2015/2114(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Heading 1

on the control of arms exports: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas, pursuant to the Lisbon Treaty, poverty eradication is the primary objective of EU development policy, and whereas it is also one of the priorities for EU external action to build a more stable and prosperous world; whereas supplying weapons to countries in conflict not only increases the likelihood of the violence escalating but also has a negative impact on those countries’ development potential, as is made clear in reports by humanitarian organisations that have quantified that impact1; (IANSA, Oxfam International, and Saferworld: Africa’s missing billions – International arms flows and the cost of conflict, 2007)

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on the United States to coordinate its position with the European common position, which otherwise would lapse;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Takes the view that the real problem is that the Common Position is being applied loosely and interpreted inconsistently by the Member States and therefore considers it crucial that a consistent and ambitious application of the eight criteria be pursued; points out in this regard that there are no penalties in case of infringement of the criteria and considers it advisable to make arrangements for conducting independent checks and for penalties in case of any infringement of the Common Position;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes COARM’s review of Common Position 2008/944 and the conclusion that it properly serves the objectives set by the Council, and that it is in line with the ATT; expresses concern that Member States ~~thought that no change was necessary despite weaknesses in arms exports policies exposed by the Arab Spr~~, despite the weaknesses relating to arms exports that were exposed first by the Arab Spring and subsequently by the grave situation in Syria and Iraq, did not consider it necessary to revise COARM, in particular with reference to a more uniform application of the provisions set out thereing;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes COARM’s review of Common Position 2008/944 and the conclusion that it properly serves the objectives set by the Council, and that it is in line with the ATT; ~~expresses concern that Member States thought that no change was necessary despite weaknesses in arms exports policies exposed by the Arab Spring;~~

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes COARM’s review of Common Position 2008/944 and the conclusion that it properly serves the objectives set by the Council, and that it is in line with the ATT; expresses concern that Member States thought that no change was necessary despite weaknesses in explosives and arms exports policies exposed by the Arab Spring and ensuing conflict and instability that is widespread across the Middle East and North of Africa, which could, in turn, affect the security of the Union itself; notes that most terrorist attacks by ISIS/Daesh in Iraq, Syria and Libya are carried out via the detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs);

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Takes note of the update of the User’s Guide to the Council Common Position and of the EU Military List; looks forward to the adoption of a new online information-sharing mechanism by COARM; welcomes the new references made to aspects of the ATT which are not yet included in the Common Position and the changes to the elaborative guidance to Criterion Seven; is disappointed that changes to the guidance on implementing the other criteria have been limited, in particular with regard to Criterion Eight despite widespread difficulties in its effective implementation;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Takes note of the update of the User’s Guide to the Council Common Position and of the EU Military List and notes with alarm its sheer flaws, since it does not encompass weapons used and exported by other security forces in Member States; looks forward to the adoption of a new online information-sharing mechanism by COARM; welcomes the new references made to aspects of the ATT which are not yet included in the Common Position and the changes to the elaborative guidance to Criterion Seven; is disappointed that changes to the guidance on implementing the other criteria have been limited, in particular with regard to Criterion Eight despite widespread difficulties in its effective implementation;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Member States to ensure ~~a stricter~~the application of the eight criteria; believes that Member States including at European level in COARM should broaden their assessments to include a focus on the situation in the country of destination as well as on the specific military technology in question; encourages Member States to apply stricter national criteria;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the uncontrolled spread of weapons constitutes a serious risk for peace and security, human rights and sustainable development; whereas every minute, somewhere in the world, a person dies because of armed violence and 15 new weapons are manufactured;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Member States to ensure a stricter application of the eight criteria; believes that Member States including at European level in COARM should broaden their assessments to include a focus on the situation in the country of destination as well as on the specific military technology in question; encourages Member States to apply stricter national criteria; calls for a further criterion to be added to the common position in order to ensure that proper account is taken, when issuing licences, of the risk of bribery and corruption in connection with exports;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Member States to ensure a ~~stricter~~uniform application of the eight criteria; believes that Member States including at European level in COARM ~~should broaden~~are making their assessments ~~to include a focus~~in full compliance with the Common Position on the situation in the country of destination as well as on the specific military technology in question; ~~encourages Member States to apply stricter national criteria;~~

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Is concerned about the effect that threats of legal action by companies in some Member States, whether real or perceived, might be having on the consideration of export licence applications; reminds Member States that rigorous and scrupulous application of the eight criteria creates the necessary grounds for licence refusals;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Takes note that Criterion Two requires Member States to deny an export license only if there is a ‘clear risk’ that the military technology or equipment to be exported might be used for internal repression; considering that this criterion leaves room for an incoherent application of the common rules; calls for the liaising with representatives of the Council of Europe, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and human rights organisations to further clarify Criterion Two;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Is critical of the frequent violations of the eight criteria by various Member States; regrets that there are no mechanisms for sanctions for violation of the eight criteria by a Member State and that there are no plans to that effect; takes the view that ways and means of carrying out independent verification and mechanisms for sanctions for violations of the Common Position should be provided for;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Urges every Member State to treat the concept of risk in arms transfer licensing processes on a precautionary basis, as is standard when addressing other issues areas such as inter alia terrorism, money-laundering and environmental concerns;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Is concerned that the current common position does not include a ´right to challenge´ the granting of export control licenses by other Member States;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)

14c. Calls upon the Member States to support the creation of an independent European Arms Control Authority (EACA) under the auspices of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; considering that EACA should issue an opinion to Member States that plan to grant a licence which has been denied by another Member State or States; considering that this advice should be an independent assessment of the applicability of the 8 common criteria; considering that such an advice could also be asked by states to assess the applicability of the 8 common criteria of any European export license;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses the need to ensure a more coherent policy on embargos; calls on Member States to eliminate any ambiguities in their systems but also at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement concerning the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms, which could lead to small arms transfers being able to circumvent regulation systems through being described as ‘non-military’; acknowledges, nonetheless, the legitimacy of exports of hunting and sporting weapons for civilian use, which are governed by Regulation (EU) No 258/2012 implementing Article 10 of the United Nations’ Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition; notes that weapons of this kind do not come within the scope of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, given that there is little risk of them being used in armed conflicts;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas in the interests of international stability, it is important to provide a balance of deterrence on a case- by-case assessment;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses the need to ensure a more coherent policy on embargos; calls on Member States to apply arms and dual-use embargos with immediate effect; calls on Member States to eliminate any ambiguities in their systems but also at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement concerning the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms, which could lead to small arms transfers being able to circumvent regulation systems through being described as ‘non-military’;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses the need to ensure a more coherent policy on embargos; calls on Member States to eliminate any ambiguities in their systems but also at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement concerning the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms, which could lead to small arms transfers being able to circumvenclarify national and international provisions relating to the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms in order to control more effectively the transfer of arms regarded as ‘non- military’; recalls that rRegulation ~~systems through being described as ‘non-military’~~(EU) No 258/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council implementing Article 10 of the United Nations’ Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms is intended to control effectively transfers of firearms for civil use;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses the need to ensure a more coherent policy on embargos; calls on Member States to eliminate any ambiguities in their systems but also at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement concerning the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms, which could lead to small arms transfers being able to circumvent regulation systems through being described as ‘non-military’; believes, in this respect, that there is a need for stricter control on the activities of arms brokering and brokering-related activities in the EU, which, because of diverging national control systems, may escape control systems of Member States; calls thus for the establishment and effective implementation of a registration regime entailing the obligation of brokers to report fully on their activities;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls on Member States to include a mechanism in the Common Position that would automatically freeze existing export license of arms to countries against which a European weapons embargo has been established after the export control license was granted;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Suggests exploring the possibility of applying and extending the eight criteria, also to the transfer of military and security personnel, to arms-export-related services and to private military services, given that, as evidenced by the case of Crimea, paramilitary corps are a major element in determining the geopolitical instability of sensitive areas;

Amendment 126 #

Lorenzo CESA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Suggests exploring the possibility of applying and extending the eight criteria, also to the transfer of military and security personnel, to arms-export-related services and to private military services; calls, in addition, for careful thought to be given to the issue of ‘floating armouries’;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Suggests exploring the possibility of applying and extending the eight criteria, also to the transfer of military and security personnel, to arms-export-related services and to private military services; calls for a unified EU approach to the issue of floating armouries;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Calls on all Member States that are not yet in full compliance with Council Common Position 2003/468/CFSP of 23 June 2003 on the control of arms brokering to explain why they are not in compliance and what steps they propose to take and when in order to honour their obligations under this Common Position; encourages Member States to include arms transporting and arms financing services into their arms brokering legislation;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Is concerned by the possible diversions of exports ~~and by the lack of effective controls on end users~~, and calls on Member States to establish an effective control system ~~(common monitoring system, non-misuse clause in end-user certificates, mandatory physical inspections of~~for end users); calls on the Council to better align Criterion Seven to Article 11 of the ATT;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas over the period 2010-2014, EU Member States were responsible for 25.4 per cent of the deliveries12 of major conventional weapons worldwide~~, making the EU28 the third largest arms supplier during that period, after the USA with 31.1 per cent and Russia with 26.5 per cent~~; __________________ 12 Trends in international arms transfers, 2014, SIPRI Fact Sheet, mars 2015.

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Is concerned by the possible diversions of exports and by the lack of effective controls on end users, and calls on Member States to establish an effective ~~control system (~~explanatory platform based on a common monitoring system, non- misuse clause in end-user certificates, and mandatory physical inspections of end users); calls on the Council to better align Criterion Seven to Article 11 of the ATT;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Is concerned by the possible diversions of exports and by the lack of effective controls on end users, and calls on Member States to establish an effective control system (common monitoring system, non- misuse clause in end-user certificates, mandatory physical inspections of end users), including reinforcement of staff dedicated to this purpose; calls on the Council to better align Criterion Seven to Article 11 of the ATT; is deeply concerned by the possible circumvention of EU export controls through licensed production in countries outside the EU or through overseas subsidiaries of EU- based companies; urges COARM to consider this issue in depth in its next annual report and invites the Commission to propose binding measures to address the issue of extraterritorial brokering in view of further restricting the possibilities for illegal brokering from jurisdictions with no effective arms exports control regimes; believes in this regard that there should be enhanced cooperation among Members States, between Member States and Europol and Eurojust, as well as with third countries, to facilitate the prosecution of brokers and smugglers for illegal arms transfers;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls for increased coordination at working level within the Council and the EEAS in order to ensure that aspects related to conflict prevention, development and human rights are duly taken into account; calls for regular consultations between COARM and COHOM as well as for COARM to liaise with all relevant EU actors such as Intcen, EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator and the EU Delegations in order to better improve coherence and share information that might be relevant to arms transfer licensing decisions, in particular with regard to risks in proposed recipient countries, so as to improve the quality of decision made in the context of the Common Position;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Takes the view that the European Union should meet its increased responsibility for peace and security in Europe and in the world by means of further arms limitation and disarmament initiatives and that, as a responsible global player, it should lead the way, i.e. that it should play an active role in the areas of non-proliferation of arms, global disarmament and arms transfer controls; therefore is of the opinion that the EU should formulate a comprehensive conversion strategy; recommends, in connection with that strategy, that a plan be developed as to how conversion from arms production to civilian goods production can proceed as quickly as possible;

Amendment 136 #

Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Finds regrettable the very~~Regrets the late adoption of the Sixteenth Annual Report making it the most delayed ever;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Finds regrettable the very late adoption of the Sixteenth Annual Report making it the most delayed ever; considers that a comprehensive, transparent, accurate and timely COARM annual report is essential to enable the democratic bodies of the Union and public opinion to perform their role of democratic scrutiny in the best possible way;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Finds regrettable that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregated; notes that full submission means data on the financial value of both arms export licences issued and actual exports, broken down by both destination and EU Military List category;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. FCalls for better coordination of States to comply with their common rules and finds regrettable that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregated;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas, EU Member States exported arms with a total value of EUR ~~9.6~~36.7 billion13 in 2013 ~~and~~, including EUR 1026.7 billion ~~in 201214 to countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)~~to third countries; whereas EU Member States accounted for 36 per cent of overall exports to third countries; __________________ 1~~3 14~~6th Annual Arms Exports Report. 15th Annual Arms Exports Report.

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. FIs of the opinion that the annual reports on arms export are significant tools in advancing the transparency of arms trade; finds regrettable, however, that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregated;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Finds regrettable~~Notes that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregatedcalls on the remaining Member States to fulfil their obligation to report annually and provide data for the 16th Annual Report retrospectively and for the forthcoming Annual Reports in due time;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Finds regrettable that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregated; points out that these are the same countries that are the biggest exporters and shoulder major responsibility for the global impact of EU arms exports;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Finds regrettable that only 21 Member States made full submissions to the 16th Annual Report; deplores that Greece has not provided any data and that Germany and the UK did not submit any data on actual arms exports and that France provided a total figure for arms exports which was not disaggregated; regrets that Member States are not coordinating with each other, be it in the NATO, US-led coalition or whatever framework, in the arms supply that some of them are making to the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdista, therefore not ensuring their adequate equipment to fight a common enemy, the ISIS/Daesh criminal band;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that the report includes standardised information on issued export licences but does not include comprehensive information on the real export of arms; calls for this shortcoming to be remedied and for provision be made, accordingly, for an annual report that highlights the real export data disaggregated by type and destination;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls for the introduction of a standardised reporting and submission procedure, including a deadline, for information on actual exports and licence data to be applied uniformly in all Member States; calls on the Member States to report more comprehensively on licences denied, including licence-specific information regarding recipient state and specific authority, description and quantity of items to be transferred with regard to the subcategories of the Military List, and the reason for the denial; proposes to change the format of the annual report and to launch a public, interactive and searchable online data base;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls for the introduction of a standardised reporting and submission procedure, including a deadline, for information on actual exports and licence data to be applied uniformly in all Member States; calls, moreover, for the arms to be identified and catalogued in a common book which enables a clear distinction to be made between weapons for war use and those for civilian use; calls on the Member States to report more comprehensively on licences denied, including licence-specific information regarding recipient state and specific authority, description and quantity of items to be transferred with regard to the subcategories of the Military List, and the reason for the denial;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls for the introduction of a standardised reporting and submission procedure, including a deadline, for information onin order to improve coordination of actual exports and licence data to be applied uniformly in all Member States; calls on the Member States to report more comprehensively on licences denied, including licence-specific information regarding recipient state and specific authority, description and quantity of items to be transferred with regard to the subcategories of the Military List, and the reason for the denial;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls for the introduction of a standardised reporting and submission procedure, including a deadline, for information on actual exports and licence data to be applied and complied with uniformly in all Member States; calls on the Member States to report ~~more comprehensive~~fully on licences denied, including licence-specific information regarding recipient state and specific authority, description and quantity of items to be transferred with regard to the subcategories of the Military List, and the reason for the denial;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas, EU Member States exported arms with a total value of EUR 9.6 billion13 in 2013 and EUR 10.7 billion in 201214 to countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); whereas ~~EU Member States accounted for 36 per cent of overall exports to third countries~~, by way of comparison, the overall budget for the European Neighbourhood Instrument for 2014-2020 is EUR 15.4 billion; whereas EU Member States accounted for 36 per cent of overall exports to third countries and it can hardly be claimed that these trade flows are in the direct security interests of the EU; __________________ 13 16th Annual Arms Exports Report 14 15th Annual Arms Exports Report

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Calls for enhanced~~Welcomes the consultations between the Member States with regard to transfers to fragile and unstable regions or countries; calls on the Member States to establish and publish a list of persons (including entities and individuals) that have been convicted of violating arms- export-related legislation and of cases of identified diversion; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information in due time on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Calls for enhanced consultations between the Member States with regard to transfers to fragile and unstable regions o~~r countries~~f the world and to countries that are acting aggressively – even to the point of using weapons – in their neighbourhood; calls on the Member States to establish and publish a list of persons (including entities and individuals) that have been convicted of violating arms- export-related legislation and of cases of identified diversion; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Calls for enhanced consultations between the Member States with regard to transfers to fragile and unstable regions or countries; calls on the Member States to establish and publish a list of persons (including entities and individuals) that have been convicted of violating arms- export-related legislation and of cases of identified diversion~~; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo;~~ and persons who have not been convicted by a court but are known to be involved in illegal arms trading or in activities that pose a threat to international security (as has been seen with the economic sanctions in connection with the Ukraine conflict); calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo and to draw up a list of countries that have violated one or more of the eight criteria in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, to serve as a basis for decisions taken by national authorities;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls on the Member States to explore the issue of loans and export credit guarantees and to evaluate compatibility with national and European development policies;

Amendment 155 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Considers it vital that countries which are candidates for accession to the EU should comply with EU positions and principles regarding arms exports and the arms trade;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls on Member States and European Commission to investigate sources of arms deliveries to major Islamist and other militant groups involved in causing and facilitating the migration flows to EU;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls for monitoring of and cooperation on illegal arms trafficking, through cooperation procedures involving police forces and border authorities based on the exchange of information and databases, to minimise security risks for the EU and its citizens;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Recalls that governments bear the political responsibility of whether or not to export military or dual-use goods; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on each of the licences issued, so as to make it possible for checks to be carried out at EU level in order to ensure that countries do not fail to meet the common position criteria out of economic, political or personal interest; calls for the EEAS/COARM to take on the task of scrutinising licences that are thought not to meet the common position criteria;

Amendment 159 #

Angel DZHAMBAZKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly believes that the citizens have the right to be informed about the arms import and export decisions of their governments as they affect the security and well-being of their nation;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas, specifically in the context of the development of a European defence market and a European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and the Common Security and Defence Policy CSDP), there needs to be a strengthened EU arms export control regime;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. ~~Strongly believes that the~~Calls for the reports to be kept public; considers that parliaments and citizens have the right to be informed about the arms export decisions of their governments asin the~~y affect the security and well-being of their nation~~ interests of transparency and greater public scrutiny;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly believes that the citizens have the right to be informed about the arms export decisions of their governments as they affect the security and well-being of their nation and that of countries abroad;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly believes that the citizens have the right to be informed in detail about the arms export decisions of their governments as they affect the security and well-being of their nation;

Amendment 163 #

Liisa JAAKONSAARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Strongly believes that ~~the~~ citizens have the right to be informed about the arms export decisions of their governments as they affect the security and well-being of their nation as well as potentially having adverse effects other parts of the world. Access to information should also be improved in regards to EU sanctions and arms embargos policies, which are often not up-to-date or presented in an easily accessible form;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls for parliamentary oversight to be strengthened both at national and European level through annual reports in Parliament; calls for European arms exports as part of the European industrial defence policy to be discussed at the next Inter- Parliamentary Conference on CFSP/CSDP;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Stresses also the essential role of civil society in increasing transparency; calls on the Commission and the EEAS/COARM to continue to deepen its dialogue with civil society and relevant think tanks; encourages civil society and the academia to independently scrutinise arms trade;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Stresses also the essential role of~~Welcomes the regular consultation with civil society in increasing transparency; calls on the Commission and the EEAS/COARM to continue t~~o deepen it~~his dialogue with civil society and relevant think tanks;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Considers that technological developments make it increasingly ~~more~~ difficult to distinguish between pure military and pure civilian use and that special attention should therefore be paid to the Dual Use List, in the light of the Wassenaar Arrangement; calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Commission to ensure that there are no loopholes at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement and between the Military List and the Annexes of the Dual-Use Regulation and to pay particular attention to new technology of strategic importance such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and surveillance technology;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Considers that technological developments make it increasingly more difficult to distinguish between pure military and pure civilian use; calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Commission to ensure ~~that there are no loopholes~~coherence at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement and between the Military List and the Annexes of the Dual-Use Regulation and to pay particular attention to new technology of strategic importance ~~such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and surveillance technology~~;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP is a legally binding framework laying down eight criteria for the export of conventional arms that EU Member States apply to their licensing decisions; whereas however the decision to transfer or deny the transfer of any military technology or equipment remains at the national discretion of Member States; whereas there is no reporting system to verify Member States’ compliance with the eight criteria nor there are sanctions mechanisms in case of non-compliance;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Considers that technological developments make it increasingly more difficult to distinguish between pure military and pure civilian use; calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Commission to ensure that there are no loopholes at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement and between the Military List and the Annexes of the Dual-Use Regulation and to pay particular attention to new technology of strategic importance such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, applied robotics and surveillance technology;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Recalls that the proliferation of certain surveillance and intrusion technologies around the world cannot only be detrimental to human rights, but also might pose a significant threat to European strategic interests and our digital infrastructure;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes the on-going ~~work~~initiative of the Commission to modernise EU dual- use export controls and its intention to present a new legislative proposal ~~on dual-use exports~~ in the first half of 2016; recalls the urgent need to address potentially harmful exports of ICT products and services to third countries;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Welcom~~Urges the ~~ongoing work of the Commission and its intention to present a new legislative proposal on dual-use exports~~ Commission, in the context of the forthcoming dual-use policy review and renewal, to swiftly put forward a proposal for smart and effective policies to limit and regulate the commercial export of services regarding the ~~first half of 2016; recalls the urgent need to~~implementation and use of so-called dual-use technologies, addressing potentially harmful exports of ICT products and services to third countries, as agreed in the Joint Statement of the European Parliament, Council and Commission of April 2014; calls on the Commission to include effective safeguards to prevent any harm of these export controls to research, including scientific and IT security research;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Welcomes the ongoing work of the Commission and its intention to present a new legislative proposal on dual-use export~~Calls on the Commission to confine itself to its strict coordinating role in relation to the wishes of States in theis firseld, which does not hfal~~f of 2016~~l within its remit; recalls the urgent need to address potentially harmful exports of ICT products and services to third countries;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Welcomes the ongoing work of the Commission and its intention to present a new legislative proposal on dual-use exports in the first half of 2016~~; recalls the urgent need to address potentially harmful exports of ICT products and services to third countries~~, which must be underpinned by the objective of improving the coherence and transparency of the export control regime and fully take into account the impact that dual-use goods’ exports may have on human rights in third countries; recalls the urgent need to address potentially harmful exports of ICT products and services to third countries; reminds that the Commission’s proposal must take account of the changing nature of security challenges and the speed of technological developments, especially when it comes to surveillance and intrusion software and equipment;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Calls on the Member States to make sufficient resources available to effectively implement and enforce dual- use export, brokering and transit controls; welcomes the on-going EU funded capacity-building programmes in support of third countries’ dual-use export control systems; calls on the Member States to mobilise training capacities within the EU as well;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Stresses that the Commission should swiftly be able to provide companies that are in doubt as to whether to apply for an export licence with accurate and up-to- date information on the legality or potentially harmful effects of potential transactions;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)

30b. Calls on the Commission to submit proposals for a review of how EU standards on ICTs could be used to prevent the potentially harmful impacts of the export of such technologies or other services to third countries where concepts such as ‘lawful interception’ cannot be considered equivalent to those of the European Union, or, for example, that have a poor record on human rights or where the rule of law does not exist;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)

30c. Reaffirms that EU standards, particularly the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, should prevail over other considerations in assessments of incidents involving dual-use technologies used in ways that may restrict human rights;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas Article 10 of the Common Position clearly states that economic, social, commercial and industrial factors and interests must not, in any way, affect the application of the eight criteria set out in the Common Position;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 d (new)

30d. Deplores the active co-operation of certain European companies, as well as of international companies trading in dual- use technologies, while knowing of the detrimental effects on human rights when trading with regimes whose actions violate human rights;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 e (new)

30e. Urges the Commission publicly to exclude companies engaging in such activities from EU procurement procedures, from research and development funding and from any other financial support;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. whereas the third countries Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Canada, Croatia, Montenegro and Norway have officially aligned themselves with the Common Position’s criteria and principles;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)

- having regard to European Parliament resolution of 8 September 2015 on ‘Human rights and technology: the impact of intrusion and surveillance systems on human rights in third countries’(2014/2232(INI)),

Amendment 20 #

Cătălin Sorin IVAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya; stresses the need for a more comprehensive plan that calls for transparency regarding arms exports to states in conflict;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya, situations which are only the tip of the iceberg in a changing neighbourhood which is less stable and less secure than in the past;

Amendment 22 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in ~~Ukraine,~~ Syria, Iraq ~~and Libya~~, Libya and Yemen, and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq ~~and Libya~~, Libya and Yemen, and that much of this has been fuelled by arms transfers, including from EU Member States;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya, because the right of intervention on grounds of human rights with evolving standards has destabilised those countries;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of ~~violent~~armed conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya;

Amendment 26 #

Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya and by the Middle East conflict and all international conflicts, which, in an increasingly globalised world, are a threat to world stability and security;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Supports the supply of defensive arms in case of a legitimate self-defence; welcomes the decision of some Member States to supply defensive arms to the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan and to Ukraine;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Reasserts that adherence to the Common Position is fundamental to the fulfilment of EU principles and values, particularly in the fields of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and of its responsibilities in its own, regional and global security;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, countries where children are known to be or may potentially be recruited or used in hostilities, armed groups and violent non- state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are used to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)

- having regard to the decisions of the 19th Plenary Meeting of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, held in Vienna on 3-4 December 2013,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, whose democratic legitimacy has not been proven or which have dubious relations with international terrorism, armed groups and other violent non-state actors, terrorists and criminals, ~~and are used~~who use them to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts ~~and~~or grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of re~~pressive regimes~~gimes conducting repressive domestic and/or aggressive foreign policy, armed groups and violent non-state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are used to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of ~~repressive regimes,~~ armed groups and violent non- state actors, terrorists and criminals taking advantage of the collapse of States, often because of the right of intervention, and are used to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms; recalls that, in order to combat these threats, it is necessary to reinforce viable States and the legitimate authorities, even if the latter do not meet our Western standards;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, armed groups and violent non-state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are used toConsiders that developments in the last two years in the neighbourhood of the Union have demonstrated the need to adopt effective arms export control regimes; condemns the use of arms with the aim of fuelling insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 34 #

Liisa JAAKONSAARI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that dthe illicit trade of arms continues to be a big, profitable business, which often occurs on a regional and local level, destabilising and adding to the humanitarian suffering in the areas concerned. Developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, armed groups and violent non-state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are used to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Finds regrettable that despite the August 2008 Russian intervention in Georgia which violated criteria 4, 5 and 6 of the Common Position, many EU countries have chosen to supply Russia with weapons and technologies aimed at overcoming deficiencies of Russian Army shown in the war against Georgia; especially eventually cancelled sales of French Mistral ships and building by Germany the special forces training center in Mulino; Russia allegedly used technologies transferred in this cooperation during the illegal annexation of Crimea;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Finds regrettable that despite criterion No. 1 of the Common Position (‘respect for Member States’ international obligations, in particular the sanctions adopted by the European Union’) many EU countries continued cooperation with Russia in the military or dual-use fields; deplores the fact that after the Crimea annexation despite clear evidence of Russia non-compliance with at least three of the Common Position criteria and strong concerns from a range of the EU Members States, particularly from Russia’s immediate neighbours, military cooperation with Russia was not immediately halted, thus undermining credibility of the EU in the promoting a law-based system of arm transfer controls;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Expresses its concern with the EU cooperation with Russia in sensitive areas such as Galileo satellites launching with Soyuz rockets and strategic airlift of EU Battlegroups through Russian intermediary company Ruslan SALIS; regrets that on 24 February 2015, the European Commission approved the creation of a joint venture by Germany’s Daimler AG and the Russian military equipment enterprise Kamaz;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; is seriously concerned by the uncon~~sequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology~~ trolled leaks, especially via the internet, of all the sensitive technological know-how that is specifically military and by the impact this could have on the security and defence of the European Union. In the light of these considerations, therefore, the transfer of knowledge in military matters should be a sector th~~ird countries~~at is subject to greater monitoring which should be included in EU common foreign and security policies (CFSP);

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 a (new)

- having regard to Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine,

Amendment 40 #

Cătălin Sorin IVAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries; notes that the export of arms to third countries can leave indirect, lasting effects on the social and economic domains of the European Union, such as the 2015 refugee crisis;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; reiterates that Article 10 of the Common Position states that considerations of economic, commercial and industrial interests by Member States shall not affect the application of the eight criteria regulating arms exports; regrets however that this article is often overlooked, especially since European defence companies are increasingly compensating for their reduced turnover in Europe through extra-EU exports; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries;

Amendment 43 #

Tunne KELAM, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; acknowledges the wide range of innovation and technological developments made in the defence industry; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries; understands, however, that shrinking defence budgets in the EU Member States create an incentive for the European defence industry to increase exports to third countries and emerging markets;

Amendment 44 #

Angel DZHAMBAZKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; ~~consider~~Notes that the defence industry ~~should~~ aims to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; ~~is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and~~considers it essential to further develop the EU industrial defence base, ensuring that the EU´s defence innovation and technology is not defpenceding ofn th~~e EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countrie~~ird countries; underlines that research and development in the defence industries have an important spill-over effect contributing to numerous civilian applications;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; ~~considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States;~~ is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries; recalls that Article 10 of the Common Position clearly states that compliance with the eight criteria takes precedence over any economic social, commercial or industrial interests of Member States;

Amendment 47 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States, its strategic autonomy, an effective European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), as well as Security of Supply regime in the EU; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries, which represents an increased risk of dependency on third countries with diverging strategic interests;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensurConsiders arms exports to be essential in order to strengthen the industrial and technological base of European defence; recalls that the defence industry has the aim of maintaining the defence and security of EUthe Member States~~; is seriously concerned by th~~ of the Union while contributing towards the implementation of the European Common Security and Defence Policy; alerts Member States to the possible consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries;

Amendment 49 #

Lorenzo CESA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should ~~aim to primarily ensur~~be an instrument for implementing the defence and security policies of EU Member States; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the global security environment around the EU has dramatically changed, especially in the southern and eastern neighbourhood; including protracted conflicts in the South Caucasus, including illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, Russia’s involvement in destabilization of Eastern Ukraine; including developments in Syria where policies of the Assad regime and the so- called Islamic State create atrocities to people of Syria and Iraq and what contributes to new waves of migration towards the EU;

Amendment 50 #

Lorenzo CESA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that according to Article 10 of the Common Position considerations of economic, commercial and industrial interests by the Member States shall not affect the application of the criteria regulating arms exports;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Acknowledges the legitimacy of exports that fully meet the criteria laid down in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and are carried out in response to a request made to the EU in accordance with the right to self-defence;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that~~, while~~ denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the Arab Spring are a positive sign~~, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in character~~; considers that a more thorough assessment of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing;

Amendment 56 #

Tunne KELAM, Arnaud DANJEAN, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 57 #

Angel DZHAMBAZKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that, while denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the Arab Spring are a positive sign, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in character and may lead to even greater destabilisation in conflict regions; considers that a more thorough assessment of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that~~, while~~ denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the Arab Spring are a positive sign, ~~they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in cha~~considers that the Member States should fully take into account EU´s stracte~~r; considers that a more thorough assessment~~gic interests and be based on a thorough assessment according to the Common Position of the specific risks associated with recipient countries ~~would be necessary~~ before licensing;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that, while denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts ~~and revolutions such as the Arab Spring~~ are a positive sign, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in character; considers that a more thorough assessment of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the global security environment ~~around~~in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood has dramatically changed, especially in the southern and eastern neighbourhood;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that, while denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the Arab Spring are a positive sign, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in character; considers that a more thorough assessment of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing; urges the Council and the VP/HR to look at ways of improving the compliance with the reporting obligation and of increasing the transparency and public scrutiny of the export control framework, namely ensuring that Member States report all arms exports, regardless of their military or other security forces’ handling, and including those exported for hunting and sports purposes, as well as arms sold to collectors;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that, while denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the so-called Arab Spring are a positive sign, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in character; considers that a more thorough assessment of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owing to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16 ; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms (including on de-activation, administrative sanctions and signal weapons) and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owing to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16, such smuggling being facilitated by the Schengen area; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms, under the control of the Council, and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol.

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed, especially where the trading partners are countries which do not show much respect for democratic standards or which have high levels of corruption, owing to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are ~~increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owi~~main a challenge to ~~increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16~~ be addressed; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms a~~re increasing; stresses the risks~~ nd explosive, also increasing the risks of being used for terrorist purposes in Europe and elsewhere are increasing; recalls that the Atocha terrorist attacks in Madrid, in 2004, were carried out with explosives bought from several stone quarries; recalls also that the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack in Paris, in January 2015, was perpetrated with arms bought at Gare du Midi station in Brussels; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re- introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owing to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16 ; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owing to increased arms smuggling and ~~enhanced mobility~~arms trafficking and the glaring lack of inspections at points of entry, such as ports, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; calls accordingly on the Commission to enhance Europol’s capabilities; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol

Amendment 68 #

Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that arms export controls are an integral part of EU foreign and security policy and shall be guided by the principles enshrined in Article 21 of TEU, notably the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and preservation of peace, prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security; recalls that arms exports ~~might~~can affect the credibility of the EU as a global human rights advocate; is deeply convinced a more effective implementation including the stricter interpretation of the eight criteria of the Common Position would represent an important contribution to the development of both CFSP and CSDP, and would also contribute to a stronger, more coherent, and common approach to foreign policy by Member States; calls for the new EU global strategy on foreign and security policy to properly consider arms export issues in view of the changed security environment and associated risks and threats;

Amendment 69 #

Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas there is an inherent right of individual or collective self-defence according to Art. 51 of the Charter of the UN;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that arms export controls are an integral part of EU foreign and security policy ~~and shall be guided by the principles enshrined in Article 21 of TEU~~on the basis of the common position of the Member States, notably the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and preservation of peace, which does not, however, permit the aggravation of conflicts or of international insecurity, prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security; recalls that arms exports might affect the credibility of the EU as a global human rights advocate; calls for the new EU global strategy on foreign and security policy to properly consider arms export issues in view of the changed security environment and associated risks and threats;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that arms export controls are an integral part of EU foreign and security policy and shall be guided by the principles enshrined in Article 21 of TEU, notably the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and preservation of peace, prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security; recalls that arms exports might affect the credibility of the EU as a global human rights advocate; calls for the new EU global strategy on foreign and security policy to properly consider arms export issues in view of the changed security environment and associated risks and threats; acknowledges the legitimacy of exports that fully meet the criteria laid down in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for a deep and systematic verification of implementation of EU sanctions regime against Russia in arms exports and sales of dual-use technologies;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Calls on European Commission to stop further cooperation with Russia in space sector as well as using the Russian intermediary company Ruslan SALIS to charter Ukrainian AN planes in case of an emergency to airlift EU Battlegroups to the crisis area;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores that irresponsible arms transfers continue to hinder democratic, ~~economic and social~~social and/or economic development in many parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight would be a decisive contribution to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores that irresponsible arms transfers continue to hinder democratic, economic and social development in many parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight of Common Position 2008/944 (COARM) would be a decisive contribution to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives; considers, furthermore, that for developing countries it would, in general, be more advisable to direct their spending towards investments to boost their economic and social growth, rather than towards the purchase of arms, technologies and military know-how;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores that irresponsible arms transfers continue to hinder democratic, economic and social development in many parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight would be a decisive contribution to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives; takes the view that, because of the negative impact of arms spending on the development prospects of poorer recipient countries, Criterion Eight should be upgraded by making denial of export licences automatic if they are incompatible with development; takes the view that because of the negative impact of arms expenditures this Criterion should also be applicable to arms transfers within the EU;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores that irresponsible arms transfers continue to hinder democratic, economic and social development in many parts of the world; recognises that the coherent interpretation and effective implementation of Criterion Eight would be a decisive contribution to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas regulating international arms trade is by definition a global ambition, with arms export control regime harmonisation at the centre the EU’s overall diplomatic ambition: promote democracy and the rule of law and preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security; whereas the EU must ensure the consistency of its external activities as a whole in the context of its external relations, in accordance with the Treaty on European Union (TEU);

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores that i~~rresponsible~~llicit or unregulated arms transfers ~~continue to~~may hinder democratic, economic and social development in ~~many~~certain parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight would ~~be a decisive~~ contribut~~ion~~e to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Deplores that irresponsible arms transfers continue to undermine political stability and hinder democratic, economic and social development in many parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight would be a decisive contribution to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Welcomes the December 2013 Wassenaar Arrangement decision on export controls in the areas of surveillance, law enforcement and intelligence-gathering tools and network surveillance systems; underlines the need for EU measures yet recalls the incomplete nature of the EU dual-use regime, when it comes to the effective and systematic export control of harmful ICT technologies to non-democratic countries;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Deplores Assad regime’s use of barrel- bombs against people of Syria; points out that atrocities committed by the Assad regime contribute to new waves of migrants storming EU; calls on European Council to oppose Russian demands to send weapons for Assad regime in Syria; supports Bulgaria’s decision to close airspace for Russian military deliveries to Syria; calls on Greece and Iraq to also close their airspace for Russian military deliveries to Syria; calls on Russia to stop supplying weapons to the Assad regime; calls on Russia to stop expending its naval base in Tartus and to discard its plans to build a new airbase in Latakia, Syria;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU under the control of the Council to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; stresses, however, that in view of the constantly changing global security conditions, the rules set out in the ATT need to be kept updated and, above all, to be coordinated among the states that are parties to the Treaty; considers it vital, albeit without undermining the freedom of individual states to legislate independently and differently, that at least a hard core of rules and general principles be strictly implemented by all concerned;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT~~; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Trea~~, even though it has to be noted that three of the leading sellers of arms in the world have not signed (Russia and China) or ratified (Untied States) the Treaty and that it continues to be unclear whether arms ‘transfers’ include also their donation and rental; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; takes the view that the ambiguities relating to arms transfers to non-state actors should be resolved and that states should not be allowed to omit from their annual reports sensitive commercial information or information relating to national security;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; regrets the lack of a sanctioning mechanism for countries violating the ATT;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; recognises that the ATT does represent a positive achievement, however underlines that it still has limitations;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; calls on the Commission to urge the Member States that have not ratified the ATT to do so at the earliest opportunity;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, with regard to conflicts, risk prevention is always more effective than risk control, and whereas action to combat social exclusion, to eradicate poverty and to foster intercultural dialogue helps to maintain stability and security;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Welcomes the success of the first Conference of States Parties held in Cancun from 24 to 27 August 2015, but points out that no agreement was reached on the template to be used for the annual reports; believes that the Treaty will be genuinely successful only if steps are taken to make it universally applicable and if binding or punitive mechanisms are established, to be used in the case of any failure to apply the rules;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the requirement that states parties to the ATT take into account in the licence decision-making process the risk that the weapons to be transferred may be used to commit or facilitate serious acts of ~~gender-based violence or serious acts of~~ violence against women and children; calls on the Member States to introduce this condition into the Common Position;

Amendment 92 #

Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA, Arnaud DANJEAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the requirement that states parties to the ATT take into account in the licence decision-making process the risk that the weapons to be transferred may be used to commit or facilitate serious acts of gender-based violence or serious acts of violence against women and children; ~~calls on the Member States to introduce this condit~~welcomes the fact that this condition is covered by the second criterion into the Common Position;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Commends the fact that the EU has a legally binding framework, unique in the world, through which arms export control is being enforced, including in crisis regions and countries with questionable human rights records; and welcomes the fact, in this connection, that several European and third countries have joined the arms exports control system on the basis of the Common Position;

Amendment 94 #

Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA, Arnaud DANJEAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Welcomes the fact that Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro and Norway have aligned themselves with the criteria and principles of the Common Position 2008/944CFSP; notes that a special information exchange system between the EU and the aligned third countries has been in place since 2012;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls that the Common Position does not affect the right of Member States to operate more restrictive national policies, that, in any case, refusal to transfer any military technology or arms remains the exclusive competence of the Member States and that the common standards set by the Common Position are to be regarded as the minimum standard for the management of transfers of military technology according to recital 3; points out that harmonisation at the European level should only lead to a more restrictive arms export policy at national level and not be used as a pretext for watering down stricter national rules;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls that the Common Position does not affect the right of Member States to operate more restrictive national policies and that the common standards set by the Common Position are to be regarded as the minimum standard for the management of transfers of military technology according to recital 3; points out that harmonisation at the European level should ~~only lead to a more restrictive arms export policy at national level and~~ not be used as a pretext for watering down stricter national rules;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls that the Common Position ~~does not affect the right of Member States to operate more restrictive national policies~~should lead to a coordinated approach to arms trade and that the common standards set by the Common Position are to be regarded as the ~~minimum~~ standard for the management of transfers of military technology according to recital 3; ~~points out that harmonisation at the European level should only lead to a more restrictive arms export policy at national level and not be used as a pretext for watering down stricter national rule~~notes, however, that the eight criteria are applied and interpreted with varying degrees of rigour in the EU Member States; calls, therefore, for more uniform interpretation and implementation of the Common Position with all its obligations;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 99 #