Activities of Paul MURPHY related to 2011/2113(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Trade and investment strategy for the southern Mediterranean following the Arab Spring revolutions (debate)
Amendments (13)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU has exclusive competence over trade and investment policy, which allows the EU to provide an effective response to the upheavals and to contribute to economic and social progress in Southern Mediterranean countries (SMCs);
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the EU and its Member States have failed the majority of the people in North Africa and the Middle East through their political support and economic ties with the dictatorships in countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya; whereas this has contributed towards prolonging the suffering of the majority of the people in this region;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, thus far, the economies of SMCs have been run by undemocratic leaders to the benefit of the few; whereas the fact that many dictators have now been deposed opens up new opportunities to open up the economies of the region and create a true market economyfor the political, social and economic development of the region; underlines that the revolutionary process is not yet completed; points out that there is a real danger that the new political leaders will thwart the justified aspirations of the masses and continue to ignore the interests of the majority of the populations;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the Arab Spring has uncovered the structural and systemic commercial and fiscal weaknesses of the region, in particular a susceptibility to spikes in commodity markets, and whereas any new trade strategy for the Mediterranean must tackle these shortcomings, foster food sovereignty and food security and end the financial speculation on food commodities if it hopes to fulfil the aspirations of the citizens;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas the total foreign debt of Egypt stands at USD 34.7 billion, that of Tunisia at USD 18.76 billion and that of Libya at USD 6.38 billion;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the Arab Spring is an unparalleled historical event instigated by the peoples' aspirations for freedom, democratic rights and an improvement of their living standards; expresses its profound sadness at the loss of life during the struggle to overthrow corrupt dictatorships;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Takes the view that the revolutionary process in the region is not complete and that a renewed and decisive intervention by the masses in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East is needed to take full control of shaping the political and economic future of their countries;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Is of the opinion that the EU and its Member States have been complicit in legitimising the former dictatorial regimes in North Africa and the Middle East through maintaining political relations and economic ties that benefited EU companies in general and the EU-based arms industry in particular;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Considers the public external debt of the countries in North Africa and the Middle East to be odious debt considering that the debt was built by the dictatorial regimes, mostly through the personal enrichment of the political and economic elite and the purchasing of arms, often used to oppress their own populations; therefore calls for the cancellation of this debt;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the EU is the biggest consumer market in the world, to which access should only be granted if partner countries are serious abe vulnerability and fragility of the economies of the Southern Mediterranean countries and insists that those asymmetries need to be taken into account when engaging in the bilateral openrade relations with those countries ing of markets, ifrder for the benefits of economic reforms ar, political, social and environmental commitments to be enjoyed by the whole population of the partner country and if the appropriate political, social and environmental commitments a; is therefore convinced that a DCFTA and a fully fledged Southern Mediterranean Free Trade Area are not the right tools to advance regional integration and the social and economic development of the re given and fulfilled; on;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Is of the opinion that trade can play an important role in developing the countries of the Southern Mediterranean if the needs and interests of the majority of the people in the SMCs take priority over commercial interests; is therefore convinced that the main objectives of stimulating trade relations with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean must be the creation of well paid jobs, full respect for trade union rights, a guarantee of food security and food sovereignty and the diversification of the economies;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Is opposed to the Commission's proposal for the EU's new GSP scheme; is convinced that the asymmetries in trade relations with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean need to be taken into account;