27 Amendments of Ivo VAJGL related to 2013/2945(RSP)
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council of 22 December 1995 on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union (Decision 1/95),
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the visa dialogue between the EU and Turkey, which has been launched in December 2013 and is paving the way for visa free travel for Turkish citizens,
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
– having regard to the fact that Turkey, for the eighth consecutive year, has still not implemented the provisions stemming from the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and the Additional Protocol thereto as well as the failure of the European Union to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community promised in the EU Council Conclusions of 26 April 2004,
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating the conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understanding;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the potential transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which havecould provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of crediblrestoring credibility to the 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;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the transformative power of accession negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have 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;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. StressWelcomes the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisationsignature by Turkey of the readmission agreement on 16 December 2013 , which enables the launch of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; welcomes the establishment of the General Directorate of Migration Management with the enacted Law on Foreigners and International Protection; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. StressWelcomes the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisationsignature by Turkey of the readmission agreement on 16 December 2013, which enables the launch of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -4 (new)
Paragraph -4 (new)
-4. Expresses its great concern at recent developments which amount to a crisis of the Turkish State; deplores the statements of the government which point to a lack of understanding of the principle of the separation of powers; regrets the serious breakdown of trust between the government, the judiciary, the police and the media; urges the government to desist from actions which impede the investigation and prosecution of corruption and organised crime in high places; calls once again for all institutions, business interests and political forces to fully respect the rule of law and to guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judiciary; calls, moreover, on the Gülen Movement to improve its transparency and accountability, and expects that all allegations against the Movement will be subject to impartial enquiry;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
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; emphasises that constitutional reform must remain the top priority for the modernisation of the Republic in which those elected democratically will also govern democratically;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. CommendsNotes that the Conciliation Committee forhas only been able to reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to continuredouble their work on ain order to elaborate a genuinely 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, cshould try to benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; 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;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomesUrges the full implementation of 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;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the establishment of new institutions, namely the Ombudsman Institution and the Turkish National Human Rights Institution which have become operational in 2013, thus creating additional mechanisms for individuals to apply for the protection of their fundamental rights and freedoms;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. 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; regrets the apparent failure of the courts to penalise those state officials responsible for violence connected with the Gezi Park protests;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope, allegations of evidence fabrication and the shortcomings of thdue proceedingss in the Ergenekon case, which, like inand Sledgehammer cases; recalls that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention finds theat Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the rulingdefendants are being held in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; 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;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes the establishment of individual application to the Turkish Constitutional Court which enables Turkish citizens to use their right of individual application first in the Constitutional Court before they applied to the ECHR;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the initiatives taken by the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors to promote the training of a large number of judges and prosecutors in the field of human rights and to promote a thorough, operational understanding of the ECtHR case law; encourages the Government to adopt the Human Rights Action Plan based on the ECtHR case law and aimed at addressing issues raised in judgements of the Court where Turkey was found to have violated ECHR provisions; encourages the Government to continue with ambitious judicial reforms built on the need to advance the defence and the promotion of fundamental rights; stresses, in this regard, the need to continue to reform the anti- terror law as a matter of priority;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’'s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Councilall Member States, including Cyprus, to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK and other Kurdish representatives; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is of the opinion that social dialogue and involvement of social partners are vital for the development of a prosperous society; Underlines the importance of further progress in the areas of social policy and employment, in particular to remove all obstacles to the effective functioning of trade unions, to establish a national employment strategy, address undeclared work, widen the coverage of social protection mechanisms, and increase employment rates among women and people with disabilities; stresses the importance of opening Chapter 19 on social policy and employment;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is of the opinion that social dialogue and involvement of social partners are vital for the development of a prosperous society; Underlines the importance of further progress in the areas of social policy and employment, in particular to remove all obstacles to the effective functioning of trade unions, to establish a national employment strategy, address undeclared work, widen the coverage of social protection mechanisms, and increase employment rates among women and people with disabilities; calls, therefore, on Turkey to agree to the opening of Chapter 19;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the importance of free trade agreements (FTA) to establish global value chains and boost the EU’s global competitiveness; calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive dialogue and cooperation with Turkey regarding FTA negotiations with third countries, to fully benefit from these agreements taking into account the high level of economic and industrial integration between the EU and Turkey, as well as the obligation to conduct the Common Commercial Policy within the Customs Union that requires the Parties to have the same preferential trade regimes;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Calls on the Commission to develop closer coordination with Turkey in the TTIP negotiations to make full use of the EU’s and Turkey’s joint economic potential;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25c. Notes that road transportation restrictions between the EU and Turkey create an obstacle to further development of bilateral trade between the parties; asks the Commission, the Member States and Turkey to find a mutually acceptable solution for those issues;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 d (new)
Paragraph 25 d (new)
25d. Notes that the increased involvement of Turkey to EU’s decision making mechanisms in areas related to the functioning of the Customs Union and especially in the formation of the common commercial policy could facilitate Turkey’s implementation of the EU legislation relevant to the Customs Union;
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to 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, prestricvent 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, Iran and Iraq;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Invites the next Parliament and Commission to review the integrity and plausibility of the ‘long-lasting and open- ended’ accession process in which the EU and Turkey have been engaged for many years, and to consider, in the light of that review, whether an alternative form of association short of full membership would be a more feasible goal, at least in the medium term;