such as special foundations (Russkiy Mir,) multilingual TV stations (Russia Today, RIA Novosti), news agencies (Sputnik), social and religious groups (including the Orthodox church)groups, social media and internet trolls to challenge Western values, divide Europe, gather domestic support and create the perception of failing states in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood; stresses that Russia invests relevant financial resources in its disinformation strategy and propaganda instruments engaged either directly by state or through Kremlin controlled companies and organisations;
Amendment 207 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is seriously concerned by Russia's disinformation campaigns as well as the rapidly growing Russian activity in Europe seeking to increase Russian influence and hegemony; stresses that a large part of Russian strategic communication is aimed at describing countries in central and eastern Europe as belonging to its traditional sphere of influence, thereby undermining their sovereignty; notes that falsifying history is one of its main strategies;
Amendment 214 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that the EU is strengthening relations with its Eastern partners and other neighbours, and also keeps the lines of communication with Russia open; stresses that the EU supports Russian civil society and invests in people-to-people contacts; recognises that the biggest obstacle to Russian disinformation campaigns would be the existence of independent and free media in Russia itself; considers that achieving this should be the goal of the EU;
Amendment 216 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses the need to raise awareness of Russian persistent disinformation campaigns among the elites, journalists and ordinary citizens, in the age of global media outlets no one is exempt from the influence of such campaigns; considers it necessary to build resilience, prevent and respond in good time; considers it of paramount importance for the EU to actively engage in spreading the EU message in Russia as well as among Russian language speakers in the EU and Eastern Partnership countries;
Amendment 248 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines the importance of including the counter-propaganda strategy against Daesh in a broader, comprehensive regional strategy that combines diplomatic, socio-economic, development and conflict prevention tools; calls for a greater emphasis to be put on the prevention of terrorism and to address the underlying factors such as state failures, conflicts, poverty and proliferation of arms that allow terrorist organisations to flourish; developing counter-terrorism actions plans with Southern Mediterranean partner countries should be a key element of this strategy;
Amendment 251 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Welcomes the creation of the Arab Stratcom Task Force that has the potential to contribute effectively to the deconstruction and to the fight against Daesh extremist propaganda and influence; believes that the focus put by this Task Force on the support of local actors through pilot projects is the right approach to develop counter-narratives to terrorist propaganda and promote fundamental rights; considers the full involvement of EU delegations as a positive development that facilitates the Task Force support to journalists and media actors;
Amendment 252 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Is concerned about the widespread use by Daesh of social media tools and especially Twitter and Facebook to advance its propaganda and recruitment objectives, recalls the need for further engagement from the social media companies to combat the terrorist propaganda more efficiently; highlights the involvement of the European Parliament in countering terrorist content and hate speech online through the EU Internet Forum;
Amendment 310 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses that it is essential for the EU to continue to actively promote though its external actions the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms; considers that supporting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the independence of media and the right to access information in the neighbouring countries should underpin EU's actions meant to counteract propaganda;
Amendment 348 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Welcomes the establishment of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, which became functional in January 2014;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. IPoints ofut the conviction that the economic, social, environmental and development dimensions of the UN system must beat fundamental change is required to equip the UN to shape and drive the process of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; underlines the need to integrate the three aspects of substantially strengthened in the first instance by means of a structural and functional reforminability more effectively, both at strategic level and locally though practical cooperation between UN institutions; is of the Economic and Social Council; calls on the UN member states to consider the possibility of strengthening their role in the Economic and Social Council by developing it into a Sustainable Developmentviction that the economic, social, environmental and development dimensions of the UN system must be substantially strengthened by means of a structural and functional reform of the Economic and Social Council;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the creation of the High- Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development; is convinced that the HLPF must become the main decision- making body for all development policycompetent for ensuring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus ensuring coordinated and efficient assessment of needs and adoption of the roadmaps, and decisions and binding measures needed for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development2030 Agenda; calls on a regular dialogue between the HLPF and the European Commission on the progress made, in accordance with the principles of transparency and mutual accountability;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the need to enhance the implementation of the SDGs through the adoption ofnderlines the importance of comprehensive and effective implementation of the Agenda 2030, including through a rights-based approach; urges the UN to ensure that ambitious commitments are made towards the achievement of the SDGs and to adopt a solid framework of indicators and the utilisation of statistical data to monitor progress and ensure the accountability of all; encourages all countries, both developed and developing, to take ownership and establish national frameworks, including integrated national financial frameworks, for the achievement of the 17 goals;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Insists on the need to strenghten policy coherence for development within the UN working structures in order to effectively integrate all dimensions of sustainable development;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Recognises that there can be no sustainable development or poverty eradication without security and that sustainable development is the condition for security, stability, social justice and democracy; considers that policy making at the international level should better reflect this link between peace, security and development; calls on the UN to systematically integrate capacity-building and good governance into their long-term development strategies;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the importance of a universal, rule-base, open, transparent, non-discriminatory, inclusive and equitable multilateral trade system and the need to bring about the conclusion of the WTO Doha Development Round, and believes that the UN can use its unique position to ensure that the talks are a success for developing countries;
Amendment 11 #
2016/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the decision on organizing a high-level meeting of the plenary of the UNGA on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants on 19 September 2016 and considers that it should focus on the root causes of migration, with emphasis on poverty eradication, social equality, realization of human rights and stability;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph b a (new)
Paragraph b a (new)
(ba) to support the on-going comprehensive efforts to strengthen United Nations peace operations and the organisation’s ability to address conflict;
Amendment 69 #
2016/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph e a (new)
Paragraph e a (new)
(ea) to cooperate with the UN in strengthening the role and capacity of regional and sub-region organisations in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, civilian and military crisis management, and conflict resolution;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph e a (new)
Paragraph e a (new)
(ea) to call for additional efforts to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda, which should be integrated in all the different dimensions of peacekeeping;
Amendment 72 #
2016/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph e b (new)
Paragraph e b (new)
(eb) to promote better coordination of efforts between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations, who play an increasingly important role in international peace and security, in order to ensure that the distribution of objectives and tasks among organisations maximises the impacts on the ground;
Amendment 114 #
2016/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph p a (new)
Paragraph p a (new)
(pa) to achieve synergies at international level in providing comprehensive responses to the migrants and refugees crisis, in the context of the high-level plenary meeting of the UNGA on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants scheduled for 19 September 2016;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas following the recent crises in the economic, political and social fields that have severely affected individual Member States and the Union as a whole, citizens’ relationship with politics has become increasingly strained, as the public feels that it is not represented adequatelydue to the growing public disaffection with politics; whereas the engagement and involvement of citizens and civil society in democratic life are essential for the good functioning of democracy and for the legitimacy and accountability of both national and EU representational systems; whereas there is a clear need to enhance the democratic linkage between citizens and political institutions;
Amendment 24 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas it is crucial to regain citizens’ confidence and interest in the European project; whereas e-democracy tools can help foster more active citizenship by improving participation and transparency in decision- making, and buttressing democratic oversight mechanisms, making political parties more open and reforming electoral; whereas e-democracy might be a lever to reform democratic systems to give the public more voice in them;
Amendment 58 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas information and communication technology (ICT) systems are at the heart of modern government processes but efforts are still needed to improve delivery of e-government services;
Amendment 62 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesUnderlines the potential benefits of e-democracy, which is defined as the support and enhancement of traditional democracy by means of information and communication technology (ICT), and is meant to complement democratic processes by adding elements of citizens’ enablement through different online activities that include, amongst others, e-government, e- governance, e-participation and e-voting;
Amendment 82 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights and encourages the use of e-participation as a key characteristic of e-democracy, encompassing three forms of interaction between governments and citizens, mainly e-information, e- consultation and e-decision-making; acknowledges that many national, regional and local e-participation cases can be taken as good examples of how ICT can be used in participatory democracy; encourages Members States to develop further these practices at national and local level;
Amendment 90 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points to the imopportance of e- voting as aunity of remote internet voting as a an additional system offering many potential advantages, in particular for young people, people with reduced mobility and people living or working in a Member State of which they are not a citizen or in a third country, provided that measures are taken to prevent any possible fraud in the use of remote internet voting; recalls that, when putting in place remote internet voting, Member States should respect the principles of equality of votes, secrecy of the vote and access to vote;
Amendment 101 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls the first successful European example of online voting in Estonia in its legally binding elections in 2005 as a positive example, but maintains that if the take-up of e- voting across Europe is to be successful, it will be necessary to assess the costs, benefits and implications of different or divergent technological approaches; stresses that the existence of secure, high speed internet connections and secure electronic identity infrastructure are important prerequisites for the success of remote internet voting;
Amendment 109 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Points out the challenge of responding to the citizens' concerns regarding use of online democracy tools; takes the view that addressing security concerns and guaranteeing privacy are of paramount importance for building trust of the citizens in the emerging digital political arena;
Amendment 117 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that democratic processes require extensive debate, scrutiny and reflection which are conducive to fair and rational deliberation, but; warns that this could be overshadowed by specific sectorial interests which abuse the influence of ICTere is a risk of distortion and manipulation of the outcome of deliberations of on-line discussion tools;
Amendment 146 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Member States and the EU to deliver affordable and high-speed digital infrastructure, particularly in peripheral regions and rural and economically less developed areas, and to ensure that equality between citizens is guaranteed; recommends that public libraries and schools be appropriately resourced and that IT infrastructure be accessible to all citizens; points out the need to devote adequate financial resources to these goals;
Amendment 177 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the need for more ample information for citizens on the existing e-participation platforms at EU, national and local level;
Amendment 189 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the development of e- administration should be a priority for Member States and the EU institutions and welcomes the Commission’s ambitious and comprehensive e-government action plan, for which proper national implementation and coordination of available EU funding will be key;
Amendment 194 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for more cooperation at EU level and recommends the sharing of best practices for e-democracy projects as a way to move towards a form of democracy that is more participatory and deliberative and that responds to the requests and interests of the public; calls on the Commission to provide an assessment of possible models of onlinepoints out the need to know what are citizens' attitudes towards the implementation of remote internet voting ; calls on the Commission to provide an assessment of public opinion regarding online voting as an additional option for citizens to cast their votinge for consideration by the Member States by the end of 2017, in time for the next European elections in 2019;
Amendment 219 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes itEuropean Parliament's initiatives in the field of e-participation and its frontrunner position; supports continuous efforts to strengthen its representative character and encourages its Members to make wider use of new technologies in order to develop them to their full potential; points out the need for a broad reflection process on how to improve the use of ICT by its members, not only for engaging with the public but also regarding legislation, petitions, consultations and other aspects relevant for their daily work;
Amendment 226 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Encourages political parties at EU and national level to use ICT tools and develop new ways to promote internal democracy in order toand allow better communication with their members and supporters and with civil society;
Amendment 231 #
2016/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the EU and its institutions to be open to more experimentation with new e-participation methods such as crowdsourcing at EU level and at national, regional and local level;
Amendment 70 #
2016/2005(ACI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Also believes that more concrete arrangements are needed in order to enhance the political dialogue with national parliaments; encourages better use of the existing subsidiarity and proportionality mechanisms as laid down in the Treaties;
Amendment 28 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) This Regulation aims to ensure that all the necessary measures are taken to safeguard an uninterrupted supply of gas throughout the Union, in particular to protected customers in the event of difficult climatic conditions or disruptions of the gas supply. These objectives should be achieved through the most cost-effective measures, through proportional and non- discriminatory mechanisms, and in such a way that energy markets are not distorted.
Amendment 42 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) An internal gas market that operates smoothly is the best guarantee of security of energy supply across the Union and to reduce the exposure of individual Member States to the harmful effects of supply disruptions. Where a Member State’s security of supply is threatened, there is a risk that measures developed unilaterally by that Member State may jeopardise the proper functioning of the internal gas market and damage the gas supply to customers in other Member States. To allow the internal gas market to function even in the face of a shortage of supply, provision must be made at Union level for solidarity and coordination in the response to supply crises, as regards both preventive action and the reaction to actual disruptions of supply.
Amendment 43 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In a spirit of solidarity, regional cooperation, involving both public authorities and natural gas undertakings, should be the guiding principle of this Regulation, to identify the relevant risks in each region and optimise the benefits of coordinated measures to mitigate them and to implement the most cost-effective measures for Union consumers. Solidarity should take shape at three levels: regional, inter-regional and Union.
Amendment 48 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Certain customers, including households and customers providing essential social services, are particularly vulnerable and may need social protection. A definition of such protected customers should not conflict with the Union solidarity mechanisms and should be harmonised at Union level.
Amendment 56 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The regions are to be defined, as far as possible, on the basis of existing regional cooperation structures set up by the Member States and the Commission, in particular the regional groups set up under Regulation (EU) 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure17 (the TEN-E Regulation). However, since this Regulation and the TEN-E Regulation have different aims, the respective regional groups may differ in size and design. The regional cooperation structures should be flexible and able to adapt to changes in energy dynamic, including through reconfiguration. __________________ 17 Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2013 on guidelines for trans- European energy infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1364/2006/EC and amending Regulation (EC) No 713/2009, (EC) 714/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 (OJ EU L 115 of 25.4.2013, p. 39).
Amendment 95 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point a
(a) a small or medium-sized enterprise, provided that it is connected to a gas distribution network where there are strong grounds, or an essential social service, provided that it is connected to a gas distribution or transmission network, and provided that such enterprises or services do not represent jointly more than 20 % of the total annual final gas consumption in that Member State;
Amendment 124 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The competent authorities of the Member States of each region as listed in Annex I, after consulting the natural gas undertakings, the relevant organisations representing the interests of household and industrial gas customers, including electricity producers, and the national regulatory authorities, where they are not the competent authorities and after taking into account the content and structure of national plans and mechanisms, shall establish jointly:
Amendment 135 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the definition of protected customers in each Member State of the region and the information described in the second subparagraph of Article 5(1); the definition of protected customers should be harmonised at Union level;
Amendment 160 #
2016/0030(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4
Article 12 – paragraph 4
4. The technical, legal and financial arrangements for the application of paragraph 3 shall be agreed amongt the Member States which are directly connected to each otherregional and inter-regional levels and described in the emergency plans of their respective regions. Such arrangements may cover, among others, gas prices to be applied, use of interconnectors, including bi-directional capacity, gas volumes and the coverage ofshared responsibility for compensation costs. Market-based measures such as auctions shall be preferred for the implementation of the obligation laid down in paragraph 3. In case the technical, legal and financial arrangements necessary to apply paragraph 3 are amended, the relevant emergency plan shall be updated accordingly.
Amendment 3 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the EU is faced with an unprecedented number of crises, most notably the refugee crisis, natural disasters, security threats and armed conflicts, which are threatening core values and require solidarity and reinforced common external action; underlines that these were unforeseen at the time the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 was concluded; recalls that the total for Heading 4 was cut by some 16 % compared to the initial proposal, significantly debilitating the EU’s ability to respond to new situations and meet its political commitments; calls onurges the Commission to submit a proposal for a revision raising the ceilings of both payment and commitment appropriations under this heading;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that addressing the migration and refugee crises is a key priority but that this should not come at the cost of policies in other areas, including those that are key to addressing long-term challenges; is convinced that responses to humanitarian distress must go in parallel with development processes and, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting human rights and all the other EU foreign policy priorities;
Amendment 15 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that current flexibility mechanisms are insufficient in terms of volume and flexibility to adequately respond to the changed situation; recalls that, mainly owing to a lack of resources, the Commission has set up a number of ad hoc instruments, including the Trust Funds for Syria, Africa and the Central African Republic and the Refugee Facility for Turkey; welcomes their potential to increase the EU’s financial response, but is concerned, nevertheless, about transparency and accountability and notes and stresses the need of transparency and accountability in the management of these financial instruments, as well as for the Member States’ failure to deliver on funding pledges;
Amendment 168 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights the important steps undertaken by the EU to tackle the external dimension of the migration crisis and particularly the fight against organised crime responsible for migrant smuggling and human trafficking and the enhanced cooperation with the countries of origin and transit;
Amendment 295 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Emphasises the need for the EU to play a greater role in conflict resolution in its neighbourhood and particularly in the Syrian conflict; believes that the EU, together with its international partners such as the United States, has the potential to become an important player in the Syrian peace process by contributing to the re-launch of the peace talks in order to achieve an inclusive political solution;
Amendment 308 #
2015/2342(INI)
10. Stresses that EU external action should be forward-looking instead of mainly reactive with changing objectives in response to new crises; underlines the importance of the Commissioners' Group on External Action to coordinate EU's migration actions at the highest political level and to give impetus to an ambitious EU's common migration policy; recalls that the migration phenomenon stems from a complex set of causes such as a growing population, poverty, insufficient job creation, political instability and climate change;
Amendment 339 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls the importance of the CSDP tools, coupled with other EU instruments including diplomacy, development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and capacity building, to reinforce EU external action in addressing refugee and migration movements; underlines that the migration crisis is the direct consequence of the deterioration of the security environment in the EU's neighbourhood; calls for the speedy adoption of the action plan on security and defence implementing the EU Global Strategy;
Amendment 349 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for the establishment of a genuine, value-based common European migration policy based on the principle of solidarity between the Member States – with adequate legal channels for migration as a sustainable long-term policy to promote growth and cohesion within the EU – in order to set a clear framework for EU relations with third countries; welcomes the EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling (2015-2020), which envisages closer cooperation with third countries, but underlines that the implementation of a common EU legal migration policy would be instrumental in breaking the business model of smugglers; emphasizes the need for a long-term strategic approach to migration in order to produce efficient responses to current and upcoming challenges;
Amendment 367 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Underlines the importance of the Policy Coherence for Development in the definition of a comprehensive and common EU migration policy in order to tackle the migration crisis both internally and externally;
Amendment 383 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the new Partnership Framework with third countries as a signal of real political action; stresses that the success of the approach outlined in the communication of June 2016 depends on the EU’'s capacity to offer real, commonly agreed incentives to third countries and is concerned by the limited offer mainly focused on border management or Assisted Voluntary Return schemes, which – while essential and needed – constitute only a partial response to the situationbased on the principle of shared responsibility and on a permanent dialogue; highlights the need to balance and complement this response, focusing on the development of local economies, qualification and regional mobility and improved levels of protection in countries of transit and origin; underlines the need for more coordination between the EU and its international partners at the UN level to address migration challenges;
Amendment 403 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses concerns regarding the quantitative approach in the new Partnership Framework and the related ‘migration compacts’, which see the ‘measurable increases in the number and rate of returns’ as one of the EU’s main goals, as the number of returns clearly depends on the nature of migration flows and on the situations in the countries of origiRecalls the importance of a balanced approach in the new Partnership Framework; believes that EU's migration management approaches should be based primarily on human rights and development concerns; welcomes the fact that capacity building and the improvement of migration management in the countries of transit and origin remain the main features of EU programmes on return and reintegration; stresses that the short-term objectives of the compacts should focus on how best to address the challenges faced by third countries, including by developing legal migration channels, as a result of which the levels of irregular migration and death tolls in the Mediterranean will decrease;
Amendment 458 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes the launching of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency as a positive and concrete step in the building of an EU common migration policy and of a common European border management; believes that the wide mandate of the Agency and its additional competences including the operational cooperation with third neighbouring countries will allow it to act more effectively;
Amendment 479 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the extension of the mandate of operation Sophia, EUNAVFORMED on 20 June 2016; supports the two additional tasks of training Libyan coast guards and the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas; hopes that the new mandate of operation Sophia will allow the EU to contribute more effectively to the capacity building in Libya; stresses the importance to support the Libyan Unity government in its efforts to re-build the economy and restore stability in the country;
Amendment 4 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that when monitoring the application of Union law under the control of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Commission is ensuring the application of the treaties in accordance with Article 17 TEU;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the steady decrease in the number of infringement proceedings launched by the Commission under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in the years 2010- 2014, which according to the Commission 2014 Annual Report could be attributed both to the EU pilot structured dialogue with the Member States and to the significant increase in preliminary rulings under Article 267 TFEU; further welcomes the significant efforts made by the European Commission to promote compliance before the infringement proceedings which resulted in a 75% resolution rate in 2014;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the recent efforts made by the Commission to ensure better access to information on the application of Union law for EU citizens and businesses by launching the new web section ‘Applying Union law’;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. URegrets that the verification of correct transposition of directives by Member States remains a problem as indicated in the annual report 2014; calls on the Member States to take all the necessary measures to respect their commitments as agreed in the Joint Political Declaration of 28.September 2011 of Member States and the Commission on explanatory documents, including by submitting correlation tables containing clear and precise information; underlines that Member States should express their political concerns at an early stage rather than postponing the timely transposition of Union law;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that proper and transparent monitoring of the application of Union law by the Commission is part of the Commission’s Better Regulation Agenda and believes that as inof the latest inter-institutional agreements, different institutional powers and prerogatives must be exercised as transparently as possible on better law making; calls on the Member States to avoid the practice of “gold-plating” in order to reduce overregulation and administrative burdens and expects Member States to clearly indicate and document such measures; believes that unnecessary national measures added to EU legislation increase Euroscepticism and undermines EU legitimacy and actions.
Amendment 9 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
1. Recognises that PCD is an essential element of the EU's response to key development challenges and to the achievement of inclusive and sustainable development; calls for a clear shift from a sector-by-sector, "do-no-harm" approach, to a more proactive one, based on a common understanding of PCD and on fostering policy synergies;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reiterates the importance of PCD in achieving the new sustainable development agenda; points out that the human rights-based approach should lead to a deepened understanding of PCD, since without addressing the obstacles to the realisation of rights there can be no progress towards sustainable development and the eradication of poverty;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for PCD to be discussed at a European Council meeting before the publication of the next Commission report on the subject in 2017, in order to foster an interinstitutional debate involving the Commission, the EEAS, the Council, and Parliament, as well as debate at the national level;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Proposes that in preparation for that summit, the Commission and the EEAS should address a paperconcrete recommendations to the EU heads of state and government with concrete recommendations on how to implement PCD and how to define more clearly the responsibilities of each EU institution in achieving PCD commitments; believes that such a process should be inclusive, involving local and regional governments, civil society organisations and think-tanks;
Amendment 28 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the creation of a group of Commissioners involved in external relations; calls for regular reporting on the work of this group by the VPC/HR to the DEVE Committee;
Amendment 42 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to produce a regularStresses the need for the EU to invest more resources on evidence-based analysis of PCD; calls on the Commission to give priority to producing an analysis of the cost of incoherencies and to developing adequate monitoring and progress-tracking mechanisms on PCD;
Amendment 44 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Points out the need to strengthen PCD in the context of the revision of the European Consensus for Development and of the discussions on the post- Cotonou Agreement;
Amendment 50 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges that the EU is facing its biggest refugee crisis since World War II; stresses that strengthening the link between migration and development policies is essential to address the root causes of this phenomenon; welcomes the adoption of the European Agenda on Migration, which develops a comunderlines that development objectives must be better integrated so as to make EU migration policies compatible with those that seek to reduce poverty in the developing world, and that in this context, PCD reprehsensive response to the crisis (COM(2015)0240)ts an important part of the new EU policy on migration;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the adoption of the European Agenda on Migration, which develops a comprehensive response to the crisis (COM(2015)0240) and believes that its implementation should accompany concrete actions to boost economic, social development and good governance in the countries of origin;
Amendment 89 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Supports an efficient, fair and transparent tax system in line with good governance principles; welcomes the package of tax transparency measures presented by the Commission on 18 March 2015; considers that international cooperation is vital for tackling illicit financial flows and tax evasion;
Amendment 92 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers that international cooperation is vital for tackling illicit financial flows and tax evasion; welcomes the commitments made during the Addis Ababa Financing for Development conference that took place in July 2015, such as the review of multilateral development finance and the Addis Tax Initiative that aims to help developing countries build up their domestic resourcing systems;
Amendment 131 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Highlights the importance of guaranteeing policy coherence and coordination between the EU's external action, security, defence, trade, humanitarian aid and development cooperation policies;
Amendment 136 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Welcomes the use of the Political Framework for Crisis Approach (PFCA) as an important tool to allow a common early understanding of a crisis; calls for a reinforced collaboration between the European Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to deliver a comprehensive analysis that enables an informed choice between CSDP and non-CSDP actions when dealing with a crisis;
Amendment 141 #
2015/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses that the new Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy is a unique opportunity for the EU to place development objectives at the centre of its international action;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
Amendment 20 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the factors behind migration are becoming more diverse; whereas the differences both between migrants and refugees and between countries of departure, transit and origin are changing and gradually becoming less markeddiverse; forced displacement from state fragility, demographic, economic and environmental trends, conflicts and religious persecutions are amongst the main root causes of migration;
Amendment 31 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates there are over 10 million stateless people, to which should be added 1.5 million Palestinians;
Amendment 35 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
Amendment 41 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a holistic approach to migration should address the global challenges of development, human rights and climate change with special regards to the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the countries of origin to allow the local population to live in safer areas;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Stability addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa formally launched at the Valletta summit on 11-12 November 2015; stresses the impact of EU cooperation instruments in the field of immigration, asylum and human rights protection;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Encourages that migration, asylum and mobility as thematic priorities of EU external cooperation funding instruments are extended to developing countries in adopting long-term policies for managing migratory flows which respect the human rights of migrants and their families and enhance their social protection;
Amendment 70 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Calls for the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the countries of origin and transit to allow the local population and refugees to live in safer areas;
Amendment 75 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls to mind that ‘everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own’31 and to return to his country ; emphasises that social status or nationality should in no way impinge upon a person’s right to freedom of movement; castigates states that penalise unauthorisedquestions the imposition of limitations on departure from their territory and illegal migration,of one's own state and of return to one's own state and denounces the effects of statelessness on access to rights; _________________ 31 Article 13(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Amendment 159 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates that economic, social and cultural rights, and in particular the rights to health and education, are fundamental rights which migrants should be able to enjoy in the same way as nationals of the country concerned; is concerned over breaches in labour law with reference to migrants; acknowledges that education, working opportunities and family reunification represent important elements of the integration process;
Amendment 174 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 190 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that the children of migrants and refugees are entitled to special protection based on the best interests of the child, and is concerned about difficulties in registering their birth; notes that prevention of children's migration needs to be based on increasing protection capacities in non-EU countries in order to create a safe environment for children to grow up in their countries of origin; stresses the importance of integrating the issue of unaccompanied minors into development cooperation to prevent risks of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect of children; emphasizes the importance of financing protection programmes in non-EU countries, including education facilities and medical care and expresses concern regarding the difficulties encountered for the registration of children born in countries along the migration routes;
Amendment 201 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 249 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 257 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Stresses the importance of a continuous consultation process that involves civil society so as to enhance the effectiveness of measures taken by the EU in its relation with third countries and to address the root causes of migration and the migratory flows; Stresses that transparency in the EU's relations with third countries is enhanced through consultation with civil society; stresses the need for readmission agreements concluded with third countries to contain safeguard clauses that ensure that migrants returning to their country do not face violations of their human rights or persecution; recognises the importance of periodic evaluations of readmission agreements and of excluding readmission agreements with countries that fail to abide with international standards of human rights;
Amendment 274 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 298 #
2015/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Welcomes operations against smugglers and traffickers and supports the reinforcement of the management of the Union's external borders; underlines the necessity for rapid action and long- term comprehensive and concrete roadmap that involves the cooperation of third countries for addressing organised criminal networks of migrant smugglers;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the package of better regulation measures adopted on 19 May 2015; believes however that material criteria for establish and particularly the introduction of roadmaps that include an initial justification for action related to subsidiarity and proportionality principles; equally welcomes the inclusion ing the existence of a violbetter regulation package of a more thorough explanation of how the legislative proposal meets the legal obligations of subsidiarity and proportionality principles should be proposed;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Strongly underlines that impact assessments are a key instrument to ensure the respect of subsidiarity and proportionality principles and promote accountability; encourages the European Commission to put a greater focus on subsidiarity and proportionality when conducting its impact assessments in the framework of the better regulation guidelines;
Amendment 18 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RegretNotes the decrease in the number of reasoned opinions received from national parliaments in 2014; takes note of the Commission’'s view that, far from reflecting a decrease in interest on their part, this might be the result of the declining number of legislative proposals from the Commission towards the end of its term of office;
Amendment 24 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the fact that in 2014, all EU institutions played an active role in ensuring the control of the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality according to Article 5 of the TEU; notes positively that the political dialogue between the European Commission and the national parliaments was enhanced including through the various visits of EU Commissioners to national parliaments;
Amendment 28 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes, nevertheless, that it is important to raise the awareness of national parliaments on subsidiarity issues and to support them with tools permitting information exchange; stresses that, especially since the volume of reasoned opinions received from national parliaments in 2014 remained unchanged in proportion to the number of Commission proposals, a mechanism should be developed for the participation of national pencourages, in that sense, the inter-parliamentary cooperation to reinforce the role of national parliaments in the EU legislative process; stresses the importance of a better use of the inter-parliamentary tools that are at the national parliaments' disposal such as the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for EU Affairs, the inter-parliamentary meetings held by the European Parliaments in or the EU legislative processConference for Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy;
Amendment 38 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the national parliaments and the European Parliament to engage more effectively with each other including by developing informal contacts between MEPs and national parliamentarians regarding specific policy areas;
Amendment 47 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the period of eight weeks given to national parliamentsTakes note of the request made by a number of national parliaments to extend the eight weeks period given to them to issue a reasoned opinion under the Article 6 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality should be extended significantly; ; believes that since the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, the involvement of national parliaments in EU affairs has developed significantly including by linking up with other national parliaments on a regular basis; strongly encourages national parliaments to make fully use of the role they are given by the existing treaties;
Amendment 55 #
2015/2283(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the Commission should provide an adequate response toreflect on the request by a number of national chambers for a stronger subsidiarity control procedure; supportstakes note of the request made by some national chambers to play a more crucial role,; by proposing that the Commission should be bound to withdraw or amend its proposal when a yellow card is triggered; believes, at the same time, that the idea of a ‘green card’ should be considered as one means ofelieves that this role could be strengthened by using the existing mechanisms in the treaties more effectively; recommends to further use the network of representatives of national parliaments to raise the awareness about the subsidiarity and proportionality principles and to improve the functioning of IPEX that should be considered as an indispensable tool for raising the participation and activity of national parliaments in the EU legislative process.
Amendment 2 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas following the Iran Nuclear Deal and internal political developments in Iran, there is now an opportunity for reforms in the country and for improvement of its relations with the European Union,
Amendment 3 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C (new)
Recital C (new)
C. whereas the human rights situation in Iran is still characterized by continued and pervasive violations of fundamental rights,
Amendment 5 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 70/173 on the "Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran", A/RES/70/173, adopted on 17 December 2015,
Amendment 8 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
– having regard to the Report of the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran of 10 March 2016, A/HRC/31/69 and his recent statements raising concern for imprisonments of human rights defenders and a sharp rise in hate speech against religious minorities,
Amendment 14 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular those of 10 March 2011 on the EU’'s approach towards Iran1[1], 17 November 2011 on Iran – recent cases of human rights violations, 14 June 2012 on situation of ethnic minorities in Iran, and of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran2 , __________________ 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0339.
Amendment 18 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; having regard to the EU Annual reports on Human Rights,
Amendment 20 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
– having regard to its previous resolutions on EU Annual reports on Human Rights; having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2015 on death penalty,
Amendment 39 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is concerned about Iran's repeated ballistic missile tests in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2231(2015) and which are not consistent with the spirit of the nuclear deal; notes with deep concern German intelligence reports that Iran is illicitly attempting to acquire nuclear weapons technology, which would contravene the terms of JCPOA; calls on Iran to refrain from activities that put into question its commitment to the JCPOA and undermine efforts to build confidence;
Amendment 55 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, technical and people-to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and differences, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-buildingparticular attention to fundamental human rights, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Condemns Iran's repeated calls for annihilation of Israel and denial of the Holocaust; believes that these elements should be properly factored into the new EU strategy towards Iran;
Amendment 97 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believesalls the EU's strong and principled position against the death penalty and that the abolition of the capital punishment is a key objective of the Union's human rights policy; hopes that cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agendastarting point for addressing this question;
Amendment 121 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note of the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); is deeply concerned that trumped-up drug trafficking charges are often used to eliminate political opponents; calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as aone way of addressing the issue of executions in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq, while respecting human rights norms;
Amendment 124 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against drugs as one measure addressing the issue of executions related to drug offences in the country; calls on the Commission to provide technical assistance and administrative capacity- building for Iran to enable it to secure its borders with Afghanistan and Iraq;
Amendment 125 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Believes that cooperation on anti- narcotics must be limited to addiction prevention and harm reduction programmes and avoid technical assistance to law enforcement and security forces until Iran eliminates death penalty for narcotics offences;
Amendment 127 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 169 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls the impact that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, have on businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters in line with FATF recommendations to create the necessary conditions for businesses to prosper in Iran and contribute to Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives;
Amendment 230 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recognises that the young, educated and technologically advanced population in Iran can provide particular opportunities for advancing people-to- people contacts with the EU; calls for increased cooperation in the field of education, research and innovation via increased exchanges of students and researchers; calls for the Commission to study the possibility of visa liberalisation for Iranian academics and researchers to study and undergo training in European universities including in the field of environment, renewable energies, justice and human rights, good governance;
Amendment 254 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Takes note of the June 2016 U.S. State Department annual report on global terrorism listing Iran as the top state sponsor of terrorism;
Amendment 256 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself; leads attention to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) interferences in the region, particularly in supporting the Syrian regime; remains concerned about Iran's financial and arms support for Hezbollah;
Amendment 275 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. BelievNotes that the nuclear deal could opens the possibility for cooperation in resolving the region’s security crisis; believes that Iran can and should play a stabilisation role in the region; believes that the whole region can benefit from a normalisation of relations with Iran;
Amendment 300 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Believes that there can be no solution to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region without all players being present at the table; welcomes, in this regard, Iran’s engagement in the Syrian peace talks via its participation in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG)notes Iran’s participation in the Syrian peace talks; deplores Iran's continued support for the Assad regime and its warfare against the civilian populations; calls for itIran's contribution to further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to increase protection of the civilian population from attacks and to continuously seek a long- term solution to the conflict;
Amendment 360 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the EU to mainstream human rights in all aspects of its relations with Iran; takes the view that the future policy framework for EU-Iran relations must include an effective human rights dialogue with Iran, based on clear benchmarks against which progress can be measured; points out the necessity of including in this dialogue independent civil society organisations; stresses the importance of taking into account the recommendations of international human rights monitoring mechanisms; underlines that benchmarks and targets on human rights must be constructed openly in order to enhance transparency and accountability;
Amendment 363 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that the February 2016 parliamentary elections in Iran did not meet the standards free and fair elections, as the opposition was banned and thousands of candidates were filtered by the 'Guardian Council' under orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei;
Amendment 388 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes with deep concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world and deplores that 2015 saw the highest execution rate in 27 years; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences wcould dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;
Amendment 402 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; regrets however the lack of full abolition and the continued practice of child executions; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least forstarting with juvenile offenders;
Amendment 413 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Is deeply concerned about the rising number of individuals imprisoned from religious minority communities due to their beliefs, including Sunnis, Sufi Muslim dissenters, Baha'is, Christian converts and Jews, since President Hassan Rouhani took office in 2013; deplores that religious minority activists have been sentenced to death for "enmity against God";
Amendment 415 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on Iran to fully cooperate with all UN human rights mechanisms and work towards application of recommendations set forth in that context, including the Universal Periodic Review;
Amendment 416 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Stresses that women's rights should remain high on the agenda of the dialogue between the EU and Iran ; remains concerned by the unacceptable discriminations that women face in Iran, particularly in legal matters, regarding family law and their participation in the economic and political life ; calls for the newly elected Majlis to adopt legislation criminalizing violence against women;
Amendment 417 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Believes that EU should use its improving relations with Iran to urge the country to grant access to the UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran to visit Iran;
Amendment 419 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. Expresses its concern regarding the continued arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and lawyers and the serious allegations of abuse of detainees during pre-charge and pre-trial detention; calls on the Commission to support civil society efforts to promote due process of law;
Amendment 420 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 d (new)
Paragraph 28 d (new)
28d. Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to support the creation of an environment allowing for proper and independent functioning of civil society organizations; stresses the importance of upholding the EU human rights guidelines, including on human rights defenders, in the context of EU Iran relations;
Amendment 423 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on Iran to live up fully to its commitments under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ensuring the enjoyment by its citizens of individual rights as provided for in these instruments, without discrimination as to sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status, as provided for in these instrumentgender, sexual orientation or other status, inter alia against Baha'i community, Christians, Muslim minorities, non- believers and converts, Kurds, Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Baluchis; points out that this includes a basic right to equality before the law, as well as the right of equal access to education, health care and professional opportunities;
Amendment 463 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take placebelieves the proposed charter should build upon and be in full compliance with Iran's international human rights obligations; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary ; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;
Amendment 42 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas Tunisia has been the victim of 3 terrorist attacks in the past year;
Amendment 66 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends the good cooperation between Tunisia and its neighbours, as illustrated for example by the signing of a preferential trade agreement and the establishment of local transborders committees with Algeria aimed at fostering local development, and by the intertwining of Tunisia’s economy with Libya’s and by the solidarity of the Tunisian people with displaced Libyans; expresses the utmost concern regarding a possible foreign military intervention in Libya;
Amendment 74 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concerns at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its scrulegislative role and slowing down the draftinyg of the executiveurgently needed new legislations; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for Tunisia;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that the reform of the public administration is one of the main challenging reforms that Tunisia has to implement; welcomes the consideration by the Tunisian government of new methods to fast-track key priority policies; believes that the twinning between European and Tunisian administrations is a positive contribution to the reform of the public administration;
Amendment 105 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for support for gender- balanced policies, for an increased participation of women in public life and the private sector and for the inclusion of young people in political life, especially regarding the promotion of youth participation in local elections; welcomes the legislative provisions regarding youth representation at local and regional elections; considers the municipal elections in 2016 as an opportunity to encourage the youth to reengage actively in the political transformation process;
Amendment 118 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual practices and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy, as well as amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs;
Amendment 148 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia to allow the country to benefit fully from the international support and enable job creation; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;
Amendment 155 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Welcomes the launching of the negotiations of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia on 13 October 2015; underlines the importance of the DCFTA to support on-going economic reforms in Tunisia and to improve market access opportunities and the investment climate; recalls the need for the EU to conduct these negotiations along with a technical and financial tailored assistance;
Amendment 162 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country including the less advanced regions that need a long-term development plan;
Amendment 170 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the Tunisian Strategic Plan for Development 2016-2020 and calls for its swift implementation, in an inclusive way, with the adoption of regulatory frameworks aimed at facilitating the absorption of European support and of all international financial institutions; welcomes the adoption of the new investment code, which should create regulatory stability and facilitate investments, and the tax reforms; calls for the modernisation of the public administration, which should operate in an efficient and transparent way, thus greatly facilitating the implementation of projects and the better use of funds;
Amendment 191 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for the conversion of Tunisian debt to the European Union into investment projects especially for building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities;
Amendment 205 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Welcome the integration of the Euro-Mediterranean electricity markets as an important element of the energy cooperation with the southern neighbours. EIMed project would enable two-ways electricity trade between the North and the South of the Mediterranean, generating benefits for all partners in terms of security, stability and affordability of electricity supply;
Amendment 208 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situationIs deeply concerned about the immediate security spillover in Tunisia originating from the instability in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;
Amendment 218 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Recognises that terrorism is a shared challenge that requires a joint response. Cooperation between the EU and Tunisia in the field of security and the fight against terrorism has been stepped up recently, in particular with the launch of an ambitious programme to support security sector reform.
Amendment 226 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field inwith Tunisia;
Amendment 232 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28 b. Welcomes the security assistance coordination process launched by Tunisia in which the EU plays an active role; strongly recommends the reinforcement of the security assistance to Tunisia in the framework of the G7+3 process with a focus on border security, combatting extremism and protecting tourism infrastructures; believes that this coordinated security assistance has a positive effect on the efficiency of the security sector in Tunisia; underlines the importance of a long-term approach to sustain the reforms in the Tunisian security sector;
Amendment 251 #
2015/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2015 on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union's policy on the matter,
Amendment 8 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
– having regard to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy as adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 June 2012,
Amendment 18 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas many present and future challenges and threats to the EU are complex and will come from inside just as much as from outside the common borders; whereas a stronger political will for resolute common action on the part of the EU and its Member States is needed in order to respond effectively to these challenges, to safeguard the EU’s values and societal model and to be a stronger global actor; whereas the EU Global Strategy on foreign and security policy must pave the way for this development by defining a political level of ambition of the EU as an international actor;
Amendment 44 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a swift and efficient response to threats on the part of the EU requires that interinstitutional barriers be overcome and, silo mentalities broken down and strong solidarity between Member States;
Amendment 55 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the EU global strategy on foreign and security policy should fix a limited number of priorities and specify clear actions to be taken in these different areas of priority; whereas it is essential that sufficient resources are allocated to the implementation of the strategy, as EU needs to have the means of its ambition;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas the EU global strategy should define clearly the responsibilities of each EU institution in the implementation of those guidelines with a clear allocation of tasks; whereas the EU Member States have a crucial role to play in endorsing and implementing the strategy;
Amendment 84 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reminds the EU's commitment to develop a Common Foreign and Security Policy guided by the principles of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and calls on the EU and its Member States to enhance their efforts to effectively place these values at the heart of their relations with the wider world;
Amendment 91 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls that the Transatlantic Partnership, based on strong political, cultural, economic and historical links, on shared values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and on common goals, remains a cornerstone of our security;
Amendment 106 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that in future the EU and its Members States will have to rely less on the United States anshould take greater responsibility for their own security and territorial defence by putting the focus on preventive action and rapid reaction. Calls on the EU and the Member States, therefore, to improve their strategic autonomy regarding defence capabilities and capacities, in order to be prepared to respond to the broad spectrum of civilian and military threats and risks, in full complementarity with NATO;
Amendment 174 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the vital importance of strengthening EU-NATO cooperation, and supports the establishment of European forces which complement NATO in territorial defence and are able to conduct intervention operations autonomously beyond the EU’s borders; recalls that the military contributions should be based on the principle of solidarity among EU Member States;
Amendment 207 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for the EU to put a greater focus on conflict prevention and the drivers of fragility in the neighbourhood; recalls that the EU Special Representatives, as well as EU delegations, should play a crucial role in collecting information on the ground and coordinating all EU instruments in a specific region;
Amendment 210 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Considers that the EU should maintain at all times a coherent and consistent engagement both in its Eastern and Southern neighbourhood;
Amendment 212 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Underlines that EU-Russia relations must be based on respect for international law; stresses that a resumption of cooperation should only be envisaged if Russia respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, including Crimea, fully implements the Minsk Agreements and refrains from destabilising military and security activities at the EU Member States' borders;
Amendment 260 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that inclusive multilateral diplomacy under the leadership of the VP/HR is a crucial tool in conflict resolution in the neighbourhood; believes that more links and synergies need to be made between diplomacy and home affairs; reiterates the importance of tackling the root causes of instability in the neighbourhood by defining clearly the role of the EU in the international efforts to end the Syrian conflict, supporting governance reforms in the MENA region and setting up a comprehensive regional strategy;
Amendment 262 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls for a reinforced economic and security support of the countries in the Southern neighbourhood that are under severe pressure from the regional crises namely Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia;
Amendment 281 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that the EU should be a constructive and resilient global actor with a regional focus and aspire to be a ‘rule- maker’, establishing and reinforcing efficient multilateral global governance;
Amendment 296 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the EU institutions and Member States to pursue the comprehensive / joined-up / integral approach in their external action and to take account of the inextricable link between internal and external security; in this regards, calls on the EU to focus more on building synergies between security, development, trade, human rights and democracy promotion activities and EU external action;
Amendment 354 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that in order to attain the above objectives, the EU must deepen its partnerships with other global and regional actors and its partnerships with non-state actors and civil society; stresses that the EU must strengthen its relationship with its strategic partners in order to cope with a changing and challenging international environment; points out that a revitalization of the strategic partnerships, seeking to transform them into an effective foreign policy instrument, should be a priority for the EU;
Amendment 381 #
2015/2272(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. EmphasiseRecalls that the European Parliament is the Parliament of the EU anda key partner of the VP/HR in shaping thate EU action should's external relations and addressing the current challenges, including bey monitored and followed up in this contexting EU foreign policy actions;
Amendment 82 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)
Recital O b (new)
Ob. whereas international cooperation should play an increased role in reinforcing respect for fundamental rights and effective parliamentary oversight of intelligence services using digital surveillance technology;
Amendment 108 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading
Subheading
EU policy instruments for advancing human rights and democracy worldwide
Amendment 111 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its invitation to the VP/HR to debate with the Members of the European Parliament in two plenary sessions per year, one at the time the EU Annual Report is presented, and the other in response to Parliament’s Report; considers it regrettable that the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) did not reply in writing tounderlines that written answers from the Commission and the EEAS to the Parliament’'s resolution on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2013; recalls that such written answers play an important role in interinstitutional relations, as they allow for a systematic and in-depth follow-up to all the points raised by Parliament;
Amendment 164 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading
Subheading
Amendment 230 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Welcomes the adoption of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the special UN summit in New York, as well as the leading role played by the EU in this process and in particular for the inclusion of fundamental EU values such as human rights and good governance; positively notes that the new agenda is clearly anchored in human rights commitments and that its 17 goals and 169 targets seek to realize human rights for all; shares the vision underpinning this document of a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination, of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity, as well as of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity;
Amendment 231 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Underlines the importance of policy coherence for development (PCD) in achieving the new sustainable development agenda; points out that the human rights based approach should lead to a deepened understanding of PCD, as without addressing the obstacles to the realisation of rights there can be no progress towards sustainable development and the eradication of poverty;
Amendment 233 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Takes positive note of the counter- terrorism guidance document drafted by the EEAS and the Commission and endorsed by the Council with the aim of ensuring respect for human rights in the planning and implementation of counter- terrorism assistance projects with third countries; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the document, starting with its wide dissemination; supports, in thisreminds, in this context, that respect for fundamental rights and freedoms is the foundations of successful countext,r-terrorism policies, including the use of digital surveillance technologies; supports the international efforts to stop human rights violations being perpetrated by ISIS/Da’'esh;
Amendment 260 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 h (new)
Paragraph 53 h (new)
53h. Calls on the EU to increase its support to the fight against trafficking of human beings through external policies, with a particular focus on the protection of victims; strongly considers that the EU should strengthen cooperation with third countries in order to exchange good practices and contribute to dismantling international trafficking networks;
Amendment 271 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading
Subheading
Amendment 359 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Invites the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR to continue promoting the political and economic empowerment of women by mainstreaming gender equality in all their external policies and programmes and by publicly raising gender-related issues; takes positive note of the new framework for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment for 2016-2020; underlines the need to focus on the horizontal pillar, which aims for the Commission and the EEAS to deliver more effectively on EU commitments of strengthening women and girls' rights though external relations;
Amendment 379 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading
Subheading
Amendment 385 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
Paragraph 77
77. Reiterates its request for the EU and its Member States to enhance their monitoring of all types of restrictions on freedom of expression and the media in third countries and to rapidly and systematically condemn such limitations; emphasises the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline and of regularly monitoring their impact; recalls the EU's goal to ensure and protect non-discriminatory access to information and freedom of expression for all individuals, both online and offline;
Amendment 386 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)
Paragraph 77 a (new)
77a. Considers that information and communication technologies (ICTs) represent opportunities for enhancement of human rights, for the enforcement of democratic practices and for social and economic development; considers that in its relations with third countries the EU should continue to promote practices that aim to protect privacy and data protection both online and offline;
Amendment 412 #
2015/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading
Subheading
Supporting free and fair electoral processes and respect for theenhancing rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and impartial administration in third countries
Amendment 42 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas trade and energy links enhance the EU – Central Asia relations and promote common values such as rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights; whereas GSP system aims at the diversification of the Central Asian economies;
Amendment 46 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) represents an important financing tool aiming to support civil society organisations and democratisation;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Review of the EU-Central Asia strategy conducted by the EEAS, the Commission and the Council in 2015; takes the view, nevertheless, that the priorities, objectives and targets should be better defined through individual country tailor-made action plans and accompanied by benchmarks and indicators in a credible timeframe, in order to identify and correct eventual shortfalls;
Amendment 97 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the enhanced regional cooperation would improve both economic and security situation in the region; given the fact that the Central Asia has weak interregional links, invites the EEAS and the European Commission to develop projects that would foster such cooperation for those countries interested in enhancing these links;
Amendment 98 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that the disbursement of EU funds should be conditionality- and incentives- based, along the lines of the principles agreed for the European Neighbourhood Policy, rewarding performanceincentive and performance based, observing achievements on a number of benchmarks to be established for each country, and depending on measurable progress with regard, in particular, to the fields of democratisation, corruption prevention, free and fair elections, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, development, human security and good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 155 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its deep concern at the growing trend towards clampdown on civil society on the pretext of security and stabiand opposition parties on the pretext of stability; reminds the partner countries that a fully functioning parliamentary democracy must observe freedom of expression and media plurality;
Amendment 169 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the establishment of Human Rights Dialogues with all five countries of Central Asia; points out, however, the lack of transparency of the process, and calls on the VP/HR to review the role, mandate, objectives and follow-up of the Human Rights Dialogues with the countries of the region, and in particular to involve all stakeholders and introduce systematic human rights monitoring mechanisms in countries with which the EU has entered into legally binding agreementsorder to improve their effectiveness; notes that the Human Rights Dialogues are important EU's tools of engagement with the Central Asian countries enabling to implement smart strategies and therefore should be adequately taken use of;
Amendment 194 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that EU's positive role in the region should be advanced via education and people-to-people contacts; commends that the EU has budgeted EUR 115 million for the Erasmus+ educational cooperation programme in the region;
Amendment 199 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Welcomes that all five Central Asian countries have been closely following the Bologna Process driving many national reforms in recent years;
Amendment 16 #
2015/2163(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that the European Court of Auditors emphasised the existence of some continuing weaknesses in the management of family allowances, a comment that has been repeated for several years in a row; urges the EEAS to take measures to address these shortcomings to avoid a reoccurrence in future years;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets the significant delays in procuring essential equipment and services for missions under the CSDP and the resulting negative effect on the missions' functioning; recalls that the Court of Auditors in its 2012 Special Report on the EU assistance to Kosovo related to the rule of law pointed out this inefficiency and concluded that the procurement rules laid down in the financial regulation "are not designed for CSDP missions where fast and flexible responses are sometimes necessary"; deplores that the recent revision of the Financial Regulation did not produce the necessary changes to the financial rules; reiterates its view that management of the relevant budget lines should be delegated to the Civilian Operation Commander, in the same way as has been done for heads of EU delegations;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Recalls that the efficiency of CSDP training and advisory missions is greatly hampered by the EU's institutional difficulties to accompany these actions with even basic equipment support; welcomes in this context the efforts made by the Commission to implement the Joint Communication on capacity building in support of security and development; calls on the Commission to put forward the necessary legislative proposals for the creation of a dedicated fund as soon as possible, so that it can be included in the EU budget in the course of the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework;
Amendment 15 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Welcomes the ECA's 2015 special reports on EUPOL Afghanistan and EU support for the fight against torture and the abolition of the death penalty; urges the Commission to implement all recommendations made by the Court in the context of these reports;
Amendment 21 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Asks for the budget line for EU Special Representatives to be transferred from the CFSP budgetppreciates the ongoing reflection process taking place in the EEAS on the future of EU Special Representatives and their relationship with the EEAS; considers that any change to the EEAS budget to ensure their adequate integration into the work of the EEAS.line for EU Special Representatives should only take place after the current reflection process is concluded;
Amendment 24 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Supports the EEAS' plan to open an EU delegation in Iran in the wake of the successful conclusion of the nuclear talks.
Amendment 2 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular its Recommendation to the Council of 2 April 2014 on the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (2014/2017(INI)) and its resolution of 11 May 2011 on "the EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations" (2010/2298(INI)),
Amendment 6 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
– having regard to the EU Priorities for the 70th UN General Assembly adopted by the Council on 22 June 2015,
Amendment 121 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the General Assembly representing the governments of all member countries must have ways and means to give direction toRecalls the EU's commitment to actively support a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Ssystem and coordinate all its activities;in order to strengthen its legitimacy, its of the opinion that in the long term the democratic governance of the UN should be strengthened by esregional representation, accountability and effectiveness in responding to the complex, multi-facetted challenges of today; stresses in particular the importance of revitablishzing a World Parliament representing the peoplethe work of the General Assembly;
Amendment 134 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reiterates its support for the role of parliaments and regional assemblies in the UN system and global parliamentarism;
Amendment 146 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that the Security Council, whose composition is based on an outdated world order, must be reformed in order to better reflect the new world geopolitical reality and to more effectively meet the present and future security challenges;
Amendment 166 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considering the contribution of the EU to peace and security architecture in the world, calls on a reform of the Security Council that would ensure a permanent seat to the European Union; notes that, due to the absence of the EU from the Security Council, the burden of echo and the Lisbon Treaty's objective of enhancing the European foreign policy, recalls the long-term goal of the EU having, advoc seat ing for and defending the interests of the EU, based on a coordinated CFSP, lies on the two permanent and the rotating European members an enlarged UNSC; reiterates its call for a Europe-wide debate on the reform of the UNSC;
Amendment 174 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Reiterates its call on the HR/VP to seek common EU positions on issues to be decided in the UNSC; is convinced of the necessity of improving the existing cooperation mechanisms aimed at ensuring that EU Member States sitting on the UNSC defend common EU positions in this forum; reminds EU member states with seats in the UNSC of their duty to keep other EU Member states informed about developments therein;
Amendment 188 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on further development of preventive and early warning tools and enhanced mediation capabilities of the UN, and on more precise mandates, coherent and achievable mandates, that include a human rights component and clear exit strategies for peacebuilding and peacekeeping operations; bearing in mind the recent atrocities and human rights violations perpetrated by some extremist groups, urges the Security Council to define an ambitious set of tools and means to ensure effective prevention of these atrocities;
Amendment 213 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the conviction that the economic and social dimension of the UN System must be substantially strengthened, and that this could be achieved through the establishment of a Sustainable Development Council as the main decision making body for all sustainable development related matters (based on the three pillars, social, economic and environmental),in order to ensuringe coordinated and efficient assessment of the needs, and adoption of necessary roadmaps, decisions and binding measures; stresses that this is related to the post-2015 sustainable development framework; insists on the necessarity to effectively implement the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN Summit in September;
Amendment 227 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 241 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that this Council should also have a strong coordinative role in all other fields in the UN System but security; iIn light of the recurring human catastrophes linked to illegal migrations, and consideringtakes the view that sustainable development of the countries of origin could facilitate in the long run a drying up of illegal migration flows, is of the conviction that this Council should coordinatecalls for better coordination of the work of all UN agencies related to this concerndealing with this issue;
Amendment 257 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 274 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that, besides promoting economic and social development in the world, the Sustainable Development Council should also be responsible for human well-being related matters; considers that the Sustainable Development Council should also be responsible forUN should enhance his actions on human well-being related matters, including cultural sustainability, since culture is recognized as a key factor for building sustainable societies together with social, economic and environmental development, by integrating education, cultural diplomacy, protection of heritage, creative sector and scientific research in the policy-making approach;
Amendment 288 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Reminds that the visibility of EU actions needs to be increased in all multilateral fora, including the UN;
Amendment 317 #
2015/2104(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is of the opinion that the European Parliament must be in position to address these challenges in the same comprehensive and overarching way, and organize its work accordingly; considers that the Committee on Foreign Affairs must be entrusted the coordination ofshould be properly involved in all policy fields relevant to the external action of the EU, with other Committees being requested to express their opinion;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of EU-Vietnam relations; whereas these relations have broaden rapidly from trade and aid to a more comprehensive relationship;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Vietnamese authorities announced the lifting of bans on foreign direct investment in 45 sectors and adopted measures to ease the business regulations in the country to sustain foreign investments;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas EU-ASEAN relations are comprehensive and cover a wide range of sectors including trade and investment, development, economics and political affairs; whereas the Bandar Seri Begawan Plan of Action from 2012 was adopted to give a more strategic focus to the regional cooperation between EU and ASEAN in these sectors;
Amendment 26 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas tensions have risen between China and neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, regarding contested areas in the South China Sea; whereas the escalation of territorial disputes in the region has implications for global affairs and represents a serious threat to peace, security, stability and international trade;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas Vietnam is reinforcing its bilateral ties with key international players such as the US due to the resurgent tensions in the South China Sea; whereas Russia is a key supplier of military equipment to Vietnam and the main source of the country's maritime modernization;
Amendment 36 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that the EU and Vietnam will both benefit economically from the ratification of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the FTA that is in negotiation; welcomes the facilitated access of EU exporters to a dynamic market and calls the Vietnamese government to pursue the economic and financial reforms to increase its competitiveness in the medium and long term especially by levelling the playing field between private and state-owned sectors;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Amendment 44 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Welcomes the economic and financial reforms undertaken by the Vietnamese authorities to boost the foreign investments; considers these measures as an encouraging sign of the integration of Vietnam into the world economy and trading system;
Amendment 52 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the decision of the Vietnamese authorities to lift the visa regime for citizens of five European countries and believes that this decision will stimulate stronger cooperation in the tourism sector;
Amendment 80 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls the importance of EU- Vietnam human rights dialogue as a key instrument to be used in an efficient and pragmatic manner to accompany and encourage Vietnam in the implementation of the necessary reforms;
Amendment 85 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the revision of the Criminal Code, particularly Articles 79, 87, 88 and 258, which are often used to suppress the peaceful expression of opinion; calls for the release of more than 200 prisoners of conscience; encourages the reforms of the criminal justice system in particular the criminal procedure code including the clauses that criminalise peaceful activities on grounds of national security; calls the authorities to establish an independent criminal justice system;
Amendment 90 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for an end to discrimination and repression of ethnic and religious minorities and to guarantee freedom of religion; urges the implementation of reforms to improve the socio-economic conditions of ethnic and religious minorities and particularly in the mountainous areas;
Amendment 92 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Is deeply concerned about the situation of Montagnard Christians in Vietnam who are seeking asylum abroad and particularly in Cambodia and Thailand; urges the Vietnamese authorities to protect the vulnerable minorities and to put an end to all religious discriminations in the country;
Amendment 113 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls the Vietnamese authorities to put in place greater anti-corruption efforts with a view to sending a positive signal to foreign investors; notes that the weak legal infrastructure and the corruption system lead to financial unpredictability and pose a serious obstacle for investment and business operations;
Amendment 128 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on China and the neighbouring countries concerned including Vietnam to intensify efforts to defuse tension in the contested area in the South China Sea in view to protect the freedom of navigation; stresses the need to address the disputes peacefully and on the basis of the international law; recalls the importance of building cooperative solutions that include all parties;
Amendment 130 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the role played by ASEAN to peacefully managing the disputes in particular by seeking to set-up a regional code of conduct;
Amendment 133 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Considers the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam as an opportunity for the EU to reinforce its positioning in Asia and play a greater role in the region; this agreement is also a chance for the EU to foster its objectives of peace, rule of law, democracy and human rights, maritime safety and resource sharing;
Amendment 136 #
2015/2096(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for establishing a regular exchange mechanisms between the EEAS and Parliament, so as to allow Parliament to follow up on the implementation of the Agreement and the achievement of its objectives;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the need for a holistic EU approach to migration which ensures coherence between its internal and external policies; calls for the adjustment of EU's working methods aiming at the coordination of its internal and external policy tools when dealing with the migration policy in the Mediterranean both at the technical and at the political levels;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that a comprehensive strategy for tackling the migration crisis in the Mediterranean should be a key element of the new EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, the reinforcement of EU's crisis management capacities has to be a priority in the new strategy in order to contribute actively to the stabilisation of EU's neighbourhood;
Amendment 31 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the persistent instability and conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood have a serious impact on the mass influx of migrants and the refugees crisis in the region; believes that a genuine response to the migration crisis in the Mediterranean will come only from tackling the root causes, namely poverty, instability, state failure, wars, persecution, violations of human rights and natural disasters; considers that addressing the challenge of fragile states and a stronger focus on conflict prevention should be a central priority for EU's foreign and security policy;
Amendment 72 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Advocates broader and intensified EU cooperation with third countries of origin and transit, through bilateral agreements, in order to clamp down on smuggling and trafficking networks, to ensure capacity building in the fields of asylum systems and border control, to provide protection for people in need, to develop frameworks for regular migration and mobility, and to put into force a humane and effective return policy for irregular migrants; believes that the EU should develop a strategic and forward-looking approach to the migration crisis in the Mediterranean;
Amendment 102 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the need to continue and reinforce EU's support to the neighbouring countries who are hosting most of the Syrian refugees namely Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey;
Amendment 119 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the launch of the EUNAVFOR Med operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean and supports the reinforcement of the management of the Union's external borders; stresses that a more assertive European presence in the Mediterranean is needed; insists, however, on the need for sustained, coordinated search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean to save lives and for an EU policy on asylum conceived in cooperation with the UN, subsidiary protection and temporary protection which fully comply with binding obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and respect the non-refoulement principle;
Amendment 141 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that development assistance, according to the Policy Coherence for Development principles, plays a crucial role in tackling the root causes of migration; stresses the need for continuous EU support to international efforts towards poverty reduction, as well as to peace- building, promotion of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, regional, political and economic stability, security and prosperity.;
Amendment 147 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Believes that the migration crisis in the Mediterranean can only be resolved through a sustained political will and coordination across EU institutions and Member States; considers that European resources should be used in a truly comprehensive and coherent approach to resolve the urgent problem of migration;
Amendment 3 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas the PCA contains a clause legally binding on both sides to respect human rights and democracy (Article 2) and providing for the possibility of taking appropriate measures in case of failure to attain these principles (Article 94, (2));
Amendment 7 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas economic and trade relations are of vital importance in improving the democratic, social and economic situation of citizens of Turkmenistan;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Council and the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR), to proceed towards the setting up of a full- fledged EU Delegation in Ashgabat, as announced by her predecessor, thus replacing the current EU Liaison Office run from the EU Delegation to Turkey, accredited also to Turkmenistan; emphasises that the new Delegation could monitor the situation and enable diplomacy on the ground, as well as manage projects under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in a better way;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises the timid legal, political, social and economic reforms introduced by the current government since 2012 as an encouraging sign of a renewed climate of openness, most notably with regard to prison reform, laws on internet, public assembly and public association; notes that the state of democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remain weak in Turkmenistan; notes that implementation of laws remains meagre; in this regard, encourages the Turkmenistan authorities to launch its human rights projects provided by the NAPHR, including those dedicated to the internet access;
Amendment 71 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to address the recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR5 , following the parliamentary elections in December 2013; , which took place in a controlled political environment; notes the existence of a third official party, the Agrarian Party, since 2014; __________________ 5 Election Assessment Mission Final Report of 4 March 2014 by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), TURKMENISTAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS of 15 December 2013; http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/11601 1?download=true.
Amendment 74 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that Turkmenistan is party to most major international agreements and therefore under the obligation to respect and protect human rights under all circumstances; expresses its readiness to increase EU support in the field of democratic principles and human rights, in particular by making full use of the European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights and other means to support the reform process in the country;
Amendment 75 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the ratification by Turkmenistan of a number of international treaties on human rights, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; notes that Turkmenistan is a party to over 130 international conventions and treaties that form the country´s basis for international and legal participation in enhancing human rights and freedoms; calls on Turkmenistan to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families;
Amendment 79 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Encourages Turkmenistan to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
Amendment 85 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the commitment made by the VP-HR in her letter to the Committee on Foreign Affairs on 16 December 2016, containing the following elements: - ensuring that the Parliament is properly informed about the implementation of the human rights and democratisation provisions of the PCA, including access to relevant information on the evolution of the situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and is briefed upon request ahead and following meetings of the Cooperation Council, subject to applicable confidentiality rules; - closer interaction with the EP and the civil society in the preparation of and debriefings on annual Human Rights Dialogues; - Parliament's consultation in preparation of updates of the EU Human Rights Country strategy for Turkmenistan;
Amendment 104 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the slightly improved cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN on the treatment of prisoners, but remains concerned about the unknown number ofremaining political prisoners in the country, and about the dozens of cases of enforced disappearances in prisons6 ; urges the government to apply the recommendation of the UN Committee against Torture of June 2015 to investigate all cases of torture, ill-treatment and deaths in custody; welcomes that the NAPHR contains detailed related activities to be fulfilled, namely the establishment of an independent, effective and regular system for monitoring and inspection of all detention facilities without prior notice and the publishing of conducted investigations results; __________________ 6 Prove They Are Alive ! Campaign; http://provetheyarealive.org/.
Amendment 106 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the accession of Turkmenistan in May 2009 to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the more active support given by it to the UNDP programme for 'gender mainstreaming and policy making in Turkmenistan'; calls for effective implementation of the CEDAW; underlines the importance of fighting human trafficking; notes that the NAPHR provides tasks regarding the improving of women's knowledge about their rights through legal education and the creation of a working group aimed at combating trafficking persons;
Amendment 119 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Points out that the NAPHR contains three main tasks regarding the media: carrying out an analysis of situation concerning the rights of journalists, development of a module on freedom of expression for the faculties of journalism and conducting training sessions for judicial officers, lawyers, media professionals on the rights and obligations of journalists; calls on the Turkmen Government to allow journalists to freely operate in the country; calls on Turkmen authorities to grant access to international journalists to the country;
Amendment 126 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the modest improvements introduced in the new law on public associations adopted in 2014; calls on the Turkmen authorities to remove restrictions on civil society organisations and to permit the development of a genuinely independent civil society; free from harassment and persecution; nevertheless, it is concerned that unregistered public associations are still banned and that international NGOs are not allowed to operate in the country; welcomes that the NAPHR for 2016-2020 incudes the creation of favourable conditions for registration, operation and development of non-governmental organisations and the carrying out of an analysis of existing legal and regulatory acts on non- governmental organisations and their improvements;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to properly implement the laws banning child labour in a better way, as well as to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of minors from exploitation;
Amendment 150 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that a major component of the PCA is the further development of trade relations and considers that the Turkmenistan - EU trading relation could be enhanced, taking in account the location of Turkmenistan as an East- West/North-South crossroads;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of 12 December 2014 on a stronger role of the private sector in development cooperation,
Amendment 9 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
Citation 14 b (new)
- having regard to the European Court of Auditors' Special Report No. 16/2014 on "The effectiveness of blending regional investment facility grants with financial institution loans to support EU external policies",
Amendment 31 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the magnitude of the SDGs financing challenge demands a strong and global partnership and the use of all forms - including innovative sources - of financing (domestic, international, public and private);
Amendment 34 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas domestic resource mobilisation and Official Development Assistance (ODA) are non-substitutable anchors of development finance which must be strengthened in order that developing countries can reach their full potential;
Amendment 37 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas three-quarters of the world's poorest people - an estimated 960 million - currently live in middle-income countries; whereas developing countries’ potentials for domestic resource mobilisation are significant, but there are limits to what countries can accomplish on their own;
Amendment 61 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the nature and impacts of private capital flows affects developing countries in many different ways, positive as well as negative; whereas financial flows to developing countries from private sources are significant but unevenly distributed and are often associated with outflows such as profit repatriation;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the EU and its Member States, as the largest donors of development aid, must lead the FfD process and help bring about a credible response to the development finance challenges; whereas other developed and emerging countries should follow its example;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report and its transformative, holistic and integrated approach to an ambitious global partnershipas a negotiation basis for achieving an ambitious global partnership on new development goals and the associated financial framework;
Amendment 88 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the EU to leadaffirm its political leadership all throughout the preparatory process towards the definition of a sustainable development framework and its means of implementation along the commitments and values stated in its founding Treaties;
Amendment 95 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the recent Commission communication entitled ‘A Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015’, for its comprehensiveness, for its policy coherence focus and for confirming that the EU is committed to playing its full part in this global partnership; however, regrets a certain lack ofencourages further commitments as regarding the timeline fors future financial targets;
Amendment 99 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the EU and its Member States to re-commit without delay or negotiationgradually increase their level of ODA and re-commit to the 0.7 % of GNI target, with at least 0.2 % of GNI reserved for LDCs, and to present multiannual budget timetables for the scale-up to thes; these efforts should be done in a joint effort and in close cooperation with all other donor countries around the world in order to ensure the best possible outcome in view of the implementation of the Sustainable lDevels by 2020opment Goals;
Amendment 104 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the EU and other developed countries must honour their commitment to provide scaled-up, new and additional climate finance to developing countries reaching USD 100 billion per year by 2020reach the goal of mobilizing jointly USD 100 billion annually, from a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries; calls on countries with emerging economies to increasingly follow this example by financially contributing to these goals;
Amendment 110 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Supports innovative sources of additional development and climate finance, including financial transaction taxes and carbon taxes on international aviation and maritime transport; welcomes further European and international efforts to identify other additional sources;
Amendment 123 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that ODA should remain the standard measure of financial efforts made; supports the inclusion of concessional loans based on calculation of their grant equivalents, despite due consideration of total official support for development; stresses the role of ODA as a catalyst to attract private investment;
Amendment 133 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the EU and its Member States to promote an aid effectiveness agenda building on the commitments in the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, in particular by reducing aid fragmentation through greater coordination between different aid delivery mechanisms and donostakeholders;
Amendment 137 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the importance of a clear priority-setting in the spending of aid with a special focus on sectorial areas such as health, education, energy and water supply, agriculture as well as infrastructure;
Amendment 142 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Recalls that development efforts need to be undertaken in a joint effort following the principles of shared responsibility and mutual accountability between local, regional and national authorities on the one side and donors on the other side;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. SFully encourages developing countries' efforts to increasingly finance their own development; to this end, stresses that domestic resource mobilisation must be a key source of financing for all developed and developing countries; emphasises the need for robust, far and progressiveeffective and well-balanced tax systems;
Amendment 151 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Encourages the Commission to further help strengthening the areas oftax collection capacity of developing countries by improving tax administration, financial governance and public financial management through enhanced cooperation and capacity building in developing countries;
Amendment 162 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the EU and its Member States to actively crack down on tax havens, tax evasion and illicit financial flows; supports the setting-up ofidea of having an intergovernmental body for tax cooperation under the auspices of the UN, in particular with the Economic and Social Council of the UN and UNCTAD being in charge; recalls that illicit capital flows coming out of developing countries amount to USD 1 trillion and correspond ten times the total ODA;
Amendment 170 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the decisive importance of good governance, the rule of law and democracy, institutional framework and regulatory instruments in particular of public registers such as land and commercial registers; especially supports investment in capacity-building, education, health, public services, social protection, the protection of human rights and the fight against poverty and inequality, including in terms ofwith regard to gender; recognises the need for infrastructures and selective public investments, as well as the sustainable use and management of natural resources, including by the extractive industries;
Amendment 186 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for greater financing of research and development in science, technology and innovation in developing countries in order to improve their position in global value chains and to support the domestic production of sophisticated goods and services; emphasises in this context the important role of micro, small and medium enterprises;
Amendment 199 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of favourable conditions for private enterprise and entrepreneurship in developing countries; calls for alignmentthe active participation of the private sector with the aim of contributing to the sustainable development goals through appropriate partnerships, financial instruments, incentives and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); such efforts should be accompanied by a commitment to strengthening domestic legal frameworks;
Amendment 216 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Insists that the EU’s support and cooperation with the private sector can and must contribute to reducing poverty and inequality and promote human rights, environmental standards and social dialogue; recalls that the private sector generates 90 percent of jobs in developing countries and therefore insists on its fundamental role as engine of job creation and inclusive growth;
Amendment 217 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the EU to setupport developing countries in setting up a regulatory business framework that stimulates responsible, transparent and accountable investment which contributes to the development of the private sector in developing countries;
Amendment 220 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the Cotonou Agreement Investment Facility as a tool for increasing developing countries’ ownership while promoting the private sector, in particular in fragile states or least developed countries, where the development impact is potentially greater;
Amendment 223 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission to support increased access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises in developing countries as this constitutes an effective path out of poverty for the local communities; underlines the importance of micro-finance loan systems and guarantees in particular for the creation phase of such companies;
Amendment 227 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Insists on the necessity of further developing local and regional banks and credit unions in order to significantly decrease excessive interest rates for market loans in order to better support community development at a local level 1 a ; stresses in this context the specific needs of micro, small and medium enterprises as well as NGOs and calls for the development of targeted programmes and instruments in order to address their respective situations; __________________ 1a http://www.eib.org/attachments/dalberg_s me-briefing-paper.pdf
Amendment 229 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. CRecalls for the adoption of an ‘SDG partner’ framework forthat public aid alone is far from sufficient to cover all investment needs in developing countries; therefore, insists on the leverage role of blending projects and public-private partnerships (PPPs) that will ensure that such projects respect the best international practices and the internationally agreedas means to enhance the impact of development assistance, to attract private finance and to support local businesses; however, stresses that blended finance must not replace state responsibility for delivering on social needs and should be guided by development effectiveness principles;
Amendment 236 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Supports increased market access for developing countries, especially LDCs, as it can strengthen the private sector and create incentives for reform; urges the Commission to ensure that trade and investment agreements, especially with developing countries, LDCs and fragile states, are aligned with the SDGs; emphasises that such agreements should be subjected to SDG impact assessmentson measures that strengthen competition authorities in the respective countries, bring more transparency into public procurement procedures and focus on trade facilitation; supports the Commission’s suggestion of updating its Aid for Trade Strategy in light of the outcomes of the post-2015 negotiations;
Amendment 243 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Recalls the role of local authorities and civil society, including NGOs, as an essential development partner; calls for an increasedphilanthropic foundations and the private sector, as an essential development partner; supports an effective participation of the representatives of civil society voice in the discussions of development priorities and the set-up of operations on the ground; underlines the role of EU delegations in the respective countries as a facilitator of such dialogues;
Amendment 253 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls the UN’s central role, in complementarity with other existing institutions and forums such as the OECD, in global economic governance and development; supports efforts to further enhance the voice and representation of developing countries in multilateral institutions and other norm- and standard- setting bodies;
Amendment 255 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Insists that sustainable debt solutions must be facilitated through a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes with a view to alleviating the debt burden; takes in particular into consideration the recent contributions of the IMF as well as of the Paris Club on this matter; urges the EU to push for the implementation of the UNCTAD principles of responsible sovereign debt transactions for both borrowers and lenders;
Amendment 261 #
2015/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for a review of international organisations’ programmes and instruments of financial assistance for development in order to align them with the new SDGs; urges, and to allow notably, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to increase low- income countries’ levels of access to their concessional facilities and to gear their resources more closely to the needs of developing countries, including through mutually effective pro-poor lending facilities;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the adequate representation of different interests in the legislation process represents a significant source of information for Members and is crucial for the properly functioning of pluralistic societies;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 111 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 126 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Asks the Bureau to restrict access to Parliament’s premises for non-registered organisations or individuals by making all visitors to its premises sign a declaration that they are not lobbyists falling within the scope of the register or otherwise declare their registrationthat undertake lobbying activities;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Points out the need to find ways to encourage organisations representing civil society to use more the Transparency Register, so the variety of interests is represented in the decision-making process;
Amendment 162 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is of the opinion that further steps need to be taken both to tackle ethical issues relating to the political role of lobbies, their practices and their influence and to promote safeguards for integrity, in order to raise the level of transparency of lobbying activities;
Amendment 209 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that Article 3 of the Code of Conduct for Members should be rephrased to include a clear ban on MembersReiterates that MEPs should declare if they are holding side jobs or other paid work that could lead to a conflict of interest;
Amendment 223 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 229 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Considers it regrettable that the Council has still not adopted a code of conduct;
Amendment 252 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Underlines the need to enhance integrity and improve the ethical framework through clear and reinforced codes of conduct and ethical principles, so as to allow the development of a common and effective culture of integrity for all EU institutions and agencies;
Amendment 253 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Recognises that revolving door effect can be detrimental to the relations between the institutions and interest representatives; calls on the Commission to develop a systematic and proportional approach for this challenge throughout the European institutions;
Amendment 335 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Regrets that the Council’s lack of transparency is preventing citizens and national parliaments form holding governments fully accountable owing to a lack ofinsufficient information on the positions of individual Member States;
Amendment 343 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Believes, therefore, that preparatory meetings within the Council should be as public as meetings of Parliament’s committepossible, while taking into consideration reasonable need for confidentiality during the negotiations between Member States;
Amendment 347 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
Amendment 354 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Amendment 356 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
Amendment 373 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 387 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. RecognisWelcomes the progress made in the transparency of trade negotiations, but insists that these advances with respect to TTIP must be extended to all trade negotiation and the Commission's efforts to ensure greater openness; recognises that TTIP negotiations procedure is now among the most transparent public international negotiations ever; understands at the same time that a degree of confidentiality in the process of negotiations is often necessary for their success;
Amendment 390 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 11 #
2015/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the hearing of Commissioner designate for Vice-President Frans Timmermans highlighted the need to adapt Parliament’s procedures in the event future Commissions have a special status for one or more Vice-Presidents;
Amendment 26 #
2015/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that in the case of the hearings of commissioners-designate with responsibilities falling within the remit of two or more committees, and organized by multiple committees, all relevant issues should be addressed in an adequate manner by giving all committees involved the possibility to assess the performance of the commissioner-designate;
Amendment 37 #
2015/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – point 2
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – point 2
if still dissatisfied – request for a further 1.5-hour hearing, with the approval of Parliament’sthe Conference of Presidents;
Amendment 43 #
2015/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 2
Paragraph 6 – indent 2
– the rule should be changed to refer to 24 hours after the evaluation, given that some evaluations are completed only following furtherregarding the 24-hours period should be changed, given that some evaluations are completed only following further procedures; it should be thus clarified, in keeping in line with the European Parliament practice, that the 24-hours period within which the committee statements of evaluation have to be made public, begins with the decision of the Conference of Presidents to declare the hearings procedures; closed.
Amendment 63 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU, NATO and the US have condemned the ‘treaty’ signed in November 2014 between Russia and the separatist authorities in Abkhazia and the "alliance and integration treaty" signed in March 2015 between Russia and South Ossetia and have reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that the illegal annexation of Crimea has precipitated a significant change in the strategic landscape of the Black Sea Basin and the adjacent area; considers that the aggressive actions of Russia represent its return to a hostile block-to-block type approach; warns that by occupying the entire peninsula, Russia has gained a very important launching pad facing both west (Transnistria and the Danube Mouths), the Balkans and south (the Eastern Mediterranean), where it has established a permanent naval task force, and that the illegal annexation of Crimea offers Russia a ‘southern Kaliningrad’, another outpost directly bordering on NATO, this time at sea;
Amendment 99 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the change in the strategic landscape, and the evolving military situation in the Black Sea Basin, are indicative of broader, systemic challenges to European security; believes that the EU and the Member States must have a security response to these challenges; is concerned about the intensified Russian pressure over the EU Eastern border, including over Romania and Poland, two countries having a major role in the Eastern flank security defence; this pressure and the increased Russian military actions and capabilities on the EU Eastern flank represents a major risk; believes that the EU and the Member States must have a security response to these challenges and consequently apply an updated common and complex security strategy, including the adapting of the EU Strategy for Black Sea by applying the provisions of the EU Maritime Security Strategy;
Amendment 152 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 165 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Expresses hope that the Minsk ceasefire agreement reached on 12 February 2015 will hold and thereby provide the time for a negotiated political solutia proper implementation package for the Minsk agreement will be efficiently applied soon;
Amendment 174 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that, in the event that Russia does not honour the Minsk ceasefire agreement, and continues the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea, the sanction regime should be continued and even strengthened; considers that EU must demonstrate unity, solidarity and commitment in sanctioning the Russian actions against the applicable international law rules; underlines that the current international legal framework must be fully respected and the dialog between EU and Russia must be maintained only simultaneous with the applicable sanctions provided by the Minsk agreement;
Amendment 185 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the implementation of the EU energy policy aimed at promoting energy security for all Member States; urges the Member States to take the steps needed to ensure the security of oil and gas exploitation and transportation activities in the Black Sea region; calls the EU to sustain initiatives for diversification of the Black Sea energy resources, as part of an energy independence strategy;
Amendment 222 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that the Black Sea region should have real priority for the EU; urges the Commission to support the Member States in their efforts to identify solutions for increasing their defence budget to the optimal level of 2%; urges the Commission to sustain Romania to identify solutions for improving its military capacities, having in view the Russian threat in the Black Sea area; considers that the current Black Sea Synergy (BSS) format is outdatneeds to be updated, reorganized and strengthened; calls again on the Commission and the EEAS to draw up a comprehensive EU Strategy for the Black Sea region; stresses that the provisions of the EU Security Maritime Strategy should be applied also in case of the Black Sea related provisions;
Amendment 228 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that, in spite of the fact that the BSS is practically on hold, effective cooperation with the states in the Black Sea Basin should continue; welcomes the ongoing CSDP missions – the EU Advisory Mission, the EU Monitoring Mission and the EU Border Assistance Mission – as important components of the EU approach to resolving the protracted conflicts in the region; considers that EU needs a bold and performant approach, especially regarding the economic, defence and security areas, in order to internally strength the EU, to update and improve the existing instruments and to amplify its reaction capacity to the neighbouring evolution that affect the European security;
Amendment 236 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses the critical importance of coordinating with NATO and the United States as the Black Sea Basin is a key component of Euro-Atlantic security; welcomes the commitment of NATO to support regional efforts of Black Sea littoral states aimed at ensuring security and stability; calls on the OSCE to enlarge the scope of its efforts related to Black Sea security; underlines the necessity of EU and NATO support for maintaining the Black Sea as opened economic area; considers that a consolidation of transatlantic relationship with OSCE is necessary; calls on the OSCE to enlarge the scope of its efforts related to Black Sea security; stresses the necessity for an innovative EU approach to identify solutions against the new challenges represented by the informatics war and cybernetic attacks; welcomes the Council decision dated 19-20 March regarding the launching of the project for fight against the Russian propagandas, including by financing several Russian language TV channels;
Amendment 28 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the reform of Parliament’s electoral procedure should aim at enhancing the democratic dimension of the European elections and the democratic legitimacy of the EU decision-making process, reinforce the concept of citizenship of the Union, improve the functioning of the European Parliament and the governance of the Union, make the work of the European Parliament more legitimate and efficient, enhance the effectiveness of the system for conducting European elections, and provide for greater electoral equality for citizens of the Union;
Amendment 69 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the Lisbon Treaty established a new constitutional order by granting the European Parliament the right to elect the President of the European Commission14 instead of merely giving its consent; whereas the 2014 elections set an important precedent in this respect; whereas the nomination of lead candidates for the office of President of the European Commission provides a link between votes cast at national level and the European context and enables EU citizens to make informed choices between alternative political programmes; whereas the designation of lead candidates by open and transparent procedures reinforces democratic legitimacy, strengthens accountability and would help them become better known by EU citizens; whereas the procedure for the nomination and selection of lead candidates for this position should furthermore be an integral part of the election campaigns; and whereas the deadline for the nomination of candidates by European political parties should be codified in the Electoral Act; __________________ 14 Article 17(7) TEU.
Amendment 72 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas open, transparent and democratic procedures for the selection of candidates are essential for building trust in the political system;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital T a (new)
Recital T a (new)
Ta. whereas the establishment of an European Electoral Authority would facilitate access to information on the rules governing the European elections, would streamline the process and would enhance the European character of those elections;
Amendment 108 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital T b (new)
Recital T b (new)
Tb. whereas establishing a common European voting day would better reflect common participation by citizens across the Union, reinforce participatory democracy and help create a more coherent pan-European election;
Amendment 117 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Decides to reform its electoral procedure in good time before the 2019 elections, with the aim of enhancing the democratic dimension of the European elections and the democratic legitimacy of the EU decision-making process, reinforcing the concept of citizenship of the Union, improving the functioning of the European Parliament and the governance of the Union, making the work of the European Parliament more legitimate and efficient, enhancing the effectiveness of the system for conducting European elections, and providing for greater electoral equality for citizens of the Union;
Amendment 136 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Determines to set a common minimum deadline of twelve weeks before election day for the establishment of lists at national level, in order to enhance electoral equality by providing candidates and voters across the Union with the same period in which to prepare and reflect ahead of the vote; encourages Member States to reflect upon ways to ensure greater convergence between rules governing electoral campaigns regarding European elections;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Deems it essential that political parties at all levels adopt democratic and transparent procedures for the selection of candidates for election to the European Parliament and for election to the office of President of the Commission;
Amendment 213 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Deems it desirable to establish an European Electoral Authority that could be tasked with centralising information on the elections for the European Parliament, overseeing their conduct of elections and facilitating the exchange of information between Member States;
Amendment 217 #
2015/2035(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Recalls that, despite recommendations by the Commission, Member States have repeatedly failed to agree on a common voting day; encourages Member States to work towards finding an agreement on this issue;
Amendment 230 #
2015/2035(INL)
Article 3 a (new)
Article 3a Political parties participating in elections to the European Parliament shall observe democratic procedures and transparency in selecting their candidates for those elections.
Amendment 243 #
2015/2035(INL)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4a Member States shall introduce electronic and internet voting for elections to the European Parliament and shall adopt measures sufficient to ensure the secrecy of the vote and data protection.
Amendment 153 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R a (new)
Recital R a (new)
Ra. whereas 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the ‘Tibet Autonomous Region’;
Amendment 156 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R b (new)
Recital R b (new)
Rb. whereas, no progress has been made in the resolution of the Tibetan crisis in the last few years as the last round of peace talks took place in 2010;
Amendment 447 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Deplores the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Tibet which has led to an increase of self-immolation cases; notes with grave concern that more than 140 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009;
Amendment 458 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Condemns the continuing repression in Tibet including controls on movement and information together with mechanisms of surveillance; expresses its concern regarding the cases of torture, disappearance and arbitrary detention including the monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died in July 2015 in a Chinese prison;
Amendment 464 #
2015/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Calls for the resumption of the peace talks that should aim at a resolution of the China-Tibetan dispute; stresses that only a peacefully negotiated political settlement will ensure a genuine autonomy to the Tibetan people that fully respects their culture and religion freedom;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the neighbourhood is currently in a state of flux and is less stable and, less secure and is facing a more profound economic crisis than when the ENP was launched;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the EU is being challenged by the competition of other international actors in its immediate neighbourhood;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas insecurity, instability and unfavourable socio-economic conditions in the neighbourhood countries can have negative impacts and reverse past democratic trends;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance and timeliness of the review of the ENP; emphasises that the revised ENP should be able to provide a quick and adequate response to the situation on the ground, while also putting forward a long-term strategic vision for developing relations with the neighbouring countries;
Amendment 127 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes in the continued value of its initially stated objective of creating an area of prosperity, good governance and good neighbourliness, based on the founding values and principles of the Union, through a deep structural transformationreforms in the neighbouring countries which will allow for reinforced engagement with the EU; stresses therefore the need to go back to basics and bring this objective back to the top of the agenda;
Amendment 165 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the renewed policy must be more strategic, with a real political vision, and politically driven; insists therefore on the need to develop a set of proposals to ensure coherence of the ENP with the security and foreign policy dimensions of EU external action; calls for special envoyEU representatives to be appointed for the East and the South, with the task of politically coordinating the revised policy;
Amendment 206 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that local ownership and inclusiveness should be key aspects of the new approach so as to ensure that the benefits of the ENP reach all levels of society throughout the country; underlines that ENP partners ownership and involvement in the review process itself is also essential for increasing the effectiveness of the revised policy framework;
Amendment 240 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. CUnderlines that the EU should match the ambitions of reinforced engagement in its neighbourhood with sufficient financing; considers that the mid-term review of the external financial instruments should take into account the review of the revised policysed policy, including the fact that it should be more strategic and more policy driven, and that the ENI should therefore reflect the ambition of making the ENP more flexible;
Amendment 269 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the ENP should deploy its own methodology and tools, which should correspond to the level of ambition and goals that the different ENP countries aspire to in their relations with the EU; stresses that countries seeking an advanced level of engagement with the EU, which translates in proven commitment to reforms, should receive special attention;
Amendment 341 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of developing a thriving and active civil society in the processes of transformation and democratisation, which includes social partners and the business community; calls for a more engaged dialogue between EU´s and the neighbouring countries civil society actors in the framework of the ENP; underlines the importance of European companies and their role in the promotion and dissemination of international standards for business;
Amendment 363 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the ENP to be developed into a more tailor-made and flexible policy framework able to adapt to the diversity that exists; underlines that differentiation should take place not only between Eastern and Southern partners but also among the ENP countries themselves with due regard to the fact that the policy covers both European and non-European neighbours;
Amendment 371 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to implement conditionality in relation to reform processes; emphasises that the EU cannot compromise its fundamental values and should avoid creating double standards; stresses that countries that are making progress in implementing reforms and following European policyseeking a deeper political engagement with the EU should be granted more substantial support;
Amendment 467 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the need to actively promote and assist in the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, using different tools and instruments, on the basis of the added value they may provide – such measures include its EU Special Representatives, confidence-building programmes and CSDP missions; underlines that the current ENP review should also seek to achieve closer coordination with CFSP/CSDP activities in a comprehensive manner;
Amendment 502 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for the revised policy to strengthen the existing platforms for cooperation, namely the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership, to further support regional integration when the priorities identified by the partners are similar for a specific policy field, to address specific sub-regional issues such as mobility, energy or security and to bring partners closer together in terms of economic standards and legislation;
Amendment 544 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the EU to take advantage of the expertise of the regional organisations to which the neighbours belong, such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the African Union and the League of Arab States, which are important fora in which to engage partners in carrying out reforms, to address concerns on human rights and to foster democratisation; underlines that, if needed, the EU should also explore the possibility of establishing other types of informal dialogue including the EU, the partners in the neighbourhood and their neighbours, as well as other regional and international stakeholders;
Amendment 647 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers that the visibility of EU assistance should be enhanced in order to make clear to the populations of the partner countries and the EU Member States the benefits of EU support; underlines the importance and necessity of a mechanism able to assure the transparency in relation to the financial assistance granted by EU;
Amendment 653 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. CStresses the need for strategic communication efforts on EU's engagement in its neighbourhood, including on its values and objectives; calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns against the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU has for decades striven to build a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Russia based on sharcommonly agreed values and principles, such as democracy and rule of law, and on common interests; whereas the EU remains open to such a relationship and to dialogue leading to it, and wishes to return to a cooperative relation with Russia;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in reaction to and despite Russia’s aggression against Georgia and violation of its territorial integrity in 2008, the EU opted for an increased cooperation model as a way to appease Russiawith Russia, for the mutual benefit of both parties and their neighbouring countries; whereas, in line with this, rather than taking restrictive measures, a series of generous initiatives for deeper cooperation – such as the common spaces, the Partnership for Modernisation, the negotiations on a New EU-Russia Agreement, and the Human Rights dialogue – have been launched or deepened;
Amendment 147 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the World Media Freedom Index 2014 ranks the Russian Federation at 148th place out of 180; whereas the financing of state-controlled media outlets has been significantly widened and increased; whereas the space of expression of independent and pluralistic opinions has narrowed and is continuously under threat;
Amendment 149 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Russian Federation at 136th place out of 175; whereas there has been a constant erosion of rule of law, independence of the judicial system and respect of fundamental rights;
Amendment 150 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas, following the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the respect of human rights, including freedom of expression, assembly and association, suffered a serious deterioration in the peninsula, the Crimean Tartar community being particularly affected;
Amendment 183 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that, in the light of Russia’s direct and indirect involvement in the war in Ukraine, amounting to a deliberate violation of the core of the democratic principles and values sustained by the EU and, widely shared internationally and previously agreed upon with Russia, the EU cannot envisage a return to ‘business as usual’; calls for a critical re-assessment by the EU of its relations with Russia, and for the drafting, as promptly as possible, of a soft-power contingency plan to counter the aggressive and divisive policies conducted by Russia against the EU and its partners;
Amendment 230 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned by the fact that Russia now openly positions itself, and acts, not as a partner of, but as a rival to the international democratic community, seeking to challenge the current international order, and is in the process of illegally redrawing borders within Europe; is extremely worried by the tendency of the Russian authorities to systematically denigrate liberal democracy and to consider democratic neighbouring countries as a threat to their own rule;
Amendment 286 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends the solidarity and the unity demonstrated by the Member States in the context of Russia’s undeclared war against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea, allowing the adoption and further extension of responsive measures; calls on the Member States to consider as an absolute priority the preservation of this unity; reiterates that unity and solidarity amongst the Member States, as well as between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of the EU’s policies and its ability to withstand external challenges and pressures;
Amendment 405 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates that uncompromising respect for the rule of law and human rights is a core and founding principle of the EU, and rejects past attempts to put forward pragmatic interpretations of the rules to accommodate Russia as a trade partner; calls, therefore, on the strict, swift and unconditional application of the rule of law and human rights – in the event of any breach of the rules – and of the principle of free and fair competition, including in the proceedings against Gazprom;
Amendment 433 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses its deep concern for the state of human rights and the rule of law, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, the rule of law and the low level of independence of the judicial system in Russia, and strongly condemns the crackdown on independent civil society and the persistent and multiform repression of activists, political opponents and critics of the regime, which has in some cases led to their murder (Anna Politkovskaya, Natalya Estemirova, Boris Nemtsov, Sergey Magnitsky, Alexander Litvinenko, and others); demands that all assassinations of political activists, journalists and whistle blowers be investigated properly and independently; reiterates its call on the Council to deliver on its commitment to defend these principles, and to adopt restrictive measures for the officials involved in the well-documented Magnitsky case;
Amendment 461 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Is deeply concerned by the serious human rights violations that are taking place in Crimea since the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation, including the severe limitation of freedom of expression, association and assembly, aimed at reducing to silence the voices of those who oppose Russian annexation or are suspected of pro-Ukrainian attitudes; is particularly concerned by the constant discriminations and harassments of the Crimean Tartar; demands the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination;
Amendment 162 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point r
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point r
(r) assist Member States and third countries in the context of operationaltheir cooperation between them in the fields of external border management and return.
Amendment 177 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. The risk analysis prepared by the Agency shall cover all aspects relevant to the European integrated border management, in particular border control, return, irregular secondary movements of third-country nationals within the Union, the prevention of cross-border crime including facilitation of irregular immigration, trafficking in human being and terrorism, as well as the situation in neighbouring third countries and countries of origin and transit for irregular migration with a view to developing a pre- warning mechanism which analyses the migratory flows towards the Union.
Amendment 246 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) coordinate at technical and operational level the return activities of the Member States, including voluntary returns, to achieve an integrated system of return management among competent authorities of the Member States, with the participation of relevant authorities of third countries and other relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 247 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) cooperate with third countries in order to facilitate the return activities of the Member States;
Amendment 320 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 53 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 321 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 53 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. The Commission, shall draw up a model Status Agreement for actions on the territory of third countries.
Amendment 338 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 1
Article 54 – paragraph 1
1. The Agency may deploy experts of its own staff as liaison officers, who should enjoy the highest possible protection to carry out their duties, in third countries. They shall form part of the local or regional cooperation networks of immigration liaison officers and security experts of the Union and of the Member States, including. The Agency shall coordinate and ensure the proper functioning of the network set up pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 377/2004.49 __________________ 49 Council Regulation (EC) No 377/2004 of 19 February 2004 on the creation of an immigration liaison officers network (OJ L 64, 2.3.2004, p. 1).
Amendment 340 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 54 – paragraph 3
Article 54 – paragraph 3
3. The tasks of the Agency’s liaison officers shall include, in compliance with Union law and in accordance with fundamental rights, establishing and maintaining contacts with the competent authorities of the third country to which they are assigned with a view to contributing to the prevention of and fight against irregular immigration and the return of illegally staying third-country nationals. Those liaison officers shall coordinate closely withand form part of Union delegations.
Amendment 1 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
– having regard to its interim resolution of 15 September 2011 containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the negotiations between the EU and the Republic of Moldova (Moldova) on the Association Agreement1 , __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0385.
Amendment 5 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in the last few years, due to the political determination of its government, the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in reforms and in strengthening relations with the EU;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in the last few years the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in reforms and in strengthening relations with the EU; (This amendment applies throughout the text.)
Amendment 16 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the EaP has created a meaningful political framework for deepening relations, accelerating political association and furthering economic integration between the EU and Moldova - two entities linked by strong geographical, historical and cultural ties - by supporting political and socio-economic reforms and facilitating approximation, particularly in the light of Russia's economic sanctions and destabilizing actions against the Republic of Moldova;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the conclusion of the Association Agreement is not an end in itself, but is part of a broader process of bringing Moldova into the European mainstream economically, politically and sociallyEuropean integration process of the Republic of Moldova, and, to this end, implementation is essential;
Amendment 32 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Draws attention to the fact that at present only four Member States have ratified the Agreement; urges the remaining Member States to complete the ratification procedure of the Agreement as soon as possible and at the latest by the end of 2014;
Amendment 37 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the Agreement covers the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova, including Gagauzia and Transnistria, and is for the benefit of the whole population; calls on Moldova to ensure that the reforms are anchored and deeply rooted in the institutional framework;
Amendment 51 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes with satisfaction the progress made by the Republic of Moldova's authorities in carrying out the European reform agenda, including the reform of the justice and law enforcement, as pointed out in the European Commission's report of 27 March 2014, the restructuration of the anti-corruption framework, the implementation of the human rights action plan and the action plan in support of the Roma people, the maintenance of its dialogue with Tiraspol and the continuation of challenging regulatory and sectorial reforms;
Amendment 53 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on MoldovaUnderlines, nevertheless, the need to tackle with renewed strength the reform of the judiciary and the law enforcement systems; stresses the need to intensify the fight against corruption at all levels, inter alia by fully implementing the legislative package adopted in 2013; calls on the Moldovan authorities to ensure that the mechanisms belonging to the anti- corruption system, particularly the National Anti-Corruption Centre and the National Integrity Centre, are properly financed and staffed and free from undue influenceindependent, fully- functioning, properly financed and staffed;
Amendment 71 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the political determination to fulfil the requirements of the Association Agreement and praises the modernisation efforts undertaken in the country; is aware, however, of the need to further consolidate democratic institutions and encourages the Government of the Republic of Moldova to continue to work hard on the implementation of the necessary measures; believes that political stability and enduring consensus on reforms, especially as regards the rule of law and independence from state institutions, are of paramount importance to Moldova's European aspirations;
Amendment 73 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Continues to emphasise the need for a transparent business and investment environment, and appropriate regulatory reform and for the continuation of the privatisation process, in order to boost the competitiveness of the Moldovan economy, encourage foreign direct investment and secure the sustainability of the measures taken to address the structural economic problems;
Amendment 84 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on Chisinau and Tiraspol to continue to engage constructively in order to find an effective solution to the Transnistria conflict and to take concrete steps to improve the lives of the region’s population; stresses that the so-called ‘5+2’ framework for negotiations has so far failed to ensure a solution, and calls on the HR/VP and the EEAS to proactively seek an improved process for solving this conflict with a greater role for the EU; notes the need to ensurefor an enhanced EU status to that of a negotiating partner, emphasizes that the Transnistrian region, as an integral part of Moldova, is meant to be covered by the reach and effects of the Agreement;
Amendment 92 #
2014/2817(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Stresses that the EU and its Member States must stand ready to defend the European choice and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova against any Russian retaliatory actions following the conclusion of the Association Agreement;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes in this respect the fact that the Commission verifies ex ante if its proposals are necessary and if the objectives of the action envisaged cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, and that it justifies its action in relation to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, in accordance with Article 5 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; strongly underlines the importance of impact assessments for ensuring the respect of these same two principles in the preparation of legislative proposals; equally underlines that ensuring respect of principles of subsidiarity and proportionality should also be a priority for the European Commission when evaluating existing EU policies;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises that the use of the European Union's competences should be guided by the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, as stated in the article 5 of the TEU; welcomes that in 2012 and 2013 the respect of these two principles was carefully scrutinized by the European Union's institutions, as well as by national parliaments;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines thePositively notewors thye growth in information exchanged by national parliaments through the IPEX system, ands welcomel as the increase in the number of reasoned opinions issued by national parliaments (+ 9 % in 2012, + 25% in 2013), insist2013); highlights that both in 2012 and 2013 national parliaments used the yellow card ing that the influence of national parliaments on European law should grow, especially as many national chambers express negative opinions on particular acte context of the subsidiarity control mechanism; considers therefore that national parliaments improved their capacity to use the prerogatives they have in the subsidiarity control mechanism; strongly encourages national parliaments to further develop the cooperation among them in order to make fully use of the role they are given by the existing treaties;
Amendment 13 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines European Parliament's commitment to ensure the respect of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles through assessments of its own legislative own-initiative reports, ex-ante appraisals of Commission's impact assessments and the constant evaluation of the potential EU added value and of the "cost of non-Europe";
Amendment 15 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the eight-week period, given their experience, national parliaments could bring significant contributions to the European debate and decision-making process; encourages therefore national parliaments to fully use the competences they were given by the existing treaties, including by further developing the cooperation among them; considers that a reflection on the number of weeks given to national parliaments to issue a reasoned opinion under the Article 6 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality shcould be extended significantly to allow national parliaments to participate to a greater extent; encourages national parliaments to become more involved in the European debatefruitful, in order to identify possible improvements of the current legislative framework;
Amendment 27 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the deficit in material criteria for establishingNotes that reasoned opinions issued by national parliaments point out the existence of a violvarious interpretations of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles; freminds that this has led to a diversity of criteria applied by national parliaments in their evaluation of proposals, and calls for the adoption of guidelines to define the principles and methods for the examination of subsidiarity and proportionality issues in a better wain this context that the subsidiarity principle as formulated in the Treaties allows European Union to act in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence only "if and in so far as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, either at central level or at the regional and local level, but can rather, by reason of scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at the Union level; equally reminds that "under the principle of proportionality, the content and form of the Union action shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objective of the Treaties"; encourages national parliaments to be faithful to the letter of the TEU when evaluating the respect of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles; strongly recommends national parliaments and European institutions to engage into exchanges of views and practices of scrutinizing subsidiarity and proportionality;
Amendment 29 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 37 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the ‘polycrisis’many challenges currently faced by the Union, including its financial, economic, social and migratory consequences, have all led to the rejecquestioning by a growing part of the population of the current European Union;
Amendment 39 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas these significant European challenges cannot be handled by single Member States, but only by a joint response from the European Union;
Amendment 47 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas progress towards a Union that can really deliver on and achieve its goals are impaired by a failureweakening of governance owing to a continuous and systematic search for unanimity in the Council (which is still based on the so- called Luxembourg Compromise) and the lack of a credible single executive authority enjoying full democratic legitimacy and competence to take effective action across a wide spectrum of policies; whereas recent examples such as the uncontrolled migration flow, the slow clean-up of our banks after the outbreak of the financial crisis and the lack of an immediatedelay in the setting-up of a common response to the internal and external threat of terrorism have aptly demonstrated the Union’s inshown that the Union should improve its capacity to respond effectively and quickly to crises;
Amendment 61 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas this problem, coupled with a lack of a common vision on the part of our Member States as regards the future of our continent, has given rise to unprecedented levels of ‘euroscepticism’ that risk a return to nationalism and the disintegration ofat could undermine the Union;
Amendment 78 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, instead of fostering the Union, the system whereby Member States make progress at different speeds in accordance with their different capacities and circumstances, further reinforced in the Lisbon Treaty, which introduced new formal methods of enhanced cooperation, has increased the complexity of the Union and accentuated its ‘variable geometry’; whereas more and more Member States are declining to agree on the goals and prefer ‘à la carte’ solutions, some of them even unilaterallyshould only be applied to a limited number of policies while being inclusive in order to allow all EU Member States to participate, the new formal methods of enhanced cooperation introduced by the Lisbon Treaty must be used to improve the integration of some EU policies such as CSDP and not as a way to promote ‘à la carte’ solutions;
Amendment 81 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the community method must be preserved and not be undermined by intergovernmental solutions, not even in areas where not all Member States fulfil the conditions for participation;
Amendment 96 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, as regards Schengen, the free movement of people and the resulting abolition of internal border controls, all formally integrated into the Treaties, ‘opt- outs’ were given to the UK and Ireland; whereas four other Member States are also not taking part, but have the obligation to do so, while ‘opt-ins’ were accorded to three countries outside the European Union; whereas this fragmentation not only prevents the total abolition of some remaining internal borders, but also hinders the establishment of a true internal market and of a fully integrated area of freedom, security and justice; recalls that the integration into the Schengen zone must remain the objective for all EU Member States;
Amendment 129 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas, while Article 16 of the TSCG provides that within five years of the date of entry into force (before 1 January 2018) the necessary steps must have been taken to incorporate the Fiscal Compact into the legal framework of the Union, it is clear that the resilience of the euro area, including the completion of the banking union, cannot be achieved without further fiscal deepening steps together with the establishment of a more reliable, effective and democratic form of governance; whereas this will complete the current Stability and Growth Pact, which, ever since it came into existence, even after its reform by the so-called six-pack and two-pack, has never been applied for any obvious political reasons;
Amendment 145 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas this new system of governance implies a genuine government equipped to formulate and implement the common monetary, fiscal and macro- economic policies that the euro area desperately needsneeds; considering this government must be accountable to the European Parliament and must be endowed with a tn European Treasury and a budget commensurate with the scale of the tasks at hand; whereas this requires, in addition to measures within the existing primary law, a reform of the Lisbon Treaty;
Amendment 160 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the European Union is a constitutional system based on the rule of law; whereas the Treaties must be changed to give the European Court of Justice (ECJ) jurisdiction over all aspects of EU law, in particular common foreign and security policy (Article 24(1) TEU) and monetary and economic policy (Article 126(10) TFEU), democracy and Human Rights;
Amendment 194 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the decline of Europe’s defence capabilities has limited its ability to project stability beyond our immediate borders; whereas this goes hand in hande defence policy in the EU as a pillar within the reluctance of our US allies to intervene if Europe is not ready to take its fair share of responsibility; whereas this leads inevitably to the need forNATO should be strengthened and a comprehensive EU- NATO political and military partnership should be established, while enabling the Union to act autonomously in operations abroad, mainly with a view to establishing its neighbourhood; reiterates in this regard that EU-NATO relations should be based on complementarity and cooperation at all levels, with a view to addressing common security challenges, capacity development and contingency planning for hybrid threats; whereas more intense cooperation among the Member States and anis needed as well as the integration of some of their defence capacities into a European defence community, both in line with a new European security strategy;
Amendment 249 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas the UK’s decision creates an opportunity to reduce and drastically simplify the ‘variable geometry’ and complexity of the Union; whereas it offers at least the opportunity to, by clarifying what membership of the Union really means and what could be a clear structure in the future fframework the EU’s relationship with non- members in our periphery (the United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine, etc.); whereas the founding fathers of the Union had already envisaged a type of ‘associate status’o be developed in order to build a ring of partners around the EU for countries who cannot yet or will not join the Union;
Amendment 267 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the time of crisis management by means of ad hoc and incremental decisionbefore engaging in proposals for radical reforms thas passed, as it only leads to measures that are too little, too late; is convinced that it is now time to address the shortcomings of the governance of the European Union by undertaking a comprehensive, in-depth reform of the Lisbon Treatyt would require amendments to the current Treaties, the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty should be exploited to their full potential in the first place;
Amendment 402 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recommends that, instead of these multiple derogations, a type of ‘associaten instrument or even a status’ c should be proposed to those states in the periphery that only want to participate on the sideline, i.e. in some specific Union policies; this statudeveloped in order to set up a ring of partners around the EU for countries swhould be accompanied by obligations corresponding to the associated rights cannot yet or will not join the Union;
Amendment 409 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. The single institutional framework should be preserved and any form of flexibility should aim to achieve the Union’s common objectives, without undermining the principle of equality of all citizens and Member States;
Amendment 414 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that thise new type of ‘associateinstrument or status’ could also be one of the possible outcomes to respect the will of the majority of the citizens of the United Kingdom to leave the EU; stresses that this wish must be respected, given that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, as one of the larger Member States, and as the largest non-euro-area member, affects the strength and the institutional balance of the Union – a new situation that adds to the need for revision of the Treaties;
Amendment 480 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that neitherthe framework for economic governance provided by the Stability and Growth Pact norand the ‘no bail- out’ clause (Article 125 TFEU) provide the intended solutions, and that they have furthermore lost credibility in their current form, as the pact has been infringed by several Member States without political or legal consequences, while Greece has been bailed out on a large scale on three occashould be developed in order to ensure a truthful and comprehensive implementation of their provisions;
Amendment 522 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is acutely aware of the need to review the efficacy of the many recent crisis-management measures taken by the EU, and to codify in primary law certain decision-making procedures – such as ‘reverse qualified majority voting’ – as well as the need to entrench the legal bases of the new regulatory framework for the financial sector; agrees with the Five Presidents’ Report that the ‘open method of coordination’ as the basis for Europe’s economic strategy does not function and needs to be elevated into binding legal actsEurope’s economic strategy needs to be better coordinated;
Amendment 535 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Proposes therefore merging the deficit and debt procedures, the macroeconomic imbalance procedure and the country-specific recommendations into a singlea ‘convergence code’ of a legally binding nature,; setting minimum and maximum standards, where onlyuggests that compliance with this code would allow access to EU funds for investment projects or participation in new instruments that combine economic reform with fiscal incentives such as a fiscal capacity for the euro area or a common debt instrument; the coordination of economic policies as provided for in Article 5 TFEU would therefore become a ‘shared competence’ between the Union and the Member Statesthe Structural Reform Support Programme;
Amendment 559 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that, in order to reduce the still excessively high debt burden of Member States, such a common debt instrument needs to be established, inspired by the proposal by the German Council of Economic Experts of 9 November 2011, whereby eEuro-area mzone Members would undertake joint and several liability for a sinking fund, with strong individual commitments on structural reforms to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to the required maximum of 60 %; insists that euro-area mthe Eurozone Members would only be able to participate when they are in compliance with the convergence code, as this will prevent moral hazard;
Amendment 569 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 655 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers it necessary to endow the Finance Minister with proportionate powers to intervene in the setting of national economic and fiscal policies in cases where the convergence code is not respected, and the power to use the fiscal capacity or the common bond instrument for those Member States that arorder to ensure the compliantce with the convergence code;
Amendment 676 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Considers it nrecessaryommendable, in the long term, to endow the European Central Bank with the status of lender of last resort enjoying the full powers of a federal reserve bankand with the competences of a federal reserve bank, provided that its independence is fully granted;
Amendment 686 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
Amendment 774 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Notes that only by enhancing the Common Foreign and Security Policy can the EU bring credible answers to the new security threats and challenges, fighting terrorism, bringing peace, stability and order to its neighbourhood;
Amendment 792 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that for the Union to strengthen its own capacity for the defence of the EU territory, as a pillar within NATO, which remains the cornerstlso in view of a rebalance within the EU-NATO strategic partnership, as well as for efficiency and a desirable reductione of the European security architecture and to enable the Union to act autonomously in operations abroad, mainly with a view to stabilising its neighbourhoodmilitary expenses of individual Member States (deriving from the savings achievable through joint projects and economies of scale), and to enable the Union to act autonomously in operations abroad, mainly with a view to conducting conflict prevention operations and peacekeeping in its neighbourhood, in compliance with the principles of the United Nations, the Treaties should provide for the possibility of establishing a European defence union;
Amendment 808 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Underlines the importance of making full use of the Treaties and CSDP legal potential by revising EU rapid reaction instruments and in particular the Battlegroups; to build a genuine European Defence Union, the EU needs to use all the instruments at its disposal ; Article 44 and Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union are useful tools as well as the structured cooperation mechanism;
Amendment 894 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
Amendment 911 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 916 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Notes that, despite the prohibition in Article 15(1) T the EU needs further transparent parliamentarisation, and calls for an enhanced parliamentary democracy within the EU, withe European Council has undertaken various legislative initiatives; proposes abolishing Article 15(1) and integratParliament and Council acting as the two chambers of the Legislative Branch; stresses that the Council has to change its statute in accordance with the following: the European Council into a Council of Staspecialised Council configurations should be grantesd that could engage legitimately in the law- making process and provide direction and coherence to the other specialised Council configurationse status of committees of the Council; the Council, acting as a legislator and as a plenary of all committees, should meet in public;
Amendment 920 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers that this Council and its specialised configurations, as the second chamber of the EU legislature, should, in the interest of specialism, professionalism and continuity, replacealls for the reform of the institutional structure of the Council of the European Union with the praobjecticve of the rotating six-month presidency with a system of permanent chairs chosen from their midst; suggests that the idea of creating a special Law Council should be favourably reconsideredsetting up a second chamber thus creating a genuine bi-cameral legislative system;
Amendment 926 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
Amendment 931 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
Amendment 949 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
Amendment 966 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Recognises the significant role played by national parliaments in the constitutional order of the European Union, and in particular their role in transposing EU legislation into national law and the role they would play in both ex-ante and ex-post control of legislative decisions and policy choices made by their members of the new Council of States, including its specialised configurations; suggests therefore complementing and enhancing the powers of national parliaments by introducing a ‘green card’ procedure whereby national parliaments could submit legislative proposals tousing the existing mechanisms in the treaties more effectively; recommends to further use the network of representatives of national parliaments to raise the awareness about the subsidiarity and proportionality principles and to improve the Cofuncil for its considerationtioning of IPEX that should be considered as an indispensable tool for raising the participation and activity of national parliaments in the EU legislative process.;
Amendment 975 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Albeit respecting the role of national parliaments and the principle of subsidiarity, acknowledges the EU’s exclusive competences on Common Commercial Policy; calls for a clear delimitation of competences between the Union and the Member States in this respect; notes that this delimitation would have positive effects on jobs and growth both in the EU and in its trading partners;
Amendment 1010 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
Amendment 1038 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Is of the opinion that the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome would be an appropriate moment to modernise the European Unlaunch the reflection andon to start a Convention withthe future of Europe and agree on a vision for the pcurpose of making the European Union ready for the decades aheadrent and future generations of European citizens;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas at least 600748 million people do not have sustainable access to safe drinking water, and a third of the world population lacks basic sanitation; whereas, as a result, diseases spread, causing suffering and death on enormous scales and posing major impediments to development; whereas about 24 000 children under five years old die daily from diarrhoea, and a majority of these deaths are linkeddie daily from water-borne diseases or due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene; whereas there is, however, a clear downward trend in these numbers and their decline can and must be accelerated;
Amendment 13 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas access to water is among the keys to achieving sustainable development; whereas focusing development assistance on improving the supply of drinking water and sanitation tends to be particularly beneficial for women, because of the social roles often given to them, and can also be an efficient way of pursuing fundamental poverty eradication objectivesis an efficient way of pursuing fundamental poverty eradication objectives, as well as promoting social equality, public health, food security and economic growth;
Amendment 15 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas in developing countries and emerging economies, demand for water is increasing from all sectors, in particular for energy and agriculture; whereas climate change, urbanisation and demographic developments may pose a serious threat to water availability in many developing countries and an estimated two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to live in water- stressed countries by 2025;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas water challenges disproportionately affect women, given that in many developing countries they are traditionally responsible for domestic water supply; whereas women and girls suffer most from the lack of access to water and adequate sanitation, which limits their access to education, reduces their economic opportunities, and makes them more vulnerable to violence and disease;
Amendment 17 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas the EU is the largest donor in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector, with 25% of its global humanitarian annual funding dedicated only to supporting development partners in this area; whereas, however, a 2012 ECA Special Report on EU’s assistance for drinking water and basic sanitation in Sub-Saharan countries pointed out the need for improving aid effectiveness and the sustainability of the projects supported by the EU;
Amendment 21 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
Amendment 36 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly supports the inclusion of the goal of ensuring safe drinkingavailability and sustainable management of water and adequate sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030 among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be adopted in September 2015; stresses that realisation of all SDGs requires mobilisation of much more financing for development than is currently provided, including from new sources;
Amendment 41 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. EmphaInsisets that assistance for safe drinking water and sanitation should be given high priority in the allocation of funds andthe WASH sector in developing countries should be given high priority both in official development aid (ODA) and in national budgets; recalls that water management ins assistance programming; favours collective responsibility and requires the joint effort of national governments, local communities and international donors; favours, in this regard, open-mindedness in relation to different aid modalities, but strict adherence to development effectiveness principles and to an unwavering focus on poverty eradication and the maximisation of the development impact;
Amendment 46 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that an efficient and equitable management of water resources relies on the capacity of local governments to deliver services; therefore calls on the EU to further support the strengthening of water governance and infrastructure in developing countries, while addressing particularly the needs of vulnerable rural populations;
Amendment 52 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. WSupports the Global Water Solidarity Platform launched by UNDP in order to engage local authorities in finding solutions to water challenges; also welcomes the ‘1 % solidarity for water and sanitation’ and other initiatives taken by citizens and authorities in some Member States in order to support projects in developing countries with funds from consumption fees; notes that such initiatives have been put into practice by several water utilities; reiterates its call on the Commission to encourage solidarity arrangements in this area; e.g. through dissemination of information, facilitation of partnerships and exchanges of experience;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Urges the European Commission to ensure that aid is spent effectively and that it is better targeted to the WASH sector in the perspective of the post-2015 development agenda; calls on the creation of a global monitoring mechanism to track progress in achieving universal access to safe drinking water, the sustainable use and development of water resources, and the strengthening of an equitable, participatory and accountable water governance in all countries;
Amendment 62 #
2014/2239(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 13 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas technological systems are also increasingly can be misused as tools for human rights violations through censorship, surveillance, unauthorised access to devices, jamming, interception, tracing and tracking of information and individuals;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas this is done by governmentpublic and private actors, criminal organisations, and terrorist networks and private actors to violate human rights;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas ICTs have been key instruments in organizing social movements and protest in various countries, especially under authoritative regimes;
Amendment 30 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas (cyber-)security and counter- terrorism measures involving ICTs, or the monitoring, of the internet oftecan have significant detrimental effects on the human rights of people all over the world, especially in the absence of legal basis, necessity, proportionality or democratic and judicial oversight;
Amendment 72 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recognizes that the internet has become a public space as well as a marketplace, for which the free flow of information and access to ICTs are indispensable; therefore stresses that digital freedom and free trade must be promoted and protected simultaneously;
Amendment 89 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that the digital collection and dissemination of evidence of human rights violations can contribute to the global fight against impunity; considers that such material should, in duly justified cases, be admissible under international (criminal) law as evidence in court proceedings;
Amendment 94 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the fact that some of the EU- made information and communication technologies and services are used in third countries to, violate human rights through censorship, mass surveillance, jamming, interception, monitoring, and the tracing and tracking of citizens and their activities on (mobile) telephone networks and the internet;
Amendment 103 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers mass surveillance to be disproportionate at all times, hence in violation of the principles of necessity and proportionality, and, therefore, a violation of human rights;
Amendment 114 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need to implement and monitor EU regulations and sanctions relating to ICTs at EU level, including the use of catch-all mechanisms, so as to ensure that Member Statall parties comply with legislation and that a level playing field is preserved;
Amendment 137 #
2014/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 4 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the advancement of democracy and human rights ispromotion and support of democracy, rule of law and respect for the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms are among the core objectives of the EU’s foreign policy, as enshrined in Article 21 of the Treaty of the European Union;
Amendment 7 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas it is recognised by the EU that democracy cannot be exported and that the principle of ownershipthe EU considers that the principle of ownership of democracy- building processes is paramount for fostering a genuine democratic culture;
Amendment 15 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas countries of the EU neighbourhood faced during the last years a significant number of political, security and economic challenges that seriously put under pressure democratization efforts and the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas there is a need to promote objective and independent information and strengthen the media environment, including the internet and social media, in countries falling under the EED’s geographical mandate; whereas there is equally a need in those countries to support the democratization efforts, including the consolidation of rule of law, fight against corruption and respect for freedom of expression;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the establishment of the EED should be seen as a sign of a new trend in EU neighbourhood policy that shifts the paradigm from acomplements the traditional state-centred approach to a more balanced and long- term oriented,with a society-centred perspective, with a focused on direct engagement with grassroots movements;
Amendment 32 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges with satisfaction that despite the short time of activity and limited funds, the EED has met Parliament’s recommendations, delivering added value to existing EU democracy support through faster, flexible, bottom-up and demand-driven funding in a smarter and financially more efficient approach thant complements other EU means, thanks to the cooperation with local non-violent, pro- democracy partners and a lower administrative burden;
Amendment 37 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the complementarity of EED activities and existing EU external financial instruments, as they both aim to promote democratic principles and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in EU's proximity;
Amendment 38 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes EED's consistent engagement in favour of freedom of expression and association, freedom of media, building and reinforcing rule of law, fight against corruption, social and political pluralism, meant to support the development of democratic regimes both in the Eastern and the Southern EU Neighbourhood;
Amendment 42 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EED founding parties, especially on all EU Member States and the European Commission, to fulfil the obligations to which they committed themselves when establishing the EED;
Amendment 49 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on Belgium to at least assess the possibility of returning tax revenues received from the EED and its employees in the form of funding for EED projects; recalls that the EED is functioning as a private foundation under Belgian law;
Amendment 66 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the EED grants offered to Ukrainian actors, as they set a good example of the swift support for political and civic activists who then become democratically elected representatives; welcomes the EED support offered to all pro-democracy activists engaged in the Eastern EU Neighbourhood, seeking in this way to sustain the development of consolidated democratic regimes;
Amendment 74 #
2014/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Strongly encourages the EED to place a stronger emphasis on socially excluded groups by supporting, among others, women’s rights and women’s increased public participation, as well as grassroots movements and media activisminorities rights;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensivReminds that Afghanistan has been torn by nearly 40 years of conflict and war which led to the destruction of the country, more than a million casualties and forced a significant part of the poperulations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it into exile, thus making it in effect a failed state;
Amendment 25 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil societyHighlights that under the Taliban regime Afghanistan emerged to become one of the most fertile grounds for the spread of terrorism, resulting in the tragic events of 9/11;
Amendment 33 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reminds that Afghanistan today has achieved progress in political, security, economic and development spheres thanks to the dedication of the Afghan population as well as the commitment of the international community, funds, know-how and personnel on the ground; underlines however that the progress achieved is still fragile and reversible; and that its sustainment requires further reforms, stable relations with neighbours and a continued provision of a necessary level of security;
Amendment 40 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it underminesPays tribute to the efforts of the international community which provided security to Afghanistan during the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyo decade long Operation Enduring Freedom and the ISAF mission in Afghanistan , during which nearly 3 500 servicemen and women died ; welcomes the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission operating since 1st January 2015 which is mandated to train, advice and assist the Afghan security forces and; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in Novembernstitutions; reminds that the Afghan National Security Forces are fully responsible for combat operations which have been taken over from ISAF as of 1st January 20145;
Amendment 45 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underscores the importance of the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between Afghanistan and the United States as well as the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with NATO, thus providing the legal framework for the presence of international forces in Afghanistan;
Amendment 48 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned about the high costs ofNotes the increased burden on the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to absince 1st January 2015 when they took over full responsibility for providing security and conducting in principle exclusive military operations around the country; expresses regret due to the increasing number of casualties among the Afghan security personnel; underlines the paramount 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating incomeimportance of sustaining security of the Afghan people as prerequisite for the proper functioning of the state; is aware of the grave consequences of a deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan for the future of the country and stability of the region; expresses strong concern over the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan that represent a new threat to the country's security;
Amendment 60 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Ggovernment in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan- owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, with those insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; calls on the EU actively that commit to and show respect to the constitutional order and human rights principles and to support an Afghan- led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents into society;
Amendment 73 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. CRecalls forthat the transformationmandate of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible, the EU civilian mission providing training and assistance to the Afghan Police force as well as advisory tasks at strategic level for relevant parts of the Afghani administration, has been extended until the end of 2016; Calls for an evaluation of the mission's achievements and relevance on the field; calls on the EU and on NATO to continue to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;
Amendment 82 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. StExpresses the need for inclusive regional cooperconcern about the fragile security situation within the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region; promotes a new approach towards the security situation in Afghanistan and its neighbours in the form of a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation between country; underscores the important role which neighbouring countries should play in this regard promoting stability and security; highlights the importance of enhanced political and economic dialogue withe countries and regions concerned, covering issues and commitments on politico-security, social, economic, environmenof Central Asia, China, India, Pakistaln and human rights issues; stresses that this forum could signal a new and constructive approach of ownership, self- determination and the behaviour of states towards their citizens, as well as towards each other; emphasises that this forum should be initiated in cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the UNRussia, as part of a regional framework; expresses support for the "Heart of Asia" process launched in Istanbul in 2012 with the aim of building stability and prosperity in the region;
Amendment 93 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that women’s rights are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve long-term stability in Afghanistan unless women must enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of discrimination, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the presidential elections 2014; regrets that every presidenWelcomes the first ever peaceful transition of power following the election of Ashraf Ghani as President to succeed his predecessor Hamid Karzai; appreciates the brokered political and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marred by fraud and violence; welcomes the formation of a government of national unitycompromise between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah leading to the creation of the Government of National Unity, thus creating a chance for the major political forces concentrated around the two major presidential candidates to work in concert for the future of Afghanistan and not to fuel political divide or violence; expresses hope with the to-date conciliatory rhetoric and constructive cooperation between the President and Chief Executive;
Amendment 107 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the stated intent of the new President Ashraf Ghani to make combating corruption one of his priorities; encourages the Afghan Government to engage in establishing an independent judiciary; encourages a thorough review process of the role and failures of the attemptscalls on the Government of National Unity to address this pressing matter as well as of drug trafficking, mismanagement, waste, security for the people; reiterates the need for the international community to esustablish a functioning justice system, as well as of the role of the EUPOL mission in this contextin its engagement in Afghanistan and to help continue rebuilding the country, developing the economy and resisting terrorism leading to sustaining and strengthening progress;
Amendment 114 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes the lack of substantialslow progress on human and fundamental rights since 2002, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular, to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;
Amendment 132 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the fact that, despite modest progress in some areas, theWelcomes the efforts of the International community that provides a large amounts of development aid provided so far has failed to improve significantly the social and economic situation of the majority of the populationto support the country; notes that progress has been done in some areas, but regrets that overall the social and economic situation of the population has not improved significantly enough; is concerned about the high rate of unemployment (which is estimated to have reached 50 %)7 , the poor access to medical care, the poor state of the health system and the fact that more than half of the population is living in poverty; __________________ 7 German Foreign Ministry progress report on Afghanistan 2014 (‘Fortschrittsbericht Afghanistan 2014’). http://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/691670/pub licationFile/199488/141119- Fortschrittsbericht_AFG_2014.pdf.
Amendment 136 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the EU and Member States to continue its policy of engagement with Afghanistan; recalls that Afghanistan is the single biggest recipient of EU development aid, amounting to over 1 billion euro annually; recommends that the EU creates a Trust Fund for Afghanistan , which would raise the visibility of the EU and contribute to addressing the inefficiencies related to the distribution chain, lack of transparency and accountability;
Amendment 139 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of thEmphasises the need to enhance the local economy, to gradually decrease the dependence on international assistance aind provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project fundingbuild a sustainable economy; reminds of the vast natural resources of the country which are estimated to have a value of USD 1 trillion and should be used responsibly isn often not guided by social but by military considerder to generate substantial own revenue to the state from export, extractions; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit fees, licenses, etc. and provide incentives for sustainable development and economic progress of the country;
Amendment 147 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for an EU strategy for Afghanistan that focuses on development, in particular in rural areas wWelcomes the adoption of the European Strategy for Afghanistan 2014 - 16 in June 2014 as the operational framework for EU's support for the development of Afghanistan's institutions to provide the re the majority of the population lives; calls on the EU to prioritise poverty alleviation and to tie development aid to Afghan public employment measures to create urgently needed jobs; recognises the need to strengthen local and regional authoritiessilience needed to safeguard progress to date focusing on the objectives of promoting peace, security , regional stability, reinforcing democracy, encouraging economic and human developments, fostering the rule of law and human rights; regrets however at the same time that the EU and Afghanistan have not managed to conclude the stalled negotiations on the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD) which would constitute a long-term comprehensive engagement of the EU in Afghanistan;
Amendment 155 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is alarmed about the country’s Reminds that in order to reverse the trend of Afghanistan being an aid- addicted country its authorities need to introduce a sustainable long-term strategy whigch aid-dependency ratio, severe budget deficits and decline in domestic revenue; emphasises the need for development programmes to create a gradually more independent economy in Afghanistan, weaning it off dependence on foreign donors; highlights the potentially important role that the country’s neighbours can play for such development; encompasses all relevant actors enhancing coordination of their efforts, aiming at improving economic governance, investment in local human resources capabilities, strengthening the rule of law, investment in infrastructure (power plants, roads, providing supplies of water), eradicate corruption which increases significantly the costs of doing business ( in 2014 Afghanistan ranks 172. out of 175 in Transparency's International global corruption ranking), improve reputation as an investor friendly country (World Bank's report Doing Business 2015: Doing business in a more transparent world ranks Afghanistan 183 out of 189), create more favourable conditions for small and medium enterprises to develop, by cutting red-tape, in particular in the agriculture sector, construction, transportation, handicrafts;
Amendment 164 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 170 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 175 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 184 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Appreciates the fact that today between 8 aaround 98 million (ca. 80 %) of Afghan children attend school (whereof 40 % are girls), which is a significant increase compared to the situation in 2001, when the figure was one million, but is concerned about the low school graduation rates, and about the fact that the estimated national adult literacy rate for citizens aged 15 and older is still very low (34 %, of which women account for 18 % and men for 50 %); reminds that one of the biggest achievements of the last decade is the significant increase in the number of girls attending schools in comparison to 2001, which amounts today to some 40% of the total of 8 to 9 million children ;
Amendment 191 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights the importance of efforts to phase out opium cultivation in Afghanistan, but notes that they have had little success so far; calls, in this regard, for viable alternative livelihoods and for measures to help improve living conditions for populations in rural areas in general; urges the EU to consider, together with its international partners, a fundamental review of the counter-narcotics policies they are currently pursuing in Afghanistan, ensuring that they fit into a wider development strategy; proposes that measures be taken to fight money- laundering and that the creation of massive subsidy programmes for cropsubsidy for crop substitutions programmes be considered;
Amendment 194 #
2014/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Points out that opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan reached record levels in 2014; recognises the fact that Afghanistan suffers one of the world’s highest prevalence rates for opiate use, and that 100 000 people around the world are killed by Afghan opium each year; urges the Afghan authorities, and all other parties concerned, to combat transnational organised crime and drug trafficking;
Amendment 24 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
Citation 22 a (new)
- whereas the terrorist organization IS has launched systematic campaigns of ethnic cleansing in northern Iraq and Syria, carrying out war crimes, including mass summary killings and abductions, against ethnic and religious minorities; whereas the UN has already reported on targeted killings, forced conversions, abductions, the selling of women, the enslavement of women and children, the recruitment of children for suicide bombings, and sexual and physical abuse and torture; whereas Christian, Yazidi, Turkmen, Shabak, Kaka'i, Sabean and Shia communities, as well as many Arabs and Sunni Muslims, have been targeted by IS;
Amendment 73 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesSupports the global campaign against IS and welcomes the commitment of the coalition partners to work together under a common, multifaceted and long-term strategy to degrade and defeat IS; welcomes in particular the action taken by the Member States against ISIS in Iraq; notes that this type of operation should be carried out under the auspices of the European Union; to this end, calls on the EU to develop sufficient operational capacity to achieve CSDP targets; stresses however that a response must be found at political and regional level to the challenge presented by ISIS and other terrorist groups; calls on the EU to facilitate regional dialogue involving all stakeholders, in particular Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran;
Amendment 238 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. EIs deeply worried by IS expansion in northern Africa and especially in Libya, where the group is taking advantage of the political vacuum and the escalation of violence in the country; expresses its deep concern at the situation in Libya; stresses the need to maintain its territorial integrity and national unity; stresses that the Libyan crisis can only be resolved by means of dialogue that is as inclusive as possible; is concerned by evidence of increased activity of terrorist and extremist groups and the potential threat that these groups present to the future stability of the country, region and EU; underlines that the EU should continue to support the UN-facilitated Libyan political dialogue process started in Geneva and that it has already expressed its readiness to introduce restrictive measures against spoilers of the dialogue process, in line with UNSCR 2174, which allows for the listing of individuals who threaten the peace, stability or security in Libya, or who undermine its political transition;
Amendment 252 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. is deeply concerned by the latest events in Yemen which dramatically threaten the already fragile situation of the country and by the very serious consequences they can have on the whole MENA region; stresses that only a broad political consensus through peaceful negotiations amongst the main political groups, in an atmosphere free of fear, can provide a sustainable solution to the current crisis and preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the country;
Amendment 266 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Stepping up the global strategy for democracy and human rights
Amendment 285 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Strongly condemns the systematic and widespread human rights abuses and violations committed by IS in Iraq and Syria, including the killing of hostages and the violence against religious and ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups; strongly condemns all forms of persecution, discrimination and intolerance based on religion and belief, and acts of violence against all religious communities; stresses once again that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental human right; calls on the EU and its Member States to give high priority to devising a strategy to protect these minorities and vulnerable groups;
Amendment 286 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Takes the view that stepping up the global strategy for democracy requires close coordination between our external and internal actions, and between EU institutions and Member States, in order to prevent terrorism and violent radicalism and address underlying factors such as conflicts, poverty, proliferation of arms, state fragility that provide opportunities for terrorist groups to flourish;
Amendment 287 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Reiterates its concern at the fact that thousands of transnational foreign fighters, including citizens of the Member States, have joined the IS insurgency; calls on the Member States to take appropriate measures to prevent fighters from travelling from their soil, in line with UN Security Council resolution 2170 (2014), and to develop a common strategy for security services and EU agencies with regard to monitoring and controlling jihadists; calls for cooperation in the EU and at international level with a view to appropriate legal action against any individual suspected of being involved in acts of terrorism; calls on the Member States to intensify cooperation and the exchange of information among themselves and with EU bodies;
Amendment 293 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is convinced thatBelieves that, among other elements, cultural cooperation is essential inan important tool for combating terrorism and any form of radicalism; stresses the utmost importance of promoting cultural and academic exchanges; urges partner countries to participate in EU cultural programmes; calls on the Commission to act on the European Parliament’'s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro- Mediterranean Erasmus programme distinct from the Erasmus+ programme;
Amendment 324 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Expresses deep concern about the human rights violations, especially against vulnerable groups in the MENA countries facing conflicts; considers children to be one of the most vulnerable groups and therefore reiterates the need to step up efforts to implement the revised implementation strategy for the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict; encourages the EU to further deepen its cooperation with the UN Special Representative for Children affected by Armed Conflicts, supporting the associated action plans and monitoring and reporting mechanisms;
Amendment 326 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Welcomes the adoption during the 2013 reporting year of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to pay particular attention to the implementation of these guidelines, both in international and regional forums and in bilateral relations with third countries; commends the new VP/HR for stating that freedom of religion or belief is one of the human rights priorities; encourages the VP/HR and the EEAS to engage in a permanent dialogue with NGOs, religious or belief groups and religious leaders;
Amendment 327 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Stresses the importance of new prodemocracy tools enhancing long term stability in MENA region such as European Endowment for Democracy (EED); calls on the Member States, in a spirit of solidarity and commitment, to provide the Endowment's budget with sufficient funding to ensure the most flexible and effective support for local actors of democratic change in the region;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the need to address human rights in a holistic and indivisible fashion by emphasising and strongly committing both to civil and political rights and to economic, social and cultural rights, since without these rights there can be no development; stresses the need to tackle the root causes of poverty; highlights the obligation to respect international labour standards, in line with the fulfilment of the ILO Decent Work Agenda, and calls for the setting-up of a universal social protection floor; takes the view that social issues should have a more central place in the EU’s external relations; urges the EU to incorporate a social clause reflecting ILO core labour standards in all its external trade agreements;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. HUnderlines that more efforts need to be done to mainstream human rights and democracy across development cooperation; highlights the need for the EU and its delegations to implement the human rights- based approach in development policy and aid, especially the new toolbox; also encourages the Member States to adopt a human rights-based approach in their development policies and aid, for example by emphasising the importance of human rights, good governance and democracy in budget and sector support dialogues; at the same time, calls on the EU itself to respect democratic ownership, participation of civil society and transparency of development aid (the last-named under the EU Transparency Guarantee);
Amendment 26 #
2014/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) in achieving respect for human rights; calls on the EU to ensure that the necessary guidelines, impact assessments and monitoring and reporting mechanisms make PCD a reality in Union policies and in those of the Member States, especially in trade and agriculture; takes the view that the EU should maintain political leadership on this issue and convert PCD into a universal agenda;
Amendment 35 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. Whereas more than half of the world's population still lives in undemocratic regimes and during the last years global freedom has constantly declined;
Amendment 36 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. Whereas democratic regimes are not only defined by the organization of elections, but also by respect for the rule of law, freedom of speech, respect for human rights, an independent judiciary and impartial administration;
Amendment 37 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the EU’s credibility in its external relations will be bolstered by increasing consistency between its internal and external policies in relation to democracy and human rights;
Amendment 65 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the preamble to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union affirms that the EU ‘places the individual at the heart of its activities’; stresses that this was not intended as an abstract concept but, on the contrary, these words implied an emphasis on real life, on the concretis a guiding principle meant give baspects of existence, and on giving fundamental needic rights a constitutional basis, founded on the inviolable dignity of each and every person;
Amendment 73 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that in addition to human suffering, the EU should also note the material and budgetarytake into account the cost of non- observance of human rights where failure to respect human rights and lack of legitimate democratic participation leademocratic values, related to instability, corruption, failed states, humanitarian crises or armed conflicts, phenomena which undermine the EU’s efforts in its development policy, and to which the EU or its Member States are obliged to react in the security policy domain; welcomes, in this regard, the EU’s recent efforts to include violations of human rights in its early warning matrix linked to crisis prevention; calls, however, for a stronger preventative action, and urges the VP/HR, the Commission and the Member States to develop a human rights- based crisis prevention element which should be added to the EU Comprehensive Approach to external conflicts and crises;
Amendment 92 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets that no written answer was given by the Commission to the Resolution of the Parliament on the Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2012 and considers that such written answers are extremely important for the inter-institutional cooperation on this subject and cannot be replaced by the debate in the plenary, which allows less time for reflection and for a systematic reply to all points raised by the Parliament;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls onAppreciates the efforts made by the EEAS and the Commission to prepare a properort back to the European Parliament on the implementation report onof the first EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2012-2014), and calls on the VP/HR and the EEAS to engage the Member States, the Commission, Parliament and civil society ion the review and consultations leading to the adoption of a new Action Plan, to take effect in early 2015; welcomes the discussions aimed at achieving better prioritisation of objectives in the new Action Plan, but warns against lowering the level of ambition in terms of mainstreaming human rights across EU policy areas;
Amendment 111 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recognises the importance of the mandate given to the first ever EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights and ofcongratulates Stavros Lambrinidis for the work done so far; encourages the EUSR to continue to enhance the EU’s visibility and engagement with multilateral and regional human rights mechanisms (the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, ASEAN, the African Union, the OIC), to promote key EU thematic priorities, including those reflected in the recently adopted EU human rights guidelines, to work for the empowerment of civil society throughout the world, and to contribute to the mainstreaming, coherence, consistency and effectiveness of EU human rights policy;
Amendment 119 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that EU human rights policy needs to be consistent in complying with the Treaty obligations, ensuring coherence between internal and external policies, and avoiding double standards; calls, therefore, for the adoption of EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on human rights regarding strategic partners; calls, in this context, for the establishment of common thresholds for Member States and for EU officials in terms of the human rights concerns that they have to raise, as a minimum, with their strategic partner counterparts, while keeping in mind the circumstances of each country situation;
Amendment 150 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that democratic regimes are not only defined by organization of elections, but also by respect for the rule of law, freedom of speech, respect for human rights, an independent judiciary and impartial administration; emphasizes in this regard the importance of following up on the reports and recommendations of Election Observation Missions by using these as part of a ‘'road map for democracy’' in the country concerned and by mandating the Chief Observer to exercise a special role in the follow-up monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations, as a coherent part of Parliament’'s comprehensive democracy support approach and with the support of Parliament’'s standing bodies (including the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group);
Amendment 166 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Requests that the Commission and the EEAS enhance their coordination of EU actionwith the European Parliament with regard to the second generation of pilot countries so as to ensure that all EU institutions participate and combine their expertise in the effective pursuit of democracy support in third countries, in line with Parliament’s comprehensive democracy support approach;
Amendment 168 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Congratulates the European Endowment for Democracy for its efficient work in promoting democracy in our neighbourhood and supports a careful expansion of its mandate to other societies struggling for democratisation; calls on the Member States, in a spirit of solidarity and commitment, to provide sufficient funding to the Endowment´s budget in order to ensure the most flexible and effective support to local actors of democratic change;
Amendment 169 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Reminds that enlargement has been the EU's most successful democratisation effort and emphasizes that negotiations with the Western Balkans remain the main instrument of helping these countries establish fully-fledged democratic societies,
Amendment 191 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Call on the EU High Representative and EU Foreign Ministers to hold an annual Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting dedicated to discussing EU efforts to pursue release of human rights defenders, journalists, political activists and others who exercise their rights peacefully, paying particular attention to the cases raised in the European Parliament's resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law ;
Amendment 199 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recalls its unequivocal position institutionalising its presence at UN General Assembly (UNGA) sessions, as expressed in its resolution of 7 February 2013 on the EU’s priorities at the Human Rights Council, and considers it indispensable to continue the practice of sending a European Parliament delegation to relevant UNHRC and UNGA sessions and regrets that in 2014 this practice was interrupted;
Amendment 206 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Reiterates its full support for the work of the ICC in its role to end the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern before the international community and to provide justice for the victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide; remains vigilant regarding any attempts to undermine its legitimacy; considers the increasing nu or independence; urges the EU and EU Member of states parties to be an impoto cooperate with the Court ant development ind provide it with streongthening the universality of the Court; welcomes the ratification of the Rome Statute by Côte d’Ivoire in February 2013 diplomatic and political support in bilateral relations and in all fora, including the UN; expresses its concerns that several arrest warrants have still not been executed, including those concerning President of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir;
Amendment 213 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Reiterates its call for the creation of an EU Special Representative on International Justice and International Humanitarian Law in order to give these subjects the prominence and visibility they deserve, to advance the EU agenda effectively and to mainstream the fight against impunity in all the external actions of the EU;
Amendment 278 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Calls on the EU to supportengage in the emerging initiatives aimed at concludingdebate about a legally binding international instrument on business and human rights within the UN system and to engage from early on in the debate on this issue;
Amendment 290 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Expresses its concern at the spread of monitoring and filtering technologies, which represent a growing threat to human rights and democracy activists in autocratic countries and also pose troubling questions regarding privacy rights in democratic countries, even when used with the pretext of legitimate aims such as counter- terrorism or law enforcement;
Amendment 298 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Commends the Commission on its publication in June 2013 of the ICT (information and communication technologies) Sector Guide on Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; remains concerned, however, at the trade in products and services aimed at denial of internet access or enabling mass surveillance and monitoring of internet traffic and mobile communications, or at intruding on private conversations; calls, therefore, foron the adoption of general exporCommission to reflect control guidelines in this sector, based on the experience of similar actions taken by the EU in individual cases how to improve this situation;
Amendment 317 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Condemns all violence and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief; expresses its serious concern over the continued reports of violence and discrimination against religious minorities around the world; stresses that the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, is a fundamental human right, interrelated with other human rights and fundamental freedoms, encompassing the right to believe or not to believe, the freedom to practise theistic, non-theistic or atheistic belief alike, and the right to adopt, change and abandon or return to a belief of one’s choice;
Amendment 364 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. Points outRegrets that 78 countries still criminalise homosexuality, including seven which provide for the death penalty; firmly condemns the recent increase in discriminatory laws and believes that practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, worldwide, and most notably in Nigeria and Uganda should not go unpunished; encourages close monitoring of the situation in Nigeria, Uganda, India and Russia, where new laws or recent legal developments seriously threaten the freedom of sexual minorities; reaffirms its support for the continuing work of the High Commissioner on Human Rights to combat these discriminatory laws and practices and for the work of the UN more generally on this issue;
Amendment 367 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Paragraph 66 a (new)
66a. Supports the idea that the EEAS should prioritize its actions in this area and put particular emphasis on situations where the death penalty is in force, and/or torture and ill-treatment take place against LGBTI persons, by condemning these practices in accordance with the EU Guidelines on the death penalty and the EU Guidelines on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Amendment 377 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
68. WelcomesTakes note of the legalisation of same- sex marriage or same-sex civil unions in an increasing number of countries, seventeen at the moment, around the world; encourages the EU institutions and the Member States to further contribute to the reflection on the recognition of same- sex marriage or same- sex civil union as a political, social and human and civil rights issue;
Amendment 387 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Welcomes the annulment in October 2013 of the Moldovan law prohibiting the ‘propagation of any other relations than those related to marriage or family’, and calls on Lithuania and Russia to follow the Moldovan example; regrets the outcome of the Croatian referendum of December 2013, which endorsed a constitutional ban on equal marriage; stresses that such referendums contribute to a climate of homophobia and discrimination; considers that LGBTI persons’ fundamental rights are more likely to be safeguarded if they have access to legal institutions such as cohabitation, registered partnership or marriagother countries in the region to follow the Moldovan example;
Amendment 394 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Welcomes the ratifications of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD); reiterates the importance of efficient implementation both by the Member States and the EU institutions and stresses, in particular, the need to credibly integratemainstream the rights of persons with disabilities into all EU policy instruments, especially with regard tothrough all the relevant EU policies, including development cooperation;
Amendment 408 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72
Paragraph 72
72. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to continue to take action regarding the rights of the child, with a specific focus on violence against children, including torture, as cases of torture and detention of children have been reported by organisations such as UNICEF and Amnesty Internationalrecently; calls for particular focus on the issues of forced child labour, child marriage, enlistment of children in armed groups and their disarmament, rehabilitation and subsequent reintegration, as well as placing the issue of child witchcraft on the agenda of human rights dialogues with the countries concerned; stresses the importance of prioritising children’s rights within EU external policy;
Amendment 423 #
Amendment 425 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74
Paragraph 74
74. Stresses the urgent need to develop stronger policies at Union level to address the pressing issues related to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in a manner consistent with international human rights law and fundamental human dignity, and calls on the EU to guareiterantee effective common standards for reception procedures throughout the Union in order to protect the most vulnerable; invites the VP/HR, the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs and the EEAS to promote a true spirit of cooperation and equitable burden-sharing among Member States in order to tackle the multiple challenges that persist in this regard; recalls the commitment of the Commission to developing adequate legal migration channels, and, to this end, calls for a revision of the Dublin Regulation, which places disproportionate responsibility on Member Ss its support for the Migration and Mobility Dialogues and the conclusion of Mobility Partnerships that promote the advantatges for the Union’s external borders and hinders migrants’ ability to seek and obtain asylumof circular migration;
Amendment 464 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76 a (new)
Paragraph 76 a (new)
76a. Emphasizes the importance of linking development aid with credible efforts for democratization;
Amendment 465 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76 b (new)
Paragraph 76 b (new)
76b. Calls on the Impact Assessment Board, under the supervision of the President of the Commission to ensure that the impact on the human rights situation is taken into consideration when speaking about EU development cooperation projects and vice-versa;
Amendment 480 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Calls for a reviewbetter implementation of the Guidelines for the European Parliament’s Interparliamentary Delegations on promoting human rights and democracy, to be conducted by the Conference of Delegation Chairs, in cooperation with the Subcommittee on Human Rights; recommends, in this context, a more systematic practice of raising human rights issues, especially the individual cases referred to in Parliament’s resolutions, during delegation visits to third countries, and of reporting on actions taken to the Subcommittee on Human Rights in writing, and, where politically warranted, through a specific debriefing session;
Amendment 483 #
2014/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
Paragraph 79
79. Emphasises the need for continued reflection regarding the most appropriate ways to maximise the credibility, visibility and effectiveness of Parliament’s resolutions on breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and the necessity of an appropriate synchronization between and follow-up by all the European Institutions, as well as by the European Endowment for Democracy;
Amendment 48 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the new development framework offers an opportunity to secure the broad involvement of national parliaments and local authorities;
Amendment 74 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that, although the MDGs have made a profound difference in people’s lives, key issues such as human rights violations, armed conflicts and terrorism, climate change, food insecurity, migration, unemployment, demographic changes, corruption, resource constraints, unsustainable growth, and financial and economic crises still pose extremely complex and interrelated challenges for the next decades, prompting the need to find new development pathways that could lead to inclusive and sustainable development for all;
Amendment 96 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that, in accordance with the requirements of policy coherence for development, the EU should support a new and comprehensive global framework, which not only addresses those crucial policy areas such as development, human rights, trade, finance, security, energy, agriculture, environment, but also the inter-linkages between them;
Amendment 99 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the fact that the new development framework must be universal in its nature, promoting prosperity, human rights and well-being for all, while also taking into account different national circumstances, capacities, policies and priorities;
Amendment 116 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the EU to continue to lead the process and welcomes the consensus that the post-2015 agenda needs a renovated global partnershipto work towards the adoption of a single, comprehensive and integrated global development framework after 2015, with clear benchmarks incorporating the key development and sustainability issues; welcomes the consensus that the post-2015 agenda needs a renovated global partnership; underlines that a reshaped and reinvigorated global partnership for development will be essential for implementing the post-2015 agenda and for ensuring effective accountability mechanisms at all levels;
Amendment 174 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the inclusion of the promotion of a human rights-based approach among the Sustainable Development Goals; expresses concern, however, at the fact that a more ambitious approach has so far not been embraced, and stresses that such an approach is essential for tackling the roots of poverty and economic inequality; emphasizes that it is essential to incorporate the key pillars of the human-rights based approach in the design, implementation and monitoring of the post-2015 development framework;
Amendment 386 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. UStresses that effective and meaningful participation, including democratic scrutiny through national parliaments, is a fundamental condition in the formulation and implementation of the global post-2015development framework; underlines the importance of including local authorities in the new development framework; stresses that this would require a truly participatory process, conducted early on in the development phase;
Amendment 398 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recalls the importance of maintaining the current levels of ODA; calls for a coherent and comprehensive international approach to financing beyond 2015, addressing in a predictable manner all dimensions of sustainable development; calls for the EU to continue to work closely with other donors on developing further innovative financial mechanisms and new partnerships;
Amendment 440 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Underlines that clear accountability mechanisms are needed in order to make sure both developed, as well as developing countries fulfil their commitments and tackle effectively the poverty and sustainability challenges that the post- 2015 framework will address;
Amendment 447 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the EU engagement in the post-2015 negotiations; calls on the EU to adopt a common, effective and ambitious position on the principles and goals that should be part of the new post-2015 development framework;
Amendment 461 #
2014/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Stresses that the new global framework should include the appropriate institutional architecture, with clear guidelines for supervision of its implementation and that this architecture should also address the complexities and the inter-linkages between the different parts of the future framework;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of providing the EEAS with sufficient funds for thto prepare for a possible opening of an EU delegation in Iran in case the negotiations are concluded successfully and in line with the resolution of the European Parliament of 3 April 2014 on the EU strategy towards Iran.
Amendment 22 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
e a. to strive to build consensus for the organization of a follow-up of the High- Level Meeting on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels on 24 September 2012;
Amendment 25 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
After subtitle
e b. to cooperate in strengthening the role and capacity of regional organisations in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, civilian and military crisis management, and conflict resolution;
Amendment 28 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
f. to ensure that the 2015 review process of the UN peace-building architecture promotes the principle of responsibility to protect, with prevention at its core, and the role of women in peace- building;
Amendment 46 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
o. to make the best use of the preparatory phase ahead of the September 2015 Summit on the post-2015 agenda, to ensure coherence and coordination between EU Member States on focus areas and goals the EU wants to promote, with a view to avoidingto adopt a common, effective and ambitious position on the princonsistency and illegibility stemming from too wide a list of objectivesiples and goals that should be part of the new post-2015 development framework;
Amendment 48 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point o a (new)
o a. to work towards the adoption of a single, comprehensive and integrated framework for the MDG's post-2015, with clear benchmarks incorporating the key development and sustainability issues; to make sure that this framework is universal and global in nature, promoting prosperity, human rights and well-being for all;
Amendment 49 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
p. to emphacall for a coherent and comprehensisve that the definition of objectives should be concluded before any agreement on the financing of MDG successorsinternational approach to financing beyond 2015, addressing in a predictable manner all dimensions of sustainable development, and, in line with its cthe Council Conclusions from December 2013, to further promote within the UN system reflections on alternative sources of financing and on other means of implementing assistance, especially private investment and non-financial means;
Amendment 50 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
p a. given the fact that environmental and development questions tend to be dealt with separately at global level, to seek new ways to overcome this split and build bridges between these closely interlinked areas, inter alia from an institutional point of view;
Amendment 58 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
t a. to improve the coordination of positions between Member States and strive as much as possible to eliminate all divergences that prevent the EU from speaking with one voice;
Amendment 65 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
Paragraph 1 – point w
w. to work towards bringing about a sustainable political solution for Syria which can stop the violence and promote a democratic transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people; to support the full implementation of the conclusions of the Geneva I Conference and, bearing in mind the importance of the Geneva II Conference as a unique forum enabling direct negotiations for peace and democratic transition between parties that recognise each other, to ensure that this format be the basis for the continuation of talksin the conflict, and to keep the Geneva II process going ;
Amendment 68 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
y. to make all possible efforts to adopt a binding Security Council resolution securing safe humanitarian corridors, with the support of the authwelcome the adoption, on February 22nd 2014, of resolution 2139 (2014) by the United Nations Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria and call for ities and the opposis rapid implementation, so that humanitarian aisafe, unhindered and immedical assistance can be delivered to all regions and reach all those in neate access to all people in need, including across conflict lines and borders will be at last facilitated;
Amendment 69 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
y a. to foster international cooperation as regards the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons, and call for full implementation of the decision of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of 27 September 2013;
Amendment 74 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point aa a (new)
aa a. to support and reinforce the state- building agenda regarding South Sudan, as well as a genuine reconciliation process that will ensure lasting peace and the stability of the new state; to offer assistance in tackling the issue of corruption, which is widespread in South Sudan and harms the prospects of establishing a free and fair democracy, stability, sustainable development and economic growth;
Amendment 78 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
ab a. to ensure good cooperation and complementarity of the international efforts required to stabilize the Central African Republic and to work towards the adoption of a comprehensive approach towards this multifaceted crisis; to support the process of political transition and contribute to putting in place functioning democratic institutions, capable of protecting citizens; to continue providing the necessary financial support in order to create viable economic development; to spearhead efforts aimed at responding to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis the country is experiencing;
Amendment 79 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac
Paragraph 1 – point ac
ac. following the recent EU decision on a military missto support the efforts deployed by the international community, in particular the African Union, to the Central African Republic,he UN and France, and by the Central African authorities to stabilize the country; to implement swiftly the EU decision from 20 January 2014 establishing EUFOR CAR and to accelerate the procedures to deploy the forces on the ground;
Amendment 81 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad
Paragraph 1 – point ad
Amendment 83 #
2014/2017(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point af
Paragraph 1 – point af
af. to make certain the UNGA provides, in cooperation with the EU and the USA, all instruments to ensure that a two-state solution, on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as capital of both States, and with the State of Israel with secure and recognised borders and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security, is sustainable and effective;
Amendment 58 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 95 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and the heads of the EU delegations to raise in their dialogue with authorities from third countries gender-based forms of torture that make girls a particularly vulnerable group, in particular female genital mutilation and early and forced marriages, as foreseen in the Council's EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy;
Amendment 112 #
2013/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Further recommends that the HRCSs should include measures to encourage the establishment and operation of national institutions or, where appropriate, the strengthening of national institutions which could effectively address the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, including where necessary possibilities for financial and technical assistance;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A
Paragraph A
A. Whereas Pakistan is a semi- industrialised, lower middle-income country with around one third of its population living below the poverty line; whereas Pakistan ranks 146th out of 187 countries in the 2012 Human Development Index (HDI), down from 145th position in 2011; whereas the economic situation of Pakistan has been harmed by successive natural disasters, and whereas a high level of insecurity, instability and widespread corruption in the country weaken its economic growth and limit the government's ability to develop the state;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A a (new)
Paragraph A a (new)
A a. whereas Pakistan is vulnerable to a wide range of hazards, predominantly floods and earthquakes; whereas the volatile security situation, together with Pakistan's social challenges, are working as a catalyst in increasing its vulnerability; whereas multiple years of disasters have exhausted the coping strategies of already impoverished communities and severely reduced their resilience to future disasters;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A b (new)
Paragraph A b (new)
A b. whereas the aim of the EU-Pakistan 5 year Engagement Plan is to build a strategic relationship and forge a partnership for peace and development rooted in shared values and principles;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that unequal feudalistic land ownership in rural Pakistan remains unaddressed, with 2.5 % of the population owning over 40 % of the land and with nearly half of the rural population owning nothing at all; stresses that landlessness and lack of access to irrigation water and other production facilities perpetuate rural poverty and social instability; underlines that access to secure, affordable, clean and sustainable energy, safe drinking water, sustainable services for health and education, as well as security are crucial for improving the lives of the Pakistani people and the long-term development of the country;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Underlines that a proactive human rights agenda - including, inter alia, measures to end sectarian attacks, protect religious minorities and women's rights, ensure media freedom, end counter- terrorism abuses and restore the moratorium on the death penalty - is essential for Pakistan's development;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Remains deeply concerned about the alarming situation of women in Pakistan; calls for concrete and visible measures to enforce women’s fundamental rights in the society, including enacting legislation against domestic violence and taking measures to improve investigation and prosecution of honour killings and acid attacks, as well as a revision of the legislation that facilitates impunity; points out the need to ensure better access to education and better integration of women in the labour market, as well as improving maternal healthcare;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the EU, as a major donor, remains committed to assisting Pakistan in achieving its long-term development goals and ensuring sustained and broad-based economic growth; recalls the EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan of March 2012, containing priorities such as good governance, cooperation in the field of women’s empowerment, energy and sustainable agriculture, as well as and dialogue on human rights;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reiterates its deep concern that the blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence in Pakistan and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan; underlines that the refusal to reform or repeal the blasphemy laws creates an environment of persistent vulnerability for minority communities; calls on the Pakistani government to implement a moratorium on the use of these laws, as a first step towards their revision and to investigate and prosecute, as appropriate, campaigns of intimidation, threats, and violence against Christians, Ahmadis, and other vulnerable groups.
Amendment 13 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Underlines that it is essential to ensure that disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness are scaled up and mainstreamed into humanitarian response, increasing beneficiaries' resilience to future disasters; calls on the European Commission to continue to promote a coordinated approach and response with existing humanitarian mechanisms at international and local level;
Amendment 67 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the achievements and ambitions of the EaP, which is the political framework for strengthening relations between the EU andpurpose of the EaP, which is the strengthening of the political, economic and cultural European integration of the Eastern Partners, founded on mutual interests, and the commitments, shared ownership and joint responsibility, as well as the institutional basis for political cooperation, and a forum for dialogue between the partner countries to international law, fundamental values, good governance and the market economy and based on shared ownership and joint responsibility; 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;
Amendment 87 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecogniStresses 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 more on the economic and cultural links between the two sides, thus aiming to provide a European choice for the societies of the EaP to the EU, thuscountries; urges the EU to focus particularly on establishing visa-free regimesand implementing visa-free regimes as soon as possible, on investing in youth and future leaders, and on the energy sector;
Amendment 98 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that serious thought should be given by all European institutions and Member States to the possibility of following the EFTA model as further possibility of enhancing the Eastern Partnership and giving the possibility of advancing towards a status of "associated partners" to those countries that prove willing and able to collaborate and integrate closely to the EU; calls on the European Commission to produce a green paper on the Post-Vilnius future of the Eastern Partnership;
Amendment 107 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that more rapid progress can be made on the establishment of the visa- free regime and stresses that, following the European Commission's proposal and based on merits and accomplishments, the Republic of Moldova should be granted a free circulation regime in the European Union by the end of February 2014; notes, in this connection, that visa liberalisation is only one of a number of processes aimed at bringing the societies closer together, and that more efforts are required in this area, particularly with regard to advancing cooperation in the field of education and culture; considers that greater emphasis should be placed on the fact that the EaP project is directed at societies rather than authorities;
Amendment 127 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the importance of focusing more on the achievement of energy security and on the consolidation of the energy sector, which is one of the main conditions for modernisation of the economy, and developing energy strategies in line with European Energy Community obligations; calls for the continuation of gas and electricity market reforms and an adequate share of energy from renewable resources;
Amendment 132 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges the EU to be more involved in solving "frozen conflicts" in some EaP countries; considers that the EU should have a more central role in this respect due to the potential impact of these conflicts on the relations between the EU and EaP countries, as well as on the stability in the region;
Amendment 167 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets, furthermore, the insufficient desire among EaP partner countries to build a common message and engage in common efforts vis-à-vis the EU; notes that cooperation should nevertheless continue, where possible, on a bilateral basis between the EU, on the one side, and the partner countries, on the other;
Amendment 170 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that more efforts should go into sharing experiences of democratic reforms and processes rather than imposing EU standards, and, drawing on the rich experience that European countries have in the process of establishing and protecting democratic regimes based on respect for fundamental values and the rule of law, while acknowledging the uniquenesspecificities of individual countries and, highlighting the eqmutual status of partners and potential mutual benefits; benefits and reaching a balance between conditionality and solidarity;
Amendment 179 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. UStrongly urges that athe Association aAgreements be signed and implemented, where applicable, with the partner countries, in order to promote good governance and the rule of law, humand the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia and Moldova, initialled at Vilnius, should be signed before the end of the current mandate of the European Parliament, in order to affirm the more for more principle and to support the modernisation and rights, particularly the right to a fair trial, and the fight against corruption, and to support the building and modernisation of partners’ economies and business-friendly legislaeform process in these countries, particularly in the fields related to the consolidation of good governance, the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the fight against corruption;
Amendment 190 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Further calls on the European Commission and the European Council to offer the necessary technical and financial assistance, as well as political support, to Moldova and Georgia in order to help them complete the reform process and face the kind of diplomatic and economic pressure that the Russian Federation has been using in order to deter the initialling of the Association Agreements and the DCFTAs;
Amendment 212 #
2013/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that reform of judicial systems and public administrations in the partner countries, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, as well as legal certainty, openness and transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness, should be a priority;
Amendment 139 #
2013/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned that KSA’s financial and political support for religious and political groups in North Africa may result in reinforcing fundamentalist and obscurantist forces that undermine efforts to create democratic governance and oppose the participation of women in public life; is further concerned that the unconditional political and financial support offered to the leaders of the military coup in Egypt is undermining the efforts of the EU to promote a peaceful and inclusive political solution to the Egyptian crisis;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Welcomes the Joint Communication "The EU's comprehensive approach to external conflict and crises" JOIN(2013)30, 11 December 2013 which represents an opportunity to clarify and operationalize this approach in the new post-Lisbon institutional setting, as well as to consolidate EU's commitment towards working comprehensively in its external relations; acknowledges the considerable challenges inherent in promoting and implementing such an ambitious policy; welcomes, in particular, the emphasis it places on the connection between security and development that should be a key underlying principle in the application of an EU comprehensive approach;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly supports the notion of a more coherent external action, but remains ; stresses that the EU should not adopt a narrow definition of the comprehensive approach; welcomes the fact that the Joint Communicautious since the policy is not yet final and uncertainties with regard to its scope remainn promotes an understanding of the comprehensive approach that covers all stages of the cycle of conflict or other external crisis through early warning and preparedness, conflict prevention, crisis response and management to early recovery, stabilisation and peace-building in order to help countries get back on track towards sustainable and long-term development; is highly concerned at the possibility that foreign policy objectives might dominate over development principles and principled humanitarian action;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the reference in the Joint Communication to the specific principles of development assistance and humanitarian action that should underpin the action of the EU through the comprehensive approach; calls on the EEAS, the Commission and the Members states to ensure that the integration of development policies and humanitarian assistance into the comprehensive approach will duly respect the principles of these policies to which the EU is committed;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) establishes the principle of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD), and emphasises the potential for tension between PCD on the one hand and the comprehensive approach to crisis management outside the EU on the other; stresses that the main goal of the EU’s development policy is the eradication of poverty and that it is therefore essential that anti-poverty objectives are not marginalised in EU foreign policy and that the comprehensive approach does not erode the civilian character of development cooperation; is concerned at the potential pressure resulting from the integrated pursuit of foreign policy objectives to allocate development assistance to areas of strategic priority; takes note of the fact that the Joint Communication entrusts the HR/VP and the President of the Commission with the responsibility to ensure strategic and operational coherence in external relations, including regarding th external impact of internal policies; calls on the HR/VP and the President of the Commission to commit to doing so;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reminds that both Article 214 TFEU and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid of 2008 protect principled humanitarian action; calls for the safeguarding of the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence which are crucial for both the effectiveness of humanitarian action and the safety of its actors; stresses firmly that counter- terrorism and security agendas must not undermine the ability of humanitarian actors to deliver assistance, and that humanitarian aid should under no circumstances serve political ends or be considered a crisis management tool; points out that to obtain access to populations in need humanitarian aid must not only be neutral but also be perceived as such; while aknowledging that a needs- based humanitarian delivery should be kept separate, calls for wider engagement with the the humanitarian actors in order to define better the parameters of their relationship with the comprehensive approach;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the view that there is a strong link between development and conflict prevention, as poverty is often a prime source and outcome of conflict; stresses that prevention contributes to peace, security and sustainable development; welcomes the focus on prevention in the Joint Communication and calls for enhancing EU's early warning systems; calls on the EU to continue to support countries in situations of fragility, in order to address the root causes and establish functioning and accountable institutions that can deliver basic services and support poverty reduction; underlines the need for elaborating an EU fragile states strategy that would integrate in the EU system the OECD DAC fragile states principles, as well as the objectives of the New Deal for engagement in fragile states formulated in Busan in December 2011.
Amendment 7 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Welcomes the commitment to a long term strategy expressed in the Joint Communication as only a long term engagement and sustainable development can promote peace and security; calls for better coordination of the short-term and long-term objectives of EU policies with due regard to the views of the stakeholders at local level;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Stresses that, in order to be effective, the EU comprehensive approach should be based as much as possible on joint analysis, assessment and planning accross the EU system, with a clear division of responsibilities; points out, in this context, the importance of joint programming as a tool of achieving coherence in external action;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2146(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Underlines that the success of the comprehensive approach depends ultimately on its effective implementation on the ground; stresses, in this respect, the importance of addressing the challenges of communication and information sharing between EU bodies; equally points out the need for the EU's comprehensive strategy to be backed up by clear guidelines for use, as well as regular reports on its application, including to the European Parliament.
Amendment 13 #
2013/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the SPA and the CETA are closely linked, following the EU's common approachbeing negotiated in parallel and are complementary in strengthening the Canada-EU relationship;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the Arctic Council's decision, supported by Canada, on EU observer status is regrettablea step forward and whereas the EU has committed to working with the Canadian authorities to address the outstanding issue of concern;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to insist thatexplain that, according to European legislation, all contractual relationships with third countries, both industrialised and developing, should include clearly worded conditionality and political clauses on human rights and democracy, without exceptionas a common reaffirmation of the mutual commitment to these values and regardless of the state of protection of human rights in that country; to adopt appropriate safeguards to ensure that the suspension mechanism cannot be abused;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 7 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas South Sudan has not yet acceded to the Cotonou Agreement, with the Government of South Sudan voicing concerns about potential implications for its relations with the Republic of the Sudan; whereas accession to the Cotonou Agreement would not oblige South Sudan to accede immediately to the Rome Statute; whereas this reluctance to accede to the Cotonou Agreement is leading to problems in programming EU aid from 2014 onwards under the 11th European Development Fund, which could potentially result in South Sudan losing out, not only in terms of national allocations, but also with a view to regional funds and substantial European Investment Bank (EIB) resources which would enhance its infrastructure and regional economic integration; whereas by ratifying the Cotonou Agreement, South Sudan could also increase its capacity to attract European private sector investments; whereas the additional financial facilities to which South Sudan could have access after acceding to the Cotonou Agreement could equally help with the implementation of the Addis Agreements;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas the Council appointed Ms Rosalind Marsden as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Sudan in August 2010 and subsequently enlarged and extended her mandate, but in June 2013 only agreed to a four-month extension until 31 October 2013 in order to integrate it into the mandate of the EUSR for the Horn of Africa, despite her outstanding work and her important role in leveraging the EU's various tools and influence on the developments in the region; whereas without a designated EU Special Representative for Sudan/South Sudan the EU will be left on the sidelines of international negotiations and efforts;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas external efforts made with regard to state-building and development can only be successful if the leadership of South Sudan is committed to and will be capable of developing accountable, responsive, and inclusive governance, and overcomes short-term or clientelistic interests; whereas South Sudan is not yet included in most governance indicators and there is still very little quantitative data available on the extent of corruption in the country; whereas the international community, both private and public, does not tolerate corruption and therefore needs to ensure that the provision of aid or investment does not lead to or encourage harmful practices;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z
Recital Z
Z. whereas weaknesses in the justice system give rise to serious human rights violations; whereas there is a clear need for specialised training in the field of human rights for the legal profession; whereas, in order to address impunity, it is necessary to increase knowledge of core human rights instruments, which will contribute to their application; whereas there is an almost total lack of legal aid in the criminal justice system;
Amendment 17 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital AA a (new)
Recital AA a (new)
AAa. whereas equitable participation of women in the public sphere is a constitutional right supported by a mandated 25% quota; whereas despite the commitment of the Government of South Sudan to increasing the participation of women in the public sector, progress has been limited on this point; whereas effective engagement of the South Sudanese women in the peace making, governance and economic development can help consolidate peace and security for the country;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on South Sudan and Sudan to make best use of the wealth and potential which the oil resources in the region represent for both countries and to reach an agreement on the unsolved transitional economic arrangements between the two countries;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages the EEAS, the EU Special Representative and the Commission to enhance awareness and visibility of the EU's very positive contributions to a peaceful, democratic transition and to the economic and social development of South Sudan; is concerned that putting an end to the mandate of the EU Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan, at a time when a number of commitments contained in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the September 2012 Addis Ababa Agreement still have not been fully met, could further decrease this visibility and reduce the leverage of the EU and its Member States; asks for the extension of the Special Representative's mandate instead of the plan to add Sudan to the already overburdened mandate of the Special Representative for the Horn of Africa;
Amendment 41 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes that since the CPA in 2005, there have been efforts to step up the fight against corruption, but South Sudan's anticorruption framework is still embryonic and that even when legal instruments exist, lack of capacity, resources and political will can hamper their implementation; encourages South Sudan to ratify the international conventions against corruption and calls on the authorities to develop and implement an integrated anti-corruption strategy; stresses that the international community and the EU should assist South Sudan's efforts in this area, in particular by increasing support to capacity building;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2090(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the South-Sudanese GovernmentUnderlines that women in South Sudan face multiple forms of discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights, including widespread early and forced marriage, the absence of family law, limited women's political participation at all levels of government, and pervasive sexual and domestic violence; calls on the South-Sudanese Government to eliminate all kinds of discrimination against women and to set out a national action plan to end child marriages;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that systemic corruption undermines democracy, governance and the rule of law and weakens state institutions andthus impairsing governments' ability to fulfil their human rights obligations, particularly with regard to the economic and social rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses that corruption often fuels crime and contributes to conflict and fragility and takes the view that fighting corruption should be given greater weight in EU's conflict prevention efforts and its actions in dealing with situations of fragility;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that corruption is a global phenomenon and that the EU needs to fight both the external and the internal dimension of corruption in order to limit the chances that the EU exports corruption; calls, in this context, for greater accountability regarding the use of EU aid money and for the establishment of a framework for initiating legal proceedings against EUforeign companies suspected of engaging in corruption in third countries;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas corruption is part of the good governance principle, such as upheld and defined by articles 9(3) and 97 of the Cotonou Agreement;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas corruption is generally deeply entrenched in the mentality of the societies where it permeates and all efforts to combat it should focus first and foremost on the education system, targeting people at the earliest age possible;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas states may enable and even foster violations of rights of their citizens bysometimes failing to act in preventing or punishing corruption in public and private sectors, in breach of their international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the other relevant international and regional human rights instruments;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls the commitments undertaken through the Busan Partnership for Effective Development and calls on the EU and its Members states to implement them in order to intensify the joint efforts to fight corruption and illicit flows;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas, according to the World Bank, corruption represents 5% of global GDP (US$ 2.6 trillion) with over US$ 1 trillion paid in bribes each year. Corruption adds up to 10% of the total cost of doing business on a global basis and 25% to the cost of procurement contracts in developing countries1; __________________ 1 From International Chamber of Commerce, Transparency International, UN Global Compact, World Economic Forum, Clean Business is Good Business, 2009
Amendment 27 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas the World Bank estimates that each year, US$ 20 to US$ 40 billion, corresponding to 20% to 40% of official development assistance, is stolen through high-level corruption from public budgets in developing countries and hidden overseas; 2 __________________ 2 International Chamber of Commerce, Transparency International, UN Global Compact, World Economic Forum, Clean Business is Good Business, 2009
Amendment 28 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
Amendment 35 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas human rights defenders, media and civil society organisations (CSOs) and investigative journalists play a crucial role in the fight against corruption by scrutinising public budgets, monitoring government activities, 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;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas 25% of the total opened investigations by the European Anti- Fraud Office regarded European external aid to third countries, and 17.5 millions Euros were recovered as a result of these investigations;4 __________________ 4 OLAF Annual Report 2011
Amendment 52 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas aid donors and international financial institutions (IFIs), such as the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have lost the opportunity toshould foster truhe governance reform in debtor countries in the past and haveand contributed to the corruption and concentration of power by the elites by not assessing and addressing the risks of corruption and degradation of human rightan effective fight against corruption, also by addressing the risks sometimes associated with many measures imposed in the context of structural adjustment programmes (SAPs), such as the privatisation of state-owned businesssuch as the privatization of state-owned industries and resources, foreseen in the Structural Adjustment Programmes;
Amendment 65 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. HighlightWelcomes, in this regard, the need to further the use of automatic information exchange and to extend the scoperenegotiation of the Savings Taxation Directive in order, meant to effectively end banking secrecy; considers that strengthening the regulation of, and transparency as regards, company registries and registers of trusts in all EU Members States is a prerequisite for dealing with corruption, both in the EU and in third countries; believes that EU rules should impose an obligation of registration on all legal structures and their beneficial ownership data, and that these data should be published, at no charge, online, electronically tagged, and in a searchable format;
Amendment 82 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. UrgesCalls on the Commission to propose an extension of the definition of human rights defenders in the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders to include anti-corruption activists, investigative journalists and, notably, whistleblowers;
Amendment 85 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the EU, as a majorworld leading donor, should follow and expand recent instances of linking the delivering of EU external aid to budget reforms towards greater transparency, access to data and participatory processes and harmonising guiding principles in this regard with other donors; is of the opinion that the EU should establish clear and public benchmarks and incentives for recipient governments to open up their budget processes and incorporate transparency, public participation and oversight components into their efforts, through training or technical assistance; urges the EU to promote and support the development of an enabling environment for oversight bodies in developing countries (including parliaments, courts of auditors, CSOs and the media) to carry out their core functions and therefore fight corruption;
Amendment 86 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out, on the other hand, that the EU should not foster ‘advanced partnerships’ with kleptocratic regimes which do not show the political will to genuinely implement the above-mentioned principles, unless dialogue, pressure and cooperation from the EU towards the need for reform is visible and transparentthat the EU should use the framework of 'advanced partnerships' in order to pressure those regimes that suffer from endemic corruption to adopt reforms; takes the view that the EU should publicly condemn the enactment of laws which restrict the freedom of the media and the activities of civil society as cornerstones of accountability and that it should draw up strategies to adapt relations with those countries so as to foster reform in a visible way;
Amendment 90 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 94 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the G20 Seoul Anti- Corruption Action Plan and believes that the momentum created should be sustained so as to ensure a coordinated international effort meant to combat corruption in key areas;
Amendment 100 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the European Commission to consolidate the cooperation with other donors and the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions to develop capacities of Supreme Audit Institutions in aid recipient countries, in order to implement the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions in developing countries;
Amendment 102 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Invites the EU Member States to support the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on corruption and human rights with a comprehensive mandate, including an objectives-oriented plan and on a periodic evaluation of the anti-corruption measures taken by States;
Amendment 114 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the agreements reached between the European Parliament and the Council requiring companies in the extractive sector and loggers of primary forests to disclose payments to governments on a country-by-country and project basis; urges governments of all partner countries to require country-by-countryequivalent disclosure of payments of transnational companies registered or listed on financial markets in their jurisdiction; urges the EU to promote this standard of reporting in the context of its relations with partner countries;
Amendment 119 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Points out that all efforts to combat corruption should be accompanied by support for programmes meant to prevent corruption through education and awareness-raising campaigns;
Amendment 121 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Is of the opinion that the standard human rights clause introduced in all agreements with third countries should also include a commitment towards the protection and promotion of good governance;
Amendment 122 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Encourages the Commission to propose in the next revision of the Cotonou Agreement the respect of good governance as an essential element of the Agreement and to widen the scope of the definition of corruption, allowing the sanctioning of breaches of the good governance clause in all serious circumstances, and not only when related to economic and sectoral policies and programmes on which the European Union is a significant partner in terms of the financial support;
Amendment 123 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Emphasises that a human rights- based approach to the asset-recovery process by states emerging from corrupt dictatorships, namely Arab Spring countries, demands that Member States, as recipient countries, understand repatriation not as a discretionary measure but as a duty arising from the obligations of international cooperation and assistance; considers, moreover, that a human rights-based approach requires that repatriated funds be appropriately used in the creation of conditions to assure compliance with human rights obligations and to avoid new corruption- based diversions; requires that the EU assist in ensuring that repatriated funds be appropriately administered in a transparent and efficient manner that benefits the citizens of the country in question, in full compliance with international human rights obligationWelcomes the decision of the EU- Egypt and EU-Tunisia Task Forces to finalise a roadmap for the return of the illicitly acquired assets which are still frozen in a number of third countries; considers that asset-recovery provisions will support the efforts of countries to redress the worst effects of corruption and urges the EU and its Member States to make further significant efforts aimed at facilitating the return of misappropriated assets stolen by the former regimes to the people of Arab Spring countries;
Amendment 126 #
2013/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. CallPoints onut the EU and its Member States to take a lead in the UN efforts to ratify and implement the International Arms Treaty, establishing common binding standards, based on international human rights and humanitarian law, to assess international weapons transfers; encourages the EU to go beyond the treaty and set up independent mechanisms to monitor all arms transfers and combat the opaqueness in the arms trade sector and demand far greater transparency, especially in at corruption in the arms trade represents a large proportion of the corruption present in global transactions; welcomes the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) adopted by the UNGA on 2 April 2013; welcomes the commitment of the Member States to sign the Arms Trade Treaty at the earliest possible date and calls on them to also take a lead in the UN efforts for the rapid ratification and implementation of the International Arms Trelation to the use of intermediaries and economic/industrial offsety by all UN member states;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that whilst donor coordination has been demanded by the international community over the past decade, low progress has been made, according to the 2011 Survey on Monitoring the Paris Declaration. Welcomes the opportunity to review the existing mechanisms to further enhance intra-EU coordination; underlines, in this context, the necessity of a coordination mechanism for cross- country division of labour, as well as for better coordination of in-country interventions at EU level. Stresses that the current efforts to implement joint programming of EU and Member States' aid should be stepped up as means to reduce fragmentation and increase its impact.
Amendment 4 #
2013/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes, however, that better coordination is also needed with the international community and, more importantly, with local actors, specifically with local governments, national parliaments, civil society and NGOs. Recalls that the Millennium Development Goal 8, ‘"forming a global partnership for development’", encourages wide participation and close collaboration between all development actors.
Amendment 5 #
2013/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages thebetter coordination with international actors through international fora such as the United Nations Development Programme and the Working Party on Aid Effectiveness of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; stresses that, by pooling the resources provided by donor countries, multilateral development organizations have the potential to increase aid effectiveness and maximize efficiency. Notes that the use of resources put in place by international organisations also helps donors exchange information on the development activities, resulting in greater transparency and accountability.
Amendment 8 #
2013/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of granting the ownership of the development processes to developing countries by allowing them to decide the packages of reforms and policies best suited to their needs. Calls for local governments to be assisted in securing tax resources and powers of taxation and in building well- functioning local structures so that they are able to manage their own development and reduce their dependency on aid. Notes also the importance of relying on local actors such as national parliaments, local authorities, as well as civil society and NGOs who are better placed to identify the development needs and can lead the development process of countries.
Amendment 11 #
2013/2057(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasizes the growing role of non- traditional donors, as well as private- sector investments, and philanthropic financial flows to developing countries that pose additional coordination challenges. Takes the view that the new framework for EU donor coordination on development aid should also explore the opportunities for integrating these aspects, building on the commitments undertaken through the Busan Partnership for Effective Development.
Amendment 11 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas there is a growing need for common values, rules and decision-making mechanisms in order to jointly address emerging global challenges;
Amendment 17 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas respect for, and the promotion and safeguarding of, the universality and indivisibility of human rights are cornerstones of EU action on the international scene; whereas democracy and the rule of law is aare pillars of sustainable peace, guaranteeing human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to ensure the coherence and visibility of the EU as a global actor at the UN; to strengthen the ability of the EU to act in a swift and, comprehensive and coherent manner in the global arena and to deliver in a coordinated and timely fashion;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to engage more actively with strategic and other bilateral and multilateral partners in order to promote effective solutions to problems where onlyand, whenever possible, reach towards collective efforts can delivstriving for better results;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to supportpromote 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 EUupport as a long- term goal of the EU a common seat in an enlarged UNSC; to further promote transparency and better coordination of policies and positions amongst EU members of the UNSC;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to pursue efforts to strengthen the role and authority of the UNGA; to help revitalise the UNGA and to increase its efficiency, including through the improvement of its working methods;
Amendment 62 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to cooperate with multilateral and bilateral partners towards adding more robust and effective pressure in order to put an immediate end to violence in Syria; to explore with partners, especially the US, Turkey and the League of Arab States, all options with regard to the implementation of the principle of the R2P in order to assist the Syrian people and to halt the bloodshed; to put pressure on the Syrian government and all those involved in the crisis to fully respect international humanitarian law and to allow the swift provision of humanitarian assistance and full access to humanitarian organisations;
Amendment 65 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) to maintain support for the efforts of the region and the international community for the territorial integrity of Mali and the security of the country's population, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; to closely coordinate its actions with regional and international partners, including the African Union and ECOWAS; to provide military training to Malian armed forces within EUTM Mali and to continue to provide assistance to MISMA (Mission Internationale de Soutien au Mali); to maintain a strong focus on political aspects and support efforts aiming to foster a democratic transition in Mali, including consolidation of the institutions of transition, promoting inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation, as well as free, fair and transparent elections; to underline the importance of maintaining stability in the Sahel region and of preventing a negative impact on the stability of Mali's neighbouring countries;
Amendment 71 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n
Paragraph 1 – point n
(n) to work closely with partners towards achieving an Arms Trade Treaty that sets the highest comm swift signature, ratification standards for the regulation of the international trade in arms and the combating of illicit trafficking, thus reducing human suffering and improving international peace and security implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty by all UN Member States;
Amendment 79 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Amendment 85 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) to seek to strengthen the process of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by embedding recommendations in bilateral and multilateral dialogues with UN member states, particularly in its human rights dialogues; to facilitate an environment enabling NGOs to provide their input into the various stages of the UPR process;
Amendment 93 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) to promote commitment to an international order based on the rule of law which is essential for the peaceful coexistence of states as well as for the building of more resilient states and sustainable peace; to strengthen respect for the rule of law as a key element of establishing deep democracies and an EU foreign policy objective;
Amendment 98 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) to follow up the recommendations of the political declaration adopted at the High- Level Meeting on the Rule of Law in September 2012; to support the establishment of the joint global focal point for the rule of law; to fully support the role of the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group in overall coordination and coherence, also in order to avoid fragmentation between services (Department for Political Affairs, UN Development Programme, etc.);
Amendment 107 #
2013/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
(ya) to report back every year to the European Parliament on the results of the UNGA sessions;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights are essential to ensuring the stability of states, security and respect for fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
- having regard to the UN Secretary General Report of 14 June 2013 on the situation in the Sahel region (S/2013/354),
Amendment 10 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
- having regard to the high-level Conference on Women's Leadership in the Sahel held on 9 April 2013, in Brussels, at the initiative of the European Union, the Office of the UN Secretary- General's Special Envoy for the Sahel and UN Women,
Amendment 11 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
– having regard to the UN Secretary- General's report to the UN Security Council on Western Sahara, dated 8 April 2013, in particular its reference to the inter-connectedness between Western Sahara and the situation in the Sahel,
Amendment 15 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses its support for the International Support Mission to Mali, the Mali peacekeeping mission and the EUCAP Sahel Mission; calls on the United Nations to extend its mission to cover the whole of the Sahel regionUnited Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, which took over on 1 July 2013, and the EUCAP Sahel Mission; welcomes with satisfaction the proposal by the Secretary- General of the United Nations on 14 June 2013 to establish a ‘United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel', which should tackle all aspects of the crisis: enhancing governance, combating crime (trafficking of drugs, people, weapons and cigarettes; money laundering), combating terrorism, and humanitarian aid; welcomes in particular the strategy’s objectives in seeking to enhance inclusive and effective governance throughout the region and to integrate humanitarian and development plans and interventions so as to ensure long-term resilience;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Acknowledges the important role which women play in stabilising and developing the Sahel, and calls for a strengthening of their leadership function in conflict prevention, peace-keeping and peace-building, and in the security field, politics and economic development; encourages development partners to allocate financial support for projects with the specific aim of empowering women in the region;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Sahel is one of the poorest regions of the world, which confronts grave problems regarding human rights, the rule of law, security and armed conflict, as well as economic and social development, and whereas the extreme poverty in the region is reflected in the UN Human Development Index for 2012, ranking Niger (186th), Chad (184th), Burkina Faso (183rd) and Mali (182nd) among the six least developed countries in the world;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Points out that a long-term commitment is necessary in order to build resistance to drought in the Sahel and thus prevent recurring food crises and not have to provide large-scale humanitarian assistance whenever drought returns; stresses that such a commitment requires a lasting partnership - along similar lines to the European Union's 'AGIR Sahel' initiative - between governments, regional institutions, donors and financial institutions;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2020(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Stresses that a long-term approach based on universal access to education is necessary in order to improve the everyday lives of the Sahel’s inhabitants and support the development of what will be a region with 150 million people in 2040;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas establishing democracy, peace and good governance is a crucial challenge for the Sahel states, whereas these states must embark on the process of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, eradicating discrimination against women and minorities and promoting education and ethnic reconciliation;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the scope of this resolution encompasses the countries identified by the EU Sahel Strategy, specifically Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and relevant parts of Burkina Faso and Chad; whereas the broader geographic and ecological definition of the Sahel also remains crucial with regard to the region’s shared human rights challenges; whereas this report will also discuss thesecurity and human rights situation in Western Sahara and the Tindouf campsissues in the countries neighbouring the Sahel which have a direct impact on the current situation in the Sahel, such as Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps in Algeria, Libya and the consequences of the Libyan conflict, Nigeria and the presence of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, and terrorist groups and drug trafficking in West Africa;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Commission estimates that, in all, 10.3 million people are suffering from hunger in the Sahel region in 2013, of whom 4.2 million are Malians; whereas according to the AGIR- Sahel programme, 18 million people are affected by hunger in the Sahel and West Africa, one million of whom are children; whereas the European Union must continue its efforts to improve the resilience of these countries; whereas the humanitarian aid provided by the European Union for the Sahel totals EUR 650 million;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Tuareg resentments in northern Mali were exploited by extremist groups who in early 2012 allied with, and subsequently displaced, the secular National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in their rebellion; whereas these groups, in particular Ansar Dine, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), further benefited from the instability arising from the subsequent coup in Bamako; whereas the systematic violations of human rights in the north, combined with the impending existential threat to the Malian state itself, precipitated the armed intervenational interventions to help shore up democracy, restore the rule of law and improve the situation of by French forces to halt the atrocities and human rights violations committed by the terrorist groups, restore democracy and the authority of the Malian state and re-establish respect for human rights;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the presence of terrorist groups in the Sahel causes serious instability and insecurity in the region, with hostage-taking and violent attacks; whereas the Sahel is a transit zone for drug-trafficking by criminal gangs from Latin America, and whereas drug- traffickers are often linked to terrorist groups which provide security for them while in transit; whereas the presence of these traffickers is a source of instability both for the Sahel and for the European Union, which is often the final destination of this trade;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Dc. whereas the intervention of NATO forces in Libya in 2011 brought into circulation more than 20 million weapons which have ended up in the hands of Tuaregs or mercenaries who have joined terrorist groups; whereas the head of the MNLA, Mohamed Ag Najim, is a former colonel in the Libyan army;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the governments of the Sahel region need to involve the populations concerned in order to reach a durable solution to the crisis; whereas, in particular, the participation of women to the resolution of the Sahel crisis is a necessary condition for reaching long- term stability;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas fight against impunity, including for gender-based violence during conflict, is fundamental for the stability of the region and building lasting peace;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EU has recently paid increased attention to the Sahel, as evidenced by the adoption of the EU Sahel Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel in 2011, the launching of EU Capacity Building (EUCAP Sahel) and the EUTM Mali mission, and the nomination of an EUSR for the Sahel; whereas the mandate of the new EUSR, adopted on 18 March 2013, includes a strong human rights component;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the Sahel countries are parties to the Cotonou Agreement, and whereas partnership with the European Union is based on development aid, good governance, promotion of human rights and humanitarian aid;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas on 14 June 2013 the UN Secretary General has proposed, in its report to the UN Security Council, the adoption of an integrated strategy for the Sahel built around three strategic goals: enhancing inclusive and effective governance throughout the region, building national and regional security mechanisms capable of addressing cross- border threats and integrating humanitarian and development plans and interventions in order to build long-term resilience;
Amendment 67 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a ceasefire in Western Sahara between the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front has been in place since 1991; whereas the UN considers Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory; whereas no country recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; whereas the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognised by the AU and over 45 UN states, but not by the UN collectively or by any EU Member State; whereas the UN and EU do not explicitly consider Morocco to be an occupying power; whereas a referendum on the status of Western Sahara, first agreed on principle in 1988, has still not taken place; whereas the Kingdom of Morocco proposed a draft autonomous status for the Southern Provinces in 2007;
Amendment 74 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria, having first been established thirty-seven years ago, remain the second longest-operating in the world; whereas a political stalemate precludes any realistic, in spite of the discussions between the various parties there is still no prospect of their dissolution, or the resettlement or repatriation of their inhabitants, in the near future;
Amendment 83 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is the only UN mission not to include a human rights dimension in its mandate, and offers no mechanism for alleged human rights violations to be reported; whereas the UN Security Council rejected the proposal to include human rights in MINURSO’s mandate its Resolution 2099 (2013) of 25 April 2013; whereas both the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front have been accused of human rights violations;
Amendment 110 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that women have borne the brunt of the violence against civilians in Mali; specifically condemns as a war crime the use of abduction and rape as weapons of war; expects the EU and other international partners of Mali to cooperate closely with the Malian authorities to implement the commitments inherent in the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 and in the EU Comprehensive Approach; draws attention on the importance of establishing transitional justice mechanisms to end impunity for perpetrators of gender-based violence;
Amendment 114 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Abhors the grave violations against children in Mali, including the reported use of child soldiers by all of the armed groups active in the north; applauds the action of UNICEF, which is assisting in the social reintegration of demobilised Malian child soldiers; emphasises the importance of allocating sufficient recourses to the tasks of demobilisation and rehabilitation of child soldiers; condemns in the strongest terms the sexual violence against girls, forced marriages, abductions and attacks on schools and hospitals that have occurred during the Mali conflict; draws attention to the capture and detention of children for intelligence purposes as a worrying emerging trend that needs to be addressed as a matter of the utmost urgency;
Amendment 117 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on all the Sahel countries to embark on a policy of prevention and protection aimed at ensuring that children will not be recruited by force by armed groups; calls on the Sahel countries to refrain from recruiting children to their regular armies and to condemn any person guilty of this war crime;
Amendment 123 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the substantial African contingent within the MINUSMA mission, and in particular the AU's decision to send human rights observers embedded within it; welcomes their deployment in Gao and Timbuktu and hopes that it will soon be possible to also deploy observers in Kidal, as it is important to investigate the allegations of human rights abuses in the North by all sides of the Mali conflict; welcomes furthermore the European Commission's endeavour to train additional local observers within the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights; urges the EU to learn lessons from this experience and to explore appropriate ways to have available pools of trained experts, who could be quickly deployed on the ground in urgent situations to give professional advice to EU policy-makers if necessary;
Amendment 133 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers the need to fight impunity and hold all perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable, irrespective of affiliation and status, as key to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Mali; welcomes therefore the Malian Government's referral of the situation to the ICC and the ICC Prosecutor's opening of formal investigations; calls on the EU and other international partners of Mali to help the government to pursue its objective of investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of abuses; callswelcomes the establishment onf the Malian Government to consider establishing a Truth and ReconciNational Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission on 6 March 2013; welcomes the nomination of a woman and a Tuareg as vice-presidents of this Commission as a sign of a commitment to inclusiveness and plurality in the poliation Commission, alcal process; notes that the Commission is tasked with documenting human rights violationgs the South African linat have occurred since the beginning of the conflict and hopes, tohat its activities will encourage dialogue and foster trust between all Malian communities;
Amendment 146 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Further condemns the region’s increased incidences of kidnapping and hostage-taking, which have proved highly lucrative for criminal and terrorist groups, and welcomes the work of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Group on the impact of terrorist hostage-taking on human rights; draws attention to the impact of these activities on the wider region, as well as on the EU, which is being targeted by this hostage-taking; notes that the hostage-taking is intended to offer a show of force in relation to European countries;
Amendment 149 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Points out that terrorist operations know no borders and organisations are joining forces to pursue them; notes that the Boko Haram group is established in much of Nigeria and threatening the stability of Niger and that AQMI, led by three Algerians (Abou Zeid, Yahya Abou Al-Hammam, and Mokhtar Belmokhtar), is attempting to destabilise southern Algeria; welcomes the EUBAM Libya mission, aimed at securing Libyan borders; calls on the Sahel countries, therefore, to coordinate their efforts to make the entire region secure, starting with the borders, and to intensify counterterrorism cooperation with all the countries concerned, including Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, and Libya; calls on the EU, the AU, ECOWAS, and the international community to provide the Sahel countries with every necessary form of technical, material, and human support;
Amendment 161 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Urges the governments of the Sahel countries to respect the independence and the impartiality of the courts, since these are essential guarantees of democracy and the rule of law; calls on the Sahel countries to continue their efforts to improve judicial training; and calls on the EU to support NGO projects aimed at raising human rights awareness among judicial practitioners;
Amendment 162 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Calls on the Sahel countries to cooperate with the ICC so as to enable it to conduct investigations freely and with complete impartiality; calls on states parties to execute international arrest warrants issued by the ICC and enforce its decisions with all due dispatch; proposes that the UN should help the Sahel countries to set up impartial and independent judicial bodies to try international crimes, following the example of the Special Court for Sierra Leone;
Amendment 170 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Supports the UN Security Council resolution commitment to assist the transitional authorities of Mali to implement the road map towards the full restoration of constitutional order, democratic governance and national unity; considers it essential to create conditions conducive to the holding of cfrediblee, fair and democratic elections, in keeping with international standards; stresses the need to overcome challenges related to the voting arrangements in the IDP and refugee camps, to avoid further political marginalisation; calls for immediate action on this issue by the Malian Government and its international partners; welcomes the agreement signed on 18 June 2013 in Ouagadougou between the government and the Tuareg rebels that paves the way for the return of the Malian army and administration in the North and removes a major obstacle for the holding of the Presidential elections in July; emphasises the need to ensure the safe participation of women in the electoral process; welcomes the intention of the EU to send an electoral observation mission to Mali;
Amendment 218 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the Sahel States to promote access to education for all children, both boys and girls, and for nomad peoples, with no discrimination on the grounds of race, caste or ethnicity; calls on the States to promote policies on vocational training and access to higher education and employment, in order to offer young people in the Sahel a future and thus keep them out of the clutches of terrorist groups; emphasises that conditions for children in schools must meet minimum criteria as regards health, safety and dignity and that steps must be taken to ensure that children are not mistreated or forced to engage in begging by their tutors;
Amendment 220 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes the discrimination faced by women and girls in much of the region, the manifestations of which include forced marriage, child marriage, sexual exploitation, under-education and, particularly in Chad, widespread female genital mutilation, including infibulation; calls on the EU to assist local women's groups and civil society to tackle oppression, and enable women to lead lives that they have freely chosen; underlines that more efforts are necessary in order to guarantee that reforms related to governance and rule of law respond to the specific needs of women;
Amendment 239 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Welcomes the strong human rights dimension in the proposed UN comprehensive integrated strategy, and calls on the EU to continue its support; stresses, neverthelesscalls on the EU institutions to explore ways of achieving synergies between the Union's actions regarding the Sahel and the UN framework for the region; stresses, at the same time, the crucial importance of increased EU engagement with African regional actors such as the AU, ECOWAS, the Arab Maghreb Union, and the African regional human rights mechanisms, to generate sustained progress in the human rights and democracy initiatives in the Sahel;
Amendment 241 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Urges Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco to play a leadership role in the Sahel region and in so doing create a genuine regional dynamic which will boost the economic development of the region and safeguard human rights;
Amendment 250 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 265 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Expresses deep concern at the recent report from the UNSR on torture, who found evidenceobtained credible testimony stating that Moroccan officials have detained individuals on political grounds, inflicted torture and rape on Sahrawi inmates, kidnapped and abandoned protesters in the desert to intimidate them, and deliberately and frequently targeted pro-independence advocates, including in their homethat these types of treatment, which are contrary to international law, are being suffered by both Moroccan citizens and Sahrawis; notes further widespread allegations of forced disappearances and unfair trials; draws particular attention to the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik protest camp in November 2010, where significant violence claimed Moroccan and Sahrawi lives, and the subsequent trial of 25 Sahrawis, many of them known human rights activists, in February 2013; notes Morocco's insistence regarding the trial's fairness and due process, and the positive conclusions of some international observers, but also recalls the UNSR's concern at the use of a military court, the allegations of torture, and the Moroccan authorities’ failure to investigate them; notes the conclusions by some NGOs and human rights observers relating to the case's alleged politicised prosecutions, deficient evidence and excessive sentences; calls thereforenotes that the King of Morocco has endorsed the proposal made by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council urging that civilians should not be tried by military tribunals; calls on the Moroccan authorities to work with civil society and other actors to guarantee the transparency and fairness of its judicial processes, and to investigate and prosecute security officials alleged to have been involved in arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuses of power;
Amendment 284 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 311 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Expresses concern that the poverty in Tindouf, coupled with an absence of long- term prospects for many refugees, leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation along religious fundamentalist lines; points to the danger of young people being recruited by criminal or terrorist organisations and draws attention to the region's porous borders, which risk facilitating deeper infiltration of the camps by jihadi groups from northern Mali and elsewhere; stresses, therefore, the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of the camps;
Amendment 324 #
2013/2020(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes efforts to improve the documentation of alleged human rights abuses in Western Sahara, in particular through the institution of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), with offices in Laayoune and Dakhla; notes the positive work of the CNDH, and calls on the Moroccan Government to help strengthen its independence and remit, and to ensure the implementation of its recommendations; welcomes the adoption in 2012 of five recommendations on the human rights situation in Western Sahara; furthermore welcomes Moroccan invitations to, and acceptances of, ad-hoc international delegations, including the UNSR on torture, and urges all relevant parties to continue such engagement with UN human rights bodies;
Amendment 37 #
2013/0152(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) The EIB should take appropriate measures ensuring that, when financing operations subject to the EU guarantee, the financial interests of the European Union are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption, money laundering and any other illegal activities and that OLAF is entitled to conduct on- the-spot checks and Inspections in the premises of the beneficiaries. The disbursement of loans should be suspended until OLAF investigations findings become available and, where illegal activities are proven, the EIB should assist recovery efforts for misused funds.
Amendment 39 #
2013/0152(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. EIB financing operations carried out under this Decision shall contribute to the general principles guiding Union external action, as referred to in Article 21 TEU and shall contribute to the implementation of international environmental agreements to which the Union is a party. The EIB governing bodies are encouraged to take the necessary measures to adapt the bank's business model, including its resources, local presence and link with beneficiaries, to ensure effectiveness in supporting the EU external policies and to adequately meet the requirements set out in this Decision.
Amendment 46 #
2013/0152(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The EIB shall inform OLAF immediately when, at any stage of the preparation, implementation or closure of projects subject to the EU guarantee, it detects a potential case of fraud, corruption, money laundering or other illegal activity that may affect the financial interests of the EU.
Amendment 47 #
2013/0152(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. OLAF may carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999, Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 and Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 in order to protect the financial interests of the European Union, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption, money laundering or any other illegal activity affecting the financial Interests of the Union in connection with any financing operations. The disbursement of loans should be suspended pending the results of the OLAF investigation. In the event that such an illegal act is proven, the EIB should assist asset recovery efforts.
Amendment 411 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29a (new)
Paragraph 29a (new)
29a. Considers that Turkey is an important partner in the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to the EU; encourages Turkey to further support and actively contribute to the implementation of EU policies and programmes in this region;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A
Paragraph A
A. whereas certain petitions have been deposited requesting that the establishment of the European Parliament in more than one place be discontinuedEuropean Parliament should no longer have three places of work;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C
Paragraph C
Amendment 47 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C a (new)
Paragraph C a (new)
Ca. whereas two judgments given by the Court of Justice of the European Union in 1997 and 2012 recalled that the TFEU locates the seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg and whereas the conditions for the application of Protocol No 6 have been clarified;
Amendment 52 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C b (new)
Paragraph C b (new)
Cb. whereas all the countries which have joined the European Union have ratified Protocol No 6;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C c (new)
Paragraph C c (new)
Cc. whereas Strasbourg has been the meeting place of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since 1949 and then, from 1952, played host to the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community;
Amendment 57 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C d (new)
Paragraph C d (new)
Cd. whereas the seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg was confirmed by the Edinburgh European Council in 1992 and the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 and then incorporated in the Lisbon Treaty in 2009;
Amendment 58 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C e (new)
Paragraph C e (new)
Ce. whereas the distribution of the seats of the European Institutions is based on the principle of polycentrism;
Amendment 59 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C f (new)
Paragraph C f (new)
Cf. whereas, if a debate is initiated concerning the seat of the European Parliament, it will inevitably lead to discussion of the distribution of the seats of the European Institutions, which is laid down in the Treaty;
Amendment 67 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the decision by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs to draw up a report on the location of the seats of the European Union’s institutions;
Amendment 87 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Agrees with the principle that the European Parliament would be more effective, cost-efficient and respectful of the environment if it were located in a single place; and notes that the continuation of the monthly migration between Brussels and Strasbourg has become a symbolic negative issue amongst most EU citizens which is detrimental to Parliament’s reputationNotes that the continuation of the monthly migration between Brussels and Strasbourg remains a positive symbol of European polycentrism;
Amendment 109 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Respects the historic reasons for the location of its plenary sessions in Strasbourg and calls therefore for amending the Treaty requirements that necessitateregarding the two-seat system; nevertheless insists that such an arrangement cannot continue in perpetuity and that Parliament itself must be able to state a preference for its futuretakes the view that Strasbourg should continue to be the official seat of the European Parliament;
Amendment 121 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Respects the historic reasons for the location of its plenary sessions in Strasbourg and the Treaty requirements that necessitate the two-seat system; nevertheless insists that such an arrangement cannot continue in perpetuity and that Parliament itself must be able to state a preference for its futuresystem of a single seat and three places of work;
Amendment 135 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Emphasises that European integration necessarily entails mobility and that this applies to all national and European political representatives and officials, and that mobility is an intrinsic aspect of the work of MEPs, as representatives of the European Union;
Amendment 139 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Considers that decentralisation of the legislative authority away from Brussels strengthens its independence;
Amendment 141 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Considers that choice of the EU institutions’ seats has always been guided by a desire to bring the Union as close to ordinary people as possible and not to concentrate it in one place;
Amendment 147 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for Parliament to express its view as to whether the current arrangement should continue; and if an appropriate majority vote is recorded, recommends that Parliament propose Treaty changes under Article 48Recommends that Parliament proposes Treaty changes under Article 48 with a view of ending the current arrangements, bearing in mind that Strasbourg is the sole official seat of Parliament.
Amendment 153 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for Parliament to express its view as to whether the current arrangement should continue; and if an appropriate majority vote is Emphasises that the Committee’s report was prepared under the ordinary own- initiative procedure and there is thus no obligation to implement the proposals, and further that the matter of the EU institutions’ seats is governed directly by the Treaties and is therecforded, recommends that Parliament propose Treaty changes under Article 48.e subject to the political will of the Member States acting unanimously;
Amendment 157 #
2012/2308(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that the own-initiative report cannot be used as means of circumventing the EU Treaties, which provide that the seat of the European Parliament shall be in Strasbourg and that 12 part-sessions per year shall be held there.
Amendment 20 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas, two years from the 2015 target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there has been significant progress; whereas the major strength of the MDG framework resides in its focus on a limited set of concrete and time- bound development targets;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas global challenges remain – hunger, lack of proper and safe sanitation, insufficient levels of primary education, and gender inequality - prompting the need to find new development pathways that could lead to inclusive and sustainable development for all;
Amendment 72 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to adopt a common and effective position on the principles and goals that should be part of the new post- 2015 development framework; points out, at the same time, that this framework must comprise clear benchmarks and must be universal and global in nature, promoting prosperity and well-being for all and signifying the direct and active involvement of developing countries in its construction;
Amendment 75 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Points out that the global partnership for development should be reoriented to take into account the changed context and be closely linked to the new dimensions of the post-2015 agenda; underlines that a reshaped and reinvigorated global partnership for development will be essential for implementing the post-2015 agenda and for ensuring effective accountability mechanisms at all levels;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls, in this connection, for the prioritisation of capacity building in conflict-affected and fragile states; takes the view that effective international partnerships, building on the model of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States launched during the Fourth High- Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, are necessary for the stabilization and development of these states;
Amendment 165 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Emphasises that the final result should be ‘one development agenda’, avoiding duplication of efforts and resources; underlines that, given the fact that environmental and development questions tend to be dealt with separately at global level, the EU should seek new ways to overcome this split and build bridges between these closely interlinked areas, inter alia from an institutional point of view;
Amendment 276 #
2012/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 39 – point f a (new)
f a. clear accountability mechanisms are needed in order to make sure countries fulfil their commitments and tackle effectively the poverty and sustainability challenges that the post-2015 framework will address;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the transatlantic partnership is based on strong political links, shared values and common interests and goalsuch as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and on common goals, such as prosperity, open and integrated economies, social progress and inclusiveness, sustainable development and the peaceful resolution of conflicts;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the broader transatlantic partnership needs to tackle issues such as development, security, energy and immigration, as well as favouring gradual economic and political convergence;
Amendment 84 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reiterates its view that the EU must continue to raise with the US, both at political and technical level, the issue of the importance it attaches to the admission of the four remaining EU Member States to the visa-waiver programme as soon as possible;
Amendment 111 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the EU and US to work jointly towards the strengthening of regional and sub-regional organizations in the Atlantic Basin, given the important role these organizations play in promoting economic and political integration;
Amendment 136 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. WCalls on the EU and US to continue strengthening their development dialogue and cooperation in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of their development assistance; welcomes the fact that the partners have set up a reflection group to work on a post-2015 agenda concerning the Millennium Development Goals; urges the partners to closely coordinate with the countries in the Atlantic rim in relation to those goals, given their special importance for the latter group;
Amendment 152 #
2012/2287(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Stresses that cultural exchanges through educational programs are fundamental to building common values and therefore building bridges between partners of the Atlantic basin;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2263(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that one of the objectives of the EU Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors was for the EU and its Members States to address the root causes of migration and integrate the issue of unaccompanied minors into development cooperation thus contributing to the creation of safe environments for children to grow up in their countries of origin ; underlines the need to develop further the preventive dimension of EU policies concerning unaccompanied minors by focusing more on the relation with poverty eradication, health and labour policies, human rights and democratization, as well as post-conflict reconstruction;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2263(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the vital importance of the principle of ‘the best interests of the child’need to consider children as particularly vulnerable and emphasizes that the principle of ‘the best interests of the child’ must take precedence over all other considerations when dealing with unaccompanied minors;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2263(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points to the obvious protection gap at EU level as regards the reception of and provision of assistance to unaccompanied minors; considers that, in view of this, the EU should introduce a common and binding regulatory framework, based on a uniform definition of unaccompanied minors, and with clear rules to address the challenge in its entirety, in order to correct the current shortcomings and the disparities existing between Member States;
Amendment 45 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas more than a decade after the emergence of the "Responsibility to Protect"(R2P), and eight years after its endorsement by the international community at the UN world summit of 2005, recent events have brought again to the fore the importance and challenges of timely and decisive responses to the four core crimes covered by this concept, as well as the necessity to further operationalize this principle in order to implement it effectively and prevent mass atrocities;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the most effective form of prevention lies in the promotion of good governance, the rule of law, economic development, poverty reduction, inclusiveness, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and democratic values and practices;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the 2011 military intervention in Libya has shown the need to clarify the role of regional and sub- regional organizations when applying the R2P; whereas these organizations can be both legitimizers and operational agents for the implementation of the R2P but they often lack capacities and resources;
Amendment 70 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas when R2P is to be used and whereas clear guidelines for the implementation of the third pillar, including how a protection mandate should look like, are crucial elements to be spelled out in order to promote coherent and effective collective action against mass atrocities;
Amendment 81 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas comprehensive assistance has to be offered for post-conflict situations; whereas more efforts are needed in order to ensure accountability for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and the fight against impunity;
Amendment 84 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to agree to the establishment of an inter-institutional working group charged with preparing the basis forreconfirm the EU's commitment to R2P by adopting an inter- institutional ‘'Consensus on R2P’ to be adopted' jointly by the Council, the EEAS, the Commission and the European Parliament;
Amendment 89 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to cooperate with the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee in the organisation of a series of meetings with concerned interest groups and civil society actors with the goal of integrating the proposals for initiatives and improvements into the ‘Consensus on R2P’ document;
Amendment 91 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to institutionalise the practice of producing an annual reportclude a chapter onf the EU's successes and failures in conflict prevention and mitigation in applying the principle of R2P, to be prepared jointly by the EEAS and the Commission in the Annual Report from the High Representative to the European Parliament on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, to be prepared in cooperation with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights;
Amendment 113 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) to strengthen cooperation with regional and sub-regional organisations, including by improving their prevention, capacity-building and response measures in relation to R2P;
Amendment 123 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) to engage with the EU's regional partners in order to spell out more clearly the role of regional and sub-regional organizations when applying the R2P;
Amendment 136 #
2012/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) to work with the UN towards the establishment of a clear link between the implementation of the R2P and fight against impunity for the most serious crimes covered by this concept;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to the China-EU Round Tables,
Amendment 7 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
Amendment 9 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20
Citation 20
– having regard to its recent resolutions on China, in particularcluding its resolution of 23 May 2012 entitled ‘EU and China: unbalanced trade?’3 , of 2 February 2012 on EU foreign policy towards the BRIC7 September 2006 on EU-China relations and other emerging powers: objectives and strategies4 , and of 11 May 2011 on the annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the main aspects and basic choices of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in 2009, presented to the European Parliament in application of Part II, Section G, paragraph 43 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 20065 multiple resolutions on trade relations, security aspects and the promotion and protection of human rights,
Amendment 11 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21
Citation 21
Amendment 13 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22
Citation 22
Amendment 14 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24
Citation 24
Amendment 15 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
Citation 25
Amendment 30 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas China is undergoing a process of socio-economic transition from an extensive model of economic growth to a model aiming at regional and social equity and – above all – at maintaining stabilitystate-controlled economy to a model based on more economic freedoms, which, in turn, has allowed a large part of the Chinese population to raise their standard life;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas, however, there has been no similar progress in the field of political liberties,
Amendment 41 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 48 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
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, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent;
Amendment 59 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas China is a country that is passionate about the internet, with more than 500 million users, the country’s internet environment remaining, however, very restrictive;
Amendment 77 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 148 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. WelcomesTakes note of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), approved by the National People's Congress in March 2012, which strongly intendsmeant to tackle the negative side effects of an unparalleled period of sustained high economic growth, such as acute environmental threats, regional imbalances, rising income inequality, ands well as continuing collective protests centred on social, economic and legal grievances; asserts that European capabilities and experiences can be of great value in sustaining and fostering innovation in China's economy;
Amendment 157 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the popular legitimacy of the CCPat the CCP enjoys a wider popular acceptance, although never verified by democratic elections, especially in view of its successful economic policy, but shares the criticism of independent Chinese scholars and observers that this legitimacyacceptance 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;
Amendment 169 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Looks forward to the speedy implementation of the repeated calls for democratisation and political reforms inside the CCP by means of an open- minded new party leadership; believes that only effective political reforms will curb the semi-independence of high-handed provincial, district and local party bosses, who badly damage the reputation of China's national leadership both internally and externally with their abuses of power, with particular reference to the very costly and endemic cases of corruptionas well as help to tackle the endemic corruption through the introduction of accountability mechanisms;
Amendment 180 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
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, particularly in the light of the demographic trends in China;
Amendment 198 #
Amendment 206 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Admires the courage and the social responsibility of numerous Chinese citizens for defending precious social rights in their country, but and 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; also expects a responsible Chinese leadership to comply strictly with individual human rightsrespect and promote human rights and democracy;
Amendment 221 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
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; encourages the Government to allow the expression of a plurality of opinions on the internet, in the media and, more generally, in the public sphere;
Amendment 318 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
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; welcomes China's expressed support for the Extractive Industries' Transparency Initiative (EITI) and encourages the Chinese authorities to follow the global trend towards more transparency and increase their concrete commitments in this area; 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;
Amendment 325 #
2012/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
(c) Notes that people-to-people contacts can play a crucial role towards a better mutual understanding between China and the EU, but also some of its other partners like the USA, welcomes in this regard the programmes meant to facilitate mobility between China and the EU;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that the economic and financial crisis is a threat to human rights as a whole, including civil and political rights, and has had detrimental effects on access to food, health care and education for the most vulnerable groups in society, in both urban and rural areas; recalls that governments have a duty toshould ensure respect for economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights and to provide protection against abuses by, for example, corporate and other private actorpoints to the EU’s responsibility to propose partnership arrangements and ways and means of creating growth and employment, including minimum social standards;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines that, while the people in developed countries are feeling the impacts of the economical and financial crisis, people in the developing world are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with few safety nets to protect them; cals for higher involvement from the EU to help mitigate these effects in the developing countries;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the global crisis has clearly demonstrated that – in a context where deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation have entrenched global poverty and exacerbated inequalities between and within countries – a rethink is urgently needed of the role of the state in economic policy; believUnderscores that the fulfilment of social and economic rights depends on, inter alia, the capacity of the state to regulate the financial market and to allocate resources in an equitable manner through, for example, an effective, transparent, and progressive taxation system;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the financial and economic crisis is also having a disproportionate effect on the rights of specific groups of people, particularly the poorest and marginalized;
Amendment 23 #
2012/2136(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Underscores that, while the impact of the crisis on civil and political rights has yet to be fully evaluated, it is clear that the crisis has magnified social unrest, leading sometimes to violent repression, and has multiplied the failures to respect basic rights such as, for instance, freedom of expression and the right to information;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the fact that, although there is no general definition of the term ‘biopiracy’, it usually refers to the industrial practice of privatising and patenting products based on the traditional knowledgeand stresses that further work must be carried out in order to clarify and consolidate the legal terminology in the area of intellectual property rights orn genetic resources of indigenous peoples, without authorisation or providing compensation to source countri, in particular with a view to a definition of the term 'biopiracy', based on authoritative figures;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that fighting biopiracy entails the implementation and upgrading of the existing arrangements for both bilateral and multilateral access and benefit sharing in the areas of agriculture and health, such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) or the WHO's Intergovernmental Meeting on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2135(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Points out the proposal made by developing countries for a binding regulation requiringConsiders that patent applicants toshould: (a) disclose the source and origin of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge (ATK) used in inventions; (b) provide evidence of prior informed consent (PIC) from competent authorities in the provider country and; (c) provide evidence of fair end equitable benefit sharing, to be certified in an international certificate of origin;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2131(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Encourages the EU to take the lead at the global level on the portability of social rights, and to promote discussions, particularly in the framework of the ILO, on social protection and social security coordination with other regions in the world;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2131(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that particularly in post- conflict situations, circular migration can be a useful tool to facilitate the support of the diaspora for the reconstruction of the country of origin and helps forge a permanent link between it and the country of destination;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2131(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Notes that successful cooperation of this kind requires a long-term commitment that the EU is uniquely placed to make through its financial instruments, for example by supporting return and integration programmes with a circular migration feature;
Amendment 34 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Requests that where the EU or Member States are partners of business (e.g. in public procurement, state-owned enterprises, joint ventures, ‘blending’, export credit guarantees, large scale projects in third countries), consistency with the UN Guiding Principles should be a priority, reflected in specific contractual clauses, and with consequences for companies blatantly violating human rights; recommends that the envisaged ‘'EU Platform for External Cooperation and Development’' establish such modalities meant to improve the quality and efficiency of EU external cooperation blending mechanisms and financial instruments and the cooperation and coordination between the EU, Financial Institutions and other stakeholders in this field;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Acknowledges that grievances against EU companies operating abroad are often more usefully solved in situ; commends the OECD National Contact Points as state- based non-legal mechanisms that can mediate over a broad range of business and human rights disputes; calls, however, for a greater effort by companies in developing grievance mechanisms aligned with the effectiveness criteria stated in the Guiding Principles and to seek further authoritative guidance provided by internationally recognised principles and guidelines, in particular the recently updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility, the ILO Tri-partite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy;
Amendment 34 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Requests that where the EU or Member States are partners of business (e.g. in public procurement, state-owned enterprises, joint ventures, ‘blending’, export credit guarantees, large scale projects in third countries), consistency with the UN Guiding Principles should be a priority, reflected in specific contractual clauses, and with consequences for companies blatantly violating human rights; recommends that the envisaged ‘'EU Platform for External Cooperation and Development’' establish such modalities meant to improve the quality and efficiency of EU external cooperation blending mechanisms and financial instruments and the cooperation and coordination between the EU, Financial Institutions and other stakeholders in this field;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Acknowledges that grievances against EU companies operating abroad are often more usefully solved in situ; commends the OECD National Contact Points as state- based non-legal mechanisms that can mediate over a broad range of business and human rights disputes; calls, however, for a greater effort by companies in developing grievance mechanisms aligned with the effectiveness criteria stated in the Guiding Principles and to seek further authoritative guidance provided by internationally recognised principles and guidelines, in particular the recently updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility, the ILO Tri-partite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) the EUSR for HR should work closely together with and under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the President of the European Parliament to ensure coherence and mainstreaming of human rights across all policy areas in the work of all EU institutions; the EUSR should interact closely with the EEAS HR and Democracy Directorate and all the multilateral EU Delegations (New York, Geneva, Vienna, Strasbourg) in order to facilitate contacts on human rights issues with all EU services, EU delegations in third countries and with international organisations; the EEAS HR and Democracy Directorate should provide all necessary services and facilitate the implementation of the EUSR mandate;
Amendment 116 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Reiterates its support for improving the accession process of the Western Balkans by making it more benchmark-driven, transparent and mutually accountable; calls on the EU to continue to prioritise in its enlargement policy conditions such as constructive political dialogue, consolidation of the rule of law, including ensuring the freedom of expression, the effective fight against corruption and organised crime, enhancing the effectiveness and independence of the judiciary, improving administrative capacities and track records in enforcing acquis-related legislation, tackling inter- ethnic and inter-religious tensions, and addressing of the situation of refugees and displaced persons as well as resolution of open bilateral issues, while considering the specificities of each candidate country;
Amendment 195 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37 a. Welcomes the negotiations to reach an Association Agreement with the Republic of Moldova, as well as the opening of the visa dialogue with Moldova and hopes that, provided that the Moldovan authorities will maintain their efforts to approximate the EU acquis, the relations with this country will continue to evolve at an ever stronger pace and that Moldova will serve as a model for the implementation of the more for more principle;
Amendment 347 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)
Paragraph 64 a (new)
64 a. Emphasizes the fact that the accession of the EU to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) is a historic opportunity to affirm human rights as a both a core value of the EU and a common ground for its relations with third countries and hopes that it will proceed without unnecessary delay;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the remarks by the President of the European Council following his meeting with the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) on 16 April 2012,
Amendment 14 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU needs to strengthen its cohesion in order to remain a key player in an increasingly multipolar world in need of global concerted action; whereas EU Member States are obliged by the treaties to coordinate their action in international organisations and at international conferences;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to coordinate to the fullest extent possible and to put across unified positions 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;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) to reach a common interpretation without delay of the UNGA resolution on the participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) to present a report to the European Parliament on the implementation of the UNGA resolution on the participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to develop a long-term strategy targeting UN membership in order to better explain the specific nature of the EU; to pursue a stronger public diplomacy on UN affairs and to communicate the EU's global role to the European public in a more effective fashionand to pursue a stronger public diplomacy on UN affairs;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to work with EU Member States and the EU Delegation to the UN towards improving the coordination 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; to reinforce the EU's impact on UNSC decisions and to raise the profile of the EU at the UN on crucial UNSC matters;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) to ensure strong EU representation throughout all UN institutions and specialized agencies;
Amendment 45 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i
Paragraph 1 – point i
(i) to help revitalise the UNGA and to increase its efficiency, inter alia by supporting the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group, by facilitating more in- depth and result-oriented thematic debates on topical, important issues, and through closer engagement of the UNGA with other stakeholders, including civil society and other international and regional organisations; to stress the need for further streamlining the agendas of the UNGA and its main committees; to underline that revitalization can only be ensured when the UNGA takes relevant and appropriate action on issues of common concern to the international community;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to promote the collaboration of different actors in the peace-building architecture, notably between the UN Secretariat, the UNSC, the UNGA, and the UN member states involved in peace-building missions; to pursue efforts to ensure that EU Member States contribute to UN peace missions with special capacities, such as transport and logistics, and training; to consider the option of launching a military operation under CSDP including the possible deployment of a battlegroup to precede a UN peace mission if requested by the UN, while paying special attention to the protection of all the members of peace keeping missions, as well as eventual battlegroups; to support the development of conflict management capacity at national and subnational levels;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) to acknowledge the importance of the political and institutional progress in the implementation of the R2P concept and to assist states in fulfilling their responsibilities towards protecting their populations, within the UN system;
Amendment 78 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point t
Paragraph 1 – point t
(t) to provide adequate resources for mediation in a timely manner and to further develop mediation capacities both at EEAS headquarters and in EU delegationsioritize and develop the implementation of this tool and to further develop mediation capacities within the EEAS, based on the Concept of Strengthening EU Mediation and Dialogue Capacities;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point u
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; 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;
Amendment 85 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point v
Paragraph 1 – point v
(v) to strengthen international efforts aimed at ensuring that all human rights are considered universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated; to help strengthen national capacities to deliverpromote national implementation onf international human rights obligations;
Amendment 97 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point aa
Paragraph 1 – point aa
(aa) to help ensure local ownership of the democratic process and the development of a culture of democracy and the rule of law; to expand democracy support beyond the election process in order to sustain it in the long term and be able to deliver tangible results to citizens; to ensure the inclusion to a greater extent of parliaments and political parties in programmes supporting democracy, to emphasize the importance of the independence of NGOs that can function freely for the development of a strong civic culture;
Amendment 104 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ac
Paragraph 1 – point ac
(ac) to better integrate democracy support into European external action; to enable EU delegations to support democratic governance by financial means and human resourcesthrough its different financial instruments and using the resources of the EU delegations whenever possible; to work with partners globally and locally to enhance the rule of law, foster independent media and build and strengthen democratic institutions that can deliver;
Amendment 109 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad
Paragraph 1 – point ad
(ad) to contribute to enhancing policy coherence infor development and to improving the effectiveness of development aid, since these remain key issues for achieving the MDGs;
Amendment 114 #
2012/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ad a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ad a (new)
(ad a) to work towards the definition of the ambitious post-2015 MDGs Agenda taking into account the progress made but also remaining challenges as many poverty-reduction targets will not have been met;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union is founded on commitment to the rule of law and human rights, not only in its internal policies, but also in its externally dimension;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to the Treaty on European Union, in particular Articles 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 21 thereofEU Treaties,
Amendment 8 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas EU-US relations are based on a strong partnership and cooperation in many fields, on the basis of common shared values of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; whereas the EU and the United States have strengthened their engagement in the fight against terrorism since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, notably with the Joint Declaration on Counter Terrorism of 3 June 2010, but whereas it has became apparent that there is a divergence between declared commitments and practices, and between EU and US policies in the fight against terrorism;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 a (new)
Citation 31 a (new)
- having regard to the conclusions of the national inquiries already conducted in some Member States,
Amendment 21 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the European Parliament has repeatedly and strongly condemned the alleged illegal practices that came to be known collectively as ‘extraordinary rendition’, including kidnapping, abduction, detention without trial (such as in Guantanamo), disappearance, secret prisons and torture, and has demanded full investigations into the apparent active or passive involvement of some Member States in collaboration with United States authorities, notably the CIA, and involving EU territory;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Parliament has condemned the US-led CIA rendition and secret detention programme involving multippossible human rights violations, including unlawful and arbitrary detention, torture and other ill- treatment, violations of the non- refoulement principle, and enforced disappearance; whereas its Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (hereinafter the ‘Temporary Committee’) has documented the use of European airspace and territory by the CIAallegedly CIA planes, and Parliament has since repeated its demand for full investigations into the collaboration of national governments and agencies with the CIA programme;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital F
Recital F
Amendment 24 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the purpose of this resolution is to ‘follow up politically the proceedings of the Temporary Committee and to monitor the developments, and in particular, in the event that no appropriate action has been taken by the Council and/or the Commission, to determine whether there is a clear risk, at the moment, of a serious breach of the principles and values on which the European Union is based, and to recommend to it any resolution, taking as a basis Articles 6 and 7 of the Treaty on European Union, which may prove necessary in this context’1; 1 Paragraph 232 of Parliament’s resolution of 14.2.2007, P6_TA(2007)0032.; Or. en
Amendment 25 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that counter-terrorism strategies can only be fully effective if they are conducted in compliance with human rights obligations and implemented through a due process;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas a proper accountability process is essentialmay be important to the public opinion and media in order to preservenforce citizens‘ trust in the democratic institutions of the EU, effectively protect and promote human rights in the EU's internal and external policies, and ensure legitimate and effective security policies based on the rule of law; 1Or. en Paragraph 232 of Parliament’s resolution of 14.2.2007, P6_TA(2007)0032.
Amendment 29 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Council admitted on 15 September 2006 that ‘the existence of secret detention facilities where detained persons are kept in a legal vacuum is not in conformity with international humanitarian law and international criminal law’, but given the lack of solid judicial evidence has so far failed to recognise and condemn the involvement of Member States in the CIA programme, even though the use of European airspace and territory by the CIA has been acknowledged by political and judicial authorities of some Member States;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regards it as essential that the EU ensures accountability ifor any abusive practices had been conducted in the fight against terrorism, not only so that the EU can live up to its values but also so that it can establish an international lead in this matter;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas research by the UN, the Council of Europe and civil society has brought to light new concrete information on the possible location of secret CIA detention sites in Europe, rendition flights through European airspace, and persons transported or detained, although no solid judicial evidence has been produced;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates its call, required by international law and notably Article 12 of the CAT, for all states faced with credible allegations to end impunity andmake every effort in order to bring the necessary clarifications and, if justified by the evidence, to conduct thorough investigations and inquiries into all alleged acts of extraordinary rendition, secret prisons, torture and other serious human rights violations, so as to eliminate all doubts or to determine responsibility and ensure accountability, including bringing individuals to justice where there is evidence of criminal liability;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges NATO andCalls on the United States and NATO authorities to conduct their own investigations, collaborate fully with EU and Member State parliamentary or judicial inquiries on these issues1, disclose information on extraordinary rendition programmes, and clarifyreconfirm that all NATO agreements and NATO-EU and other transatlantic arrangements comply with fundamental rights; ______________ 1 See inter alia European Parliament resolution of 9 June 2011 on Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (P7_TA(2011)0271).
Amendment 42 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the 2011 Council of Europe report states that the data obtained from the Polish agencies in 2009 and 2010 ‘provide definite proof’ that seven CIA-associated aircraft landed in Poland; whereas a possible ‘black site’ was identifipointed to have been located in Romania by journalists on the basis of information provided by former CIA employees in the Romanian national registry office for classified information (*)1 , although not confirmed by authorities or by the inquiry already conducted by the Romanian Parliament; whereas former Libyan dissidents have started legal proceedings against the UK for the direct involvement of MI6 in their own and their family members‘ rendition, secret detention and torture;
Amendment 47 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas research and court findings on the logistics involved in covering up these alleged illegal operations, including dummy flight plans and the use of private aviation companies to conduct CIA renditions, have further revealed the systematic nature and the extent of the European involvement in the CIA programme;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the relevant authorities to end the habit of routinelynot invokinge state secrecy in relation to international intelligence cooperation to block accountability and redress, and insists that only genuine national security reasons can justify secrecy, which is in any case overridden by non-derogable fundamental rights obligations such as the absolute prohibition on torture;
Amendment 57 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that Member States have so far not properly fulfilledto abide by their positive obligation under international law to investigate seriousalleged human rights violations connected with the CIA programme and to afford full redress to victims;
Amendment 60 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reaffirms that the international fight against terrorism and bilateral or multilateral international cooperation in this area, including in the framework of NATO or between intelligence and security services, must only be carried out with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and with appropriate democratic and judicial oversight; calls on EU Member States, the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Council to ensure that these principles are applied in their foreign relations, and insists that they should make a thorough assessment of their counterparts‘ records on human rights before entering into any agreement, notably on intelligence cooperation and information-sharing;
Amendment 64 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that the failure of some Member States to assume their responsibility to conduct inquiries that are fully compatible with their international obligations may undermines mutual trust in fundamental rights protection, and thus becomes the responsibility of the EU as a whole;
Amendment 67 #
2012/2033(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the United States, given the cardinal role of the transatlantic partnership and the United States‘ leadership in this area, to fully investigate and secure accountability for any abuses that it has practiced, end the war paradigm which has in practice led to legal black holes, end military trials, fully apply criminal law to terrorist suspects and restore review of detention and habeas corpus, due process, freedom from torture and non- discrimination between foreign and United States citizens;
Amendment 68 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates that the failurecommitment of Member States and the EU to reveal the truth aboutinvestigate European involvement in the CIA programme contravenesis in line with the principle of sincere and loyal cooperation enshrined in Article 4(3) of the TEU;
Amendment 78 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concerns regarding the obstacles encountered by national investigations into some Member States‘ involvement in the CIA programme, as documented in detail by the 2011 Council of Europe report on abuse of state secrecy and national security;
Amendment 81 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges those Member States to establish the truth concerning their involvement in the CIA programme and mehat have not met their obligation to investigate alleged human rights violations by conducting independent and effective inquiries,to establish the truth concerning their involvement in the CIA programme taking into account all the new evidencelements that has come to lightve emerged;
Amendment 87 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 91 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Acknowledges the results of the investigation of the Romanian Parliament in 2008, which did not reveal any involvement of the Romanian authorities in the CIA programme;
Amendment 108 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Acknowledges that Member States investigations have to be based on solid judicial evidence and on the respect of national judicial systems and EU law, not just on media and public opinion speculation;
Amendment 113 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 116 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 126 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 129 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission, in the light of the institutional deficiencies revealed in the context of the CIA programme, to adopt within a year a communication reviewing the mechanism set out in Article 7 TEU; considers that this reform should be aimed at strengthening the EU's capacity to prevent and redress human rights violations at EU level when Member States are unable to meet their obligations at national level, and should provide for the strengthening of Parliament's role and a greater degree of independence as regards the conditions for its activationmeasures aimed at strengthening the EU's capacity to prevent and redress human rights violations at EU level and to provide for the strengthening of Parliament's role;
Amendment 138 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Undertakes to devote its next Joint Parliamentary Meeting with national parliaments to reviewing the role of parliaments in ensuring accountability for human rights violations in the context of the CIA programme, and to promoting stronger cooperation and regular exchange between national oversight bodies in charge of scrutinising intelligence services, in the presence of the relevant national authorities, EU institutions and agencies and in full respect of the national and EU law;
Amendment 140 #
2012/2033(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is determined to continue fulfilling the mandate given to it by the Temporary Committee, pursuant to Articles 2, 6 and 7 TEU;and instructs its Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, together with the Subcommittee on Human Rights, to address Parliament in plenary on the matter a year after the adoption of this resolution;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the fight against Al-Shabaab and the lack of clear political and economic stabilitpiracy 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) all contribute to making the Horn of Africa one of the most conflict-prone and tense regions in the world;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the ongoing political instability and conflict in Somalia have virtually destroyhave terribly reduced any prospects of economic development in the region; whereas the lack of stable democratic and economic prospects for the population, particularly the young, coupled with an absence of the rule of law, provides fertile ground for encouraging criminal activities, including piracy and drug smuggling, and sustains terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab; whereas, regrettably, piracy continues to be seen by some Somalis as the only profitable and viable source of income and means to a higher standard of living;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the swearing in of a new Parliament and election of a new President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on 10 September 2012, represented a historic moment, and an important step towards improving peace and security and demonstrated that the situation in Somalia is not irreversible;
Amendment 57 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas security and development in the Horn of Africa cannot be separated, helping the countries in the region to achieve security is integral to enabling their economies to grow and poverty to be reduced;
Amendment 143 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Salutes the work of the Roadmap Signatories, Traditional Elders, National Constituent Assembly, the new Federal Parliament and the Technical Selection Committee for their roles in ending the transition period; welcomes the commitment of the outgoing President to support and work with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; urges all political actors in Somalia to cooperate with the new authorities;
Amendment 145 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Welcomes President Hassan Sheikh's vision for Somalia and his intention to ensure formation of inclusive, broad- based governing institutions, stabilisation, the rule of law and good governance, economic recovery, peace building and reconciliation, public service delivery, improved relations between Somalia and the rest of the world; urges him to respect his commitment to transparent and accountable governance, to fighting corruption at all levels, and to ensuring inclusive dialogue and setting up representative and accountable institutions at the national, regional, district and local levels, in accordance with the Provisional Constitution of Somalia;
Amendment 147 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Considers it desirable to seize the opportunity presented by the opening up of the succession to the late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died on 20 August 2012, by the election of the new Somali President, and the approach of Kenyan legislative elections in 2013, to (i) work on promoting respect for constitutional norms, the rule of law, human rights, and gender equality through cooperation and dialogue with Horn partners, (ii) continue work on institutional development, democracy building and democratization, (iii) monitor the follow-up of Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) recommendations and providing support for their implementation where relevant, (iv) reinforce political dialogue at country and regional level, and continue to raise issues of human rights, including wherever appropriate, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, and the fight against impunity, (v) support an independent civil society that is able to express social agendas.
Amendment 150 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 159 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 176 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
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 rightviable and inclusive economic structures and a system of revenue- sharing for future oil and gas exploitation in Puntland, for the benefit of the whole country, will be essential for the long-term sustainability of Somalia as a federal state;
Amendment 198 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses 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 stability; supports the efforts of the 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; stresses the importance of continuous assistance to South Sudan with a view to creating and sustaining an effective civil society; 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;
Amendment 201 #
2012/2026(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the European Union and its states to continue to provide neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations and to support the countries of the region in strengthening their national capacities through disaster risk reduction strategies and long-term development cooperation programmes in the areas of drought- preparedness, agriculture, rural development and food security;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, 20 years after the Copenhagen summit, the moment has come for a general re-evaluation of the accession criteria, of the established procedures and of enlargement policy as a whole; whereas the European Parliament contributes to improving the transparency and accountability of the enlargement process by echoing the opinions of the European citizens and thereby increasing public support for this process;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the enlargement process has a significant impact also on the European Union itself, serving as an opportunity to better define its identity, goals, values and policies, and also as a suitable moment to better communicate these to its citizens;
Amendment 86 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the EU continues to be attractive, also because of its unique combination of economic dynamism with a social model, and regrets that this social dimension has been largely neglected in the enlargement process; invites the Commission to reflect on possible options, including developing a set of social criteria, to address this deficiency and foster positive social transformation in the future EU Member States; stresses that failure to comply with the EU's common basic social standards constitutes a form of social dumping which is detrimental to European enterprises and workers for a variety of reasons and that the specificities of each candidate or potential candidate country should be taken into consideration in order to ensure that the enlargement process is successful;
Amendment 110 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that strict conditionality requires that the progress of a country is effectively assessed at every stage of the process, and that countries wishing to join the EU should proceed from one stage to the next only once all the conditions have been met at each stage; notes, however, certain tendencies to exaggeration, and recommends avoiding requiring of candidate and potential candidate countries higher standards than those applying in the EU; stresses the importance of setting transparent and fair benchmstandarkds throughout the process, established after prior consultation with the European Parliament;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Stresses, nonetheless, that the specificities of each candidate country should be given due consideration and that the chapters addressing fundamental rights and the independence of justice should be prioritized only in negotiations with countries that face challenges in fully respecting these parts of the acquis;
Amendment 229 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that enlargement policy is an instrument for modernisation and stabilisation, and also has the aim of strengthening the EUmirroring the openness of the European project, meant to bring together all the European countries in an ever closer union; calls on the Commission to undertake comprehensive impact assessments whenever it considers new applications for EU membership and when it recommends the opening or, in case of fundamentally changed circumstances, the closing of accession negotiations;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
Citation 11 b (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 25 October 2011 on the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness6, __________________ 6 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0410
Amendment 63 #
2012/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Welcomes the special relevance assigned to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the Agenda for Change; urges the EU to undertake additional efforts in order to mainstream more effectively human rights and democracy across development cooperation and ensure that EU development programmes contribute to the fulfilment by partner countries of their international human rights obligations;
Amendment 65 #
2012/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the Commission’s desire to allocate budget aid to partner countries as soon as they have made a commitment, as part of a political dialogue, to refocus their budget priorities onto development objectives in basic social sectors; takes the view that budget support should be more closely linked to the human rights record and governance situation of recipient countries; reiterates its call for establishing more detailed criteria in this respect for the award of budget support;
Amendment 113 #
2012/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the proposals of the Agenda for change concerning aid effectiveness; in view of the importance of aid effectiveness in terms of improving quality of life, reducing poverty in recipient countries and achieving the MDGs and urges more resolute EU action in this respect; underlines the importance of implementing swiftly the Busan Partnership for effective development cooperation; takes the view that moving successfully from the concept of effective aid to co-operation for effective development requires strong commitment from the EU and its international partners; hopes for rapid international consensus on the working arrangements for the Global Partnership;
Amendment 4 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
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.
Amendment 6 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) in point 1, the references to 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 are deleted and a reference to South-Sudan is inserted;
Amendment 7 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
"Tuvalu*", "United Arab Emirates*" and "Vanuatu*"
Amendment 1 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
– having regard to Articles 24, 227, 228, 258 and 260 of TFEU,
Amendment 18 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the number of submissions by citizens to the European Parliament continues to increase, and998 petitions were declared admissible, and of those 649 whereas forwarded to the Committee on Petitions should remain the main point of contact within the European Parliament regarding allegations of infringement of individual and collective rightsssion for further investigation pursuant to Articles 258 and 260 of the Treaty, 416 petitions were declared inadmissible;
Amendment 22 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the number of inadmissible petitions continued to be significant in 2011 which again indicates that Parliament should increase its effort to inform citizens on the limits of Parliament's field of action with regard to the right to petition, considering that individuals and local communities, as well as voluntary associations and businesses, are well placed to assess the effectiveness of European legislation as it applies to them, and to signal possible loopholes that need to be analysed in order to ensure better and comparable implementation of EU law in all the Member States;
Amendment 26 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas, regarding the statistical analysis contained in this report, German citizens continue to submit the highest number of petitions, though decreasing proportionally, followed by Spanish and Italian petitioners, and whereas petitions concerning the EU as such outnumber those concerning individual Member States;
Amendment 27 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas petithe field of actions alleging a breach of fundamental rights lead the petitions league table, ahead of the environment and the internal market, and whereas it is noteworthy that petitions regarding economic and monetary affairs have seen a sharp increase, which correlates with the similar increase in petitions expressing the acute concern of citizens generally with the present economic and financial crisisnd the modus operandi of the right to petition granted to all EU citizens and residents under the terms of the Treaty differs from other remedies available to citizens, as for instance the submission of complaints to the Commission or to the Ombudsman;
Amendment 33 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas in 2011 there were 70 petitions outstanding relating to the Spanish Ley de Costas; and whereas petitions relating to the Ley de Costas concerned specific regions of Spain as follows: Valencia 23, Andalusia 11, Catalonia 10, Balearic and Canary Islands 9 each, Asturias and Cantabria 3 each, Galicia and Basque Country 2 each, and Murcia 1, with 51 identifiable as coming from Spanish citizens or groups of Spanish citizens; while 19 came from other nationalities as follows: 3 from miscellaneous nationalities, 11 from German citizens, 3 from French citizens, 2 from British citizens;
Amendment 35 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas in 2011its previous Annual Report the Committee on Petitions held meetings at which 47 of these petitions were considered and which 7 petitioners attendighly appreciated the cooperation with the Commission and the European Ombudsman with regard to the treatment of petitions and complaints; whereas the Committee on Petitions repeatedly requested to be kept informed by the Commission of developments in pending infringement proceedings, the subject of which is also covered inby perstitions;
Amendment 37 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the shortcomings and problems faced by people as a result of the malfunctioning of the internal market, as illustrated by petitions, are confirmed by the Commission's European Citizenship Report 20108 , in particular as regards free movement of EU citizens and their family members, access to social security entitlements, mutual recognition of qualifications, obstacles faced by the disabled, family law issues and mass expulsions on the basis of ethnic or national origin such as those affecting the Roma, including also double-taxation issues;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
O a. whereas also in 2011 a significant number of petitions were submitted by citizens pointing to the importance of preventing irreparable losses in biodiversity, with regard to Natura 2000 sites, as well as of ensuring the protection of areas defined under the Habitats Directive;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
Amendment 44 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas the judgment of the EU Tribunal of 14 September 2011 in case T- 308/07 upheld the petitioner's (0095/2007) complaint against the Committee's decision to declare his petition inadmissible and in so doing laid down clear parameters for dealing with petitthe obligation to motivate Parliament's decisions which areen it declareds a petition inadmissible;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Confirms the key role of the Committee on Petitions in identifying non-judicial remedies for citizens, in providing a reality check on the way in which the European Union is seen by the people of Europe, and as aNotes that petitions received in 2011 continued to focus on alleged breaches of EU law in the fields of the environment, justice and the internal market, as well as the Charter of Fundamental Rights which reflection ofs citizens' views regarding whether European legislation as implemented by the Member States actually delivers the expected result and responds to what people expect of the UnionEU law;
Amendment 51 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the increasing number of petitions and other submissions from citizens seeking legal and financial redress on issues that fall outside the EU's area of competence pursuant to Article 227 of the Treaty as well as Article 51 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, such as, for example, requests to review the calculation of national pensions, to overrule decisions by national courts, proposals to re-draw Europe's frontiers, to force a bank to grant a personal loan, etc.; fully supports the action taken by Parliament's responsible Directorates- General to find a solution for dealing with these submissions from citizens while taking into account Parliament's obligations with regard to its correspondence with citizens;
Amendment 52 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 59 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes Parliament's decision to develop a much more practical and visible petitions portal on its website, which will facilitate, within the limits of Article 227 of the Treaty and Article 202 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure and Article 51 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, access for citizens to the petitions process, provide them with information and allow them to submit petitions in a more user-friendly environment; considers that this portal should also provide practical links to other forms of redress which are available at European and national or regional level;
Amendment 69 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the constructive cooperation between the Petitions Committee and the services of the European Commission, but urges the Commission to ensure that the integrity of the petitions procedures are respected and not confused with the Commission's own complaints procedureOmbudsman and reaffirms its determination to support the Ombudsman in identifying maladministration by and acting against EU institutions;
Amendment 73 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 75 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 80 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 85 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 91 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges theWelcomes, while supporting the underlying objective of the Ley de Costas to protect coastal wildlife for future generations, the action being envisaged by the new Spanish Government to revise the Ley de Costas in such a way as to guarantee title to those who have properly and in good faith acquired property within the reach of the jurisdiction of the Ley de Costas; in particular, calls for a reform of the Ley de Costas which ensures due process, a right of appeal, proper compensation, and appropriate and proportional remedy specifically withe right to information and which protects against retroactive or discriminatory acegard to retroactive or discriminatory actions taken ; supports the petitioners' action to resolve the problems surrounding the Ley de Costas and its applications;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Calls on the Commission, furthermore, to ensure implementation and enforcement of the Habitats and Birds Directives by the Member States as well as the better transposition and application of Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of EU citizens and their families to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States;
Amendment 100 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 102 #
2011/2317(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 14 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Eastern Partnership strengthens the multilateral relations between the countries involved, contributes to the exchange of information and experience on the issues of transformation, reform and modernisation, and provides the European Union with additional instruments to support these processes;
Amendment 33 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the EU in its relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan respects the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and in its approach to resolving regional conflicts supports the basic principles of the Helsinki Final Act, i.e. Non-Use of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and Self- Determination of Peoples;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) ensure that the conclusion of the EU-Azerbaijan Association Agreement, in line with the demands made in the Parliament's Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus of 23 April 2010 and with OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles, is linked to a substantial progress towards the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including confidence-building measures and active incident-prevention on the line of contact, the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their home places and properties and international security guarantees that would include a genuine multinational peacekeeping operation;
Amendment 48 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) incorporate in the Association Agreement clauses and benchmarks on the protection and promotion of human rights which reflect the principles and rights enshrined in the Constitution of Azerbaijan and the highest international and European standards, drawing to the fullest possible extent on Council of Europe and OSCE frameworks and insisting particularly on the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their right to return in safety and dignity to their home lands; ensure that the negotiations take full account of the need to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of internally displaced persons;
Amendment 71 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) call for stronger role for the EU in resolution of the conflict, by continuing the implementation of confidence building measures, which will bring together both – the Armenian and the Azerbaijani communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and spreading the ideas of peace, reconciliation and trust among them;
Amendment 73 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(e b) stress that the resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is essential to economic and social development in the region as a whole and to build trust, improve good neighbourly relations, achieve full-scale regional cooperation; and stress s that real efforts are needed to pave the way for a lasting peace; asks all relevant authorities to avoid provocative policies and rhetoric, inflammatory statements and manipulation of history; stress to continue to do everything possible within the framework of the Eastern Partnership to bring about political and economic rapprochement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to firmly establish regional conflict resolution as an integral component of this;
Amendment 79 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) strengthen the European Union's conflict-resolution capacity, inter alia by supporting the efforts of the Minsk Group and clearing the way for the implementation of confidence-building measures, as the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed; calls on the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to act responsibly, avoid inflammatory speeches and prepare the ground, so that the public opinions accept and fully understand the benefits of a comprehensive settlement;
Amendment 82 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) welcome that much work had been done by the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairs and the parties to make progress towards agreement on the Basic Principles and call to continue to work with the all the parties OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs;
Amendment 89 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
(f b) stress that hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons who fled their homes during or in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh war remain displaced and denied their rights, including the right to return, property rights and the right to personal security; those rights should be unconditionally respected and provided without any delay; call to the Commission and Members Sates to continue and extend the EU assistance and financial support to Azerbaijan in dealing with the situation of displaced persons;
Amendment 99 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) encourage Russia which is a key partner in the resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, to assume a more constructive role that is not based on maintaining the status quo but on ending the regional arms race and on achieving a permanent solution, to refrain from any unilateral attempts to modify the updated version of Madrid principles and to continue to work closely with two other Co-chairs to convince the parties to accept them as a basis for further negotiations;
Amendment 102 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) call for the support of Turkey in playing a constructive role in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and in fulfilling its responsibility in that region;
Amendment 118 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) welcomes the reforms taken made by Azerbaijani authorities in the judiciary, with a view to ensuring greater independence of judges, improving selection and appointment procedures, eliminating judicial corruption and susceptibility to the influence of the executive; acknowledges that the relevant laws, including the law on the Bar, have been adopted; encourages the authorities in charge to continue implementing legislation to combat corruption and to focus on high-level corruption cases as well as to improve significantly transparency of public expenditure and of the funding of political parties; emphasizes on the need to improve the independence, the efficiency and resources of the judiciary; reminds of the importance of the court system functioning free from political interference; stresses the need to establish a convincing track record of recruiting and appointing judges and state prosecutors based on the application of uniform, transparent, objective and nationally applicable criteria and to build up an enforcement record of prosecutions and convictions against which progress can be measured; calls for the unification of jurisprudence in order to ensure a predictable judicial system and public trust;
Amendment 122 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(n a) emphasise the vital importance of Azerbaijan in the diversification of the energy supplies and routes of their delivery to Europe, and in this connection commends the efforts of Azerbaijan in promoting such pioneering projects as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Baku- Tbilisi-Erzurum pipelines, which played a significant role in the opening-up the resource potential of the Caspian basin to the international markets as well as the fulfilment of the AGRI Project, the first ever Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) transport and delivery system at the Black Sea, together with Georgia and Romania;
Amendment 127 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point n b (new)
(n b) ensure the continued focused attention of the EU to the development of the energy cooperation with Azerbaijan and sustainable support by the EU in political, financial and technological fields;
Amendment 133 #
2011/2316(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(r a) to further encourage a profound level of cooperation with and within the Eastern Partnership, as well as to regularly inform the European Parliament on its progress;
Amendment 30 #
2011/2315(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) ensure that the conclusion of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement, in line with the demands made in the Parliament’s Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus of 23 April 2010 and with OSCE Minsk Group Basic Principles, is linked to a substantial progress towards the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including confidence-building measures and active incident-prevention on the line of contact, the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the all occupied territories of Azerbaijan surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh and their gradual return to Azerbaijani control, the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their home places and properties and international security guarantees that would include a genuine multinational peacekeeping operation;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
– having regard to the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on the European Neighbourhood Policy adopted on June 20th, 2011 at its 3101st meeting,
Amendment 4 #
2011/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that any new initiative or body for the development of democracy must have a distinct added value to existing EU instruments as well as to organisations (such as the political foundations in Europe); stresses that avoiding duplication and overlapping between the EU’s democracy-building instruments and efforts is key; underlines that full transparency, accountability for results and efficient use of resources should be the guiding principles of the EED; is of the opinion that, in order for the EED to be effective in its tasks, there is urgent need for agreement on the detailed operational questions;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on the European Endowment for Democracy adopted on December 1st 2011, at its 3130th meeting,
Amendment 5 #
2011/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the scope of a reformed democracy support approach should not be limited only to countries with which the EU has a privileged relationship through the European Neighbourhood Policy; takes the view that the EED should adopt a differentiated approach that duly takes into account the level of democratic development between beneficiary countries;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the letter of support to the establishment of the EED to EP President Jerzy Buzek and HR/VP Catherine Ashton dated November 25, 2011,
Amendment 7 #
2011/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the initiatives funded under the EED should be coherent with the commitments in the EU’s development policy (policy coherence for development and aid effectiveness); underlines the importance of making sure that EU's democracy support through EED is based on bottom-up approaches that reflect the democratic ownership principle and that address democracy, security and development concerns in an integrated manner;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Parliament welcomed the initiative of establishment of the European Endowment for Democracy in the report by Véronique De Keyser, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on EU external policies in favour of democratisation (2011/2032(INI));
Amendment 12 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the establishment of the EED was supported in the letter to EP President Jerzy Buzek and HR/VP Catherine Ashton by several high profile human rights defenders including Sakharov Prize laureates Aung San Suu Kyi and Alaksandr Milinkievic;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the events of the ‘Arab Spring’ demonstrated the need for a more informed and strategic engagement on the part of the EU with countries striving for democratic reforms, based on a new approach designed to restore credibility; whereas setting up the European Endowment for Democracy could be one of the most tangible responses of the EU to the challenges of democratisation in our neighbourhood and beyond;
Amendment 29 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the Foreign Affairs Council has endorsed the initiative of creating an European Endowment for Democracy (EED); whereas work is proceeding swiftly towards its establishment and there is urgent need to reach agreement on the detailed operational questions;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ensure that the EED fosters andwhile encouragesing ‘deep and sustainable democracy’ in pre- transition, transition and post- transition countries, with a primary, although not exclusive, focus on the European Neighbourhoodll receive a focused mandate allowing it to complement democracy support measures of other instruments and underlining the added- value of the new entity;
Amendment 49 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) gain valuable experiences by a initial, although not exclusive, focus on the European Neighbourhood;
Amendment 51 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
(bb) enable the EED to develop effective ways to deal with pre-transition, transition, and post transition countries;
Amendment 55 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ensure that the EED plays a role which complements and does not overlap with or curtail the activities of existing funding instruments, particularly the EIDHR; where appropriate, the EED should launch projects which can later be continued by the EIDHR, creating an interface with the EIDHR so as to or geographic instruments, creating a programming interface that will ensure coherence and sustainability in the longer term;
Amendment 63 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e
Paragraph 1 – point e
(e) enable the EED to act in the early stages ofree stages: pre-transition, transition and post transition, to kick-start projects which thus far could not be supported by the EU owing to bureaucratic restrictions; and model the EED in such a way that it is less risk-averse while respecting the financial regulations and legal restrictions of its donors;
Amendment 71 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) address, in the early stages of funding in a specific country, a wide group of potential beneficiaries, including key political players (emerging political actors, fledgling political parties, grassroots movements and non-registered NGOs, trade unions), watchdogs, whistleblowers, individual dissidents, politically involved artists, media outlets and think tanks, etc., in order to enable the EED to support a wide variety of actors striving for democratic reforms; provide support to the above-mentioned in a pluralist manner, while at the same time avoiding any direct political party funding;
Amendment 79 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) To ensure that enough focus is placed, at all stages of operation of the EED, to the engagement of women and youth, as well as to innovative ways to use and render available social media;
Amendment 83 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g
Paragraph 1 – point g
(g) enable the EED to award grants directly to the intended beneficiaries and re-grant financial resources through non-profit entities, such as foundations and NGOs; particularly at the beginning, re-granting will be an effective mechanism to enable the EED to work with partners on the ground that have the requisite knowledge and local infrastructure and enjoy the trust of local people; re-granting would also limit the administrative burden of the EED and potential risks;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ensure that the EED has robust links and consults regularly with beneficiary groups, but without having regional offices, relying instead on local organisations or independent experts and practitioners;
Amendment 104 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) respect responsibilities towards individual donors and common accounting standards when public funds are channelled via an administratively flexible structure;
Amendment 113 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m
Paragraph 1 – point m
(m) endow the European Parliament with a broad political oversight role over EED activities, inter alia by ensuring that Parliament is kept informed through the presentation of the EED’s annual reportsthe full democratic right of budgetary control for the entire EED budget and assure that the implementation of measures by the EED is thoroughly and independently monitored and evaluated;
Amendment 120 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(ma) allow for sufficient space of the European Parliament to share its creative power and transnational experience from European Member States in support to democratisation processes beyond Europe's borders;
Amendment 130 #
2011/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) review after one year of activities the impact and performance of the EED and its complementary and added-value to EU instruments and their new set-up in the forthcoming financial period;
Amendment 1 #
2011/2192(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that, according to the Court's report, further efforts are necessary from the Commission in order improve the manner in which it evaluates the quality and the result of its interventions ; takes the view that this will result in better accountability for EU's financial interventions and will ensure increased visibility for its actions;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2192(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Shares with the Court the opinion that the main benefit of budget support is that it offers opportunities for dialogue with local beneficiaries on policy objectives; notes that this opportunity has to be fully exploited, in the light of the ‘more for more’ principle underlying the current ENP review; stresses the need for delegations to have the resources and expertise required to carry out this dialogue in an effective way;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2192(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that, in the run-up to the establishment of the EEAS, there has been no thorough assessment to determine the optimalappropriate balance between political/trade/development aid posts in delegations; such evaluations should take into account the specific context of the countries concerned and aim at ensuring the coherence of EU external action;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2192(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines the importance of devoting more attention to the cooperation between the Union's delegations and the embassies of its Member States ; stresses that coordination and complementarity between these two levels of representation are indispensable ingredients for effective external action and a truly coherent foreign policy;
Amendment 13 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas lessons from past enlargements showit is essential in the accession process that each country should be judged on its own merits, that the pace of accession negotiations should be dictated by effective compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and that the degree of compliance with such criteria should also determine the final date of accession;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas continued reforms and full implementation of these reforms in the field of, inter alia, the judiciary and fundamental rights and the fight against corruption remain essential to the strengthening of the rule of law for the benefit of all Croatian citizens;
Amendment 30 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to monitor further preparations for accession with rigour and objectivity and to help the Croatian authorities fulfil their commitments and obligations entered into in the negotiations; is of the view that the pre-accession monitoring mechanism is a way to provide Croatia with additional support in its continued reform efforts; calls on the Commission to ensure that the aid granted through the Instrument of Pre-Accession continues to be as appropriate and effective as possible;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. ENotes that Croatia has made good progress regarding judicial reform; encourages Croatia to continue to implement judiciary reforms in line with the Commission’s recommendations in this area, because an efficient judicial system is an important element for economic development and strengthens citizens’ confidence in the rule of law; invites Croatia to address the remaining challenges in the area, especially regarding the increase of judicial efficiency and the implementation of the provisions on the independence, impartiality and accountability of the judiciary;
Amendment 46 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. CWelcomes Croatia’s continued determination to fight corruption and the fact that substantial progress was reported in the field of combating corruption; considers it one of the highest priorities to combat corruption, particularly high- level corruption, corruption at every level of the judiciary, law-enforcement agencies and the public administration, as well as large- scale corruption, which must be pursued with determination at all levels, by rigorous enforcement of the law and successful prosecutions; calls on the Croatian authorities to further strengthen the administrative capacities of anti- corruption bodies and foster a culture of political accountability; stresses that continued efforts are needed in order to further develop the track record of effective handling of organized crime and corruption cases;
Amendment 56 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. UrgWelcomes the adoption by the Croatian Ggovernment to continue actively to encourage and supportof a new strategy on impunity regarding war crimes; encourages Croatia to step up its efforts of prosecutions for of war crimes and to continue cooperatingimplement the new strategy on impunity which is the key for ensuring justice and achieving lasting reconciliation in the region; encourages furthermore the Croatian authorities to continue to actively cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY);
Amendment 69 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. ESupports Croatia’s efforts to promote a climate of tolerance in the country; 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;
Amendment 95 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Invites Croatia to consistentlyWelcomes the adoption by the Croatian government in July 2011 of the declaration on the promotion of European values in South East Europe; invites Croatia to continue to advocate EU enlargement and the promotion of European values of peace, prosperity, freedom, the rule of law, democracy and the social market economy in the region; encourages Croatia to continue to maintain good-neighbourly relations, to remain an important and proactive promoter of regional cooperation on all levels and to maintain its commitment to translate reconciliation efforts into practical steps of economic benefit to all citizens of the region;
Amendment 110 #
2011/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses that Croatia’s accession to the European Union represents an opportunity to further contribute to the process of European integration, which seeks to promote peace and European values and to create an area of solidarity and prosperity by extending its advantages to all Member States and their inhabitants;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2185(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights; calls for more decisive action in this field from the EU ahead of the crucial deadline of 2015 for achieving the MDGs;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2185(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the approachnew strategy put forward in the Joint Communication on Human Rights Policy and Democracy at the heart of EU external action – towards a more effective approach2 , according to which development cooperation is part of an integrated approach to human rights across the whole spectrum of EU policies;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2185(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Takes the view that budget support should be more closely linked to the human rights record and governance situation of recipient countries; reiterates its call for establishing more detailed criteria in this respect for the award of budget support;
Amendment 17 #
2011/2185(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Stresses that the EU should ensure that its actions in the field of development policy, peace-building, conflict prevention and international security are mutually reinforcing; underlines, in this context, the necessity of devising appropriate strategies for countries in situations of fragility;
Amendment 19 #
2011/2185(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to seek new ways to ensure better linkages between dialogues on human rights with partner countries and development cooperation;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
- having regard to the Written Declaration on the establishment of Euro- Mediterranean Erasmus and Leonardo da Vinci programmes adopted by the European Parliament on 27 September 2011,
Amendment 71 #
2011/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that differentiation based on performance and achievements should be predicated on clearly defined criteria and assessable benchmarks; underlines, in this context, the importance of setting up appropriate follow-up mechanisms to assess the progress of ENP countries;
Amendment 192 #
2011/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes 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 membership; recalls that enlargement has been EU’s most effective foreign policy tool for the encouragement of democratic and economic transition in its neighbourhood and 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;
Amendment 235 #
2011/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines the importance of paying particular attention to the younger generation; given the role of education and university exchanges for building strong civil societies and mindful of the current lack of resources in this area for both the Southern and the Eastern dimensions of the ENP, stresses that the EU should increase cooperation in the field of education, immediately broadening and increasing scholarship programmes and mobility of students by promoting university and high-school exchanges and public-private partnerships in the field of research; stresses the strong need for a structured information policy towards the citizens of the ENP partners concerning the possibility of participation in EU programmes;
Amendment 254 #
2011/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Believes that the EU should advance its work on visa facilitation and readmission agreements, with a view to moving – once all conditions are met – to a visa-free regime that should encourage people-to people contacts; underlines that the provisions on asylum must be fully in line with international obligations and commitments and EU standards, especially in the human rights field;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
-having regard to the ‘Final Report on the Evaluation of the Paris Declaration: Phase 2’, which was published in May 2011,
Amendment 6 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Fourth High Level Forum on aid effectiveness (HLF-4) will map out future guidelinecommitments for more effective development aid and help develop a new architecture for international aid in the run up to the deadline for reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in 2015 and beyond,
Amendment 16 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the development aid landscape is constantly changing, and whereas aid effectiveness mechanisms should better reflect the emergence of new donors,
Amendment 19 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the need for the European Union to adopt an ambitious position at HLF-4 that will make a substantial contribution to deepening and fully implementing its aid effectiveness commitments; in view of the importance of aid effectiveness to the improvement of quality of life and the reduction of poverty in recipient countries and to the realisation of the MDG, hopes to see high- level representation on the part of the European Union in Busan;
Amendment 23 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that HLF-4 will be a success if it results in a strong commitment to aid effectiveness, reflected in clear and measureable objectives with a precise timetable for their realisation; stresses, in that connection, the importance of introducing effective follow-up mechanisms at national and international level in order to ensure that aid commitments are honoured;
Amendment 39 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that development aid is not in itself enough to eradicate poverty and that it should address its causes, rather than its symptoms; emphasises the need for more effective aid as part of a development process which seeks to create, in recipient countries, strong, environmentally-friendly economies in which access to basic social services is guaranteed for everyone and, ultimately, to reduce dependence on aid; stresses, in that connection, the importance of creating a climate conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation in recipient countries; encourages donors to exploit local economic capacities as a matter of priority and to take active steps to strengthen them;
Amendment 42 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Emphasises the importance of a nuanced approach to the issue of aid effectiveness which takes account of the situation and specific needs of the countries concerned, in particular fragile countries and the least-developed countries;
Amendment 43 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the donors and partner countries to place the emphasis on greater recognition of participation by parliaments, local authorities and civil society,involve national parliaments, local authorities and civil society organisations more closely in the development agenda and to place the emphasis on the more transparent use of national systems, and on adjusting the Paris Declaration indicators to reflect the need for more democratic ownership of aid;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Points out that financial aid is not in itself enough to guarantee sustainable development and that local government and the private sector must play a major part in implementing MDG-related projects; emphasises the role played by private undertakings in wealth creation and the responsibiltity of States to guarantee stability and the rule of law; stresses, in that connection, the importance of good governance in recipient countries;
Amendment 54 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls for more effective international coordination of the distribution of aid in order to address the problem of ‘aid darlings’ and ‘aid orphans’;
Amendment 55 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative, as outlined in the Green Paper on budgetary support, which seeks primarily to promote local development in recipient countries, and calls for the criteria governing eligibility for budgetary support to be tightened up in order to prevent departures from agreed approaches and the misuse of this type of aid, with due account being taken of factors such as a country’s corruption- index rating;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Draws attention to the important role played by supreme audit institutions in assisting national parliaments in their task of scrutinising development-related expenditure and promoting aid effectiveness;
Amendment 62 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the European Union to review its policies on labour division so as to ensure that horizontal issues such as human rights, social inclusion, gender equality, citizenship and climate change are not overlooked;
Amendment 64 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Emphasises that transparency is fundamental to the democratic ownership and effectiveness of development aid; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to adopt an ambitious stance on aid transparency by promotong the use of mechanisms which seek to establish global standards, such as the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI);
Amendment 67 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Emphasises that HLF-4 should also lay the foundations for a more inclusive global partnership for development by involving the emerging donors more closely, in particular those countries which do not apply global effectiveness standards, with a view to improving international aid governance; takes the view, however, that this should not lead to any watering down of aid effectiveness and the basic principles underpinning it;
Amendment 70 #
2011/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to continue to pay attention to the quality of aid and to promote an international agenda which focuses on development;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the proposal for EU diplomacy on raw materials and rare earths with the aim of urgently establishing an international regulatory platform and ensuring open global markets; underlines that the raw materials diplomacy can also be an element of a strategy to promote human rights, good governance, conflict- resolution and regional stability;
Amendment 25 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that stronger emphasis placed at EU level on substitution in the raw materials strategy could also strengthen the negotiating position of the Union and its Members States;
Amendment 19 #
2011/2032(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the EU to stand by its long-term aid commitments to nurture the development of democratic institutions that permeate all levels of society,; underlines, in this respect, the necessity of enhancing civil society capacities and promoting their participation in political processes, as well as of strengthening oversight institutions, such as national parliaments;
Amendment 24 #
2011/2032(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. CStresses the importance of the analysis of the local human rights situation which should form the basis for all development interventions; calls on the Commission to include a section on the state of democracy and human rights in all Country and Regional Strategy Papers, and to provide more detailed data on the impact of democracy support initiatives,
Amendment 80 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the events unfolding on the southern shore of the Mediterranean have demonstrated the limitations of a focus on security and stability, which has failed to stamp out poverty and social injusticereduce poverty; believes that, although there has been economic growth, its benefits have not been distributed fairly; highlights the need for a paradigm shift aimed at the genuine consolidation of democracy on the basis of endogenous, sustainable development that benefits the local population;
Amendment 107 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms that Parliament must supervise these aspects more closely; calls, therefore, for the UnCouncil and Commission to involve Parliament at every stage in the conclusion, application and suspension of international agreements with third countries, including the process of defining the negotiating mandate for new agreements (in particular as regards the promotion of human rights), in dialogue within association councils or any other equivalent political body responsible for overseeing an agreement (as regards the honouring of commitments relating to democratisation), and in the process of deciding whether to launch consultation or suspend an agreement;
Amendment 111 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that monitoring of the human rights situation in each country derives its legitimacy wholly from the United Nations framework, and reiterates the need for European countries to adopt a common position in all UN bodies; calls on the Union, nevertheless, to present regular, comprehensive reports on third countries’ implementation of commitments relating to democracy and human rights that are specifically included in agreements with the Union;
Amendment 19 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas global partnerships are instrumental in achieving jointly identified global goals; whereas the EU is the world's largest provider of development aid and a major partner of the UN in its efforts across all three pillars of its work, including in crisis and post-crisis situations, and the Member States' contribution amounts to 38% of the UN's regular budget; whereas a solid and stable EU- UN partnership is fundamental to the work of the United Nations and key to the EU's role as a global actor,
Amendment 24 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
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 on internal EU consultations on UN issues and by moving on to promote greater outreach on a wide range of issues, 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,
Amendment 34 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) whilst retaining its observer status 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 in a timely manner on global issues, in keeping with Articles 18 and 47 TEU - the necessary arrangements so that the EU can participate effectively in the work of the UNGA, on the basis ofwithin its role as a regional integration organisation, by consulting fully and comprehensive consultationly with UN Member States; 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,
Amendment 41 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to fully support UN Women inand advocate an adequate budget for UN Women in order for it to be able to fulfil 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, and to maintain close contacts with this organization,
Amendment 76 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to create a broader strategic framework for the crisis-management partnership between the EU, the AU and the UN and regional and sub- regional organizations, such as the AU, the Arab League or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to strengthen, in particular, a triangular relationship between the AU Peace and Security Council, the UNSC and the EU Political and Security Committee, in order to help ensure coherence and mutual reinforcement of efforts in support of the AU; to enhance the predictability, sustainability and flexibility of the financing of UN-mandated peace operations undertaken by the AU; to seek solutions that make for closer EU-AU cooperation in their particular operational areas, thereby improving early-warning and conflict-prevention capacities and making for exchanges of best practices and expertise in the area of crisis management,
Amendment 88 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to promote the implementation of the recommendations of the 2010 NPT review, in particular to seek a safer world for all and to achieve, as a long-term objective, peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons, to further enhance transparency so as to increase mutual confidence, to achieve faster genuine progress towards nuclear disarmament, to take effective nuclear disarmament measures which are consistent with the fundamental principles of transparency, verification and irreversibility, to encourage nuclear- weapons states to report regularly on the implementation of their commitments, and to review implementation,
Amendment 99 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) to prepare for and activelycontinue to participate actively in the review of the HRC and the follow-up to that review; to address the HRC's ability to tackle urgent situations involving serious human rights violations, 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 fresh 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 to address growing signs of divisions between Member States concerning their votes in the HRC,
Amendment 4 #
2011/2020(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses again, in this context, the need to provide adequate support for the neighbouring South Mediterranean countries, to help the transition to democracy and to build democratic institutions; stresses that this support to the Southern dimension of the ENP should not be at the expense of the Union's commitment to an adequate support to the eastern dimension of the ENP/ENPI;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Is convinced that with the creation of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy post and the EEAS, the system of permanent analysis and monitoring mechanisms of the democratic parliamentary control on national and European level of the foreign policy should be put in place under the auspices of the European Parliament; such a mechanism would be instrumental to allow to meet the challenges of the democratic legitimacy of the European Union in the area of EU Foreign Policy;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to provide adequate support for the neighbouring South Mediterranean countries and the Eastern Partnership, to help them make the transition to democracy and build democratic institutions, including support for civil society; underlines that the increased support for the Southern Neighbourhood should be matched by a similar approach applied to the Eastern Neighbourhood within the overall budget;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises the need to provide more flexibility and ensure better-targeted assistance, particularly aimed at civil society, respect of human rights and aspiration towards democracy, including local level, so as to promote a bottom-up approach; calls alsoin the frame of the ENP review for a comprehensive efficiency analysis of ENPI in coordination with other instruments, with the aim of making better use of financial instruments available in the EU's relations with southern and eastern neighbours and of ensuring that developmentEU assistance is used adequately in beneficiary countries based on conditionality of the more-for-more concept and differentiated according to the specific situation of each beneficiary country;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2014(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the donor commitment to channel at least 50% of development aid through the Afghan Government'’s core budget within two years; emphasises, however, that budget support must go hand in hand with tangible improvements of the situation of governance in the country, increased donor confidence in Afghan public financial management (PFM), and requires urgent reforms and capacity building to strengthen PFM systems, reduce corruption and improve budget execution; invites the Commission to assess – taking into account the financial capacity of Afghan institutions and the pace of progress on key PFM reforms – whether specific Afghan ministries or other institutions, including at a decentralised level, could become eligible recipients of sectoral budget support in the future, and if so, under which conditions;
Amendment 9 #
2011/2014(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the responsibility of Afghan authorities with regard to structural, long- term development; urges the government to be more involved in the reconstruction, democratisation and poverty alleviation efforts and the fight against corruption; encourages EU donors to pay particular attention to the long-term sustainability of their interventions, by promoting Afghan ownership, systematically investing in capacity building and avoiding stand-alone projects that aim at short-term results only; underlines, in this context, the essential role of civil society organisations in ensuring ownership for the reconstruction process and guarding against the risk of corruption;
Amendment 58 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) Financial assistance in the form of budget support should be granted only when requirements concerning the quality of the management of public spending and concerning parliamentary control and audit capacities are met.
Amendment 59 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Financial assistance in the form of budget support, as provided for in point (c) above, and in accordance with Article [...] of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities1, shall only be granted a) on the basis of measurable objectives and performance indicators, b) if the partner country's management of public spending is sufficiently transparent, reliable and effective, and c) if it has put in place properly formulated sectoral or macroeconomic policies positively assessed by its principal donors, including, where relevant, the international financial institutions. 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. __________ 1 OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
Amendment 72 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Preserving peace, preventing conflicts, strengthening international security and assisting populations, countries and regions confronting natural or man-made disasters of a scale threatening security and stability of the country or region are among the prime objectives of the Union's external action as defined in article 21 of the Treaty on European Union. Crises and conflicts affecting countries world-wideand regions, and other factors such as terrorism, organised crime, climate change, cyber security challenges and threats andsecurity threats emanating from natural disasters pose a risk to world stability, peace and security. In order to address these issues in an effective and timely manner, specific financial resources and financing instruments are required that can work in a manner complementary to humanitarian aid and long-term cooperation instruments.
Amendment 85 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In order to ensure the visibility of the Union's assistance towards the citizens of the beneficiary countries and those of the Union, there should be where appropriate proper, targeted communication and information by adequate means, with due account to the specificities of this instrument. Appropriate minimum requirements should be defined in this regard by the Commission in close cooperation with beneficiaries, and the respect of those requirements should be monitored.
Amendment 98 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. Measures taken under this Regulation may be complementary to, and shall be consistent with measures adopted under Title V of the Treaty on European Union and Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Measures taken under this Regulation shall be consistent with the positions adopted by the European Parliament.
Amendment 127 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a Evaluations shall be carried out, where relevant and appropriate, on the basis of pre-defined, clear, transparent and measurable indicators and shall be sent to the European Parliament and the Council with due account to the specificities of this instrument. Proposals by the European Parliament or the Council for independent external evaluations will be taken into due account.
Amendment 135 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. However, in exceptional situations of urgency referred to Article 3(1), the Commission may adopt Exceptional Assistance Measures costing up to EUR 3 000 000 without prior information tohile ensuring timely information to the European Parliament and the Council..
Amendment 145 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 a (new)
Article 8 a (new)
Amendment 151 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. An observer from the European Parliament and the European External Action service shall take part in the Committee's proceedings.
Amendment 23 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The coordination of national provisions concerning the presentation and content of annual financial statements and management reports, the measurement bases, used therein and their publication in respect of certain undertakings with limited liability is of special importance for the protection of shareholders, members and third parties. Simultaneous coordination is necessary in those fields for such forms of undertaking because, on the one hand, some undertakings operate in more than one Member State and, on the other hand, they offer no safeguards tocould affect third parties beyond the amounts of their net assets.
Amendment 25 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) In order to provide for enhanced transparency of payments made to governments, large undertakings and public interest entities which are active in the extractive industry or logging of primary forests should disclose in a separate report on an annual basis material payments made to governments in the countries in which they operate. Such undertakings are active in countries rich in natural resources, in particular minerals, oil, natural gas as well as primary forests. The report should include types of payments comparable to those disclosed by an undertaking participating in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The initiative is also complementary to the EU FLEGT Action Plan (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) and the Timber Regulation which require traders of timber products to exercise due diligence in order to prevent illegal wood from entering into the EU market.
Amendment 28 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) The reports should serve to facilitate governments of resource-rich countries in implementing the EITI Principles and Criteria and account to their citizens for payments such governments receive from undertakings active in the extractive industry or loggers of primary forests operating within their jurisdiction. The report should incorporate disclosures on a country and project basis, where a project is considered as the lowest level of operational reporting unit at which the undertaking prepares regular internal management reports, such as a concession, geographical basin, etc and where payments have been attributed to such projects. In the light of the overall objective of promoting good governance in these countries, the materiality of payments to be reported should be assessed in relation to the recipient government. Various criteria on materiality could be envisaged such as payments of an absolutet should not be necessary to prepare a report if equivalent reporting requirements are observed. Payments should not need to be disclosed if the total amount paid to a government does not exceed EUR 1 000 000 or if the total amount, or a percentage threshold (such as payments in excess of a percentage of a country's GDP) and these can be defined through a delegated actf payments for a project does not exceed EUR 200 000. The reporting regime should be subject to a review and a report by the Commission within five years of the entry into force of the Directive. The review should consider the effectiveness of the regime and take into account international developments including issues of competitiveness and energy security. The review should also take into account the experience of preparers and users of the payments information and consider whether it would be appropriate to include additional payment information such as effective tax rates and recipient details, such as bank account information.
Amendment 29 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33 a (new)
Recital 33 a (new)
(33a)The reporting regime on payments to governments should be subject to a review and a report by the Commission within four years of the entry into force of this Directive. The review should consider the effectiveness of the regime and take into account international developments including issues of competitiveness and energy security.
Amendment 42 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 36 – paragraph 4
Article 36 – paragraph 4
4. "Project" is equivalent to a specific operational reporting unit at the lowest level within the undertaking at which regular internal management reports are prepared for the board of directors to monitor its business.
Amendment 44 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 37 – paragraph 1
Article 37 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall require large undertakings and all public interest entities active in the extractive industry or the logging of primary forests to prepare and make public a report on payments made to governments, including payments in kind, made to governments in respect of the extractive industry and forestry activities defined in Article 36, on an annual basis.
Amendment 47 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the total amount of payments, including payments in kind, made to each governmentamount per type and the total amount of payments made to each recipient federal, national, state, regional or local government, as defined in Article 36, within a financial year;
Amendment 49 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 51 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) where those payments have been attributed to a specific project the amount per type of payment, including payments in kind,and the total amount of payment made for each such project within a financial year, and the total amount of payments for each such project.
Amendment 65 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 38 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 38 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) other direct benefits to the government concernedpayments to governments which are part of the commonly recognised revenue stream for the commercial development of oil, natural gas, minerals or primary forests.
Amendment 67 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 38 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 38 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Payments referred to in points (a) and (c) of paragraph 1 need not be disclosed if the total annual amount of payments to a government in a specific country does not exceed EUR 1 000 000. Payments referred to in point (c) of paragraph 1 need not be disclosed if the total amount of payments for a project does not exceed EUR 200 000.
Amendment 69 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 39 – paragraph 1
Article 39 – paragraph 1
1. A Member State shall require any large undertaking or any public interest entity active in the extractive industry or the logging of primary forests and governed by its national law to draw up a consolidated report on payments to governments by such undertaking or public-interest entity and/or by subsidiaries or entities controlled by such undertaking or public- interest entity in accordance with Articles 37 and 38 if that parent undertaking is under the obligation to prepare consolidated financial statements as laid down in Article 23 (1) to 23 (6) of this Directive.
Amendment 71 #
2011/0308(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 41
Article 41
The Commission shall review and report on the implementation and effectiveness of this Chapter, in particular as regards the scope of the reporting obligations and, the modalities of the reporting on a project basis. The review should also take into account international developments and consider the and the impact of national criminal legislation prohibiting disclosure of payments. The review should also take into account international developments and further legislative developments, especially in the United States of America, with the aim of building a holistic approach ensuring the correct effects on competitiveness and security of energy supply. It should be completed at the latest fiveour years after the date of entry into force of this Directive. The report shall be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council, together with a legislative proposal, if appropriate.
Amendment 32 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
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 from speaking with a single voice in the international arena; whereas the EU's status in international organizations often lags behind the development of the EU's competences,
Amendment 102 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. While retaining the EU's observer status in the UNGA and in accordance with the UN Charter and the intergovernmental nature of the UN, urges the EU to ensure – in order to allow the new EU representatives to speak effectively and in a timely manner on global issues – the necessary arrangements for the EU's effective participation in the work of the UN General Assembly, within its role as a regional integration organisation, by consulting fully and comprehensively with UN Member States; notes that in the longer run, the EU should explore the possibilities of opening up the structure of UN membership by the introduction of a "Regional Integration Organization" status;
Amendment 111 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
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; reiterates the view that an EU seat in an enlarged UNSC remains a 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 in accordance with the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty; 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 UNSC; stresses the need for prior coordination of positions in the Council and encourages the VP/HR and the EEAS to play a more active role in this respect;
Amendment 143 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
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; especially in view of the upcoming EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 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, the right to nominate a judge to the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the right for the European Parliament to participate to the Parliamentary Assembly of CoE when the latter elects judges;
Amendment 147 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Underlines that, in order to increase its effectiveness in the field of human rights at the pan European level, the EU should also accede to other CoE bodies such as the Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the European Commission on the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ);
Amendment 4 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the European Pact on Migration and Asylum adopted by the Council in October 2008, to the Commission’s First Annual Report on Migration and Asylum (2009)1 and to the Council Conclusions on the follow-up of the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum of 3 June 2010;
Amendment 10 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
- having regard to the Joint Declaration from the Ministerial Conference « Building Migration Partnerships » held in Prague on 27th and 28th April 2009,
Amendment 134 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the value of EU election observation missions as the first important step in any process of democratisation and good governance, and believes that such missions should be part of a broader framework of support for a long-term democratisation process; underlines, in this respect, that it is crucial to ensure an adequate follow-up for the implementation of the recommendations made by EU electoral observation missions; highlights the importance of mediation and conflict- prevention and resolution strategies and of institution- and capacity-building for regional organisations, such as the African Union (AU), which plays an important role in peace-keeping and peace-building operations; believes that the support for the AU should include the development of an effective border-control capacity and support for its capacity to fight the exploitation of irregular migration and to provide relief for irregular migrants in situations of distress; considers that the effective strengthening of regional organisations as multipliers of regional peace and stability will foster regional integration and the emergence of cross- border economic areas;
Amendment 138 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that progress has been made in the implementation of the Global Approach to Migration which aims to promote comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit and encourage synergies between migration and development; underlines the need to improve further the use of the main tools of the Global Approach to Migration (mobility partnerships, migratory missions, migration profiles, cooperation platforms); stresses the continuing need to put migration policy objectives at the centre of the political dialogue with countries of origin and of transit, as well as the need to enhance political coherence in this respect, in particular with development policy; is of the opinion that the various dialogue processes should be rationalised, while the synergies between migration and development should be strengthened; believes that efforts should be stepped up in order to support development projects in the countries of origin and transit that raise their living standard and increase their regulatory and institutional capacities, as well as their infrastructure in order to effectively manage migratory flows, while ensuring respect of the international standards of protection and the application of the principle of non-refoulement;
Amendment 156 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the VP/HR to promote, within the foreign affairs Ministerial Conference ofUnderlines the added-value that the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), could bring in dealing with the issue of migration, and its implications, as a priority issue for discussion and; calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to step up efforts to render the UfM fully operational; believes that the issue of migratory flows should be a priority for action within the framework of the UfM;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. having regard to the growing influence of GCC countries in the Arab and Muslim world and the important role they can play in the intercultural dialogue,
Amendment 43 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the importance of the intercultural and interreligious dialogue; recalls that the European Union and the GCC have expressed their joint commitment to promote and protect the values of tolerance, moderation and coexistence;
Amendment 71 #
2010/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Emphasises that the lack of cooperation programmes between the EU and the GCC in the media field results in a lack of information; calls on the Commission to put forward measures to involve the GCC countries in closer cooperation in this area in order to increase the visibility of the Union in the region and promote mutual understanding;
Amendment 3 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is convinced that investment can have a positive impact on growth and jobs, not only in the EU but also in developing countries; supports, therefore, an coherent EU investment policy that promotes, and helps to foster the necessary conditions for, liberalisation of foreign direct investment;
Amendment 8 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes also that, given healthy growth rates and significant potential in many developing nations, many of which enjoy long-standing privileged relationships with Europe, the proposed improvements to investment policy as well as an effective and efficient cooperation could be extremely beneficial both to the EU and to developing economies;
Amendment 10 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the investment risk is generally higher in developing countries, and that good governance is a prerequisiteand transparency are the key principles for strong, effective investor protection; is of the opinion that investment treaties can help improve governance and bring about the stable, secure environment to encourage investment into these countries; considers increased investment in developing countries essential for development, as part of an approach moving towards partnership agreements that bring about the reduction of poverty in line with MDG commitments;
Amendment 11 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is disappointed, therefore, that the Commission Communication focuses very littlCalls on the European Commission to focus more on developing countries as potential investment partners; recalls, in this respect, that the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU obliges the EU to practise policy coherence for development, i.e. to ‘take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries’;
Amendment 18 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5a (new)
Paragraph 5a (new)
5a. Underlines the need for stronger investment promotion provisions in investment agreements when they concern developing countries;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EU to meet its aid-for-trade commitments and to step up support for capacity building anreinforcing institutional and regulatory capacities and good governance, especially for parliaments, the judiciary, infrastructure, strengthening tax systems and promoting access to capital and microfinance in developing countries, in line with the recent Commission Green Paper on development policy, so as to make them more attractive as locations for foreign investment and in order to help them improve their institutional and regulatory capacity to manage foreign investments;
Amendment 23 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that EU investment policy should, particularly regarding developing countries, work to encourage flexibility, as regards foreign investment, in activities and sectors with a clear and significant impact on sustainable development, in which they might otherwise not engage because of the risks involved; considers that greater support should be given to local firms, notably through incentives for strengthening their productivity and cooperation, and improving skills of the workforce , which represents considerable potential for boosting economic development, competitiveness and growth in developing countries ;
Amendment 25 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7a (new)
Paragraph 7a (new)
7a. Points out that industrial development has a tremendous transformative potential for national economies and opposite to agriculture exports or natural resources extraction, which expose economise to shocks, is more likely to offer bigger scope for long-term productivity growth; therefore calls on developing countries to address this issue by designing and implementing industrialisation related policies with a special focus on manufacturing specialisation and trade-capacity building;
Amendment 27 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the EU to respect developing countries' ownership of their economic strategies and to cooperate with them to reach investment agreements that are mutually beneficial; underlines that these agreements must provide the necessary flexibility for developing countries in order to enable them to concentrate investments in the sectors that are the most relevant for them and that can bring about sustainable grouwth;
Amendment 31 #
2010/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. BStresses the added-value of a coherent and integrated EU investment policy; believes developing countries would benefit greatly from having the EU as a solemain interlocutor regarding investment arrangements, rather than multiple agreements with individual Member States; sees therefore as vital the establishment of an appropriate deadline by which time Member State bilateral treaties must be replaced by EU-level agreements.
Amendment 203 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
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;
Amendment 118 #
2010/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that the economic, social and human development of the region as a whole should be promoted; regards further liberalization of trade and intensification of intra-regional trade as essential to the economic development of the region; supports the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy aimed at the socio-economic development of maritime regions, but regrets that its Black Sea dimension is poorly developed; welcomes the results registered in cooperation on education, research and technology; further encourages the goal of promoting social development, people-to-people contacts and the development of a strong civil society, particularly through the creation and encouragement of a network of NGOs working in the region, that support the consolidation of democracy and human rights;
Amendment 123 #
2010/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Further believes that programmes promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue need a sustained encouragement in order to promote cooperation in the region, that joint initiatives in the field of education and media are much needed in order to create and consolidate meaningful links between the people and the opinion leaders in the region and that initiatives such as the Black Sea Universities Network provide good examples of how academic interaction can trigger positive synergies in the region;
Amendment 124 #
2010/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Emphasises the need for an equilibrium between economic development and environment protection, as well as the need for a common approach to this challenge and, thus, stresses the need for a full implementation of the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution;
Amendment 1 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 7 October on the World Day against the Death Penalty,
Amendment 40 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Iran still retains the death penalty and is one of the three countries in the world where most executions are carried out; whereas Iran holds the record for the highest number of juvenile offenders executed; whereas Iran still applies the death penalty by stoning, which runs contrary to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights,
Amendment 130 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is horrified 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; is deeply concerned by the widening of the repression one year after the popular uprising in Iran, including reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, ill- treatment and executions of political dissidents; condemns the efforts of the Iranian Government to silence all political opposition, as well as its attempts to avoid all international scrutiny of the violations that occurred during the post- election unrest; urges the EU institutions to present to the Iranian authorities a detailed list of all known incidents/violent actions against Iranian civilians in the aftermath of the election and insist that there be an honest judicial investigation;
Amendment 152 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. SIs deeply concerned by the situation concerning freedom of expression in Iran, where journalists and bloggers are imprisoned and subjected to mistreatment and abuse for expressing critical views; 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;
Amendment 165 #
2010/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls its firm 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; underlines the fact that EU institutions need to exert constant pressure on Iran in this respect;
Amendment 31 #
2010/0171(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The notion of a European administration requires, as a fundamental principle, adequate geographical and gender representativity as far as the staff is concerned. Therefore, recruitment for posts in the EEAS, whilst being based on merit, should also comprise such adequate representativity at all levels by including persons currently selected on EPSO reserve lists.
Amendment 15 #
2009/2241(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 16 #
2009/2241(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Insists that the negotiators take account of the impact of accession on the Convention system; considers it important, in the interest of those in both the Union and third countries who are seeking justice, to give preference to accession arrangements that will have least impact on the workload of the European Court of Human Rights;
Amendment 21 #
2009/2241(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Insists, in view of the important role that the Treaty confers on the European Parliament as regards conclusion of the accession agreement, that Parliament is closely involved in the preliminary discussions and also in the conduct of negotiations on that text.
Amendment 8 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the Northern Dimension framework and the Council of the Baltic Sea States should provide the main fundamental basis for the external aspects of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region; underlines, in this context, the importance of close cooperation with Norway, Belarus and in particular Russia, the only non-EU country with direct access to the Baltic Sea; specifically notes the status of the Kaliningrad Oblast enclave, which is surrounded by EU Member States;
Amendment 22 #
2009/2230(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that cooperation with Russia could be stepped up; welcomes, therefore, 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 and calls on Russia to play its part in this enhanced cooperation;
Amendment 26 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas an impasse has been reached in Afghanistan: a military coalition of occupying powers in place but unable toin place that has difficulties in defeating the Taliban, and an insurgency movement unable to prevail against these military forces; and whereas there is no obvious end in sight,
Amendment 43 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 72 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is aware of the set of factors hampering progress in Afghanistan but, given space constraints, has chosen to focus in this report onand particularly four main elements where, it believes, efforts expended will result in very significant improvements that could turn the course of events: international aid; implications of the peace process; impact of police training; elimination of opium cultivation through alternative development;
Amendment 79 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes, therefore, that a new EU strategy for Afghanistan will have to take as its starting point two premises: an acknowledgement of the continuing deterioration in security and socio- economic indicators in Afghanistan despite almost a decade of international involvement and investment; and the need to encourage a profound shift in the mindset of the international community, which has all too often in the past shaped plans and decisions with scant regard for Afghan involvement;
Amendment 92 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that any long-term solution to the Afghan crisis will involve the elimination of poverty, an end to opium production, and the integration of Afghanistan into the international community, as well as banishing Al Quaeda from the country;
Amendment 135 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 143 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 159 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is appalled by the absence ofEncourages a better coordination among international donors and of detailed evaluations on the impact of the international civilian and military intervention, by the lack of and more transparency and by the limited mechanisms for donor accountability;
Amendment 215 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 284 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
Amendment 133 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underscores the significance of the international talks in Geneva and supports the active involvement of EUSR Pierre Morel as mediator; encourages all parties to constructively engage in this process and expects more tangible results from the future rounds of discussions; highlights the importance of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms and their relevance for the enhancement of mutual confidence between parties;
Amendment 216 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Emphasizes the role of Georgia and Azerbaijan as essential countries for the transit of energy resources, as well as for the diversification of EU's energy supply and routes; in this light, recalls once again that the Union should take concrete steps to ensure the political stability of the region;
Amendment 15 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the European Union must adopt a strategic view of its relations with its southern neighbours and promovte beyond cooperation driven solely by considerations pertaining to security and migratmulti- dimensional cooperation capable of meeting the challenges facing the countries of the region,
Amendment 83 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the governments of the UfM member countries to establish an ongoing and open political dialogue characterised by mutual respect and understanding, and reaffirms its desire to seeemphasises that the promotion of democracy and respect for human rights and individual and collective freedoms made the care essentrial focuelements of that dialogue;
Amendment 125 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 - point 7
Paragraph 4 - point 7
- ensuring the UfM’s democratic legitimacy in such a way that decisions are taken in a transparent manner, and that the European Parliament, the EMPA and the national parliaments are involved in the decision-making process; emphasises that, as its parliamentary wing, the EMPA must be recognised as an integral part of the UfM;
Amendment 47 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights that a future accession of Iceland to the EU would transform the Union in an Arctic coastal state, while noting that Iceland's status as a candidate country to the EU underlines the need for a coordinated Arctic Policy at the EU level and represents a strategic opportunity for the EU to have a more active role and contribute to multilateral governance in the Arctic Region;
Amendment 105 #
2009/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates its request for Member States to develop as a matter of priority a coordinated policy on the issuing of emergency visas for Human Rights Defenders and members of their families, for which special schemes in Spain and Ireland can serve as example; strongly believes that giving the new delegations of the European Union the power to make recommendations to Member States on the issuing of emergency visas would be a great step forward for the human rights policy of the Union; takes the view that a clear reference to this possibility in the Draft handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas would be of great help to achieve this common approach, as has already been expressed by the European Parliament during the process of legal scrutiny for the above mentioned measure;
Amendment 3 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the conclusion and implementation of the regional Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) is an additional challenge for ACP-EU relations; which will inevitably lead to challenge, and, at the same time, an opportunity for ACP-EU relations; whereas the regionalisation of the ACP group and undermine the joint ACP-EC institutions; whereas there is a need to reconcile is a need to adapt the ACP - EC institutions to the regionalisation of the ACP-EU relations with, bearing in mind the unity and coherence of the ACP group and the stability of the ACP-EC institutions,
Amendment 8 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the fact that parliaments and civil society organisations were - once again - not involved in the decision- making process that led to the identification of areas and articles of the Cotonou Agreement for revision and to the establishment of the negotiating mandates adopted by the Council of the EU and the ACP Council of Ministers;
Amendment 13 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the need to consolidate the political dimension of the Cotonou Agreement, particularly in respect of the commitment of the parties to implement the obligations stemming from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
Amendment 24 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and ACP governments to include the fight against abuses of tax havens, tax evasion and illicit capital flight as a matter of priority in the Cotonou Agreement; calls therefore for a binding mechanism, whichfor the establishment of a binding mechanism, at United Nations level, which should forces all transnational corporations to disclose automatically the profits made and the taxes paid in every ACP country where they operate;
Amendment 34 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the negotiators to avoid the adverse impacts of farm land acquisition (such as expropriation of small farmers and unsustainable use of land and water) by recognising the right of the population to control farm land and other vital natural resources and by adopting guiding principles in this line;
Amendment 44 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the importance of the parliamentary dimension of the Cotonou Agreement, embodied in the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA); expresses its firm commitment to the JPA playing its full role in ensuring parliamentary participation in actions and processes under the Cotonou Agreement; resolves to deny assent to any revision of that Agreement which reduces the role of the JPA, including the frequency of its plenary sessions;
Amendment 49 #
2009/2165(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for the strengthening and upgrading of the ACP-EU JPA and insists for provisions to be made in the Cotonou Agreement to allow the JPA to scrutinise the country and regional strategy papers, the ACP-EC EPAs and the European Development Fund;
Amendment 9 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Takes the view that the budget of the EEAS should be included systematically in the multiannual financial framework and that it should be shaped by taking into account the medium and long term priorities of the EU's external action;
Amendment 16 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – point b
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, trathere are compelling reasons to include, development policy 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 servicein the new service; in view of their specific characteristics, enlargement and trade should not be included in the remit of the EEAS;
Amendment 41 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission, the Council, the Member States and the next High Representative to clearly commit themselves to a comprehensive and ambitious plan for the setting-up of the EEAS, as a gradual and step-by-step; in view of the complexity of the issues involved, and in order to ensure fair representation of all Member States in the EEAS, a gradual approach cshould lead to inconsistencies and waste ofbe implemented. A "review clause" should be envisaged within a reasourcesnable time-frame;
Amendment 5 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the role of the European Union as a global player has increased over the last decades, and whereas a new approach is needed if the EU is to act collectively and meet global challenges in a coherent, consistent and efficient manner by balancing ambitions, priorities and instruments with the capacity for strategic cohesion in its external action,
Amendment 125 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes with satisfaction the generally peaceful and stable situation in Kosovo and the efforts to build a multi-ethnic society, as demonstrated by the successfulcalm and orderly local elections held on 15 November 2009; welcomes the fact that the EULEX rule of law mission in Kosovo, which is the largest civilian CSDP mission launched so far by the EU, is working at full operational capacity; underlines the mission’s importance in promoting inter-ethnic reconciliation, the rule of law, public order and security throughout the whole of Kosovo, by assisting the Kosovo institutions, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies in their progress towards sustainability and accountability; in this respect, welcomes the decision to open a new EULEX office in the north; however, notes the need to increase the number of prosecutors working in EULEX, and calls on the Member States to provide additional personnel;
Amendment 136 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Reaffirms the importance for the EU of more effective regional cooperation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, in which spirit the EU will support the implementation of result-oriented projects under both the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea Synergy, in full complementarity;
Amendment 10 #
2009/0162(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The EU macro-financial assistance can contribute to economic stabilisation if political stability and a broad consensus on rigorous implementation of the necessary structural reforms are ensured.
Amendment 26 #
2009/0108(COD)
Recital 11
(11) Different sources of Community funding are available to support Member States to finance the necessary investment in indigenous production and infrastructure, notably loans and guarantees from the European Investment Bank or funding from regional, structural or cohesion funds. The European Investment Bank as well as the Community external instruments such as ENPI, IPA and DCI can also finance actions in third countries (particularly the countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy) in order to improve security of energy supply.
Amendment 16 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
Amendment 19 #
2009/0104(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) This process of visa liberalisation should serve as a reference for defining relations with the Eastern partners of the European Union and particularly with Moldova, a country in which there has recently been a significant democratic shift.
Amendment 1 #
2009/0036(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Recommendation
Recommendation
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, as the committee responsible, to rejectapprove the proposal.
Amendment 15 #
1998/0031R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point ii
(ii) The removal of restrictions on the registration and functioning of non- governmental organisations;
Amendment 18 #
1998/0031R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point iv
(iv) An end to enforced disappearancethe practice of secret detention and enforced disappearances and disclosure of the fate or the whereabouts of disappeared persons, acknowledgement by the country’s authorities of the existence of political prisoners and access to the country for international organisations and independent monitors;
Amendment 30 #
1998/0031R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point vi
Paragraph 1 – point vi
(vi) FEnd the informal and arbitrary system of travel bans and ensure the freedom of movement within the country and abroad;
Amendment 31 #
1998/0031R(NLE)
(i) Respect for the principles of political pluralism and democratic accountability, with freely operatproper functioning political parties free from unnecessary interference, including those peacefully opposing the government;
Amendment 38 #
1998/0031R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point iv
Paragraph 2 – point iv
(iv) Overall respect for the peaceful and legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression and, freedom of association and freedom of religion or belief;