Activities of George Sabin CUTAȘ related to 2009/2216(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION Opinion on the need for an EU Stategy for the South Caucasus
Amendments (5)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the geopolitical situation of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan in relation to the European Union, Russia, Iran and Turkey, and considers it therefore of the utmost importance that cooperation with the South Caucasus be given the highest priority, not least in matters relating to energpolitical stability, the promotion of democracy and good governance and energy security;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that trade is one of the key components of the EU’s overall policy of fostering political stability, respect for human rights, sustainable growth and prosperity in the Eastern Partnership countries in general and in the South Caucasus region in particular;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the conclusion of the feasibility studies for Georgia and Armenia in May 2008, showing that deep and comprehensive free trade agreements (DCFTAs) would bring significant economic benefits to these countries and the EU, thereby allowing the Commission to enter into a preparatory phase for future negotiations on DCFTAs; calls on the Commission to continue its efforts to help Azerbaijan to accomplish its accession to the WTO as soon as possible , as WTO membership is a prerequisite before any FTA negotiations can be considered; encourages Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to improve their progress in fulfilling their respective ENP Action Plans and the Commission’s recommendations, particularly in terms of improving their institutional capacity and implementation of regulatory reforms (especially regarding the poor levels of intellectual property protection in all three countries), which is one of the necessary preconditions for effective implementation and sustaining the effects of such ambitious FTAs;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that the conclusion of FTAs with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan could not only lead to economic growth, but could also increase foreign investment, create new jobs and eradicate poverty;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of several regional cooperation organisations, in particular the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), aimed at greater integration of the South Caucasus region; calls for greater EU engagement and involvement towards integration in the region, given that the Community now has exclusive competence on trade policy and therefore the EU Member States participating in the BSEC (Bulgaria, Greece and Romania) cannot enter into commitments in the trade area, as this would be incompatible with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.