Activities of Knut FLECKENSTEIN related to 2018/2147(INI)
Plenary speeches (3)
2018 Report on Albania (A8-0334/2018 - Knut Fleckenstein) (vote) DE
2018 Report on Albania (debate) DE
2018 Report on Albania (debate) DE
Reports (1)
REPORT on the 2018 Commission Report on Albania PDF (389 KB) DOC (64 KB)
Amendments (7)
Amendment 24 #
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 sustakes note of the Council decision to re-evaluate the situation in June 2019 and welcomes the clear path that has been outlined towards the start of accession talks and highlights the fact that the preparatory screening process has begun, calls on the Council to evaluate objectively and fairly the progress achieved by the country and to convene the first Intergovernmental Conference by the end of that year in light of further progress made on judicial reform and tangible results in the fight against corruption and organised crime and encourages Albania to maintain the reform momentum; considers that the opening of negotiations would provide further incentives for the reform process and enhance its scrutiny;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress made in justice reform aimed at increasing the independence, accountability, professionalism and efficiency of judicial institutions; regrets that the administration of justice continues to be slow and inefficient; calls on the Albanian authorities to speed up the vetting process, without compromising on quality or fairness; takes note of first dismissals and voluntary resignations of candidates prior to their hearingsstresses the importance that the vetting process is implemented in line with the highest international standards and encourages Albania to continue the cooperation with the International Monitoring Operation; takes note of first dismissals and voluntary resignations of candidates prior to their hearings; considers in this light that the preparation of the next generation of judges and prosecutors is even more important and regrets therefore that political parties in Albania have so far not reached an agreement regarding the necessary amendments to the law on the status of judges and prosecutors with regard to a higher capacity recruitment and training;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Commends the climate of tolerance and cooperation among the country’s religious communities; calls on the Albanian authorities to effectively combat hate speech and the exclusion and discrimination of minorities, including LGBTI persons; welcomes the recently adopted Gender Equality Action Plans by five Albanian municipalities, in line with the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the Albanian authorities to address the large informal economy; stresses that corruption, rule-of-law deficiencies and cumbersome regulatory procedures continue to deter investment and Albania’s sustainable development;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Expresses concern over economic activity that has led to environmental damage in protected areas, such as the hydropower plants along the Vjosa river; urges the authorities to step up environmental impact assessments and public consultations on such projects; encourages further efforts to align national legislation with the EU environmental acquis and to improve waste management;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Warmly commends the generous willingness by Albania to take in a number of the refugees that had arrived in the Italian port of Catania in August 2018 even though this act is in no way connected to any obligations stemming from the Stabilisation and Association Process and is rather a task for the current Member States of the Union which had not been fulfilled;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes Albania’s participation in the Berlin Process, the Western Balkans Six initiative and other regional initiatives, and its contribution to strengthening the profile of the Regional Cooperation Council; notes with satisfaction the signature of a Joint Declaration on Regional Cooperation and Good Neighbourly Relations in the framework if the Berlin process; welcomes Albania’s proactive role in promoting regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations with other enlargement countries and with neighbouring Member States;