2015/2105(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'T Trade for All - towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses th~~e fundamental role of trade in the areas of peace, growth and employment~~at international trade plays not only a decisive role on the economic development and cooperation of countries in the globalized economy but has a fundamental influence on peace, social and ecological sustainable growth, employment, eradication of poverty and food security, human rights as well as fighting climate change; recognizes therefore the growing responsibility of the EU to contribute to answer these challenges in its global trade and external relations;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the need for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as migration, human rights and development policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; Stresses in this regard, that trade policy is a fundamental and integral part of the EU's broader foreign policy; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the need for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as migration policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries; considers, moreover, that the consistency of the EU's trade strategies in relation to its partners also needs to be increased, by refraining from adopting significantly different behaviours and approaches according to the partner;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the need for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as ~~migration~~arms trade, migration policy and development policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that EU trade policy is an instrument of economic diplomacy as it contributes to compliance with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy and peace, the rule of law, ~~human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights~~the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including core labour rights and fundamental freedoms, the respect of human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, the gender dimension, as well as the protection of the environment; underlines the need for the EU trade policy to be consistent with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that trade policy contributes to compliance with the values and standards upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights; Wnotes that European companies and investors have the obligation to uphold these values in order to end bad trade practices such as land grabbing and sourcing of conflict minerals; welcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that trade policy contributes to compliance with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights and must be in line with other EU policies such as the fight against climate change and the decarbonisation of the European economy; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;

Amendment 16 #

Marielle DE SARNEZ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that trade policy contributes to compliance with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights; Welcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed; takes the view that that EU trade policy will only ever be truly effective if all the major players in world trade abide by the same rules, including on public procurement;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that trade policy should contributes, whenever possible, to compliance with the ~~values upheld by the EU such as~~implementation of democracy, ~~the~~ rule of law~~, human rights and the protection of the environment and social~~ and basic human rights; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that trade policy must contributes to ~~compliance with the values upheld by the EU~~protecting and promoting universal values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that trade policy should contributes to compliance with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and will remain attentive to the measures proposed; regrets, however, that EU conditionality is not always applied firmly and consistently;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses the fundamental role of trade in the areas of interdependence, peace, growth and employment; notes that EU trade policy is closely interlinked with, but should not override, the aims of the Union's foreign policy and development policy;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that t~~rade policy contributes to~~he Union's trade policy must compl~~iance~~y with the values upheld by the EU such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of the environment and social rights; Wwelcomes the Commission's announcement of the incorporation in trade agreements of tools aimed at fighting corruption and at addressing corporate obligations and will remain attentive to the measures proposed;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Welcomes the Commission's announcements of several initiatives supporting fair trade, and endorses in particular the proposal to establish a European Fair Trade Capital Award;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that all EU trade agreements should contain conditionality clauses which allow the EU to enforce and promote universal values in third countries; notes that political will is needed to be able to actually use these clauses and hold third countries to commitments made;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the Commission for further measures against aggressive tax planning and tax avoidance, which distort trade and competition and have a detrimental effect on tax revenue, especially for developing countries;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Encourages the Commission to develop more ambitious measures in order to make fair trade principles the guiding standard of international trade relations;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the GSP~~, GSP+ and EBA~~+ system is are tools which enables these values to be upheld and insists on the importance of ~~their~~its effective implementation and monitoring; points out that Everything But Arms (EBA) is automatically granted to all Least Developed Countries, deplores that there are serious human rights violations occurring in several of the currently 49 beneficiary countries and calls on the Commission to make use of suspension procedures for EBA in all cases of continued violations;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the GSP, GSP+ and EBA ~~systems are tools which enable these values to be upheld and~~trading agreements are tools which, thanks due to their mutually beneficial nature, help to implement improvements in democracy, rule of law and basic human rights; insists on the importance of their effective implementation and monitoring;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the GSP, GSP+ and EBA systems are tools which enable these values to be upheld and insists on the importance of their effective implementation and monitoring; awaits with interest the publication of the Commission's first biennial status report on the implementation of the GSP+ and calls on the Commission to ensure that Parliament is involved in this monitoring process;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the GSP, GSP+ and EBA systems are essential tools which ~~enable these values to be upheld and~~uphold EU values and enable economic development of Least Developed Countries; insists on the importance of their effective implementation and monitoring;

Amendment 29 #

Brando BENIFEI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the GSP, GSP+ and EBA systems arcould be tools which enable these values to be upheld and insists on the importance of their effective implementation and monitoring;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses the fundamental role of trade in the areas of peace, growth and employment, where it is geared to the welfare of peoples and not only to profit- related purposes and schemes which have a harmful impact;

Amendment 30 #

Brando BENIFEI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that EU trade policy is an instrument of economic diplomacy ~~and calls on the Commission to put forward proposals to establish trade tools which will make an effective~~that could also make a contribution to Europe's anti-terrorism policy;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that EU trade policy is an key instrument of economic diplomacy ~~and calls on the Commission to put forward proposals to establish trade tools which will make an effective contribution to Europe's anti-terrorism policy~~;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that EU trade policy is an instrument of economic diplomacy and calls on the Commission to put forward proposals to establish trade tools which will make an effective contribution to Europe's anti-terrorism policy; considers that fair trade policies, in both third countries and the EU, that are able to contribute to the well-being of those sections of the population suffering the greatest hardship, have the potential to counter radicalisation and, ultimately, terrorism;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that EU trade policy is an instrument of economic diplomacy and calls on the Commission to put forward proposals to establish trade tools which will make an effective contribution to Europe's anti-terrorism policy, stresses the need of further strengthening the control of trading dual use goods and the consequent implementation of the International Arms Trade Treaty obligations;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Commission for further study on the impact of EU exports of arms, surveillance technology and dual use technology to third countries on the EU's security landscape and on the effectiveness of the EU's humanitarian and development policy efforts; calls on the Commission for an updated dual-use export control regulation; calls on the Member States for stricter implementation of the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls for the systematic inclusion of binding, enforceable and non-negotiable human rights clauses in the EU's international agreements, including trade and investment agreements concluded or to be concluded with third countries, and calls for improved consultation of Parliament in the early stages of the negotiation process for trade and investment agreements, for effective monitoring of the application of human rights clauses and for reporting back to Parliament human rights aspects of the agreements; recalls, to this end, the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2013 and the European Union policy on the matter, as approved by the European Parliament on 12 March, 2015;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need for trade to be sustainable and responsible; underlines the importance of implementing binding chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place in accordance with existing international conventions; notes with regret that the Commission has concluded Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with West Africa and East Africa that do not contain meaningful sustainable development chapters; calls on the Commission to renegotiate the respective agreements before presenting them for ratification to the European Parliament;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses the fundamental role of trade in the areas of peace, growth, and employment and remains critical about the current practise of European arms exports;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Emphasises~~Understands the emphasis that some stakeholders place on the need for ~~trade to be~~ so- called "sustainable" and "responsible" trade; under~~line~~stands the importance ofthese stakeholders place on implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which ~~will enabl~~they hope will force tough social and environmental standards onto ~~be put in place~~third parties;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need ~~for trade to be~~to conduct sustainable and responsible~~; underlines~~ trade policies; highlights the importance to produce preliminary thorough assessments of the social and environmental impact of the main trade agreements and underlines, in this regard, the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need for trade to be sustainable and responsible; notes that responsible trade and investment also means paying a fair share of taxes; underlines the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place; stresses the European Parliament's role in monitoring the negotiation and implementation processes of trade agreements;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need for trade which is sustainable and responsible; underlines the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place; calls on the Commission to take greater account of these issues when carrying out ex-ante and ex-post evaluations of such agreements;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need for trade to be sustainable and responsible; underlines the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place throughout the entire supply chain, in close cooperation with the International Labour Organisation (ILO);

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need for rules-based trade to be sustainable and responsible; underlines the importance of implementing chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises the need for trade to be sustainable and responsible; ~~underlines the importance of~~stresses that it is now vital to implement~~ing~~ chapters on sustainable development in trade agreements which will enable tough social and environmental standards to be put in place;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements by increasing the involvement of Parliament and stakeholders; stresses the importance of placing greater emphasis on compliance with and implementation of the agreements by our partners;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements, including by increasing the involvement of Parliament and stakeholders, making sure that the benefits of closed agreements are actually felt by Europeans;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements, including in particular commitments on human rights and core labour rights, by increasing the involvement of Parliament and stakeholders;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Takes note of~~Welcomes the EU's new strategy on trade and investment entitled 'Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy' and stresses the fundamental role of trade in the areas of peace, development, growth, and employment;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements by increasing the involvement of Parliaments and stakeholders providing the framework for an adequate and transparent monitoring and oversight;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of trade agreements by increasing the involvement of Parliament and all civil society stakeholders;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that ~~multilateral trade negotiations remain a priority for the EU, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in~~the strengthening of the multilateral trade architecture remains the overall priority for the EU; takes into consideration that conducting bilateral negotiations should be only part of this general multilateral orientation and guided therefore by an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations remain a priority for the EU~~, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations~~ and must be conducted consistently, in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that multilateral trade negotiations remain a priority for the EU, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit; also asks the Commission to develop specific trade strategies tailored to certain regions, particularly Asia, in the light of the recent conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that engagement with the WTO and multilateral trade negotiations remain a priority for the EU, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit; urges the Commission to pursue the proposed International Trade Dispute System in order to move beyond the current problematic ISDS in bilateral trade agreements, such as TTIP;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that multilateral trade negotiations are~~main a~~ the priority for the EU~~, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit~~ and notes that an inclusive, multilateral approach is more likely to safeguard economic stability in least developed countries and thus contribute to overall European and global security; recognizes that the EU is also conducting bilateral negotiations and the adverse effects it has on multilateral trade negotiation outcomes, as seen in the last Doha Ministerial Conference in Nairobi;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

Amendment 58 #

Brando BENIFEI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. RWelcomes the long-awaited achievement of an agreement during the WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi under the Doha Round; regrets its lack of scope and ambition but underlines the chance to move beyond the Doha Development Agenda and the possibility to finally make the WTO more reflective of the current global economic reality and the respective economic weight of its member countries; recalls that multilateral trade negotiations remain a priority for the EU, which is also conducting bilateral negotiations in an ambitious spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Recalls the need for the EU to ensure stability in its neighbourhood and calls for greater economic integration between its eastern and Mediterranean neighbours, notably via fostering trade relations;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that trade agreements and EU trade policy are a key tool to strengthen the global rules-based trading system, which is increasingly coming under pressure; notes that this is especially crucial for the EU, given its heavily trade- dependent economy; underlines that the EU needs to aim towards setting high global standards through its trade policy, especially with regard to consumer protection, human and social rights, the environment, and animal and plant health;

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Underlines that effective export control legislation is also a key aspect of EU trade policy; in this regard, calls on the European Commission to present a legislative proposal for an update of EU dual use export control legislation without further delay, which is needed to make sure that EU companies are not involved in human rights violations in third countries and to align the EU's strategic goals and universal values;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Points out that trade negotiations ought not lead to the watering down of European standards and must protect European citizens and safeguard our social choices and the right of states to regulate;

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Encourages the Commission to continue its efforts in the fields of communication, transparency and access to negotiation documents and to improve coordination and information exchange between the Commissioners and the Directorates- General, the EEAS, the Council, Parliament and civil society; stresses that the improved access to documents related to the TTIP negotiations should be equally granted for documents related to all other ongoing negotiations of trade agreements.

Amendment 63 #

Marielle DE SARNEZ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Urges the Commission to continue its efforts in the fields of communication, transparency and access to negotiation documents and to improve coordination and information exchange between the Commissioners and the Directorates- General, the EEAS, the Council, Parliament and civil society; calls in this connection on the European Union and its Member States to adopt a roadmap for external action to show the way in the medium and long term.

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Encourages the Commission to continue its efforts in the fields of communication, transparency and access to negotiation documents and to improve coordination and information exchange between the Commissioners and the Directorates- General, the EEAS, the Council, Parliament, as well as the consultation with social partners and civil society organizations.

Amendment 65 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Encourages the Commission to continue, and to step up, its efforts in the fields of communication, transparency and access to negotiation documents and to improve coordination and information exchange between the Commissioners and the Directorates- General, the EEAS, the Council, Parliament and civil society.

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the need for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as migration policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries; stresses that trade and investment agreements should be part of a wider political relationship; asks for better coordination between the EEAS and Commission DGs, in particular International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), Trade (TRADE) and Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL); stresses that EU Delegations on the ground can play an important facilitation role on the respect of the EU fundamental values and rights;

Amendment 8 #

Marielle DE SARNEZ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the need for all of the EU's external, trade, development, agricultural, environmental and energy policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, such as migration policy, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the central coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries, and calls on the Member States to speak with one voice;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the ~~need~~obligation for the EU's external policies to be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension, ~~such~~in particular such as development, human rights, democratisation and strengthening of civil societies as well as migration policyies, and to pursue the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union; underlines in this context the ~~central~~important coordinating role of the Vice- President/High Representative, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries;

source: 575.162

2016/02/22 DEVE 64 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Emphasise~~Recalls that ~~open~~ trade ~~is an engine for growth, development and wealth creation; recalls that the countries most integrated into the world economy are also am~~liberalization is not positive, per se, in terms of reducing poverty and inequalities, and could even have negative effects on sustainable development if it is not properly regulated and accompanied by binding control mechanism for corporations and by re- distributiong th~~e richest~~rough fair and progressive tax systems;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that the importance of the potential contribution of trade policy to sustainable development was recently reaffirmed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; recalls that the Sustainable Development Goals include several trade-related targets across a number of policy areas; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to safeguard the right of countries to regulate and preserve policy space in order to develop infant industries; urges the Commission to ensure that trade agreements and policies do not undermine developing countries' strategic economic sectors and do not challenge partner countries efforts to increase the domestic value added in order to upgrade along the global value chains;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that the importance of the potential contribution of trade policy to sustainable development was recently reaffirmed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; agrees with the Commission that open markets should not entail compromising on core principles, like human rights and sustainable development, high quality safety and environmental regulation and public services; recalls that the Sustainable Development Goals include several trade- related targets across a number of policy areas;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 13 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that the importance of the potential contribution of trade policy to sustainable development was recently reaffirmed in the Addis Ababa outcome document and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; recalls that the Sustainable Development Goals include several trade-related targets across a number of policy areas;

Amendment 15 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Patrizia TOIA, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Welcomes that the communication "Trade for All" reaffirms the principle of policy coherence for development and aims at 'a more responsible' trade and investment policy, namely by contributing to the SDGs and the inclusive growth in developing countries; welcomes also the commitment to undertake in-depth analysis of the potential effects of new FTAs on LDCs; urges the Commission to put its words into action and to make all EU trade-related instruments consistent with the SDGs;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Recalls that the nexus connecting trade, economic development and poverty reduction does not function automatically; recalls that despite significant liberalisation efforts, some developing countries, notably LDCs, have failed to diversify production and exports; insists upon EU member states´ responsibility to ensure that benefits of globalisation are fairly distributed and negative impacts are mitigated;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Recalls that trade policy is not an end in itself and that trade should not only be free, but fair for all involved; recalls also that open trade in itself could be source of broader inequality within developing and less developed countries, if not accompanied by human rights and social standard measures;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Welcomes the pledge of the Commission to undertake an in-depth analysis of the possible effects of new FTAs on LDCs in sustainability impact assessment; believes that human rights should take precedence over provisions of trade and investment agreements;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Calls for stronger coherence between trade and development policies through an effective and binding sustainable development chapter in all trade agreements; Calls for the introduction in every trade agreement of the requests and needs expressed by local civil society;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Emphasises that open trade is an engine for growth, development and wealth creation; recalls that the countries most integrated into the world economy are also among the richest~~Takes note of the Commission's Communication "Trade for All", which aims to set a more responsible trade and investment strategy; urges the Commission to ensure that social and environmental consequences of market opening are properly addressed; in this context, welcomes the Commission's new approach which involves that trade agreements should be a leverage to promote, around the world, values like sustainable development, human rights, fair and ethical trade and the fight against corruption;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Acknowledges that EU's trade and investment policy must respond to consumer's concerns by reinforcing corporate social responsibility initiatives and due diligence across the production chain; however, urges the Commission and the EU member states to move beyond the existing non-binding voluntary approach and to strive instead for mandatory due diligence;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Remembers that every significant initiative in the field of trade policy shall be the subject of a deep sustainability impact assessment;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. WStresses that the new trade strategy should ensure the fulfilment of the right to food; welcomes the advances made at the World Trade Organisation’'s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade-distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs)); points out however that the banning export subsidies leaves unchanged economic distortions resulting from other direct or indirect subsidies, which enable the EU agricultural sector to export agricultural commodities below their average production costs; recalls that the right to food implies giving policy space to developing countries to enhance their capacity to produce sustainably for local and regional consumption, and to protect their respective population from potentially destructive effects of cheap imports; to this end, stresses that developing countries must be able to use trade tools, including variable customs duties and import quotas;

Amendment 23 #

Paul RÜBIG

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the advances made at the World Trade Organisation’s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade-distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs)); underlines the necessity of enriching the WTO negotiations by taking into account the latest technological possibilities especially in view of e-commerce and digital trade; discussing other issues that go beyond the Doha list of issues should be seen a chance to share technological advances much faster and more equally with developing countries while helping to get around the lack of infrastructures especially in remote rural areas;

Amendment 24 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the advances made at the World Trade Organisation’s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade-distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs));Urges, in this regard, the Commission to step up efforts to advance in democratic multilateral fora on trade issues in where all countries are represented on equal footing , following UNCTAD comprehensive Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development and to position itself as the defender of the interest of developing countries on trade issues;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the advances made at the World Trade Organisation’'s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade-distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs)); calls on the Commission to support developing and LDCs in the implementation of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation and welcomes, in this regard, EU's initiative of targeting EUR 400 million in funding over five years for supporting trade facilitation reforms and projects such as improving the customs systems of developing and LDCs;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Welcomes the advances made at~~Regrets that there are no references to the DDA in the final text of the World Trade Organisation’'s Ministerial ~~Conference in Nairobi,~~Declaration in Nairobi; notes the advances made in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade- distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs));

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recalls that SDG target 17.15 acknowledges the need to respect each country's policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development; stresses that historical evidence demonstrates the need to protect domestic producers from cheap foreign imports during nascent economic development; in this context, reiterates the right of developing countries to place high tariffs upon products emanating from the EU in strategic import-competing sectors in order to be able to fulfil the SDGs and to regulate investment so as to ensure obligations and duties for all investors, including foreign, with the aim of protecting human rights, labour and environmental standards;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that ~~open~~ trade ~~is an engine for growth, development and wealth creation; recalls that the countries most integrated into the world economy are also among the richest~~and investment agreements shall be a powerful mean to strengthen sustainable development, promote human rights, labour and social standards and environmental sustainability worldwide;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recognises the increasing diversity among developing countries as regards their integration into the multilateral trade system and the respective benefits thereof; calls for specific regimes for LDCs in particular, whose share of global trade is marginal; ~~welcom~~accordingly, encourages the Commission to explore more flexible ways to achieve WTO-compatible asymmetrical market access, ~~therefore, the revision of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP);~~ including through waivers from WTO rules, and to demonstrate flexibility in partner discussions; welcomes the revision of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) as a way to provide incentives and support for human rights, sustainable development and good governance; in particular, insists upon defining binding conditionalities on core labour and environmental standards, with effective remedy mechanisms;

Amendment 31 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses the rise of emerging economies which have become the main drivers of global economic growth; for the first time in history, developing countries as a whole account for more than half of world trade, which has contributed significantly to lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the Commission to enforce supply chain due diligence; calls on the Commission to support developing countries to increase their domestic value added in order to upgrade along the global value chains;

Amendment 33 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Linda McAVAN, Patrizia TOIA, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the crucial role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade-related capacity-building, technical assistance, business support policies for SMEs and regional integration; ~~notes, however, that without serious efforts by the count~~calls EU Aid for Trade and technical assistance must aim to empower poor producers, micro and small enterprises ~~directly concerned and significant improvements in governance, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constrain~~, women equality and women empowerment and cooperatives in order to boost their benefits from trading in local and regional markets;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the crucial role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade-related capacity-building, technical assistance, business support policies for SMEs and regional integration; notes, however, that without serious efforts by the countries directly concerned and significant improvements in governance, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constraints; calls the EU and its Member States to commit to increase Aid for Trade (AfT) support for developing countries, LDCs, while addressing fair and ethical trade in the upcoming revision of its Aid for Trade strategy, as announced in the communication "Trade for All";

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the crucial role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade-related capacity-building, technical assistance, business support policies for SMEs and regional integration; in particular, deems that Aid for Trade should help promoting processing and diversification of production; assist regional integration; technology transfers, and help facilitate the establishment or development of domestic productive capacity and reducing income inequality; notes, however, that without serious efforts by the countries directly concerned and significant improvements in governance, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constraints;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Stresses~~Points to the crucial role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade-related capacity- building, technical assistance, business support policies for SMEs and regional integration; notes, however, that without serious efforts by the countries directly concerned and significant improvements in governance, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constraints; calls on the European Union to boost its support programmes in the areas of good governance, natural- resource management and taxation;

Amendment 37 #

Davor Ivo STIER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the crucial role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade-related capacity-building, technical assistance, business support policies for SMEs and regional integration; notes, however, that without serious efforts by the countries directly concerned and significant improvements in governance, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constraints; in this regards, emphasizes the importance of focusing on pursuing targets under the Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the Agenda 2030;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points up the importance of infrastructure facilities, transport and new technologies within trade and investment; calls on the European Union to back the establishment of high-calibre infrastructure facilities and transport and improved access to new technologies in developing countries;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Underlines that the premature and rapid trade liberalisation that many low- income developing countries were encouraged to undertake in the 1980s and 1990s led to de-industrialisation and a form of integration that intensified their dependence on and vulnerability to external markets; in reverse, the countries that have benefited the most from trade liberalisation and have experienced the largest reductions in absolute poverty are those that have opened their economies moderately, gradually in line with the development of their productive capacities, and have made progress towards structural transformation;

Amendment 4 #

Davor Ivo STIER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that open trade ~~is an~~remains a crucial engine for growth, sustainable development and wealth creation; recalls that the countries most integrated into the world economy are also among the richest as well that trade has helped to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty; recognizes, however, that not all developing countries have enjoyed such gains and that least developed countries (LDCs) in particular remain marginalised in global trade;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Points to the role of banking services in the development of trade and investment; calls on the European Union to support action to foster access to banking services in developing countries;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are a key development instrument for helping to alleviate poverty in the long run; stresses, however, that their scope is still mainly limited to goods, and that expanding them to services and investment would considerably increase potential for growthdomestic markets, boosted by the demand side, are critical to economic transformation and diversification of ACP countries; expresses its serious doubts about the ability of Economic Partnership Agreements to put into effect the "development dimension" of trade in a context of premature reciprocal liberalisation; in particular, recalls EPA's potential adverse effects on intra-African trade, import flooding, deindustrialisation and loss of fiscal revenues, while stringent EU Rules of Origin, hygiene requirements for food-processed products and high tariffs placed upon processed goods would continue to stifle developing countries' entry into European markets;

Amendment 43 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Elly SCHLEIN, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Norbert NEUSER, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) arshould be a key development instrument ~~for helping to alleviate poverty in the long run~~in order to produce wellness; recalls furthermore that EPAs should go together with instruments devoted to the removal of inequality ; stresses, ~~however,~~ that their scope ~~is still mainly limited to goods, and that expanding them to services and investment would considerably increase potential for growth~~should be conceived in order to support local investors and services providers;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) arcan be a key development instrument for helping to alleviate poverty in the long run~~; stresses, however, that their scope is still mainly limited to goods, and that expanding them to services and investment would considerably increase potential for growth~~ and promote human rights; calls on the EU to establish specific monitoring structure in the EPAs dedicated to sustainable development and that ensure the proper involvement of civil society organisations and trade unions as well as to include stronger human rights clauses with coherent means of implementation;

Amendment 45 #

Ádám KÓSA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are a key development and regional-integration instrument for helping to alleviate poverty in the long run; stresses, however, that their scope is still mainly limited to goods, and that expanding them to services and investment would considerably increase potential for growth; calls on the European Union to encourage the signing of definitive EPAs;

Amendment 48 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Recalls that EU investment policy, especially when involving public money, must contribute to the realisation of the SDGS; recalls the need to enhance transparency and accountability of DFIs, PPPs to effectively track and monitor the money flows, debt sustainability and the added value for sustainable development of their projects;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Regrets that the communication "Trade for All" does not make any reference to the Cotonou Agreement, which expires in 2020; calls on the EU to engage in a broad consultation and dialogue process, including with our ACP countries, about the post-Cotonou framework;

Amendment 5 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that open trade ismust be an engine for growth~~, development and wealth creation~~ and sustainable development; recalls that the countries most integrated into the world economy are also among the richest;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that, in order to be meaningful, the sustainable development provisions in EPAs and future cooperation framework must be robust, mandatory and enforceable ; more broadly, calls on ACP-EU partners to adhere to legally binding environmental and labour standards to ensure sustainable use of resources and to abide by the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) throughout the whole lifecycle of projects, including by respecting i.e. the UN Global Compact on human rights, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ILO core labour standards, environmental standards, UN Convention Against Corruption;

Amendment 51 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Elly SCHLEIN, Arne LIETZ, Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ, Norbert NEUSER, Patrizia TOIA, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Welcomes the progress made since the establishment of the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact and calls the EC to expand binding frameworks to other sectors; urges, in this regard, the EC to enhance due diligence initiatives that complement the existing EU timber regulation, on the proposed EU regulation on conflict minerals, for other sectors; thereby ensuring the EU and its traders and operators live up to the obligation to respect human rights and the highest social and environmental standards;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Calls on the Commission to include strong and comprehensive sustainable development chapters, which are effectively implemented and enforced, in EU's trade and investment agreements; calls in particular for provisions that ensure human rights, labour rights, environmental and social protection as well as gender equality;

Amendment 53 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Enrique GUERRERO SALOM, Arne LIETZ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Believes that global supply chain should be managed more sustainably; insists accordingly upon the need to reinvigorate the multilateral trading system of WTO; but stresses the need to promote local production, including short food supply chains;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Calls on the Commission to improve policy coherence for development in trade policy in particular as it relates to public health; asks the Commission to support developing countries in making effective use of the flexibilities built into the TRIPS Agreement and recognised by the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS agreement and Public Health adopted on 14 November 2001, in order to be able to provide essential medicines at affordable prices under their domestic public health programmes; calls on the Commission to provide full transparency of the content of its intellectual property related assistance programmes for low and middle income countries and ensure that parallel assistance on intellectual property does not undermine other health-related development projects;

Amendment 55 #

Paul RÜBIG

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. SEmphasises that in line with Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals it is of utmost importance to foster good governance structures throughout the world in order to create fair access to justice for all and to build effective and accountable institutions at all levels; underlines that trade agreements and foreign direct investments could be a decisive tool to set the right incentives to ensure the realisation of this goal; in this context stresses that corruption is a major non- tariff barrier in developed and developing countries; welcomes the Commission’s intention to include ambitious anti- corruption provisions in all future trade agreements.

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that corruption is a major non- tariff barrier in developed and developing countries; welcomes the Commission’s intention to include ambitious anti- corruption provisions in all future trade agreements; calls on the European Union to back the introduction of measures to enhance legal certainty for investment.

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Recalls that recent EU Free Trade Agreements systematically include provisions on trade and sustainable development in order to maximize the potential of increased trade and investment; welcomes in this respect the conclusion of the EU-Vietnam FTA which is the most ambitious and comprehensive FTA that the EU has ever concluded with a developing country;

Amendment 58 #

Davor Ivo STIER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Emphasizes that in order for the developing countries to take full advantage of trade and investment opportunities, it is necessary to continue supporting domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) reforms in developing countries as to help improve their capacity to increase revenues and to tackle tax evasion and avoidance by supporting the design of efficient, effective, fair and transparent tax systems in line with principles of good governance;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to follow UNCTAD´s Comprehensive Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development recommendations to stimulate more responsible, transparent and accountable investments;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that ~~open~~ trade liberalisation is an engine for economic integration and growth, development ~~and~~, wealth creation and job creation; recalls that the countries most integrated into the world economy are also among the richest;

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. calls for effectiveness, remembering that it should be a priority to conclude in a balanced way the ongoing trade negotiations and to ensure that the potential benefits for the developing countries of the trade agreements which have already been concluded become reality;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Calls on the EU and its Member States actively engage with the UN Human Rights Council in its work towards an international treaty that would hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights abuses;

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. remembers that high quality interim and ex-post evaluations should be carried out in respect of all trade agreements in order to allow policymakers, stakeholders and European taxpayers to assess whether trade agreements have brought the intended results;

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Calls on the EU to ensure in all its trade and investment policies a human needs based approach to debt sustainability through a binding set of standards to define responsible lending and borrowing, debt audits and fair debt workout mechanism, which should assess the legitimacy and the sustainability of countries' debt burdens and possible cancellation of unsustainable an unjust debt;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)

7d. Asks the EU to engage constructively in the UN negotiations on multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring with a view to alleviating the debt burden and avoid unsustainable debt;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls that only fair and properly regulated trade if aligned with SDGs could have potentialities for development;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. In particular, welcomes the pledge of the Commission that no trade agreement will ever lower levels of regulatory protection; that any change to levels of protection can only be upward; and that the right to regulate will always be protected;

Amendment 9 #