Activities of Knut FLECKENSTEIN related to 2016/2310(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2016 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia DE
Amendments (21)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
— having regard to the political agreement (the so-called ‘'Przhžino Agreement’') reached between the four main political parties in Skopje on 2 June and 15 July 2015, and the four-party agreement on its implementation of 20 July and 31 August 2016,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- whereas the title "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" is used in the title of the report and in Recital A but all other references to the country's name in the text and agreed amendments are changed to "its," "the country," "it" and similar non-specific terms; the title "Republic of Macedonia" is not used in the text but the word "Macedonian" is retained;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas voters participated in large numbers in the early parliamentary elections held in Macedonia had a very high turnout;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas some of the key issues in the reform process include reform of the judiciary, public administration and media, youth unemployment and a review of the implementation of OFA;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas there is common understanding between the Commission, the Council and the Parliament that the maintenance of the positive recommendation to open accession negotiations with the country is dependent/conditional on progress with the implementation of the Pržino Agreement and substantial progress in the implementation of the Urgent Reform Priorities;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas the Council has been blocking progress due to the unresolved name issue with Greece; whereas bilateral issues should not be used as a pretext to obstruct the swift start of negotiations with the EU;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas accession negotiations should be opened upon the fulfilment of required conditions; whereas the country hwas been considered for many years as one of the most advanced countriesadvanced in terms of alignment with the acquis;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the respect for fundamental freedoms shown at the elections of 11 December 2016; notes that OSCE/ODIHR considers that the elections were competitive, but took place in an environment characterised by widespread public mistrust in institutions and the political establishment; urges all political parties to accept its results in the interest of domestic stability[A1] and underlines their responsibility to ensure that there is no backsliding into political crisis; calls for a swift formation of a new government in order to make use of the mandate to carry on with necessary reforms to ensure the country's Euro- Atlantic integration and a European perspective for the benefit of the country and its citizens; considers cross- party cooperation essential for addressing pressing domestic and EU-related challenges, also in order to maintain the positive recommendation to open EU membership negotiations;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the electoral process has improved, including the legal framework, voters’' lists and the media environment;a more balanced media coverage hopes that the alleged irregularities and shortcomings, including voter intimidation, vote buying, abuse of public resources, will also be addressed effectively by the competent authorities in view of the local elections in May 2017; urges the national authorities to address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission; stresses the need for a de- politicisation of the work of the electoral administration in order to increase the public’'s trust in future elections;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expects the new government, as a first priority, in cooperation with other parties, to accelerate EU-related reforms; reiterates its support for the opening of accession negotiations, conditional on the progress of the implementation of the Przhžino Agreement and the Urgent Reform Prioritiesto ensure its full, tangible and sustainable implementation and substantial progress in the implementation of the Urgent Reform Priorities on systemic reforms on the rule of law including in relation to breaches of fundamental rights, judicial independence, media freedom, elections, corruption, politicisation of state institutions and state/party blurring and failures of oversight; continues to be convinced that negotiations can generate much-needed reforms and positively influence the resolution of bilateral disputes;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges once again that the political will be shownand ownership be shown by all the parties to fully implement the Urgent Reform Priorities and the Przhžino Agreement; calls on the Commission to assess, at its earliest convenience but before the end of 2017, the country’'s progress on implementation and to report back to Parliament; while recalling that long overdue reforms need to be launched and implemented, supports the continuation of the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) for systematically assisting the country in this endeavour; draws attention to the potential negative consequences of further delays in the country’'s accession process;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges all parties to demonstrate the political will to overcome the divisive political environment, polarisation, lack of culture of compromise and re-engage in dialogue; emphasises again the key role of parliament in the democratic development of the country and as the forum for political dialogue and representation; calls for its oversight functions to be strengthened; urges the smooth operation of the parliamentary committees on the interception of communications and on security and counterintelligence, their unhindered access to the necessary data and testimonies in order to provide credible parliamentary control over relevant services;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes some progress, although limited, in reforming public administration including the steps to implement the new legal framework on human resources management; remains concerned about the politicisation of public administration and that civil servants are subject to political pressure; urges the new government to enhance professionalism, neutrality and independence at all levels; stresses the need to complete the 2017- 2022 public administration reform strategy, including by making sufficient budget allocations for its implementation, and to strengthen relevant administrative capacity;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the backsliding in the reform of the judiciary, which should be allowed to function independently; 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; 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; calls on the authorities to ensure the professionalism of the Judicial Council and the Prosecutors Council;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. NReiterates the importance of a thorough and independent investigation, without hindrance, of the allegations of wrong-doing brought to the fore by the wiretaps, and the related failures of oversight; recalls the importance of the mandate and the work of both the Special Prosecutor and the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry to look, respectively, into legal accountability and political responsibility; notes that the Special Prosecutor has raised the first criminal indictments concerning wrongdoings arising from the wiretaps; is concerned about attacks and obstruction against her work and the lack of cooperation from other institutions; considers it essential for the democratic process to enable the Special Prosecutor’'s Office to carry out thorough investigations in full autonomy, unhindered; calls for the Office to be given full support, the conditions and time necessary to complete their important work; calls for obstructions in the courts for referring evidence to the Special Prosecutor to be ended, and for support for amendments to the law to ensure her autonomous authority for witness protection with respect to the cases for which her office is responsible;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Remains concerned about radical and unjustified public attacks on CSOs and foreign representatives by politicians and the media; acknowledges and encourages the important role played by CSOs in monitoring, supporting and improving democratic processes; is concerned about limited government commitment and insufficient cooperation with CSOs at all levels; urges the competent authorities to include CSOs in policymaking in a regular and structured manner;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates that the interethnic situation remains fragile; urges all political parties and CSOs to actively promote an inclusive and tolerant multi-ethnic and multi-religious society and to strengthen coexistence and dialogue; reminds the new government and party leaders of their commitment to fully implement the OFA and to complete its reviewoverdue review at the earliest, in an inclusive and transparent manner, including policy recommendations;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is concerned over freedom of expression and the media, the use of hate speech, the cases of intimidation and self- censorship, systemic political interference and pressure, including through the editorial policies and the absence of investigative and balanced reporting; urges the new government to enforce transparent and objective criteria on public service announcements to replace government advertising; calls on the new government to ensure that intimidation or violence against journalists is investigated and that those responsible be brought to justice; underlines the need for the sustainability and autonomy of the public service broadcast;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is concerned about the significant shortcomings in the field of the environment, in particular in the area of air and water pollution; calls for a comprehensive policy and strategy on climate action to be developed that is in line with the EU 2030 framework for climate policy and for the ratification and implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes Macedonia’'s continued constructive role in regional and international cooperation; commends the increased alignment with EU foreign policy (73 %); reiterates the importance of finalising the negotiations on a bilateral treaty with Bulgaria, aimed at strengthening good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the tangible results from the confidence-building measures with Greece; strongly reiterates its invitation to the Vice- President/High Representative (VP/HR) and the Commission to develop, if asked by relevant parties, new initiatives to overcome the remaining differences and to work, in cooperation with the two countries and the UN Special Representative, on a mutually acceptable solution ton the name issue and to report back to Parliament thereon;