2015/2096(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6

- having regard to the ~~EU-Vietnam negotiations for~~announcement by the EU Commission of 4 August 2015 that the EU and Vietnam have reached an agreement on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ~~which were launched in Brussels on~~under negotiation since 26 June 2012,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU is Vietnam's biggest export market; whereas the EU ~~together~~along with its Member States isare the largest ODA providers to Vietnam and that, to this end, there will be an EU budget increase ~~for this purpose~~ of 30% to EUR 400 million in 2014-2020;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the adoption of the 2013 amended Land Law but remains seriously concerned by abuses of land rights, forced evictions and state confiscation of land for development projects, which lead to the dispossession of hundreds of thousands of farmers; appeals to the government to stop land grabbing and to set up adequate complaints mechanisms;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the adoption of the 2013 amended Land Law but remains seriously concerned by abuses of ~~land~~property rights, forced evictions and state confiscation of land;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Welcomes the extensive legal commitments by the Vietnamese authorities toin promoting gender equity and combating discrimination, but expresses concern that domestic violence, trafficking of women and girls, the growing problem of HIV/AIDS among women, violations of sexual and reproductive rights remain serious problems; urges ~~notably~~ the Vietnamese Government to ~~abolish the discriminatory system~~continue to reform its civil registry and end the discriminatory practices that are sometimes due to the peculiarities of the ‘Hộ khẩu' (family register);

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Welcomes the extensive legal commitments by the Vietnamese authorities to promoting gender equity and combating discrimination, but expresses concern that domestic violence, trafficking of women and girls, the growing problem of HIV/AIDS among women, violations of sexual and reproductive rights remain serious problems; urges notably the Vietnamese Government to abolish the discriminatory system of the ‘Hộ khẩu' (family register), which blocks many families, and particularly children, from being registered and this having access to education and social services;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Welcomes the extensive legal commitments by the Vietnamese authorities to promoting gender equity and combating discrimination, but expresses concern that domestic violence, trafficking of women and ~~girls~~children, the growing problem of HIV/AIDS among women, violations of sexual and reproductive rights remain serious problems; urges notably the Vietnamese Government to abolish the discriminatory system of the ‘Hộ khẩu' (family register);

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Commends Vietnam for its leading role in Asia on the development of the rights of LGBTI people, notably the recently adopted law on marriage and family which allows same sex marriages;~~deleted

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Commends Vietnam for its leading role in Asia on the development of ~~the~~LGBTI rights ~~of LGBTI people~~, notably the recently adopted law on marriage and family which allows same- sex marriages;

Amendment 107 #

Cătălin Sorin IVAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Shares the Vietnamese Government's concerns that increasing corruption represents one of Vietnam's main challenges ~~and notes with particular concern that citizens, including journalists and bloggers who denounce corruption are targeted by the authoritie~~; calls for a closer examination of the situation where citizen who denounce corruption are targeted by the authorities; Urges the Vietnamese authorities to thoroughly investigate the abuses made against journalists, bloggers and whistle-blowers;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Shares the Vietnamese Government’s concerns that increasing corruption represents one of Vietnam’s main challenges and notes with particular concern that citizens, including journalists and bloggers who denounce corruption are targeted by the authorities; regrets too the improper use by Hanoi of Article 258 of the Penal Code concerning ‘abusing democratic freedoms’ - which may result in up to seven years imprisonment - as in the case of the human rights activist and blogger Truong Duy Nhat who was arrested in 2013 after calling for the resignation of the Communist regime and transition to a democratic system;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Shares the Vietnamese Government's concerns that increasing corruption represents one of Vietnam's main challenges and notes with particular concern that citizens, including journalists and bloggers who denounce corruption are targeted by the authorities; notes that only very few cases have been prosecuted successfully despite the Anti-Corruption Law and appeals to the government to enhance its implementation;

Amendment 11 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the Vietnamese authorities announced the lifting of bans on foreign direct investment in 45 sectors and adopted measures to ease the business regulations in the country to sustain foreign investments;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Shares the Vietnamese Government's concerns that ~~increasing~~ corruption represents one of Vietnam's main challenges and notes with particular concern that citizens, including journalists and bloggers who denounce corruption are targeted by ~~the~~ authorities;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 112 #

Marc TARABELLA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls on Vietnam to ensure that the fees set by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finances for the issue of official documents (passports, visas, birth certificates, etc.) are the same for all persons requesting same and that details of consular fees are displayed visibly and clearly at Vietnam’s embassies;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls the Vietnamese authorities to put in place greater anti-corruption efforts with a view to sending a positive signal to foreign investors; notes that the weak legal infrastructure and the corruption system lead to financial unpredictability and pose a serious obstacle for investment and business operations;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Expresses serious concern atover environmental damage in Vietnam, ~~pollution,~~in particular, pollution, deforestation and unsustainable mining activities that destroy whole regions, waterways~~, the~~ and disrupt the way of life of local communities ~~and deforestation~~;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Expresses serious concern at environmental damage in Vietnam, pollution, unsustainable mining activities that destroy whole regions, waterways, the life of local communities and deforestation as well as activities of Vietnamese companies abroad which contribute to environmental degradation and land grabbing;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Urges the Vietnamese Government to introduce measures to guarantee the effective enforcement of legislation to protect the environment and biodiversity; urges in particular the Vietnamese Government to proceed with accession to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Urges the Vietnamese Government to introduce measures to guarantee the effective enforcement of legislation to protect the environment and biodiversity particularly from the negative effects of deforestation and the extraction of raw materials with clear, time-bound and result-based targets in each of the above areas;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Urges the Vietnamese Government to introduce measures to guarantee the effective enforcement of legislation to protect the environment and biodiversity; calls on the Commission to provide the necessary capacity building support to this effect;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Stresses the need for the Mekong River Commission to carry out thorough prior consultations and to make comprehensive environmental, fisheries, livelihoods and cross border impact assessments of hydropower development plans in the mainstream of the Mekong River;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas Vietnam over the past decades has consistently adopted a markedly pro- European approach and has been actively engaged with the EU as the ASEAN country coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations from 2012-2015 and as host of the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) in Hanoi from 28 March to 1 April 2015; whereas its coordinatorship was marked by a significant increase in the number and level of meetings between the EU and ASEAN;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Expresses concern over the employment and economic repercussions the European rice sector could suffer following any liberalisation of imports of Vietnamese rice onto the EU market;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Takes note that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has adopted a climate change adaptation strategy; Welcomes that the country is engaged in developing biomass and solar energy and welcomes the strong focus of the EU aid package (2014-2020) on sustainable energy development;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. In view of the health and environmental legacy of the Vietnam War, calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider ~~further support for the victims and the decontamination and demining effort~~setting up a fund to support victims and war veterans, and also to step up action through the dispatch of specialist missions to decontaminate harmful substances and demine areas which even now, 40 years after the conflict ended, continue to claim victims;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Calls on the government to reconsider its decision to build and operate Vietnam's first nuclear power plant located in Ninh;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22b. Welcomes that Vietnam has taken specific measures to develop knowledge and research on science and technology, to address the weaknesses in higher education, to attract overseas-Vietnamese and to cooperate with European and US Academic Institutions in order to help in this process;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on ~~China and the neighbouring countries concerned including Vietnam to intensify efforts to defuse tension in the contested area~~the EEAS and Vietnam to commit themselves actively to instigating a negotiating table that may lead to greater dialogue between China and the United States on resolving the dispute over jurisdiction of islands in the South China Sea;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on China and the neighbouring countries concerned including Vietnam to intensify efforts to defuse tension in the contested area in the South China Sea through confidence building, bilateral and regional discussions and mediation by impartial international bodies such as UNCLOS: Welcomes the joint statement of the Chinese and Vietnamese leaders in April 2015 pledging to look for a peaceful resolution to the island disputes;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on China and the neighbouring countries concerned including Vietnam to intensify efforts to defuse tension in the contested area in the South China Sea which risks to jeopardize major EU interests in the region, including in terms of global security and preserving the stability of major maritime routes that are vital for EU trade; urges the Commission and Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative to actively monitor the situation and support a solution of the dispute in accordance with international law;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on China and the neighbouring countries concerned including Vietnam to intensify efforts to defuse tension in the contested area in the South China Sea in view to protect the freedom of navigation; stresses the need to address the disputes peacefully and on the basis of the international law; recalls the importance of building cooperative solutions that include all parties;

Amendment 129 #

Goffredo Maria BETTINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on China and the neighbouring countries concerned including Vietnam to intensify efforts to defuse tension in the contested area in the South China Sea and to respect the law of the sea;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas Vietnam has been actively engaged with the EU as the ASEAN country coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations from 2012-2015 and as host of the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) in Hanoi from 28 March to 1 April 2015, whereas Vietnam has become a member of the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB);

Amendment 130 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Welcomes the role played by ASEAN to peacefully managing the disputes in particular by seeking to set-up a regional code of conduct;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Calls on China to start efforts to defuse tension in the contested area in the South China Sea, looking for a solution which is in line with international law; urges other countries in the region to work towards a constructive solution of the conflict;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Calls for an enhancement of parliamentary cooperation and the role of Parliament and the inter-parliamentary meetings as means to monitor the implementation of the Agreement;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)

23b. Considers the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam as an opportunity for the EU to reinforce its positioning in Asia and play a greater role in the region; this agreement is also a chance for the EU to foster its objectives of peace, rule of law, democracy and human rights, maritime safety and resource sharing;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Calls for the establish~~ing~~ment of a regular ~~exchange~~communication mechanism or forum between the EEAS and Parliament, so as to ~~allow Parliament to follow up on~~ensure transparency and allow the latter to monitor the implementation of the Agreement ~~and the achievement of it~~'s objectives;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Calls for establishing a regular exchange mechanism between the EEAS and Parliament, so as to allow Parliament to follow up on the implementation of the Agreement and the achievement of its objectives; this mechanism should contain the following elements: - provision to the EP of information on the objectives pursued by EU actions and positions, and on all issues relating to Vietnam; - provision to the EP of information benchmarking the results of actions undertaken by the EU and Vietnam, highlighting the evolution in the situation of human rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law in the country, in particular through: * allowing access under the appropriate confidentiality procedures to the relevant EEAS internal documents; * granting Parliament observer status in the briefing meetings ahead of meetings of the Joint Cooperation Committee, and address to documents provided to the Council and Commission; * involvement of civil society in the preparation of this information and the assessment of the situation;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Calls for ~~establishing a~~ regular exchange ~~mechanism~~s between the EEAS and Parliament, so as to allow Parliament to follow up on the implementation of the Agreement and the achievement of its objectives;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas EU-ASEAN relations are comprehensive and cover a wide range of sectors including trade and investment, development, economics and political affairs; whereas the Bandar Seri Begawan Plan of Action from 2012 was adopted to give a more strategic focus to the regional cooperation between EU and ASEAN in these sectors;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas resistance by the Asian countries concerned seems to have brought the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a counterpart to the TTIP in the Asia Pacific area, to a standstill;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the impact of the ‘doi moi' (renovation) policy and steps towards establishing a market economy have also led to an increase in the poverty gap; whereas protests over land and property seized by the government have increased; whereas, however, the global recession hurt Vietnamese exports, with GDP in 2014 growing at one of the slowest rates since the end of the Asian economic crisis; whereas Vietnam faces the challenge of a labour force that is growing by more than one million every year;

Amendment 17 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas Article 1(1) of the Framework Agreement confirms the commitment to the general principles of international law and lays down ‘respect for democratic principles and human rights' as an essential element of the agreement ~~and binds both parties to strive for a high standard of rule of law and respect for fundamental right~~, underpinning the internal and international policies of both Parties;

Amendment 18 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas Article 1(1) of the Framework Agreement lays down ‘respect for democratic principles and human rights’ as an essential element of the agreement and binds both parties to strive for a high standard of rule of law and respect for fundamental rights, whereas cases of human rights activists being arrested in circumstances that are far from transparent still occur, and whereas the next Congress of the CPV, scheduled for January 2016, will be the true testing ground for measuring real respect for democratic principles in Vietnam;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas restrictions in Vietnam on freedom of expression, both online and offline, freedom of the press and media, access to information, freedom of assembly and association as well as freedom of religion, as reported by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, remain a serious concern;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13

- having regard to the 10th ASEM Summit held in Milan on 16-17 October 2014 and the next Summit to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2016,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas Vietnam is a valued partner for the EU in the climate change negotiations and has pledged to reduce emissions by 8- 10 per cent compared to 2010 and to reduce energy consumption per GDP by 1-1.5 per cent per year in the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas a number of European citizens are of Vietnamese decent dating back from historical ties and whereas the Czech Republic has recognized its citizens of Vietnamese decent as ethnic minority;

Amendment 22 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas ~~tensions have rise~~a recent escalation in tension between China and neighbouring countries~~, including Vietnam, regarding contested areas in the South China Sea~~ in the South China Sea, including Vietnam, over the Paracel and Spratly islands;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas tensions have risen between China and neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, ~~regarding contested areas in the South China Sea~~as a result of unilateral Chinese actions in the South China Sea, which are not in line with international law;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas tensions have risen between China and neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, regarding contested areas in the South China Sea; whereas Vietnam officially supports the legal submission by the Philippines to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague of 16 March 2015 on the basis of UNCLOS;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas tensions have risen between China and neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, regarding contested areas in the South China Sea; whereas resolving these tensions constitutes a major strategic interest for the EU, in view of maintaining global security as well as securing stability in major maritime routes in the South China Sea that are vital to EU trade;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas tensions have risen between China and neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, regarding contested areas in the South China Sea; whereas the escalation of territorial disputes in the region has implications for global affairs and represents a serious threat to peace, security, stability and international trade;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas tensions have risen between China and neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, regarding contested areas in the South China Sea, and most recently oil drilling rig HD 981 off the coast of the Paracel Islands;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas Vietnam ~~at the same time has recently systematically started to develop~~has simultaneously enhanced strategic, security and energy cooperation with its Southeast Asian neighbours, the United States, and Russia;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas Vietnam at the same time has recently systematically started to develop strategic, security and energy cooperation with its ~~Southeast~~ Asian neighbours, the United States, and Russia;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2012 on a Digital Freedom Strategy in EU Foreign Policy9 a, __________________ 9a Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0470.

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas Vietnam is reinforcing its bilateral ties with key international players such as the US due to the resurgent tensions in the South China Sea; whereas Russia is a key supplier of military equipment to Vietnam and the main source of the country's maritime modernization;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas ~~Vietnam remains heavily contaminated by the explosive remnants of the Vietnam War and still suffers from ecocide from some 20 million gallons of Agent Orange/Dioxine~~the environmental impact of Dioxin (Agent Orange) used during the Vietnam War;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas Vietnam remains heavily contaminated by the explosive remnants of the Vietnam War and ~~still suffers from ecocide~~people and nature still suffer from some 20 million gallons of Agent Orange/Dioxine;

Amendment 33 #

James CARVER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the conclusion of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam; calls on the governments and parliaments of the Member States to speed up the ratification process in order to ensure that the agreement can enter into force;deleted

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the conclusion of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam underlining the major strategic importance held by Vietnam as a crucial partner of the EU in South East Asia and ASEAN; calls on the governments and parliaments of the Member States to speed up the ratification process in order to ensure that the agreement can enter into force;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the conclusion of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement ~~with Vietna~~, which has been followed by approval of a draft free trade agreement with Vietnam, in the hope that EU investment in Vietnam will help reduce poverty without causing EU rice producers in the Mediterranean area or Vietnamese dairy sector producers any harm; calls on the governments and parliaments of the Member States to speed up the ratification process in order to ensure that the agreement can enter into force;

Amendment 36 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Believes that the EU and Vietnam will both benefit economically from the ratification of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the FTA that is in negotiation; welcomes the facilitated access of EU exporters to a dynamic market and calls the Vietnamese government to pursue the economic and financial reforms to increase its competitiveness in the medium and long term especially by levelling the playing field between private and state-owned sectors;

Amendment 37 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ivo VAJGL, Urmas PAET, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Underlines that the Partnership and C-Operation Agreement defines the future relations in a broad spectrum, to further enhance the co-operation on global and regional challenges, such as good governance and the fight against corruption, economic and social progress taking into account the principle of sustainable development, disarmament and weapons of mass destruction, the fight against terrorism;

Amendment 38 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls upon the Vietnamese Government to honour its commitments in the World Trade Organisation, and the full implementation of all relevant WTO- rules in this regard;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Welcomes the agreement in principle reached on the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam, which shows both sides commitment to strengthening trade, which leads to jobs and growth;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 b (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 20 May 2013 on the Freedom of Press and Media in the World10 a, __________________ 10 a Texts adopted, PE 506.205v02-00.

Amendment 40 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Stresses the importance of Comprehensive Partnerships and Cooperation Agreements in EU-ASEAN relations; believes that the EU-ASEAN cooperation could be strengthened in various areas such as the financial sector development, transparency and the coordination of macro-economic policies;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Urges both the EU and Vietnam to work towards a speedy and satisfactory full conclusion of the bilateral FTA negotiations, as well as the Trade in Services Agreement and continuing cooperation in the context of the recently concluded Information Technology Agreement and the World Trade Organisation; calls on both partners to look for possibilities for Vietnam to join the negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement, or to accede to the agreement once it is concluded;

Amendment 42 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls upon the EU Member States, in an effort to achieve policy coherence, to align their individual goals of their respective development co-operation as much as possible with the goals set out in the Partnership and Co-Operation Agreement;

Amendment 43 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Welcomes as well the near doubling since 2010 of the Vietnamese GDP/capita, as well as the Vietnamese exports and notes their high share in the total Vietnamese GDP, and encourages in this regard the full and swift implementation of all international trade related chapters in the Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement, to support the further growth of the Vietnamese economy to the benefit of it's citizens;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Welcomes the economic and financial reforms undertaken by the Vietnamese authorities to boost the foreign investments; considers these measures as an encouraging sign of the integration of Vietnam into the world economy and trading system;

Amendment 45 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1d. Welcomes the early implementation of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, while the ratification process is ongoing, in the fields of trade, human rights, migration, regional security, energy, science and technology;

Amendment 46 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)

1e. Stresses the importance of establishing clear benchmarks and binding deadlines for the implementation of the Agreement;

Amendment 47 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Marielle DE SARNEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Expresses its hope that the mutually agreed respect for democratic principles and human rights will further enhance the longstanding dialogue with the Vietnamese Government on promoting notably freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion as enshrined in ~~the Constitution~~Article 69 of Vietnam’s Constitution and in Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. EWelcomes the articles in the draft agreement which refer to joint commitment and cooperation on human rights; expresses its hope that the mutually agreed respect for democratic principles and human rights will further enhance the longstanding dialogue with the Vietnamese Government on promoting notably freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion as enshrined in the Constitution;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Expresses its hope that the mutually agreed respect for democratic principles and human rights will further ~~enhance~~foster the longstanding dialogue with the Vietnamese Government on promoting, notably, freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion, as enshrined in ~~the~~ Vietnam's Constitution;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 c (new)

- having regard to the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline, adopted at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 12 May 2014,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses the enabling, creating and catalysing potential of the open internet and ICTs for community-building, civil society, and global economic, social, scientific, cultural and political development; emphasises therefore the importance of unrestricted access to the free and open internet, both from an economic, social and human rights perspective;

Amendment 51 #

Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes that measures restricting cross border data flows can be an impediment to a free and open internet, hampering economic development and can have negative effects for digital freedoms;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Welcomes the decision of the Vietnamese authorities to lift the visa regime for citizens of five European countries and believes that this decision will stimulate stronger cooperation in the tourism sector;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the ~~master plan which has been announced by the Prime Minister for the implementation of the~~Prime Minister's announced "master plan" which should implement the UNHRC's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations, as well as the ~~strategy on~~ judicial reform~~s that is being implemented until~~ strategy that should be concluded by 2020;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Welcomes the EU ODA budget increase for Vietnam to EUR 400 million in 2014-2020; urges the Commission to invest in increasing the visibility of EU activities in and support to Vietnam to maximize the strategic potential of these resources;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Encourages the ~~EU to~~ continue ~~Vietnam's capacity development in promoting respect for good governance and rule of law and welcomes the focus of EU cooperation on reform~~d fostering of good governance and rule of law in Vietnam with a special focus ofn public administration reform;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Encourages the EU to continue Vietnam's capacity development in promoting respect for good governance and rule of law and welcomes the focus of EU cooperation on reforms of public administration including on taxation, which is key for ensuring the maximisation of internal revenue generation capabilities and combating tax evasion and corruption;

Amendment 57 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Encourages the EU to continue Vietnam's capacity development in promoting respect for good governance and rule of law and welcomes the focus of EU cooperation on inter alia reforms of public administration, science and technology, transport, and urban and regional planning and development;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Encourages the EU to ~~continu~~urge Vietnam~~’s capacity development~~ forward in promoting respect for good governance and rule of law, and welcomes the focus of EU cooperation on reforms of public administration, undertaking to observe all the stages that will lead between now and the the next Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), due to be held in January 2016, to the handover to new leadership of the Party;

Amendment 59 #

Goffredo Maria BETTINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Reiterates its demand to establish a legal link between the FTA and the PCA to include the possibility of suspension of the FTA~~To ensure proper democratic oversight of the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the Commission and Parliament shall evaluate in calose ~~of severe~~consultation any human rights abuses ~~and reiterates its request to the Commission to proceed with the human rights impact assessment on the planned FTA as called for by the EU Ombudsman;~~. The Commission shall ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to Parliament.

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 d (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 on Human rights and technology: the impact of intrusion and surveillance systems on human rights in third countries11 a, __________________ 11 a Texts adopted, P8_TA- PROV(2015)0288.

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates ~~its~~the demand made by some to establish a legal link between the FTA and the PCA to include the possibility of its suspension ~~of the FTA~~ in case of severe human rights abuses ~~and~~; reiterates its request tohat the Commission ~~to proceed with the~~carry out a human rights impact assessment on the ~~planned~~ FTA, as ~~called for~~recommended by the EU Ombudsman;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Reiterates its demand to~~Notes positively that the forthcoming new Free trade Agreement shall establish a legal link between the FTA and the PCA to include the possibility of suspension of the FTA in case of severe human rights abuses ~~and~~, reiterates however its request to the Commission to proceed with the human rights impact assessment on the planned FTA as called for by the EU Ombudsmaperson;

Amendment 62 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Marielle DE SARNEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates its demand to establish a legal link between the FTA and the PCA to include the possibility of suspension of the FTA in case of severe human rights abuses and reiterates its request to the Commission to proceed urgently with the human rights impact assessment on the planned FTA as called for by the EU Ombudsman;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the EU and Vietnam to work towards creating an instrument to monitor developments regarding human rights in the context of the negotiations on the FTA, building on previous EU trade agreements with third countries which contained such an instrument;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Comments the inclusion in the future FTA of a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development, commitments to the core labour standards and Conventions of the ILO, respect of fundamental workers' rights by both parties, commitments which will support the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources with particular attention to Corporate Social Responsibility and fair and ethical trading schemes;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the EU to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance; suggests the setting up of a ~~complaint mechanism that can be used by affected individuals and communities;~~ n authority or arbitration body to which individuals and communities concerned may have recourse in the event of suspicions that the rules of the agreements are being infringed;

Amendment 66 #

Goffredo Maria BETTINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the EU to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance; ~~suggests the setting up of a complaint mechanism that can be used by affected individuals and communities~~calls on the Vietnamese Government to strengthen the involvement of civil society through the participation of associations and NGOs in the country’s political, economic and social development;

Amendment 67 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the EU to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance; ~~suggests~~and calls for capacity building efforts to enhance the sett~~ing up~~lement of a complaint ~~mechanism that can be used~~s by affected individuals and communities; in the context of Titel VI, art 35 of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the EUHigh Representative/Vice President to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance; suggests the ~~setting up of a complaint~~implementation of a dispute resolution mechanism that can be used by affected individuals and communities;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the EU to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance, without causing any damage to the productive or trade sectors of either of the two Parties; suggests the setting up of a complaint mechanism that can be used by affected individuals and communities;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of EU-Vietnam relations; whereas these relations have broaden rapidly from trade and aid to a more comprehensive relationship;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the EU to live up to the expectations raised by the new agreement and to ensure that the policies the EU and its Member States pursue in the context of the implementation of the PCA and the future FTA with Vietnam help advance the respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance; suggests the setting up of a complaint mechanism that can be used by affected individuals and communities;

Amendment 71 #

James CARVER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

~~7. Stresses the importance of establishing clear benchmarks and binding deadlines for the implementation of the Agreement;~~deleted

Amendment 72 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

~~7. Stresses the importance of establishing clear benchmarks and binding deadlines for the implementation of the Agreement;~~deleted

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Vietnamese Government to make concrete progress on the implementation of the UPR recommendations, starting with the creation of an independent National Human Rights Institution; welcomes the EU funding via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and urges to continue these initiatives in order to support the government's efforts:

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Vietnamese Government to make concrete progress on the implementation of the UPR recommendations, starting with the creation of an independent National Human Rights Institution; urges the Commission to provide Vietnam with the necessary capacity building support to this effect;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Vietnamese Government to make concrete progress on the implementation of the UNHRC UPR recommendations, starting with the creation of an independent National Human Rights Institution;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls on the 12th Vietnamese Communist Party Congress in view of the 2016 elections, to allow for the enhanced participation of citizens in the democratic functioning of the state, notably by allowing the creation of opposition parties, civil society movements and NGOs;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. deplores that more than 500 prisoners are estimated to be on death row; Calls for the Vietnamese Government to establish an immediate moratorium on executions and to take appropriate legislative action to abolish capital punishment; welcomes in this respect the government's readiness to reduce the number of crimes punishable by death and calls on the government to be transparent about whether and if so, on the basis of which charges, executions presumably still take place;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls ~~for~~on the Vietnamese Government to establish an immediate moratorium on executions and to ~~take appropriate legislative action to~~pass legislation abolishing capital punishment;

Amendment 79 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Urmas PAET, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls for the Vietnamese Government to establish an immediate moratorium on executions and to take appropriate legislative action to abolish capital punishment, and while welcoming openings in the system, regrets also the detention of human rights activists;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the Partnership and Co- operation Agreement aims to establish a modern, broad-based and mutually- beneficial partnership, based on shared interests and principles such as equality, mutual respect, the rule of law and human rights;

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Recalls the importance of EU- Vietnam human rights dialogue as a key instrument to be used in an efficient and pragmatic manner to accompany and encourage Vietnam in the implementation of the necessary reforms;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Urges also the ratification of~~Highlights the positive signal that would be sent to some were the Vietnamese authorities to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Rights to Organise and Convention No 98 on Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Takes note that the garment and textile industry, which employs more than 2 million workers, is Vietnam's largest export sector, and is concerned about the lack of mechanisms available for workers to defend their rights; Urges also the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Rights to Organise and Convention No 98 on Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Recalls that according to 2014 estimates by the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs there are 1 750 000 child labourers in the country who began work at the age of 12 years old; whereas 55% of children in the workforce, around 962 500 children, have never attended school and whereas 32% work for more than 42 hours per week and more than six hours per day;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. UNotes the amnesty granted recently to more than 18.000 prisoners and regrets that political prisoners were not included; urges the revision of the Criminal Code, particularly Articles 79, 87, 88 and 258, which are often used to suppress the peaceful expression of opinion; ~~calls for the release of more than 200 prisoners of conscienc~~remains concerned about some 200 prisoners of conscience, including Human Rights defenders, journalists, bloggers, as well as land rights, workers and environmental activists and calls for their release;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Urges the revision of the Criminal Code, particularly Articles 79, 87, 88 and 258, which are often used to suppress the peaceful expression of opinion; calls for the release of more than 200 prisoners of conscience; encourages the reforms of the criminal justice system in particular the criminal procedure code including the clauses that criminalise peaceful activities on grounds of national security; calls the authorities to establish an independent criminal justice system;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Urges the revision of the Criminal Code, particularly Articles 79, 87, 88 and 258, which are often used to suppress the peaceful expression of opinion; ~~calls for the release of more than 200 prisoners of conscience;~~

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls for the release of more than 200 prisoners of conscience (mainly journalists and bloggers) held in Vietnamese prisons and sentenced in summary trials of various kinds for offences concerning, above all, freedom of speech and crimes against the State;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls for the respect of freedom of religion and an end to discrimination and repression of ethnic and religious minorities ~~and to guarantee freedom of religion~~including harassments, surveillance, intimidation, detention, house arrest, physical assaults and travel bans against Roman Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Hoa Hao and Cao Dai, in particular the persecution of unregistered religious communities such as the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, ethnic Christian minorities and Khmer Krom Buddhists;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls for an end to discrimination and repression of ethnic and religious minorities and to guarantee freedom of religion. Regrets deeply that, notwithstanding repeated appeals by the EU, Venerable Thich Quang Do, an 87 year-old Buddhist dissident nominated more than once for the Nobel Peace Prize, has been under house arrest at his temple (the Thanh Minh Zen Monastery) in Ho Chi Minh City for over 30 years now although no specific charges against him have ever been made;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU is Vietnam’s ~~biggest export market~~second largest trade partner; whereas the EU together with its Member States is the largest ODA provider to Vietnam and there will be an estimated EU budget increase for this purpose of 30% to EUR 400 million in 2014-2020;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls for an end to discrimination and repression of ethnic and religious minorities and to guarantee freedom of religion; urges the implementation of reforms to improve the socio-economic conditions of ethnic and religious minorities and particularly in the mountainous areas;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Deplores the entry into force on 1°January 2013 of Decree on Religions 92/2012 ND-CP which regulates registration of religious groups and lays down that before representatives of these groups may operate, they have to have practised their faith for some 20 years in complete accord with the government;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Is deeply concerned about the situation of Montagnard Christians in Vietnam who are seeking asylum abroad and particularly in Cambodia and Thailand; urges the Vietnamese authorities to protect the vulnerable minorities and to put an end to all religious discriminations in the country;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Notes that the 2013 World Watch List report by the organisation Open Doors ranked Vietnam 18th amongst the countries in which Christianity is most persecuted;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an urgent reform of the justice system to ensure international fair trial standards, as provided for in both Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Expresses concern about reports regarding the large numbers of children falling victim to child prostitution, trafficking or maltreatment; notes this in particular with regard to boys, who are not protected against sexual abuse under the current criminal code in Vietnam; urges the government of Vietnam to develop strong and effective child protection laws that protect all children regardless of their gender; calls on the Commission to support the government of Vietnam to this effect;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Expresses concern about Vietnam constituting one of the major source countries outside the EU for victims of human trafficking, and calls on the Commission to support Vietnam in strengthening its capacities in the field of migration policies and the fight against human trafficking and organised crime, including in the context of its labour and migration policies;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a.Sstresses the socio-economic challenges that Vietnam is facing with its young population and increasing internal migration to cities;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Expresses concern about reports regarding the exploitation of Vietnamese victims of human trafficking, including minors, in EU member states, and urges the Commission to ensure that key protection provisions set out in the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings, including the establishment of national and transnational referral mechanisms, are fully implemented;

Amendment 99 #