Activities of Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Condemns the repeated use by Russia of its veto powers on the UN Security Council and considers it to undermine international efforts for peace and conflict resolution in Syria and the European Union's southern neighbourhood more widely;

2018/10/19
Committee: AFET

2018/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Condemns Russian attempts to carry out cyber-attacks and to interfere during election and referendum campaigns, both within EU territory and outside;

2018/10/19
Committee: AFET

2018/2097(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Strongly condemns the illegal annexation of the Crimea and the military intervention in Eastern Ukraine by Russia; calls for EU sanctions against Russia to be extended until Russia complies with the Minsk agreements; insists that the EU should keep open the option of further gradual sanctions if Russia continues to violate international law;

2018/10/19
Committee: AFET

2018/2097(INI)

Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK, Cristian Dan PREDA, Eduard KUKAN, Andrey KOVATCHEV, László TŐKÉS, Tunne KELAM, Boris ZALA, Anders VISTISEN, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Ivo VAJGL, Jozo RADOŠ, Tamás MESZERICS, Jordi SOLÉ

Motion for a resolution
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;

2018/10/19
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Ukraine deserves particular praise for reforms in the areas of energy, health, public administration, pensions, education and decentralisation, public procurement, banking and financial sectors, defence and security;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas while condemning the continued Russian aggression in ~~Eastern~~the east of Ukraine and Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea, it is to be recognised that Ukraine is facing challenges of a transformational nature in an environment of warfare and destabilisation attempts;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE

1a. Reaffirms its unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and its non-recognition of the illegal occupation of Crimea; remains committed to the agreed sanctions against Russia;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Welcomes efforts of Ukraine to set up the institutional and monitoring system for the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the respective Government Action Plan;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Is concerned~~Welcomes efforts on consolidating positions and cooperation between the cabinet and the parliament on the basis of the Roadmap for the implementation of the Association Agreement; however, encourages that the interaction between the cabinet and the parliament ~~has not been~~is regulated by a specific mechanism in relation to the implementation of the AA/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA);

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Remains deeply concerned at the growing number of illegally detained Ukrainian citizens from the temporarily occupied territories who have been arrested, sentenced and imprisoned by the Russian authorities and demands that the Russian Federation immediately and unconditionally release Oleg Sentsov and all other illegally detained Ukrainian citizens;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Calls for~~Welcomes the final adoption of the ~~draft~~ law on the legal status of missing persons;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women; in this regard, takes into account the adoption of the Law on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence; welcomes creation of the position of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. IAcknowledges economy growth and introduction of reforms in Ukraine, however, remains concerned about ~~the growing~~ poverty of large parts of the population;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Welcomes the adaptation of the National Transport Strategy and calls for legal and institutional reforms needed for its actual implementation;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Praises Ukraine for good cooperation in the energy sector, not least the progress it has made in energy efficiency; points out the need for continued reforms, in particular to complete reform of the gas and electricity markets in order to be fully integrated into the EU Energy Market, and to end existing monopolies, which will bring long-term economic benefits to industry and consumers;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Welcomes the adoption of the Law on electronic trust services as well as the priorities defined in the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy and Society in Ukraine for 2018-2020 as important steps on the way of integration into the EU Digital Single Market;

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2283(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and to the President, Government and Parliament of ~~the Republic of~~ Ukraine.

2018/09/10
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Urges the High Representative and Member States to work assertively for the Chinese government to uphold international standards on human rights and the rule of law, and to end its crackdown on human rights defenders, civil society actor and dissidents;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

1a. Expresses its concern about international trends towards protectionism in international trade; calls therefore on the Chinese government to refrain from introducing new barriers to trade;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Acknowledges that economic reforms in China are taking place; notes, however, that the regulatory environment in many sectors is a hurdle to the access for European SME’s to the Chinese market; calls on China and the EU to further enhance cooperation in order to improve access for SME’s in both market blocs;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Expresses its concern about the joint naval exercise that China and Russia carried out in the Baltic Sea in July 2017;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Underlines that a vibrant civil society, and the work of human rights defenders are key to an open and prosperous society; expresses deep concern for the situation of imprisoned human rights defenders and civil society activists; urges Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all detained human rights defenders, and end all judicial harassment against them;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Condemns the ongoing crackdown on internet freedom by the Chinese authorities, in particular the freedom to access foreign websites; recalls that eight out of the world's 25 most popular websites such as Google, Facebook or Twitter are blocked in China;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Insists that Chinese authorities must guarantee that all those in detention must be treated in accordance with international norms, and provided access to legal counsel and medical treatment, in line with the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on Chinese authorities to repeal restrictive legislation such as the Foreign NGO Law, which impedes and inhibits the work of civil society organisations;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2274(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the EU and its Member States to do their utmost to urge the PRC to refrain from further military provocation towards Taiwan and endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; emphasises that all cross-strait disputes should be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law; expresses its concern about the unilateral decision by China to start using new flight routes above the Taiwan Strait; encourages the resumption of official dialogues between Beijing and Taipei; reiterates its consistent support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), where Taiwan’s continuous exclusion is not in line with the EU’s interests;

2018/04/27
Committee: AFET

2017/2271(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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~~holds that the transatlantic partnership has never been more relevant than now and is strong enough to withstand the differences of opinion; stresses that the values-based overarching framework of our partnership is essential to securing the architecture of the global economy and security;

2018/06/11
Committee: AFET

2017/2204(INI)

Bas BELDER, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c

(c) to emphasise that respecting Hong Kong’s autonomy is essential for its further positive development and favourable relations with the Chinese mainland, and for the re~~lations and~~sumption of the dialogue ~~of the People’s Republic of China with~~s between the mainland and Taiwan;

2017/10/25
Committee: AFET

2017/2121(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Underlines the need to intensify the fight against Islamist terrorism in the Southern neighbourhood and among the neighbours of our neighbours; urges the need for concerted diplomatic efforts on the part of the EU, the US and other international allies, to convince players in the region, such as Turkey, the Gulf states and Iran, of the need for a common strategy to address this global challenge; believes that these diplomatic efforts should be accompanied by the wide range of other tools and instruments at the EU’s disposal; condemns regional states’ support of groups involved in terrorist acts as enumerated in the EU terrorist list;

2017/09/14
Committee: AFET

2017/2121(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Ivo VAJGL, Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ, Andrey KOVATCHEV, Eduard KUKAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK, Bas BELDER, Anders VISTISEN, Boris ZALA, Jordi SOLÉ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. S~~tresses that a sustainable political solution to the Syrian crisis needs to be based on an inclusive, Syrian-led political settlement involving all relevant national and international stakeholders; s~~upports the call of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria on the ceasefire guarantor states to undertake urgent efforts to uphold the ceasefire regime; calls on all parties involved, inside and outside Libya, to support both the Libyan political agreement signed on 17 December 2015 and its resulting Presidential Council, which is the only authority recognised by the international community and by the UN; underlines that solving the Libyan crisis is a prerequisite for stability in the Mediterranean;

2017/09/14
Committee: AFET

2017/2121(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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;

2017/09/14
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

- having regard to the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on 24 April 2017 to reopen the monitoring procedure in respect of Turkey over serious concerns about respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law,

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Javier NART, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Hilde VAUTMANS, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that Turkey is assessed as being in 155th place in the World Press Freedom Index, published on 26 April 2017, ranked lower than ever before and as one of the countries where journalists suffered the most threats, physical attacks, judicial harassment, including detention and prison sentences,

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Nedzhmi ALI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Norica NICOLAI, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that Turkey has been admirably hospitable to the large number of refugees living in the country,

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the strategic importance of good EU-Turkey relations for both sides; 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 the accession instruments have not been used to the fullest extent and that, over the years, Turkey’s full integration into the EU has lost public support on both sides; 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;~~

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Hilde VAUTMANS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5 c. Underlines that if a referendum on the introduction of capital punishment is organised in Turkey, no voting should be allowed to be organised in EU Member States, stresses that there is no place for campaigning events or big rallies in favour of the death penalty to be organised inside the European Union;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Underline that the Turkish Grand National Assembly should be the central institution in Turkish democracy, and represent all citizens on equal terms, regrets the high electoral threshold as a distortion of true political representativity;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Hilde VAUTMANS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Welcomes~~Calls for the deepening of EU- Turkey relations in key areas of joint interest, such as counter-terrorism, migration, energy, the economy and trade; believes EU-Turkey cooperation in these areas towill be an investment in the stability and prosperity of both Turkey and the EU;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2228(INI)

Cora van NIEUWENHUIZEN, Jan HUITEMA, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points to the important role that space technologies can play in climate change monitoring, since half of the 'essential climate variables' can only be measured from space; calls on all relevant actors to make effective use of the Copernicus earth observation programme in climate change monitoring of the Arctic;

2016/11/14
Committee: AFET ENVI

2016/2228(INI)

Cora van NIEUWENHUIZEN, Jan HUITEMA, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Given that better knowledge of the Arctic is key to adequately meeting all challenges, encourages the promotion and facilitation of international scientific and research cooperation among all stakeholders active in the field of Arctic research and in establishing research infrastructures; calls on all stakeholders to make full use of the potential of the Copernicus earth observation programme in this respect; supports cooperation between leading Arctic research institutions to develop an integrated European polar research programme under the EU-PolarNet initiative;

2016/11/14
Committee: AFET ENVI

2016/2036(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Takes the view that it is time to define a new, more realistic strategy for the EU’s relations with Russia, based on credible deterrence but also on dialogue in areas of common interest; underlines at the same time the importance of investing more into cooperation with and support of the Russian civil society, so as to strengthen the long-term basis of EU- Russia relations: stresses that sanctions have proven to be the most effective means for further deterring Russian aggression in Ukraine; recalls that the full implementation of the Minsk agreement is a prerequisite for the suspension of sanctions; insists that the EU should consider imposing further sanctions in case Russia continues to violate international law; believes it is in the common interest of the EU and Russia to achieve a better relationship, provided international law is applied;

2016/10/18
Committee: AFET

2016/2036(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Encourages the constructive development of cross-strait relations between China (PRC) and Taiwan (ROC), which will be significantly conducive to regional security; underlines its support of Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, such as WHO, ICAO, UNFCCC, Interpol and others;

2016/10/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a notable achievement for European diplomacy in particular, and that Europe is now responsible for not simply ensuring its strict and full implementation, but ~~for maintaining the spirit of negotiations in a way that benefits the peoples of both Iran and the EU~~also should develop a broader agenda of EU- Iran relations addressing human rights, anti-corruption, energy policy, rules- based trade, environmental concerns and cultural relations;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed based on a clear agenda and with the wellbeing of Iranian people at the heart of any policy, 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-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU which will require confidence-building; 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;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. IConsi~~sts on the importance of developing~~ders the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorismimportant but challenging, given the lack of free and fair elections; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights which should be based on the universality of human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, butof ties between people from many Member States and people in Iran; reiterates that the EU seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles~~; believes that the full normalisation~~ starting with the universality of human rights; believes that gradual improvement of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations ion ~~areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one of partnership between Iran and the EU~~the basis of a clearly set broad agenda;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless~~Strongly condemns the continued application of the death penalty in high numbers particularly for people convicted of drug smuggling without due process or fair trial; believes cooperation on anti- narcotics programmes and on ~~the question of~~ending juvenile executions~~, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this question~~ should be addressed;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Takes note of~~Underlines the fact that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would drastically reduce the number of executions (up to 80 % according to Iranian estimates); calls on the Iranian authorities to put a moratorium on the death penalty; calls for EU-Iran cooperation in the fight against ~~drugs~~illegal drug trade as a way of addressing the issue of executions in the country without directly or indirectly becoming complicit in the arrest of people who face the death penalty; 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 expressing the rights of people and the right to ask for asylum;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the re-assessment of qualifying container scanners as a dual- use item, which hinders the scanning of freight containers in the countering of illegal smuggling of narcotics;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EEAS to explore the possibility of establishing an institutional framework for cooperation with Iran, such as a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) or a Framework Agreement. based on a clear set of benchmarks which should be met prior to opening any negotiations;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment and a truly private sector, conducive to international investment and take anti- corruption measures on all levels, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Itran~~’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work~~sparency and accountability, and when benchmarks are met to explore steps towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; ~~calls for the EU to develop economic cooperation with Iran;~~ takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls the ~~impact~~uncertainty that extraterritorial US sanctions, in particular US-related sanctions on banks, ~~have on~~create for EU businesses willing to invest in Iran; insists on the need to address this and other financial matters to create the necessary c~~onditions~~larity and legal certainty for EU businesses to ~~prosper~~work in Iran a~~nd contribu~~fter t~~o Iranians feeling relief from sanctions in their everyday lives~~he lifting of sanctions in line with the JCPOA;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Considers the lack of freedom of expression online, the systemic surveillance and monitoring of internet traffic as well as the lack of digital freedoms to be an obstacle to trade with Iran, as well as a violation of people's rights and freedoms;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Calls for a specific assessment of the impact of human rights when EU companies export telecoms, law- enforcement, IT, surveillance and other dual-use items;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Takes note of the fact that Iran hosts 3 million Afghan refugees; welcomes the additional EUR 6.5 million of EU funding to support ~~Iran in~~ the education and health care of the Afghan population in the country; believes ~~that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management can enhance mutual understanding~~international aid organisations are best positioned to receive EU funds and to provide aid; believes that EU-Iran cooperation on refugee management should improve the well-being of refugees in Iran and prevent human traffickers, promote improved respect for international law and the lives of refugees themselves, as well as contributing to conflict resolution in order to reduce the causes of current and future refugee movements;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
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;~~

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Expresses grave concern over the arrest of EU-Iranian dual-nationals upon their entering Iran, stresses that these arrests hinder the possibilities of people to people contacts;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Calls on Iranian authorities to allow for Iranian diaspora in Europe to safely travel to their country of birth;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18c. Calls on the judiciary to respect fair trial, due process and to grant suspects access to a lawyer;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)

18d. Condemns the systematic torture in Iranian prisons;

2016/08/10
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Expresses concern about growing militarisation in the wider region and supports efforts towards greater arms control, non-proliferation, countering terrorism, while recognising legitimate defence concerns, but within a context of seeking to promote full respect for sovereignty of all countries in the region itself;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Condemns Iran's support of Hezbollah, which is on the EU terror list;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Condemns the political as well as military and strategic support by the Revolutionary Guards for the Assad regime which has been indiscriminately killing civilians;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)

21c. Underlines the need for Iran to play a meaningful role in ending the war in Syria;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)

21d. Condemns the covert recruitment of Afghan boys to fight for the regime of president Assad in Syria;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Believes EU-Iran political dialogue should ~~call on~~urge Iran to play a constructive role in solving the political crises in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan, based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of these countries; calls, in this regard, for a model of EU diplomacy based on political priorities rather than religious ~~differenc~~identities and on the principle of ensuring respect, safety and security for peoples in all countries in the Middle East, without exception;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
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); calls for its contribution to at least 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;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes Iran’s expressed readiness to support the current efforts to bring stability to Iraq, and urges it to play a meaningful role to end sectarian violence and calls for additional efforts to bring all the militias operating in the country under the authority of the Iraqi army; welcomes Iran’s contribution to the fight against ISIS/Da’esh; ~~notes the agreement between Iran and Australia to share intelligence on the fight against ISIS/Da’esh;~~

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that regional rivalries are an underlying factor in conflicts in several countries in the region; calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, including confidence building, track II diplomacy and de- escalation measures in the normalisation of their relations; calls on the EU to work with the US and Russia to that end and, in particular, in supporting the development of a new regional security infrastructure that takes into account Iran and Saudi Arabia’s threat perceptions and legitimate security concerns ~~and provides security guarantees both to Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council~~; stresses that cooperation on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, including the signing of a charter on free navigation, could be a first confidence- building measure in developing regional trust and cooperation;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary ~~legacy~~system and its constitution as an Islamic State ~~must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy or human right~~are incompatible with respect for universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic values;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Calls on Iranian authorities to fully respect the universal human rights of all people, in particular the right to free expression online and offline;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26b. Calls on Iranian authorities to respect the rights of women and to eliminate any discriminatory measures in family-, criminal-, labour and other laws;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)

26c. Calls for the release of all political prisoners;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)

26d. Calls for the immediate release of EU citizens detained in Iran including Nazak Afshar, Kamal Foroughi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and all other dual- nationals unjustly detained;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)

26e. Calls for the immediate release of Canadian-Iranian Homa Hoodfar, American-Iranians Amir Hekmati, Siamak Namazi and his father Baquer Namazi, and all other dual-nationals unjustly detained;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 f (new)

26f. Calls on Iranian authorities to respect LGBTI rights;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 g (new)

26g. Calls on Iranian authorities to allow for free and fair elections, and international monitors;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. ~~Notes with concern that~~Strongly condemns Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; ~~welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that~~encourages the newly-elected Majlis ~~is considering~~to adopt legislation to exclude some drug- related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Welcome~~Recalls 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; 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 for juvenile offenders;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2274(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Welcome~~Recalls President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the need to ensure the independence of the judiciary in general, as well as in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; 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~~universal human rights and fundamental fore~~ign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.~~edoms and the fight against corruption;

2016/08/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Thomas MANN, Csaba SÓGOR, Kinga GÁL, Tunne KELAM, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Ivo VAJGL, Nathalie GRIESBECK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 34 a (new)

– having regard to nine rounds of talks from 2002 to 2010 between high ranking representatives of the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama,

2015/09/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Thomas MANN, Csaba SÓGOR, Tunne KELAM, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Ivo VAJGL, Nathalie GRIESBECK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 34 a (new)

– having regard to ‘Tibet’s Path of Development Is Driven by an Irresistible Historical Tide’, China’s White Paper on Tibet, published by China’s State Council Information Office, 15 April 2015,

2015/09/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Thomas MANN, Csaba SÓGOR, Kinga GÁL, Tunne KELAM, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Ivo VAJGL, Nathalie GRIESBECK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 34 b (new)

– having regard to the 2008 Memorandum and the 2009 Note on Genuine Autonomy both presented by the Representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama,

2015/09/22
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines the development of the trade relations between China and the European Union and the achievements made in the last 40 years; calls on China and the EU to further enhance cooperation in order to improve access for SME´s in both market blocs;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Underlines the importance of the implementation of all industrial safety standards in accordance with Chinese and international legislation , considering the recurrent safety lapses and the consequent lethal industrial accidents, as the events taken place on August 12th 2015 in the port city of Tianjin;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes the importance of China´s pledge to allow the future Hong Kong´s Chief Executive to be elected by direct universal suffrage in 2017; demands that the Chinese authorities will conduct a public and transparent election process without the involvement of any nominating committee;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Thomas MANN, Csaba SÓGOR, Kinga GÁL, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Tunne KELAM, Ivo VAJGL, Nathalie GRIESBECK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Emphasises that the recent White Paper on China's military strategy ~~highlight~~states Beijing's intentions to further expand the Chinese navy and extend the range of its operations, shifting from ‘offshore waters defence' to ‘open seas protection'; deplores the unilateral establishment of an air-defence identification zone and the consequent claim over the navigational air control within Japanese and South Korean territory; expects this to increase the current worries of China's neighbours, to create more tensions in the Pacific and Indian Ocean and to endanger Europe's crucial interest in freedom of navigation on the seas;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. is deeply concerned that the Chinese government continues its hard-line policies against the Tibetan people, especially by rejecting the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way Approach" and to defame it as a separatist strategy as recently happened in the official Chinese 'White Paper on Tibet of April 2015'; strongly underlines and supports the Middle Way Approach which seeks neither independence nor separation from the People's Republic of China; emphasises that the Middle Way Approach calls for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Thomas MANN, Csaba SÓGOR, Kinga GÁL, Tunne KELAM, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Nathalie GRIESBECK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Strongly condemns any kind of state measures which aim to collectively punish people associated with self-immolators - such as friends, colleagues, families or entire villages - as violations of international law, which clearly bans collective punishment;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Thomas MANN, Csaba SÓGOR, Kinga GÁL, Tunne KELAM, Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG, Ivo VAJGL, Nathalie GRIESBECK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Highly recommends and urgently calls on China to resume the currently stalled Sino-Tibetan Dialogue as the best political instrument to achieve a mutual and realistic solution for the current instability in Tibet; is extremely worried that the current tensions may lead to an even worse situation in the near future;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2003(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. All cross-strait disputes should be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law;

2015/09/18
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was created to strengthen the European Union's (EU) partnerships with neighbouring countries in order to develop an area of shared stability, security and prosperity as underlined in Article 8 of the TEU; whereas the objective remains the same;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas the objectives of the Neighbourhood Policy can better be achieved if it is conceptually split in its two dimensions -- the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Neighbours should be separated and allowed to develop in their own distinct direction;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas freer trade remains of the fundamental importance to the partner countries and the EU itself;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Underlines that the fundamental challenge of the ENP lies in delivering tangible and concrete improvements to the citizens of the partner countries - through easier travel rules and visa facilitation and liberalisation, economic opportunities from freer trade and commercial cooperation, and political stability through a long-term focus on democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Ilhan KYUCHYUK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that the objectives of the Neighbourhood Policy can better be achieved if it is conceptually split in its two dimensions - the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Neighbours should be separated and allowed to develop in their own distinct direction; instructs the Commission to make this division a central theme of the ENP review and in fact present two separate policy frameworks as the result of the on-going review;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

Support for democracy, judicial reform, rule of law, state building and institutional capacity- building

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes that security and stability are basic concerns in the neighbourhood and that current developments in the region call for a strong security component in the ENP, with adequate policy tools, which hasve regrettably been missing to date;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for closer coordination between the ENP and wider Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) activities, addressing with one voice the different aspects of the security of ENP countries and of the EU; calls for maintaining the ENP coherence with the EU Security Strategy; welcomes the Eastern partners' in-kind contributions to the EU-led operations and missions worldwide;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
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; believes that greater security in the region could be achieved by enhanced security and defence cooperation in particular with the associated Eastern partners via CSDP missions in these partner countries;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Emphasises the need to build strong partnerships with neighbouring countries; stresses the importance of ensuring that the ENP is ~~part of the EU's broader external policy and of taking into account the other strategic players that have influence on the neighbourhood – the ‘neighbours of~~a framework of cooperation between the EU and partners while acknowledging the broader geographical context of our neighbours and their relations with their neighbours~~' –~~ as well as international and regional organisations;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Stresses that the EU should realistically consider the different policy options that its partners face and how to build bridges with their neighbours on different levels and how to address the foreign policy of third countries in its neighbourhood ensuring that it is for the EU and its sovereign partners to decide on how they want to proceed with their relations;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Calls for the EU to explore and identify, together with its partners, priorities for strengthened cooperation and integration in different policy fields, such as economic development, infrastructure and regional development, digital economy, strategic communication, transport interconnections, the environment, competition policies, SMEs, migration, security, energy and energy efficiency, science, education and cultural heritage, with the aim of creating an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Jozo RADOŠ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Calls on the Commission to explore and offer to the ENP countries different levels of participation, cooperation and engagement in its policies, programmes and agencies, such as in EUROPOL, customs management and the Energy Community in the fields of fighting against human trafficking, economic and cross-border crimes;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2002(INI)

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns against the EU and its Member States as such campaigns are directed at diminishing the unity and solidarity of the EU and undermining its fundamental values; calls on the EU to increase visibility of its policies in the Neighbourhood countries;

2015/05/13
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, in reaction to and despite Russia’s ~~aggression against Georgia and~~ violation of itGeorgia´s territorial integrity in 2008, the EU opted for an increased cooperation model as a way to ~~appease~~continue the engagement with Russia; 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;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas Russia has – by illegally annexing Crimea and w~~aging an undeclared war against Ukraine, with the direct participation of Russian military units, and by~~ith the direct and indirect support and backing from the Russian military and security services, deliberately destabilising this neighbouring sovereign and independent country – profoundly ~~and for a long time~~ damaged its relationship with the EU by jeopardising the basic principles of Europe’s security order and by breaking its international commitments, notably under the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Budapest Memorandum;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the independent investigation into the downing of MH17 is ongoing;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas Russia is ~~the instigator of and, directly or indirectly,~~involved in and party to a number of ‘frozen conflicts’ in its neighbourhood – in Transnistria, South Ossetia, and Abkhasia~~, and Nagorno Karabakh~~ – that constitute serious impediments to the development and stability of the neighbouring countries concerned;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas these restrictive targeted measures are not directed against the Russian people but aim at stimulating a change in Russian policy towards, and actions in, the common neighbourhood; whereas the sanctions could be lifted, partially or fully, as soon as Russia commits itself to implementing~~, fully and honestly,~~ the provisions of the Minsk agreements and the return of Crimea to Ukraine; ~~whereas the sanctions will be strengthened should Russia chose to do otherwise and refrain from taking any positive step to change its policy~~underlines that the EU sanctions can be entirely or partially lifted, maintained or extended, depending on developments;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the European Parliament, on numerous occasions has expressed its concern over the state of democracy inside Russia, the systematic failure to upheld the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights; whereas the rule of law, fair trial standards, due process and the independence of the judiciary are not respected in Russia; whereas the last Presidential and State Duma elections failed to meet OSCE standards;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas Russia has blocked UN Security Council resolutions on the situation in Syria;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)

Jb. whereas Russia continues to support the Assad regime in Syria, such as through supplying arms to the government, while the use of arms against unarmed civilians has been widespread;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
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, 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 aggre~~comprehensive plan on how to develop future relations with Russivea, and ~~divisive policies conducted by Russia against the EU and its partners;~~with the countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood.

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
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 redrawing borders within Europe; is extremely worried by the tendency of the Russian authorities to systematically denigrate liberal democracy and to consider demoseeking to challenge international law, and is in the process of redrawing borders within Europe; is alarmed by the atmosphere of hatred directed against opposition activists, human right defenders, minorities and neighbouring nations, which has been growing in Russia in the recent years, as part of a political culture that distance itself from democratic principles; is deeply concerned by the systematic deterioration of the situation of human rights and of rule of law in Russia, by the efforts of state authorities to silence free speech, obstruct opposition activities, react with repressions to any activity aimed at exposing corruption among the political and economic elite and to stifle activities of the civil society; condemns the intimidation of craitic ~~neighbouring countries as a threat to their own rule~~al voices, through violence, trials, imprisonments and other measures used by the state, and the restrictions to press freedom and internet freedom;

2015/03/31
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Liisa JAAKONSAARI, Tunne KELAM, Sandra KALNIETE, Gunnar HÖKMARK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Is of the opinion that, in the long run, a constructive and predictable relationship between the EU and Russia is possible, for the benefit of both partners, especially in view of the existing political, trade and energy relations, people-to- people contacts and of the common challenges and interests on the world scene;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that EU-Russia relations must henceforth be based on the rule of law and on preconditioned dialogue, whereby the EU would be ready to relaunch cooperation with the authorities in Moscow on the condition that Russia unambiguously and without pretence takes its share of responsibility and fully implements the Minsk Agreements; stresses that in order to ensure that such a dialogue – if renewed (for which the return of Crimea to Ukraine would be a prerequisite) – is not conduct; underlines that such a dialogue must respect international law, and aim at securing peace and security for all countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood and solve the conflict in Ukraine, with the full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine; underlines that the current sanctions imposed atby the expense of European values, standards and international commitments, it would be necessary to specify very clearly the EU’s expectations of Russia, along with the retaliatory measures it would take should Russia not keep to its commitmentsEU, and the Russian counter-sanctions are harmful to the economies on both sides and empathises that the ultimate objective must be to restore full and deep engagement with a Russia that respects international law and contractual commitments and acts as a reliable and predictable partner;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on Russia to cooperate fully with the investigation into the downing of MH17;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Rejects and condemns any proposals that would grant amnesty to individuals suspected of being responsible for the downing of MH17, or of perpetrating other gross human rights violations;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Commends the solidarity and the unity demonstrated by the Member States in the context of Russia’s ~~undeclared war against~~illegal annexation of Crimea and involvement in the fights in the eastern parts of Ukraine, 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;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Underlines that the conflict in Ukraine can only have a political solution; the EU should create a more pro-active political and diplomatic approach to solve all the so called 'frozen conflicts' throughout the Eastern Neighbourhood;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Firmly supports the swift creation of a robust European Energy Union, specifically the interconnection of national energy networks in order to reduce considerably the dependence of individual Member States on external energy suppliers; is of the firm conviction that the challenges to and vulnerability of European solidarity, and the exposure of individual Member States, to the ~~illegitimate~~ use of energy as a political and diplomatic bargain chip can only be combatted efficiently through the full implementation of the Third Energy package and the completion of a transparent, integrated, synchronised and resilient European internal energy market;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the ever growing restrictions on free media, the tightening of online media control, the use of coercion to curb impartial reporting and the erosion of journalistic standards in Russia, as well as the increasing monopoly on the information available to Russian- language audiences abroad by state- owned media outlets; deplores that Russian state-controlled media have become players in the EU information sphere without keeping to the norms of independent journalism, including the rejection of hate speech;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Condemns any restrictions to internet freedom;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Renews its call for the development of EU reconnaissance capabilities of weaponised information and the preparation of information contingency plans, including the strengthening of analytical and monitoring capabilities, especially in the Russian language, in order to be able to identify, and respond swiftly and appropriately to, purposefully biased information; calls on the Commission to earmark without delay adequate funding for concrete projects aimed at countering Russian propaganda within the EU and abroad; calls on the Commission and the Member States to devise as well a mechanism for the collection, monitoring and reporting ofCalls on the Commission and the Member States to investigate and make public all financial, political or technical assistance provided by Russia to political parties and other organisations within the ~~EU, with a view to assessing its involvement in, and influence over, political life and public debate in the~~ EU;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the EU to provide support to grass-roots projects aimed at developing high journalistic standards, freedom of the media, and unbiased and trustworthy information in Russia, and at deconstructing propaganda within the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries; supports the initiative to develop Russian- language media ~~channels, with a view to providing a credible and accessible alternative to biased information for Russian-speaking minorities in the EU and in the Eastern Partnership countries~~alternatives in order to make independent information and news available;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates that uncompromising respect for the rule of law 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 ~~– in the event of any breach of the rules –~~ and of the principle of free and fair competition, including in the proceedings against Gazprom;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Is of the view that a new and reinforced EU Russia strategy should be aimed at getting Russia to fully respect the OSCE principles and at motivating its leadership to move Russia out of its political and economic self-isolation; considers that this strategy needs to be based on a two-track approach: a strategy to contain challenges from the current Russian policy, and at the same time, a strategy of deeper engagement with the Russian population and civil society with a stronger emphasis on the human rights of the people in Russia;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Urges the High Representative/Vice President, under the first strategy track, to draft further sanctions, targeting key economic sectors and officials responsible in the Russian state service and beyond, for violations of international law and territorial integrity of neighbouring states, so as to enable the European Council and the Council to adopt these sanctions immediately, should the cease-fire line agreed in Minsk or any other international agreements be violated; is of the view that these further sanctions should target in particular the energy and the financial sector; reiterates that sanctions adopted so far are reversible and scalable, depending on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the situation on the ground;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12c. Calls upon the High Representative/Vice President to develop, in coordination with the Commission, options for strengthening direct cooperation with Russian population, small and medium-size businesses, scientific and cultural institutions and the civil society; notes the suspension of the negotiations on visa facilitation, and calls on the Commission and the Member States to facilitate the issuance of visas for Russian citizens not targeted by EU or US restrictive measures so as to enhance student and scientific exchanges, business and civil society contacts; underlines that the EU and the Member States have sufficient scope to facilitate visa rules unilaterally;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Jozo RADOŠ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Paavo VÄYRYNEN, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Expresses its deep concern for the state of human rights and the rule of law 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 (~~draws particular attention to the assassinations of 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;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Ulrike LUNACEK, Ernest URTASUN, Tamás MESZERICS, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Expresses its deep concern for the state of human rights and the rule of law in Russia, ~~and~~particularly as regards to the foreign agents law, anti-LGBTI legislation, the treason law and the legislation regulating public protests; 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;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Ulrike LUNACEK, Ernest URTASUN, Tamás MESZERICS, Tanja FAJON, Malin BJÖRK, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Calls on Russia to repeal fully the federal law on 'propaganda for non- traditional sexual relations'; is deeply concerned about the negative consequences of this law on society, creating an environment in which discrimination, hate speech and hate violence against LGBTI people go unpunished; calls on the High Representative, the EU Delegation to Russia and EU Member states, to condemn acts of violence against LGBTI people and human rights defenders, to raise the issue with relevant Russian officials and to support civil society and governmental initiatives on monitoring cases of violence and educating law enforcement personnel;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses the importance of continued political and financial support to independent civil society activists, media and NGOs; encourages the EU to reach out to Russian officials and civil society organisations that are inclined to develop an alternative vision of political and diplomatic relations with the EU; points to its recommendation of April 2014 concerning common visa restrictions for Russian officials involved in the Sergei Magnitsky case and urges the HR/VP and the Commission to bring the relevant initiative into the Council without delay; is of the view that personally targeted restrictive measures should be considered in case no investigation in accordance with international standards of the murder of Boris Nemtsov is carried out and in other similar cases;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Calls on Russia to refrain from blocking UN Security Council resolutions on the situation in Syria that seek to address the ongoing violence against civilians, gross violations of the Geneva Conventions and violations of universal human rights;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2015/2001(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Calls on Russia to play a more active role in ending the Syria conflict, and to stop arms deals and delivery to the Assad regime;

2015/04/01
Committee: AFET

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that trade policy is an essential part of the EU's external action and as such, must be formulated in a way that is in line with other foreign policies and policy instruments; encourages therefore a close interaction between relevant commissioners, Directorates General, the European External Action Service and the Member States;

2015/03/02
Committee: AFET

2014/2228(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the TTIP's strategic importance in strengthening and shaping rules-based global trade and economic governance ~~bas~~founded on the values shared by the EU and the US, particularly in an increasingly multipolar world; notes that its impact would go beyond the bilateral implications by facilitating the establishment of common regulations and rules that could later be adopted at global level; stresses in this regard that bilateral negotiations that the EU conducts must not be a substitute but rather a spring board for further trade liberalisation within the WTO;

2015/03/02
Committee: AFET

2014/2228(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Emphasises that TTIP must not lower standards on important issues like consumer protection, labour rights or environment, but rather seek to achieve high common standards as a model for the world, as this would strengthen the EU's global economic position, while furthering our values;

2015/03/02
Committee: AFET

2014/2228(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes that studies indicate TTIP would have a positive impact for third country economies, including developing countries; stresses that trade and development policy are interlinked and must be shaped in a coherent way;

2015/03/02
Committee: AFET

2014/2228(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on the Commission and the United States to find a way to more actively involve third countries that would be (indirectly) impacted by TTIP, such as Mexico because of the North American Free Trade Agreement and Turkey because of its Customs Union with the EU;

2015/03/02
Committee: AFET

2014/2228(INI)

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Ivo VAJGL, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Fernando MAURA BARANDIARÁN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Believes that this agreement should be accompanied by a deepening of transatlantic parliamentary cooperation, and that the strengthening of trade and investment links through the TTIP should lead in the future to an enhanced political framework to improve global cooperation between the EU and the US; stresses that any instruments created to strengthen cooperation should not affect the European or American legislative procedures and that all legislators and all stakeholders must always be involved in any body that may be created to promote future regulatory cooperation;

2015/03/02
Committee: AFET

2014/2021(INI)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n

(n) to negotiate a provision in the agreement including reciprocal conditionality and political clauses on human rights and democracy, reconfirming the mutual commitment to these values; to adopt appropriate safeguards to ensure stability to the agreement and that ~~the suspension mechanism~~such a provision cannot be abused by either side; to insist that such conditionality should form part of the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Japan, in the spirit of the EU’s common approach on the matter;

2014/03/05
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice; regrets however that the events around Gezi Park and the heavy-handed response from security forces, along with increasingly reactionary and harsh public statements by Prime Minister Erdoğan, raise serious questions about the government's commitment to respect basic democratic values and tolerate different views and lifestyles;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Notes the transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have~~Stresses that accession negotiations, conducted in good faith, could provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’'s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner; underlines that democracy is more than elections and expects those elected democratically also to govern democratically;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. expresses concern over the deepening cultural division in Turkey on so called 'life-style issues", which runs the risk that the authorities start to intrude in the private lives of the citizens, as exemplified by recent statements on: the number of children women should have, on mixed sex student residences and on the selling of alcohol;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Commends the Conciliation Committee for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to continue their work on a new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; underlines that the constitutional changes should be carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner, with full involvement of civil society at all stages; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI persons; encourages the government to take steps to improve the rights of the Alevi community;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. TDeeply regrets the loss of life amongst the Gezi Park protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; ~~deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters;~~ welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; encourages the Ministry of the Interior and the Turkish police to establish methods to deal with public protests in a less confrontational way, and in particular, not to arrest or hinder the work of lawyers and medical staff who are carrying out their duties;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; underlines that the freedom of expression extends to digital and social media; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; ~~expresses concern at~~condemns the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Highlights the important role of public-service media in strengthening democracy, in particular by serving information needs of citizens and enabling their participation in decision making processes; calls on the authorities to ensure public-service media's independence and sustainability in compliance with European standards;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope and the shortcomings of the proceedings in the Ergenekon case, which, like in the Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the ruling; stresses, once again, in light of the above, that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights; calls on the EU delegation in Ankara to closely monitor further developments in these cases, including possible appeal processes and detention conditions and to report back to the Commission and the European Parliament;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Expresses support for the database on violence against women currently under preparation by the Ministry for Family and Social policies; asks to complement existing legislation on the creation of shelters for women who are victims of domestic violence with adequate follow-up mechanisms where municipalities fail to establish such shelters; supports the efforts of the Minister for Family and Social policies to raise penalties for forced ~~early~~child marriages, which must be eradicated; calls for further efforts to eradicate so called ‘honour killings’; renews its concern at the low level of women’s participation in the labour force, in politics and at senior level in the administration and encourages the Government to adopt adequate measures to promote a more central role of women in the economic and political fabric of Turkey;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it; calls on the Commission to find innovative ways to include Turkey in trade negotiations the EU conducts with third countries, and which will affect Turkey;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2013/2945(RSP)

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to almost one million Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

2014/01/13
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Angelika WERTHMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Expresses once again its strong support to the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; underlines the urgency of an agreement between the two communities on how to proceed with the substantive settlement negotiations, so that the negotiating process, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, can soon regain momentum; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and transfer Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to open the port of Famagusta under EU customs supervision in order to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reunification negotiations and allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all and in conformity with international and EU- laws;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Angelika WERTHMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Encourages~~Calls on Turkey to intensify its support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP); counts on Turkey's cooperation with regard to granting also access to military zones in order to facilitate the work of the CMP;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2870(RSP)

Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Angelika WERTHMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24a (new)

24a. Asks Turkey to open the military archives to release the information wanted by the CMP, in compliance with ECHR's judgements;

2013/02/12
Committee: AFET

2012/2137(INI)

Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ, Astrid LULLING, Fiorello PROVERA, Kristiina OJULAND, László TŐKÉS, Krzysztof LISEK, Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK, Norica NICOLAI, Sir Graham WATSON, Paweł ZALEWSKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)

Oa. Whereas the rising tensions over the disputed islands and overlapping and conflicting claims exist in the East Asia's maritime areas;

2012/11/07
Committee: AFET

2012/2137(INI)

Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ, Krzysztof LISEK, Astrid LULLING, Fiorello PROVERA, Kristiina OJULAND, László TŐKÉS, Sir Graham WATSON, Norica NICOLAI, Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK, Paweł ZALEWSKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the increasing contacts between the PRC and Taiwan; notes China's strong wish for reunification with Taiwan; stresses that this political aim is still seriously undermined by Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan and China's international isolation of Taiwan; expects that China, Taiwan and the EU will respect the free choice of Taiwanese citizens on the international status of their country;deleted

2012/11/07
Committee: AFET

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 f – subparagraph 1 (new)

Cross-Strait Relations

2012/11/07
Committee: AFET

2012/2137(INI)

Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ, Astrid LULLING, Fiorello PROVERA, Kristiina OJULAND, László TŐKÉS, Krzysztof LISEK, Sir Graham WATSON, Norica NICOLAI, Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK, Paweł ZALEWSKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 h (new)

(h) Welcomes the increasing contacts between the PRC and Taiwan; stresses that the improvement in Cross-Strait relations is still seriously undermined by PRC's missiles aimed at Taiwan and China's international isolation of Taiwan; calls on China and the EU to respect Taiwan's right to meaningful participation in international organisations, as endorsed by the Council's declaration 9486/09 of 8 May 2009;

2012/11/07
Committee: AFET

2012/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)

(d) Due to the European Union's significant interests in the security and stability of East Asia, calls upon all parties concerned (China, Japan and Taiwan) to demonstrate restraint and to take steps to calm the situation; urges all parties concerned to settle disputes peacefully in a spirit of cooperation and in respect of international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;

2012/11/07
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)

A. whereas a majority of the citizens of EU Member States are in favour of maintaining the current levels of defence spending;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes ~~with grave concern the unprecedented~~the culmination of a trend in recent years of cuts in the defence budgets of the majority of EU Member States in the wake of the financial crisis and the potential negative impact of these measures on their military capabilities in the absence of a coordinated effort at EU level to address the impact of the crisis on the EU defence sector; underlines that defence constitutes a public good that affects the security of all European citizens and that it benefits all Member States ~~need to contribute in a spirit of burden-sharing~~to turn from the old style of individual defence decisions, including cuts, and work to integrate their defence policies;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers that the economic and financial crisis can be used as an opportunity for the integration of EU defence policies, as it can provide the impetus for finally creating and implementing ambitious reforms long in the making;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Warn~~Notes that uncoordinated budget cuts threaten to result in the complete loss of certain military capabilities in Europe, at a time when the intervention in Libya clearly demonstrated that European countries are already lacking a number of capabilities vital to mounting an operation of that kind and could hardly do so without US support; considers that the push for a re- orientation of European strategic capabilities should be renewed, in order to safeguard and improve those sectors which are most important, while realistically acknowledging that not all capabilities could or should be targets for joint EU defence;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the existing disproportionate reliance on the United States in defence matters, as symbolised by the fact that the US share of all defence spending in the North Atlantic Alliance has risen to 75 %, can no longer be acceptable either for Europe or for the US; considers, however, that as the financial crisis makes increased defence spending unlikely, a new approach on financial responsibility within NATO should be considered, and greater focus should be given to those areas where European contributions can be significant;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Urges all EU Member States to assume fully their part of the responsibility for peace and security in Europe, its neighbourhood and the wider world; reminds them of their repeated commitments, including in the Treaty and European Council conclusions, to improve their military capabilities, as well as their soft-power assets, such as civilian capabilities and technical assistance instruments which can sometimes have a greater effect and be more cost effective;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

~~6. Points out that the Member States collectively spend about EUR 200 billion a year on defence, which is only about a third of the US defence budget alone;~~deleted

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Deplores the way in which most of these funds are spent, based on national defence planning decisions taken in almost total isolation, often using outdated models based on force creation rather than capacity building, resulting not only in persistent capability gaps, but also in wasteful overcapacities and duplications, as well as fragmented industry and markets;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Considers that a major focus of all EU efforts on defence in reaction to the financial crisis should be the European Defence Agency (EDA), which has the potential to cover a wide area of policy overhauls and planning, yet is unable to do so in its current format; calls for an upgrade on the format of the EDA, considering that an increase in its budget, personnel, areas of responsibility and overall powers would be cost-effective in the long run, enabling it to work better on the optimisation of the EU defence sector, with a dedicated task to avoid costly duplications and financially unsustainable defence policies;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses that the point of such coordinated reviews would be to end the culture of isolation in national defence planning and military command, unsustainable in conditions of crisis and limited individual financial resources, and to establish a platform for structured discussion, allowing the Member States to consider the bigger picture before they take key strategic decisions on their defence capabilities;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls again for an EU White Paper on security and defence to update the European Security Strategy, defineing the EU's security and defence objectives, interests and needs more clearly in relation to the means and resources available; emphasises that it should be drafted and regularly updated on the basis of the national reviews, while at the same time providing a reference for them, linking national defence planning with a common security outlook and threat assessment;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Is firmly convinced that given the financial crisis, having the political will for the pooling and sharing of capabilities is not an option any more, but a necessity; supports the Member States in their efforts to identify the most promising projects, as part of the process initiated at the September 2010 ministerial meeting in Ghent and in line with the November 2010 German-Swedish initiative; recalls the mandate given to the EDA in May 2011 for submitting proposals in the autumn;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Stresses that, in particular in areas such as strategic transportation, logistical support, maintenance, space capabilities, medical support, interoperability and civ- mil integration, education and training, as well as certain niche capabilities, Member States can greatly profit from pooling or sharing of some functions and assets without creating significant dependencies that would limit their sovereign decision- making; strongly encourages initiatives addressing capability gaps in areas such as air-to-air refuelling, maritime surveillance, UAVs, CBRN protection, countering IEDs, satellite communication, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and platforms, and combat and information systems;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Second, on the ‘pooling of assets owned nationally’, views the European Air Transport Command (EATC) initiative of four Member States as a particularly useful example, where the use of existing capabilities is optimised by the transfer of some competencies to a common structure, while maintaining fully national ownership of assets; considers this model of pooled, but separable, capabilities to be well adapted also to other areas of operational support, such as transport helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft and military sealift assets; believes that any delegation of competences to an integrated structure needs to be flexible and should not require all participants to delegate the same set of competences, to avoid the risk of settling for the lowest common denominator; considers it desirable, however, that Member States provide national capabilities in the full range of the tasks of EATC; notes the potential for pooling of cyberdefence assets, given the integration of European cybersystems, and the need to address the need for more EU coordination in this area;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Third, with respect to the ‘pooling of procurement’, such as in the A400M programme, highlights the potential benefits of joint procurement in terms of economies of scale, building a viable industrial base, interoperability, and subsequent possibilities of pooling and sharing in in-service support, maintenance and training; deplores the fact that these benefits are often lost due to differences in requirements and work-share agreements as in the case of the Eurofighter programme; in order to realise fully the potential savings, stresses the importance of maintaining a common configuration of jointly procured equipment through its entire life cycle in order to facilitate joint in-service support; invites the Member States also to consider the pooling of outsourced services;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recalls the important role of the EDA, as defined by the Treaty, in proposing multilateral projects, coordinating Member States' programmes and managing R&T cooperation programmes; highlights the EDA-run projects that are already operational, such as the Helicopter Training Programme and the deployable forensic laboratory to counter IEDs and its application in Afghanistan, and calls for more progress on other initiatives such as the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF); urges the Member States to use the potential the Agency offers in terms of administrative and legal support and to entrust it with the management of their cooperation initiatives and underlines the need for the EDA to be given the means to deal with an increase of its responsibilities;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Considers that an EU Operational Headquarters, for which it has repeatedly called, would not only substantially enhance the EU's capacity to support international peace and security, but would in the long run also generate savings for the national budgets in the logic of pooling and sharing, enabling all five Member States currently hosting headquarters to significantly reduce costs; calls on the Vice-President / High Representative to continue work based on the ‘Weimar initiative’ and to investigate legal options for the establishment of permanent EU military planning and conduct capability of this kind; considers it necessary to adopt an adequate and balanced rotation scheme for the European command;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Stresses that security research needs to be maintained as an independent theme in the next Framework Programme and calls for a substantial increase in the funds allocated to it, following a re-evaluation of other areas which are less long-term relevant; calls for an expansion of the scope of the ‘Security’ theme to support the full range of dual-use technologies; maintains that, while taking due account of any relevant defence-related requirements in the programmes and projects, the theme should keep its civilian focus;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Points out that, just as the results of civilian research often have defence applications, the spin-offs from defence research frequently benefit the whole of society; recalls in particular the examples of the internet and GPS; given the above, takes the view that, ~~in addition to~~under the ‘Security’ theme, the establishment of a new ‘Defence’ sub-theme in the Framework Programme should be envisaged, in order to stimulate European collaborative research and help bring together dispersed national funds;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Stresses, however, that no resources must be transferred from civilian research and that the new sub-theme must be funded entirely from additional resources allocated to the Framework Programme; recommends that the sub-theme be managed by the Commission and the EDA; notes that any EU-funded defence research activity should first of all follow the objective of the development of EU crisis management capabilities and focus on research with dual applications;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Recognises that the likely consequence of restructuring will be the abandonment or preferably the restructuring and re- orientation of some non-viable national industrial capacities, which may lead to employment concerns; calls for a better use of EU funding, such as the European Social Fund and European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, to support anticipation and adaptation to change;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Encourages the EDA to further develop a common European view on key industrial capabilities that have to be preserved or developed in Europe; as part of this effort, invites the Agency to analyse dependencies on non-European technologies and sources of supply and make concrete recommendations for Member States, in line with the work of the European Commission which also has certain programmes aimed at reducing European supply dependency and energy dependency;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Recalls that, in order to increase the competitiveness of the European defence industry, as well as to make sure that the interests of the taxpayer are adequately safeguarded, Member States urgently need to improve the transparency and openness of their defence markets; recalls that the deadline for the transposition of Directive 2009/81/EC on defence and sensitive security procurement expired on 21 August 2011; calls on the Commission to report in due time on the transposition measures taken by the Member States, and to take all necessary action to ensure correct implementation; points out however that given the negative effects of the crisis on national defence industries, steps should be taken to adapt the Directive to the current situation, including temporary exceptional measures aimed at promoting inter-European industry offset cooperation and allow for short-term deals that can have a positive stimulus effect;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Stresses that the directive is tailor-made to the specificities of defence and security procurement contracts~~, and~~ but that it fails to encompass all the particularities of the Member States in a balanced manner, creating major problems and delays in their various strategies for its implementation and therefore that, consequently, any exemption of contracts from EU law on the basis of Article 346 TFEU can be deemed legal only in exceptional and duly substantiated cases, such as the very damaging effect of the financial crisis on the national defence sectors; calls on the Commission to ensure that the directive, as well as the derogation under Article 346 TFEU, are ~~correctly applied;~~ applied by all Member States in an adequate manner given the struggles of a crisis-affected market and industry;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44a. Points out that given the significant differences between the status of Member States' ability to fully integrate the Directive in their respective legal systems and practices, and the damaging impact it can have on an industry already in crisis, the Council should re-examine its deadline, as well as consider a short term expansion of the use of Article 346 TFEU for such exceptional circumstances, as inter-Union offset contracts can lead to the creation of jobs and the re-start of national industries;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Recalls that the regime established by the EDA's Code of Conduct on Defence Procurement and the Code of Best Practice in the Supply Chain is only applicable to contracts covered by the derogation under Article 346 TFEU; invites the EDA and the Commission to reassess the relevance of this regime following the entry into force of the Directive on defence procurement and the fact that not all Member States are a party to it, nor fully able to implement it;;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)

47a. Calls on the Council and Commission, together with the EDA, to examine the possibility of creating an European Defence Anti-Corruption Action Plan, that can be expanded to other major policy areas as well;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. Calls on the EDA and the Member States to make the EDA Code of Conduct on Offsets more ~~ambitious~~realistic and clear and to work towards the ~~phasing-out of offsets~~adaptation of offsets to the current crisis situation while taking into account the need for long-term competitivity; notes, however, that offset practices may in certain cases help domestic industries become more efficient and contribute to the development of the European defence industrial base; asks the EDA and the Commission to work together in order to foster the integration of smaller Member States' industries into the European defence technological and industrial base by other means than offsets;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57

57. Takes the view that EU funds should be used to foster cooperation in education and training; calls for the necessary arrangements to be made to allow the payment of stipends to cadets and civilians involved in security and defence participating in the ‘military Erasmus’ programme from the EU budget, in order to give them equal treatment with students at civilian higher education institutions;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2177(INI)

Norica NICOLAI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)

58a. Notes the limitation of the European Security and Defence college in the recipients of its formation courses, open only to seconded Member States' officials; calls for the opening of a branch of the College for the wider, post-graduate public, in order to increase the number of European experts formed by it and available for recruitment for Union level missions and programmes;

2011/10/24
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine, in particular its resolutions of 25 February 20103 ~~and~~ of 25 November 20104 and of 9 June 2011,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the future Association Agreement with Ukraine heralds a new generation of association agreements ~~and involves an unprecedented level of integration~~ between the European Union and a third country; whereas with this agreement Ukraine commits itself to implementing a large portion of the acquis communautaire; whereas the negotiations with Ukraine are amongst the most advanced in the Eastern Neighbourhood and therefore can serve as an example for the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) as a whole,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Ukraine is a country of strategic importance to the EU; whereas as a result of its size, resources, population and geographical location Ukraine has a distinctive position in Europe, making it aone of the key regional actors which exerts considerable influence on the security, and stability ~~and prosperity~~ of the whole continent,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas ~~Ukraine is a European state and, pursuant~~in reference to Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union, may apply for membership of the EU, as can any European state provided it adheres to the principles of democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law; whereas the conclusion of an EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including a DCFTA, will be a major step in Ukraine's European integration process the EU perspective can be a valuable lever in the implementation of reforms and a necessary catalyst for public support for these reforms; insists that the Ukraine has to show verifiable progress and implementation of all necessary benchmarks in order to be granted such a perspective eventually,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU ~~favours~~strongly advocates for a stable and democratic Ukraine that respects the principles of a ~~social~~free market economy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities and which guarantees fundamental rights~~; whereas Ukraine's efforts to build domestic political stability and augment internal reform are accelerating and facilitating the further development of Ukraine's European integration process~~,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the Ukrainian political and state leadership has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to European integration and its long-term ambition to enable Ukraine to become a Member State of the European Union; whereas this goal continues to be supported by all actors on the Ukrainian political stage; whereas the increase in cooperation between the Ukraine and Members of the European Parliament, and between the Ukraine and parliaments of the EU Member States, is a commendable example of different political forces working together to advance Ukraine's integration with the EU,deleted

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas Ukraine's progress on the path ~~of European integration~~to close cooperation with the EU must be based on a policy of systematic and irreversible reforms in a number of important ‘institutional, economic, political and social areas; ~~whereas~~although important reforms have already been carried out ~~or are being~~, a significant number of reforms should be carried out still; whereas the framework provided by the Association Agreement will constitute a crucial modernisation tool for Ukraine and a roadmap to steer its internal domestic reforms as soon as possible,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the Association Agreement will have a positive impact on the business climate in Ukraine, since it provides EU and Ukrainian business actors with common rules and standards and therefore increases the predictability of investments in Ukraine; whereas this positive impact ~~will be further strengthened by~~can only fully flourish when a full and effective ~~implementation of~~ anti- corruption law is being implemented and upheld,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas Ukraine recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its independence; whereas there is a new generation of educated Ukrainians who did not experience the Soviet era, who have strong pro-European ambitions and who will provide for the modernisation of the country ~~and its integration with the European Union~~,

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a

(a) to make all necessary progress in order to achieve the rapid conclusion of an EU- Ukraine Association Agreement ~~by no lat~~; to note that the conclusion and subsequent ratification of an Association Agreement is subject to broader political consideration where th~~an the end of 2011~~e Ukraine's commitment to reforms of the rule of law, human rights and democracy is of vital importance;

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c

(c) to provide Ukraine with ~~sufficient financial, technical and legal~~necessary assistance during the implementation process of the agreement and strengthen its administrative capacity by increasing all forms of available assistance in this area; and to this end, to make better use of the Comprehensive Institution Building Programme (CIB) and consider the creation of a High Level EU Advisory Group to Ukraine to assist the country in its efforts to align with EU legislation;

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f

(f) to open as soon as possible in Ukraine an EU information office, which will work both to raise awareness among the Ukrainian public of the functioning of the European Union and its policies and values, and to facilitate greater participation in EU programmes;deleted

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g

(g) to strengthen the existing framework of cooperation between the EU and Ukraine on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms whilst continue to be pre-occupied with the reports of selective application of justice which if this were the case would undermine the basic principle of the rule of law;

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h

(h) - to include ~~clear benchmarks for the implement~~within the Association Agreement a comprehensive mechanism between Parliament and EEAS, so as to allow for comprehensive and regular information ofn the ~~Association A~~status of the implementation of the agreement, and ~~provide monitoring mechanisms, includ~~in particular of its objectives; such mechanism should containg the ~~provision of regular reports to the European Parliament; to ensure that the dispute- settlement mechanism of the agreement can be used~~ following elements: - information on the EU actions and positions, with regard to implementation of the agreement; - EEAS progress reports benchmarking the ~~event of violations of fundamental freedoms or of the rule of law, assessed on the basis of these clear benchmarks~~results of actions undertaken by the EU and Ukraine, highlighting the situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the country;

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j

~~(j) to take the necessary actions to ensure enhanced dialogue between the EU and all political parties, and encourage inter- party dialogue in Ukraine;~~deleted

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l

(l) to enhance cooperation with regard to youth and student exchanges and the development of scholarship programmes~~, which will enable Ukrainians to become acquainted with the European Union and its Member States~~;

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n

(n) to develop specific instruments to help the Ukrainian civil society ~~to become acquainted with the process of dialogue between social partners in the EU, in order to further integrate civil society into policy processes in Ukraine~~considering its vital role in the democratisation process such as raising awareness and increasing social and political participation;

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o

(o) to establish concrete deadlines for the establishment of a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the European Union rather than maintaining a long- term perspective, provided that Ukraine fulfils the necessary technical criteria set out in the action plan on visa liberalisation; to establish the intermediate objective of abolishing existing visa fees; and to introduce special measures during the European Football Championship, with a view to using this special occasion as a testing period for a visa-free regime;deleted

2011/09/23
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)

(aa) to reschedule the recently postponed meeting with President Yanukovych ahead of the foreseen EU-Ukraine Summit in December 2011 as this is to be considered an important opportunity to tackle serious concerns addressed towards the Ukrainian government and reestablish a constructive dialogue that could lead to the Association Agreement to be initialled provided there is significant progress on both technical and vital political obstacles still in place;

2011/11/07
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j a (new)

(ja) to support the recommendations expressed in the joint opinion of the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR on the draft parliamentary election law; considers it essential that these recommendations are adopted and implemented in an expedient, inclusive and comprehensive fashion that involves both opposition and civil society;

2011/11/07
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n a (new)

(na) to ensure that cooperation in the field of health reform implementation addresses the health needs of patients with incurable illnesses, including through the provision of technical assistance in reforming relevant health and drug policies in line with international standards and best practices;

2011/11/07
Committee: AFET

2011/2132(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point n b (new)

(nb) to be encouraged by the progress in the process of negotiation on the EU- Ukraine Association Agreement, in particular its deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) aspects; notes that the finalisation of negotiations on the Agreement depends solely on the commitment and political will of the Ukrainian government to respect the principles enshrined in the Agreement as well as its provisions, particularly those referring to the principles of the rule of law and the independence of judiciary;

2011/11/07
Committee: AFET

2010/2269(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes that there are significant benefits to sheltering refugees in the region, for example neighbouring countries, and calls for the EU to consider this as a priority;

2011/02/18
Committee: AFET

2010/2269(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that support for politically and economically fragile states, as a source of irregular migration and security and stability tensions, should ~~always includ~~include if possible, in addition to budgetary relief and support, direct investment and EU market- access strategies, rural development and food security strategies, job-creation policies, infrastructure development, and strategies geared to promoting democratisation and good governance, social inclusion and religious tolerance, thereby maximising local prospects and alternatives for potential migrants; firmly believes that such strategies must be based on active partnerships which draw on the principles of ownership and empowerment of the beneficiary countries, but also on targets, clear roadmaps and conditions for their achievement co-defined with donor countries, and on benchmarks and strict accountability standards;

2011/02/18
Committee: AFET

2010/2161(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Encourages the launch of policy dialogues on culture, to strengthen people-to-people contacts, such as the recently launched EU-India policy dialogue on Culture;

2011/01/25
Committee: CULT

2010/2161(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Wishes to ensure that, in the framework of existing financial instruments, operational programmes are focused on simplification, efficiency and coordination of EU policies;

2011/01/25
Committee: CULT

2010/2161(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33a. Encourages the establishment of cultural relations with countries with which no other partnerships exist as a stepping stone for developing further relations;

2011/01/25
Committee: CULT

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Endorses the assessment that CBRN attacks are a serious threat to the security of people living in the EU; therefore supports all ~~civil~~ measures which offer greater protection against CBRN attacks;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that one of the greatest CBRN risks stem from proliferation; therefore stresses that the most important measure needed to counter proliferation risks is the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime and disarmament through the universal and full implementation of all relevant treaties and international agreements;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – indent 1

– the establishment ~~as soon as possible~~ of a European nuclear weapon-free zone ~~by means of the withdrawal of all non- European nuclear weapons and the swiftest possible disarmament of the EU Member States~~ in accordance with Article VI of the NPT;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the intention to strengthen the EU's civil protection capacity; ~~calls in this regard on the Member States and the Commission to understand disaster response as a strictly civilian task and to conduct it accordingly;~~

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Insists that disasters must not lead to the use or deployment of military forces, either inside or outside the EU; instead, the necessary resources should be provided for civil protection forces so that they can handle the task appropriately and alone.deleted

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the EU has committed itself to defining and pursuing common policies and actions to preserve peace, prevent conflicts, consolidate post conflict rehabilitation and strengthen international security, to consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law, and to assist populations facing natural or man- made disasters;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that internal and external security are increasingly intertwined and that, by developing its effective crisis- management and peace-building ~~capabili~~initiatives in line with the above objectives, the EU helps to safeguard the security of its own citizens;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that present-day crises and security threats can rarely be considered from a purely military or civilian ~~viewpoint~~perspectives, and that effective responses to these situations and threats need to be able to draw on both with effective civilian and military capabilities; recalls that the development of the EU's comprehensive approach and of its civilian crisis- management capabilities have been distinctive features of the CSDP and represent its core added value;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that present-day crises and security threats ~~can rarely~~are complex, and should be considered from a ~~purely~~civilian, military or ~~civilian~~a combined civil-military viewpoint, and that effective responses to these situations and threats need to be able to draw on both civilian and military capabilities as dictated by the situation; recalls that the development of the EU'’s comprehensive approach and of its civilian crisis- management capabilities have been distinctive features of the CSDP and represent its core added value;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points out that the concept of civilian- military cooperation can be interpreted in a number of ways and understood to cover a wide range of topics, including cooperation between the military and non- governmental organisations, but that, for the sake of clarity, the scope of this resolution is limited to the strengthening of institutional coordination of EU civilian and military assets and to the building of EU civilian and military capabilities for effective crisis management;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Is of the opinion that the EU needs to step up its effort to contribute to effective crisis management worldwide in general and especially after the effectuation of the Lisbon Treaty.

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Fully supports the transfer of the CSDP structures, including the Crisis Management Planning Directorate, the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability, the EU Military Staff and the Situation Centre, to the EEAS, under the direct authority and responsibility of the Vice- President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; recalls the pledge made by the Vice-President/High Representative to ensure that they work in close cooperation and synergy with the relevant Commission units transferred to the EEAS which deal with the planning and programming of crisis response, conflict prevention and peace-building; assumes that Vice-President/High Representative’s full authority can be used to direct these structures in their coordinated development and concrete crisis management situations, this being done either through appointing one common director for all these structures or through appointing to Vice- President/High Representative’s cabinet deputy head of cabinet with full competence to represent and assist Vice- President/High Representative in all crisis management functions;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Draws attention to the role of the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre in facilitating disaster-relief coordination and crisis management initiatives and highlights the need for close ~~links~~cooperation between the centre and the EEAS; calls for improved coordination of military assets in the context of disaster relief, and crisis management based on the lessons learned in Haiti;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Draws attention to the role of the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre in facilitating disaster-relief coordination and highlights the need for close links between the centre and the EEAS; calls for improved coordination of military assets in the context of disaster relief, based on the lessons learned in Haiti; assumes that Vice-President/High Representative in her capacity of the vice president of Commission takes care that there is an appropriate coordination structure and function between external (EEAS) and internal (Commission) crisis management in planning and in concrete crisis management situations;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its call for the establishment of a permanent EU operational headquarters, responsible for effective operational planning and conduct of EU military operations, to replace the current system of using one of the seven available headquarters on an ad hoc basis; stresses that such a move would guarantee a coherent chain of command and greatly increase the EU's capacity for rapid and consistent responses to crises (notably by enhancing the EU's institutional memory) and also reduce costs;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. In the context of the follow-up to the Headline Goals 2010, calls on the Member States to concentrate on the concrete delivery of capabilities and to focus on the areas ofthat necessitate civilian-military synergies, especially those already identified, in order to achieve genuine progress as soon as possible;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Carl HAGLUND, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses the need for appropriate pre- deployment training to be provided, which should include participation by civilian personnel in military exercises including contingency rehearsals; strongly recommends that Member States maintain rosters of deployable civilians with relevant competences, in particular those trained for missions carried out alongside military forces; welcomes the practice employed by certain Member States of having a dedicated centralised agency responsible for the recruitment and training of all deployable civilian personnel, such as the German Centre for International Peace Operations (ZIF) and the UK Stabilisation Unit;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses the need for appropriate pre- deployment training to be provided, which shcould include participation by civilian personnel in military exercises and military personnel in civilian training and/or exercises; strongly recommends that Member States maintain rosters of deployable civilians, in particular those trained for missions carried out alongside military forces; welcomes the practice employed by certain Member States of having a dedicated centralised agency responsible for the recruitment and training of all deployable civilian personnel, such as the German Centre for International Peace Operations (ZIF), Finnish Crisis Management Centre (CMC Finland), Swedish Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and the UK Stabilisation Unit;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Carl HAGLUND, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Emphasises, in line with the 2008 Council recommendations, the enhanced role the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) should play in the field of capacity building and training for effective crisis management in the light of the setting-up of the EEAS; urges the Council to improve the training facilities and staffing of the ESDC, including by providing it with a permanent seat, in order to guarantee sustainable and effective training at the strategic level for civilian and military personnel of the Member States and EU institutions;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Emphasises, in line with the 2008 Council recommendations, the enhanced role the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) should play in the field of training for crisis management in the light of the setting-up of the EEAS; urges the Council to improve the training facilities and staffing of the ESDC, including by providing it with a permanent seat, in order to guarantee sustainable training at the strategic, operational and tactical levels for civilian and military personnel of ~~the~~ Member States and EU institutions;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes the development of the concept of Integrated Police Units (IPUs), i.e. robust, rapidly deployable, flexible and interoperable forces able to perform executive law-enforcement tasks, which, in certain circumstances, can also be deployed as part of a military operation and under military command; notes the successful application of this concept in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of EUFOR Althea and in Kosovo within EULEX; highlights the need for such units, which are especially well-suited to intervening in non-stabilised situations and in particular during the transition from military to civilian ~~command~~administration; recommends that Member States invest in the development of such capabilities;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Welcomes the development of the concept of Integrated Police Units (IPUs), i.e. robust, rapidly deployable, flexible and interoperable forces able to perform executive law-enforcement tasks, which, in certain circumstances, can also be deployed as part of a military operation and under military command; notes the successful application of this concept in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of EUFOR Althea and in Kosovo within EULEX; highlights the need for such units, which are especially well-suited to intervening in non-stabilised situations and in particular during the transition from military to civilian command; ~~recommends that Member States invest in the development of such capabilities;~~

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. In that context, fully supports the use of the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF), which can be placed under military or civilian command and provides a capability for the rapid deployment of expeditionary police missions, as a highly suitable tool for a range of effective crisis-management operations, including post-disaster stabilisation missions; calls on all Member States which have police forces with military status to join the initiative;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls on the Member States to make optimal use of the existing tools and ~~to improve them~~put in place impact evaluation mechanisms before formulating new, ambitious goals;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Is convinced that the EU battlegroups represent a suitable tool for crisis- management operations; reiterates its call to the Council to increase their usability and flexibility; calls also for the improvement of their usability for civilian- military humanitarian relief and crisis management operations, in full compliance with the revised Oslo guidelines for the use of military and civil defence assets in disaster relief;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Carl HAGLUND, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Calls on the Member States to look further into developing and enhance dual- use capabilities for CSDP civilian missions and military operations, making better use of existing approaches and capabilities and interlinking the civilian and military capability- development processes where appropriate;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Calls on the Member States to look further into developing interoperability of training and practice, along with dual-use capabilities for CSDP civilian missions and military operations, making better use of existing capabilities and interlinking the civilian and military capability- development processes where appropriate;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Stresses that EU military and civilian personnel will increasingly be operating side by side and that they are to a large extent exposed to the same threats, such as improvised explosive devices, and in need of comparable capabilities in areas such as strategic and tactical transportation, logistical support, communication and in~~form~~telligence gathering and evaluation systems, medical support, security and force protection, use of space capabilities, and unmanned vehicles;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Emphasises, therefore, the need to coordinate, and push for, investment in technologies and capabilities in ~~the areas~~relation to strengthening developing of defence and civilian security where gaps and overlaps have been identified, so as to quickly close capability gaps whilst avoiding unnecessary duplication, creating synergies and supporting standardisation;

2010/10/05
Committee: AFET

2010/2071(INI)