2015/2273(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3b (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 23 May 2013 on asset recovery by Arab Spring Countries in transition;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Deems it necessary that the Commission and the EEAS provide support for local elections (scheduled in October 2016) and an EU monitoring mission, should it be requested by the Tunisian Government; calls for strengthened support for municipalities in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), and by fostering the development of twinning projects in coordination with the Member States; Strongly recommends the adoption of a law on the competences of elected local and regional bodies to ensure a genuine public debate takes place ahead of these elections;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls for support for gender- balanced policies, for an increased participation of women in public life and the private sector, in particular as enshrined in Article 46 of the Tunisian Constitution, and for the inclusion of young people in political life, especially regarding the promotion of youth participation in local elections; welcomes the legislative provisions regarding youth representation at local and regional elections; further encourages the development of mentoring programmes for emerging female leaders with the potential to support their access to decision making positions;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls for support for gender- balanced policies, including in issues related to inheritance and marriage rights and for an increased participation of women in public life and the private sector and for the inclusion of young people in political life, especially regarding the promotion of youth participation in local elections; welcomes the legislative provisions regarding youth representation at local and regional elections;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls for support for gender- balanced policies, for an increased participation of women in public life and the private sector and for the inclusion of young people in political life, especially regarding the promotion of youth participation in local elections; welcomes the legislative provisions regarding youth representation at local and regional elections; Recommends Tunisia reforms its personal status code to abolish discriminatory laws against women, in line with the Constitution's principle of gender equality, notably on right to inheritance, dowry, parenthood, the right to marry, and to abolish the reduction of prison sentences for a husband murdering his wife if she commits adultery; recommends the lifting of Tunisia's general declaration on the Convention for the Elimination of Discriminations Against Women;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Welcomes the transitional justice law; recalls the high hopes of the Tunisian people for the transitional process; regrets the intense polarization within the Truth and Dignity committee; notes that national reconciliation and growth should not be contradictory priorities;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. calls for action to protect the rights of religious minorities, including Christian converts, in public and social life;

Amendment 108 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Hilde VAUTMANS, Pier Antonio PANZERI, Tanja FAJON, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls for the Commission and the EEAS to ~~launch a programme in support of~~keep supporting Tunisia in the reform of the judicial sector and the rule of law in respect of the values of the Tunisian Constitution; ~~notes that~~welcomes the EU Pprogramme on Justice Rreform (PARJI) ~~was only endowed with very limited funding and stopped in 2011~~adopted in 2011 as well as the PARJ2 programme, adopted in 2014 and only funded with 15 million euros;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls for the Commission and the EEAS to launch a programme in support of the reform of the judicial sector and the rule of law in respect of the values of the Tunisian Constitution, including through technical and financial support for the ongoing establishment of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Constitutional Court; notes that the EU Programme on Justice Reform (PARJI) was only endowed with very limited funding and stopped in 2011;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for its contribution to the establishment of a pluralistic democratic society in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution in 2011;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls for the Commission and the EEAS to launch a programme in support of the reform of the judicial sector and the rule of law in respect of the values of the Tunisian Constitution; notes that the EU Programme on Justice Reform (PARJI) was only endowed with very limited funding and stopped in 2011; calls for it to be reinstated and properly funded, and for it to focus its efforts on transitional justice;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Expresses concern over the overcrowding in Tunisia prisons, the lack of food and the sanitary conditions and their effects on inmates' basic rights; welcomes the Tunisian-European project for the reform of the Tunisian penal institution which aims to reinforce the system of alternative penalties instead of imprisonment for less serious offenses.

Amendment 113 #

Salvatore Domenico POGLIESE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual practices and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy, as well as amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs;deleted

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual practices and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy~~, as well as amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs;~~.

Amendment 115 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Hilde VAUTMANS, Pier Antonio PANZERI, Tanja FAJON, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual practices and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy, as well as amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs; calls on the Tunisian authorities to continue to observe the moratorium on the death penalty which has been in place since 1991;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual ~~practices~~ity with imprisonment for three years, and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy~~, as well as~~; furthermore, calls for amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual ~~practices~~ity with imprisonment for three years, and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy, as well as amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards for the consumption of soft drugs;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for a reform of the penal code, and in particular for the repeal of Article 230, which penalises homosexual practices and is contrary to the constitutional principles of non- discrimination and the protection of privacy, as well as amendments to Law No 92-52 on Narcotics, which propose disproportionate sentences for drug offences, to align it to international standards ~~for the consumption of soft drugs~~;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Is concerned about the threat to fundamental rights imposed by way of the anti-terrorist legislation recently adopted by Tunisia; points out that security considerations do not absolve authorities from upholding human rights and fundamental liberties; points out the principles of necessity and proportionality in this area, and for independent control of the judiciary, including over the security forces; points out its long- standing opposition to capital punishment, stresses the importance of Tunisia repealing the death penalty or at least reinstating a moratorium on its use and stresses once more that abolishing the death penalty helps to bolster human dignity and should be, without exception, a fundamental principle of a democratic regime;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4a (new)

- having regard to the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 18 November 2015 entitled ‘Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy’;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Notes that NGOs condemn the persistent practice of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, particularly in prisons and in custody; points out the Tunisian Government’s responsibility to put an end to the culture of impunity; calls on the Tunisian authorities to adopt, as quickly as possible, legislation which ensures that victims of torture and their families receive compensation and that the compensation is in line with the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which Tunisia ratified in 1988;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for ~~a stronger~~the process of decentralisation and the empowerment of the regions by means of further local autonomies; supports partnerships with EU Member States encouraging decentralised approaches (e.g. training, capacity- building in that field)to be set up rapidly and for regions and municipalities to be responsible for consequent steps, with the aim of enabling local autonomies to develop further; supports partnerships with EU Member States and their local authorities when those partnerships are intended to encourage decentralisation;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for a stronger process of decentralisation and the empowerment of the regions by means of further local autonomies; supports partnerships with EU Member States encouraging decentralised approaches (e.g. training, capacity- building in that field), together with decentralised cooperation projects led by Member State authorities which contribute to the development of regional and local governance in Tunisia;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for a stronger process of decentralisation and the empowerment of the regions by means of further local autonomies; supports partnerships with EU Member States encouraging decentralised approaches (e.g. training, capacity-building in that field); calls for increased EU support to civil society in the regions, building on successful existing initiatives;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for a stronger process of decentralisation and the empowerment of the regions by means of further local autonomies; supports partnerships with EU Member States encouraging decentralised approaches (e.g. training, capacity-building in that field) as well as partnerships and exchange of best practices with EU cities and local communities;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Encourages best practice standards in the media sector to truly reflect investigative and~~Reiterates that the right to freedom of expression is a fundamental principal of democracy and points out that no one can be condemned for freely expressing an opinion; Encourages best practice standards in the media sector to enable journalists to practise their profession, including investigative journalists, and to ensure differentiated journalism; recognises the enabling effects of uncensored access to the internet and of the development of digital and social media; welcomes Tunisia’s vibrant and open online media landscape but calls on the Tunisian authorities to further invest in basic technological infrastructures and to promote digital connectivity and literacy, especially in the poorest areas of the country; calls for bloggers to receive special protection, too;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Encourages best practice standards in the media sector to truly reflect investigative and differentiated journalism; recognises the enabling effects of uncensored access to the internet and of digital and social media; welcomes Tunisia’s vibrant and open online media landscape but calls on the Tunisian authorities to further invest in basic technological infrastructures and to promote digital connectivity and literacy, especially in the poorest areas of the country; Welcomes the adoption of the new information law in March 2016 to effectively protect the right to freedom of information in Tunisia, which should protect the rights of whistle blowers including the journalists involved in the Panama Leaks;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Encourages best practice standards in the media sector to truly reflect investigative and differentiated journalism; recognises the enabling effects of uncensored access to the internet and of digital and social media; welcomes Tunisia’s vibrant and open online media landscape but calls on the Tunisian authorities to further invest in basic technological infrastructures and to promote digital connectivity and literacy, especially in the poorest areas of the country; welcomes, in this context, that HAICA and its successor, the Audio- Visual Communication Commission, will benefit from EU support in the context of the ongoing EUR 10 million programme supporting media reform;

Amendment 128 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Whereas freedom of expression online and offline and freedom of assembly are indispensable pillars of a democratic and pluralistic society; whereas freedom of the press and media are vital elements for democracy and an open society;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Calls on the Assembly of the Council of Europe to grant Tunisia the status of partner for democracy as a significant step towards consolidating parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in Tunisia;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 25 February 2016 on the opening of negotiations for an EU-Tunisia Free Trade Agreement

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls on the government to take swift measures to prevent the use of torture; encourages Tunisia to abolish the death penalty.

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Calls on Tunisia to urgently reform its 1978 state of emergency law, currently enforced outside of the Constitution's basic provisions;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Supports using IT-based solutions for establishing and developing an e-state and an e-administration;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12 b. Is worried that little progress has been made to overhaul the code of criminal procedures and the penal code to uphold freedom of expression; is worried that several citizens have been prosecuted and imprisoned for alleged defamation, insult of state officials in rap songs or harming public morals, including journalists and bloggers, for expressing their opinions;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Welcomes the fact that Tunisia has joined the Freedom Online Coalition and calls for it to participate more actively;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12 c. Raises concerns regarding repeated cases of torture, by Tunisian authorities, of minors suspected of wanting to join terrorist organisations;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

~~13. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a macro-financial assistance of EUR 500 million and calls for a swift adoption by the Council and Parliament;~~deleted

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Welcom~~Notes the Commission’s proposal for a macro-financial assistance of EUR 500 million and calls for a swift adoption by the Council and Parliament; regrets however that this assistance is provided in the form of a loan and not a grant, and hence needs to be repaid; underlines its aim should be to pay back odious debt contracted by the former Ben Ali regime;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. WTakes note of the serious socio- economic situation currently faced by Tunisia, and therefore welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a macro- financial assistance of EUR 500 million and calls for a swift adoption by the Council and Parliament;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Welcom~~Notes the Commission’s proposal for a macro-financial assistance of EUR 500 million and calls for ~~a swift adoption by the Council and Parliament~~the proper use of this taxpayers’ money to be guaranteed and for the Union to put in place effective monitoring mechanisms;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to the report of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights "Prisons in Tunisia, International Standards versus Reality" of March 2014 and to the declarations of officials of the Tunisian Justice Ministry;

Amendment 140 #

Mario BORGHEZIO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for~~Points out that Tunisia has received a macro-financial assistance of EUR 500 million ~~and calls for a swift~~, in adopdition byto the ~~Council and Parliament~~EUR 300 million previously granted;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a macro-financial assistance of EUR 500 million and calls for a swift adoption by the Council and Parliament; deplores the fact that this assistance would be given in the form of loans and conditional on structural and economic reforms; calls for real assistance in the form of grants paid under the framework of the ENP to be turned to full account;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a macro-financial assistance of EUR 500 million and calls for a swift adoption by the Council and Parliament; calls for this assistance to be reserved for investments and for the European Parliament and the Council to be informed of the total expenditure;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Emphasises that the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia must also contribute to extending European standards in the field of environment, consumer protection and workers' rights to Tunisia, as this also will increase Tunisia's competitiveness in the rest of the world;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Acknowledges the negotiations for an agreement on a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the EU and Tunisia; calls on the Commission to adopt a progressive approach and to ensure that opening up the Tunisian market will benefit everyone, in both the long and the short term;

Amendment 145 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Welcomes the start of the negotiations on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia; underlines that international trade is essential for the Tunisian economic, social and political development and stability;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI ~~and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia~~, primarily through grants at a comparable rate to the aid granted to Ukraine; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures ~~promoting investment in the manufacturing sector~~reducing regional disparities, supporting and developing local agriculture and promoting training and investment particularly in the manufacturing sector, SMEs and the social and robust economy which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 147 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. CWelcomes the adoption of the emergency autonomous trade measures for the Republic of Tunisia as a concrete step to support the Tunisian economy; calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia to allow the country to benefit fully from the international support and enable job creation; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment, particularly for young graduates; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks ~~in 2014~~which took place in 2014 and which the European Parliament strongly condemns and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 15 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

- having regard to the final report of the EU Electoral observation mission for the legislative and presidential elections in Tunisia in 2014;

Amendment 150 #

David MCALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing, agriculture and IT sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 20145 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 2014 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible and to relaunch Tunisia as a destination;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the attacks in 20145 and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States which have not yet done so to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector since 2014 has been dramatically impacted by the terror attacks ~~in 2014~~ and, considering the measures ~~implemented~~that have been taken since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as ~~quickly~~soon as possible;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an increase in EU aid to Tunisia through the ENI and for the coordination of international aid to Tunisia; encourages partnerships with other interested global and regional donor countries and organisations, and in particular, measures promoting investment in the manufacturing sector which would boost employment; notes that the tourism sector has been dramatically impacted by the ~~attacks in 2014~~terrorist attacks and, considering the measures implemented since then by the Tunisian authorities, calls on the Member States to reassess the security situation as quickly as possible;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Welcomes the launching of the negotiations of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Tunisia on 13 October 2015; underlines the importance of the DCFTA to support on-going economic reforms in Tunisia and to improve market access opportunities and the investment climate; recalls the need for the EU to conduct these negotiations along with a technical and financial tailored assistance;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Welcomes the adoption of the emergency autonomous trade measures for the Republic of Tunisia as a concrete step to support the Tunisian economy by providing more opportunities for Tunisian companies and citizens of the European market as well as creating an incentive for reform in the country itself;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14a (new)

14a. 9. Welcomes the opening of negotiations in the autumn of 2015 with a view to concluding a progressive and asymmetrical agreement between the EU and Tunisia, on the basis of the mandate adopted by the Council in 2011 in the wake of the ‘Arab Spring’;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Calls for the EU to include civil society, local authorities and other important actors in the process of identification of priorities for funding in the mid-term review of the ENI;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. encourages internal reforms to reduce bureaucracy and to stimulate economic and business growth, and foreign direct investment;

Amendment 16 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)

- having regard to its resolution of March 10 2016, introducing emergency autonomous trade measures for Tunisia (COM(2015)0460 – C8-0273/2015 – 2015/0218(COD))

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14b (new)

14b. 10. Considers that the agreement covers more than just trade, and it is essential that its objective is to contribute to Tunisia’s stability, strengthen its democracy and revive its economy, and at the same time have a positive impact on employment and reducing inequality; calls for the content of the agreement to meet those fundamental challenges before it is concluded;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to micro-credits, reform of the labour laws and simplification of administrative processes) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for and the distribution of wealth across all territories of the country;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country including the less advanced regions that need a long-term development plan;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the crucial need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. ~~facilitate currency restrictions~~developing training schemes suited to the needs of the labour market , access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive and sustainable economic development for all territories of the country;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country; Calls on the Tunisian authorities to welcome initiatives in which citizens show commitment to improving political dialogue or technological innovations, among other examples, and emphasizes that international support for these civic initiatives is needed;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country; Is worried that the most impoverished inland regions representing 35% of Tunisia's population only receive 10% of loans to foster job creation;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the need to address unemployment, especially for young university graduates, and to launch deep reforms to promote growth, quality education and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines the need to address unemployment~~, especially for young university graduates,~~ and to launch deep reforms to promote growth and employment (e.g. facilitate currency restrictions, access to microcredit, reform of the labour laws) and the diversification of the Tunisian economy; calls on all parties to maintain the spirit of good cooperation to focus on reforms with a view to the inclusive economic development for all territories of the country;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Welcom~~Notes the Tunisian Strategic Plan for Development 2016-2020 and ~~calls for its swift implementation with the adoption of regulatory frameworks aimed at facilitating the absorption of European support and of all international financial institu~~stresses the paramount need to strengthen the Tunisian economy and its domestic consumptions; ~~welcomes~~expresses concern about the adoption of the new investment code~~, which should create regulatory stability and facilitate investments, and the tax reforms;~~ and fiscal reforms which neither meet the needs of the Tunisian economy nor the social justice ambitions which were central to the Tunisian revolution; stresses the importance of involving all stakeholders, including those in civil society, calls for the modernisation of the public administration, which should operate in an efficient and transparent way, thus greatly facilitating the implementation of projects and the better use of funds;

Amendment 169 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Welcomes~~Encourages the early adoption of the Tunisian Strategic Plan for Development 2016-2020 and calls for its swift implementation with the adoption of regulatory frameworks aimed at facilitating the absorption of European support and of all international financial institutions; welcomes the adoption of the new investment code, which should create regulatory stability and facilitate investments, and the tax reforms; calls for the modernisation of the public administration, which should operate in an efficient and transparent way, thus greatly facilitating the implementation of projects and the better use of funds;

Amendment 17 #

Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the p~~eaceful democratic transition process in Tunisia represents a successful example in the Arab world and its consolidation is paramount for~~rocess of the so- called ‘Arab Springs’ has been a disaster for all countries affected and that further outside interference only serves to further weaken these countries and the stability of the entire region;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Welcomes the Tunisian Strategic Plan for Development 2016-2020 and calls for its swift implementation, in an inclusive way, with the adoption of regulatory frameworks aimed at facilitating the absorption of European support and of all international financial institutions; welcomes the adoption of the new investment code, which should create regulatory stability and facilitate investments, and the tax reforms; calls for the modernisation of the public administration, which should operate in an efficient and transparent way, thus greatly facilitating the implementation of projects and the better use of funds;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. supports the efforts of the Tunisian government to modernise and liberalise their economy to meet new domestic, regional and global demands and believes a strong and diverse Tunisian economy will create jobs, opportunity and prosperity, and allow the country to achieve its wider political and social ambitions;

Amendment 172 #

Salvatore Domenico POGLIESE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls the strategic importance of the agricultural sector in Tunisia and welcomes in this regard the measures foreseen in the 2016 Tunisian budget, including the cancellation of debts for farmers, and the launch of a national consultation on the agricultural sector; considers it essential for this national consultation to involve civil society and the broadest possible number of actors, including small farmers from the south of the country as well as young farmers; ~~believes~~to ensure that the ~~agricultural sector requires a deep reform and~~planned reforms are understood by interested parties and meet their expectations and so that a series of urgent practical measures are taken, such as developing the capacities of desalination plants to tackle the water deficit issue and other emerging problems owing to climate change;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls the strategic importance of the agricultural sector in Tunisia and welcomes in this regard the measures foreseen in the 2016 Tunisian budget, including the cancellation of debts for farmers, and the launch of a national consultation on the agricultural sector; considers it essential for this national consultation to involve civil society and the broadest possible number of actors, including small farmers from the south of the country as well as young farmers; believes that the agricultural sector requires a deep reform and a series of urgent practical measures, such as developing the capacities of desalination plants to tackle the water deficit issue and other emerging problems owing to climate change; calls on the Tunisian authorities to ban the use of any pesticide that is already banned in the EU.

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Calls on the EU to step up its support against desertification in Tunisia; Notes that Tunisians are experiencing a serious shortage of water; Calls on Tunisia to foster sustainable agriculture and eating habits; recommends a land reform to incite farmers to preserve forests and rivers; Recalls that a sustainable development of Tunisia's coastal tourism requires a strong reduction of hotel density in order to rationalize investments and manage the water front;

Amendment 175 #

Mario BORGHEZIO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. While it is aware that, because of the terrorist attacks, the crisis and instability situation in Tunisia must be resolved, deplores the action taken by High Representative Federica Mogherini to ease the way for the import into Europe of an additional 70 000 tonnes of Tunisian oil duty-free, at the expense of some Member States (Italy, Spain, Greece and, in part, France)

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Welcomes the launch of the project entitled ‘Youth mobility, food security and rural poverty reduction’ by APIA (Agents de promotion des investissements agricoles), in order to combat youth unemployment by offering alternatives in rural areas; calls on the Member States to support the EU actions by engaging, in partnership with Tunisian authorities, civil society organisations and the private sector in sectorial or thematic projects that could have a direct and beneficial impact on Tunisian society;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Welcomes programmes developed by the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean such as Med4jobs to address the employability of young people in the Mediterranean; calls on the Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean to task its Secretariat General to focus on the economic and social development of Tunisia in support of the consolidation of its transition process;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls for a stronger fight against corruption (~~for example by designating an independent authority to oversee the proper functioning of public adm~~by providing the future body for good governance and the fight againist~~ration and the regularity of public procurement),~~ corruption with suitable resources) particularly in the context of the growing underground economy with a view to achieving a more efficient and transparent decision-making process and to establishing a better environment for investment and business; calls on the Tunisian authorities to ensure that the steps that it takes against corruption are highly visible;

Amendment 179 #

David MCALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls for a stronger fight against corruption (for example by ~~designating an independent authority to overse~~strengthening the capacity and effectivity of the Tunisian Anti-Corruption Agency to ensure the proper functioning of public administration and the regularity of public procurement) particularly in the context of the growing underground economy with a view to achieving a more efficient and transparent decision-making process and to establishing a better environment for investment and business;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the continuation of the peaceful democratic transition process in Tunisia ~~represents a successful example in the Arab world~~is of major political and geostrategic importance to Maghreb, the Middle East and beyond, and its consolidation is ~~paramount~~crucial for the stability of the whole region;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls for a stronger fight against corruption ~~(for example by designating an independent authority to oversee the proper functioning of public administration and the regularity of public procurement)~~ particularly in the context of the growing underground economy with a view to achieving a more efficient and transparent decision-making process and to establishing a better environment for investment and business; recognizes the efforts of the National Instance for Fight against Corruption and urges the government to provide it with all necessary competences, financial and logistic support to do its work, including overseeing the proper functioning of the administration and the regularity of the public procurement;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19a (new)

19a. Calls for the acceleration of the establishment of the National Social Dialogue Council decided on in 2013;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Member States to demonstrate support and political will in order to speed up the recovery of frozen Tunisian assets; welcomes the Council decision to extend the asset freeze of 48 persons by one year; Welcomes the creation of the National Authority against corruption; deplores its limited budget, calls for a more independent nomination of its chair; Recommends the urgent adoption of a law to enhance the Authority, which was created by decree; calls therefore for a full implementation of the Tunisian Constitution, particularly as regards the declaration of assets for certain public figures;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Member States to demonstrate support and political will in order to speed up the recovery of frozen Tunisian assets; welcomes the Council decision of 28 January 2016 to extend the asset freeze of 48 persons by one year;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Expresses concern at Tunisia’s lack of frozen asset recovery, namely, owing to the lengthy and cumbersome processes involved in confiscating and repatriating assets; calls for specific technical capacity support to be provided to Tunisia in order to undertake investigations and collect the intelligence and evidence needed to build cases of assets recovery; deplores the delay in establishing the ‘support for asset recovery by Arab Spring countries’; questions the actual results of that and calls on the Commission to swiftly provide the Council and the European Parliament an accurate assessment of the progress made with regard to proceedings;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Calls for the promotion of faster and safer transfers of remittances and of the investment potential -especially with regard to local and regional development- of Tunisians and North Africans already residing in the EU;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

~~22. Calls for the conversion of Tunisian debt into investment projects especially for building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities;~~deleted

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Calls for the conversion of~~Is concerned about the difficulties that Tunisia has had in repaying its external debt, which has lead it to borrow on the financial markets at a rate which only serves to worsen its debt problems; supports the suspension of payment of that debt with a view to undertaking an audit on its legitimacy; calls for the cancellation of the illegitimate and odious part of the debt; calls on the Members States to convert the remaining Tunisian debt into investment projects especially for building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Calls for the~~Welcomes the initiatives to conver~~sion~~t part of Tunisian debt into an investment projects or development led by several Member States and encourages the Commission, through the EIB and Member States, to increase the number of these types of project, especially forcusing on building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls for the conversion of Tunisian debt into investment projects especially for building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities, and for the assessment of possible ways to make Tunisian debt more sustainable in light of the situation in the country, without prejudice to the access of Tunisia to the financial markets;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~the peaceful democratic transition process in Tunisia represents a successful example in the Arab world and~~Tunisia has made the most progress with its democratic process, that this democratic transition process in Tunisia is an example that inspires the Arab world with hope and that its consolidation is paramount for the stability of the entire region;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls for the conversion of Tunisian debt into investment projects especially for building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities; Calls on EU Member States to allow for a preferential rescheduling of Tunisia's debt and a diversification of debt components;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls for the conversion of Tunisian debt to the European Union into investment projects especially for building strategic infrastructures and reducing regional disparities;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recommends the use of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) funds to further assist SMEs; recommends that Tunisia join the EU’s COSME (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) programme as soon as possible; encourages private lending to SMEs by reforming the undercapitalised banking sector; welcomes the recent twinning programme for the Tunisian Central Bank aimed at supporting the modernisation of the banking sector;deleted

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes EU projects in the domain of job creations and vocational training such as IRADA; Recommends the use of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) funds to further assist SMEs; recommends that Tunisia join the EU’s COSME (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) programme as soon as possible; encourages private lending to SMEs by reforming the undercapitalised banking sector; welcomes the recent twinning programme for the Tunisian Central Bank aimed at supporting the modernisation of the banking sector;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recommends the use of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) funds to further assist SMEs; recommends that Tunisia ~~join~~take the appropriate measures to be able to benefit fully from the EU’'s COSME (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) programme as soon as possible; encourages private lending to SMEs, including by enhancing the capability of the credit guarantee sector and by reforming the undercapitalised banking sector; welcomes the recent twinning programme for the Tunisian Central Bank aimed at supporting the modernisation of the banking sector;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recommends the use of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) funds to further assist SMEs; ~~recommends that Tunisia join the EU’s COSME (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) programme as soon as possible;~~ encourages private lending to SMEs by reforming the undercapitalised banking sector; welcomes the recent twinning programme for the Tunisian Central Bank aimed at supporting the modernisation of the banking sector;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Encourages the integration of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) with pan-EU initiatives such as the Energy Union; encourages, at the same time, more North African regional cooperation on specific issues such as afforestation and water management, as well as greater socioeconomic integration, with increased trade, across North Africa; points out that the Union for the Mediterranean supports the development of specific projects in the region and should, in that regard, be involved in projects led by the EU in Tunisia;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Encourages the integration of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) with pan-EU initiatives ~~such as the Energy Union~~; encourages, at the same time, more North African regional cooperation on specific issues such as afforestation and water management, as well as greater socioeconomic integration, with increased trade, across North Africa;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

- having regard to Article 8 of the Treaty on European Union;

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the peaceful democratic transition process in Tunisia represents a successful example in the Arab world and its consolidation is paramount for the stability of the entire region and as a direct consequence for the security of Europe;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Eencourages the integration of the European Neighbourhood ~~Instrument (ENI) with pan-EU initiatives such as the Energy Union;~~and Partnership Instrument into pan-European projects, encourages, at the same time, more North African regional cooperation on specific issues such as afforestation and water management, as well as greater socioeconomic integration, with increased trade and cultural exchange, across North Africa;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Calls for EU cooperation to focus more on the green economy and to increase the use of renewable energies as well as better water and waste treatment, especially considering Tunisia’s high potential in the renewable energy sector; welcomes projects such as the depollution of the Lake of Bizerte, the plant roofs of Ghar el Melh or organic waste used for consumption in Beja;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Ccalls, in line with the objectives of the Union for the Mediterranean, for EU cooperation to focus more on the green economy and to increase the use of renewable energies, especially considering Tunisia’s high potential in the renewable energy sector; welcomes projects carried out by the Union for the Mediterranean such as the depollution of the Lake of Bizerte;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Calls for EU cooperation to focus more on ~~the green economy~~sustainable development and to increase the use of renewable energies, especially considering Tunisia’s high potential in the renewable energy sector; welcomes projects such as the depollution of the Lake of Bizerte;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Considers that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between the European Union and Tunisia has more than just a trade dimension, and that it should seek to contribute to the stability of Tunisia, to the consolidation of its democracy and to the reinvigoration of its economy; point out that the DCFTA should be a progressive and asymmetrical agreement which must benefit the economies and societies of Tunisia and the EU, while taking proper account of the significant economic disparities between the parties;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Welcome the integration of the Euro-Mediterranean electricity markets as an important element of the energy cooperation with the southern neighbours. EIMed project would enable two-ways electricity trade between the North and the South of the Mediterranean, generating benefits for all partners in terms of security, stability and affordability of electricity supply;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. encourages the development of business start-up programmes targeting women and young people specifically in order to provide business management training and access to financial support as part of measures to enhance the SME sector;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26 b. Recalls its recommendations to the Commission and the Tunisian Government to implement a clear and detailed process for involving Tunisian and European civil society throughout the DCFTA negotiations; calls for the consultation process to be open and transparent and to take greater account of the diversity of Tunisian civil society, drawing on best practices employed in similar negotiations;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. ~~Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situation~~Is deeply concerned about the immediate security spillover in Tunisia originating from the instability in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;

Amendment 209 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened among other reasons by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

A. whereas the consolidation of the peaceful democratic transition process in Tunisia ~~represents a successful example in the Arab world and its consolidation~~ is paramount for the stability of the entire region;

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situation in Libya; ~~not~~denounces the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; ~~underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;~~

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions; stresses that combating arms-trafficking is an essential part of combating terrorism;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters ~~joining Daesh~~and Islamists joining the Islamic State and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recognises that Tunisian security is weakened by the current internal situation in Libya; notes the building of a wall at a very limited part of the border with Libya; expresses concerns at the high number of Tunisian foreign fighters joining Daesh and other terrorist groups; underlines the necessity to reform the country’s intelligence services while respecting the rule of law and human rights conventions;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Expresses its deepest concern over the new draft law 22/2015 on counterterrorism, adopted on July 2015 by the Tunisia's Assembly of Representatives, which imposes the death penalty as a possible sentence for a range of "terror" offences. Stresses that this bill could seriously infringe civil liberties and the respect of human rights in Tunisia. Recalls that the death penalty already exists under Tunisian law, for crimes such as murder and rape, even though no execution have occurred since 1991. Underlines that, although Tunisia is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to the terrorism threat, States are obliged to fully respect human rights when fighting terrorism. Underlines that the ENP is strongly linked with the respect of human rights and international law and recalls the EU position of zero tolerance on death penalty.

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Is worried about the terrorist attack in the border city of Ben Guerdane right after the bombing in Sabratha, which shows that Tunisian-Libyan border remains highly permeable; expresses concerns over the situation in Libya and calls upon all parties in Libya to engage constructively with the GNA; underlines that the EU stands ready to offer security support upon request by the GNA and that security coordination between Tunisia and Libya need to be re-established; suggests to assess, in partnership with Tunisian authorities, the possibility to establish an EU Border Assistance Mission in Tunisia;

Amendment 217 #

Lorenzo CESA, Cristian Dan PREDA, Arnaud DANJEAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Calls on the Tunisian government to set up a strategy to deal with returning foreign fighters by for example coupling punitive and precautionary measures with de-radicalization and rehabilitation programs in order to give them the possibility re-integrate in the society, reducing future risks; calls for a more comprehensive strategy to prevent radicalization in prisons and detention centres;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Recognises that terrorism is a shared challenge that requires a joint response. Cooperation between the EU and Tunisia in the field of security and the fight against terrorism has been stepped up recently, in particular with the launch of an ambitious programme to support security sector reform.

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. supports the UN-led process of peace and political reconciliation in Libya as an essential vehicle towards stabilising the wider region and strengthening Tunisia's security and reform process;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Tunisia currently faces a difficult socio-economic situation but also security challenges mostly deriving from the situation in Libya; whereas tourism, which represents a key element of the Tunisian economy, is severely affected by these circumstances and by the terrorist attacks which targeted the country;

Amendment 220 #

Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Recalls that the ENP reflects a strong security component; stresses that the European Union should support Tunisia in building proper state structures to deal with security issues;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Calls for an increase in~~welcomes the results achieved by the G7+3 on security cooperation; calls on the EU to maintain its support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia;

Amendment 222 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; strongly calls on the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior, to support the reform of the security sector and also calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia; Calls for systematic human rights assessment of EU support to Tunisia in that field;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; calls for the establishment of a national security adviser in Tunisia; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia; calls for systematic human rights assessment in that field;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. calls for an increase in support for security sector reform in Tunisia and calls for swift implementation of the programmes currently in place; calls for the ~~establishment of a national~~Member States to share best practices in the security ~~adviser~~field in Tunisia~~; calls for the Member States to share best practices in the security field in Tunisia~~, focusing on the training of security personnel and respect for human rights;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Welcomes the launch, in November 2015, of the EU programme of support for security sector reform in Tunisia – with particular focus on restructuring the security services, border controls and intelligence services – and the commitment made by both parties at the EU-Tunisia Association Council of 18 April 2016 to implement the programme efficiently and swiftly;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Calls for the promotion of a logic of objectives, rather than mere support by policy instruments, within a clear strategic vision focusing on prevention, support for the PRA's drafting of legislation, and the establishment of a CT prosecutor's office;

Amendment 229 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Welcomes the enhanced political dialogue between the EU and Tunisia in the fight against terrorism; reminds the importance of protecting human rights in the context of counter-terrorism measures.

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas there is a need to develop a genuine partnership through which the interests of communities on both sides of the Mediterranean are taken into account and which is designed to work on Tunisia’s social and regional inequalities in particular;

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Welcomes the inclusion, since the July Counter Terrorism law, of legal protection for journalists to protect their sources, and the criminalization of unauthorized government surveillance;

Amendment 231 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, Lorenzo CESA, Arnaud DANJEAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. calls on the Tunisian authorities to cooperate closely with Member States to tackle organised forms of illegal immigration;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)

28 b. Welcomes the security assistance coordination process launched by Tunisia in which the EU plays an active role; strongly recommends the reinforcement of the security assistance to Tunisia in the framework of the G7+3 process with a focus on border security, combatting extremism and protecting tourism infrastructures; believes that this coordinated security assistance has a positive effect on the efficiency of the security sector in Tunisia; underlines the importance of a long-term approach to sustain the reforms in the Tunisian security sector;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)

28 b. Is highly concerned by a number of provisions in the Counter-Terrorism law which endanger basic defence rights, such as the right to see a lawyer from the start of the detention, prior to and during interrogations; Is of the view that Incommunicado detention for 15 days without a lawyer for individuals suspected of links to a terrorist organization is highly disproportionate and violated basic individual rights;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

~~29.~~ Calls for increased cooperation ~~29.~~ with EU agencies like EUROPOL, while observing that Tunisia was not among the list of third states with which Europol will conclude agreements; calls on the Council to consider the inclusion of Tunisia on this list of third states; requests that an impact study on this cooperation be made and presented in a joint Committee meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) before approving the agreement; welcomes the fact that EUROJUST established a contact point with Tunisia and the invitation expressed by EUROJUST to step up its cooperation and to appoint a second contact point specifically in charge of terrorism;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Calls for increased cooperation with EU agencies like EUROPOL, while observing that Tunisia was not among the list of third states with which Europol will conclude agreements; calls on the Council to consider the inclusion of Tunisia on this list of third states; welcomes the fact that EUROJUST established a contact point with Tunisia and the invitation expressed by EUROJUST to step up its cooperation and to appoint a second contact point specifically in charge of terrorism; invites the Tunisian government to provide the appropriate follow-up to these propositions as soon as possible;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Recognizes that poverty and social exclusion are among the major causes of radicalization; Calls therefore for a better social inclusion of young people to prevent the recruitment of new fighters; recommends using the expertise gathered through the initiative of international organisations such as Hedayah to develop local and regional strategies for countering violent extremism; calls for awareness raising about these existing networks or similar initiatives in Tunisia;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls therefore for a better social inclusion of young people to ~~prevent the~~enable them to find stable employment and prevent them from becoming targets for recruitment ~~of new~~as fighters for terrorist organisations; recommends using the expertise gathered through the initiative of international organisations such as Hedayah to develop local and regional strategies for countering violent extremism; calls for awareness raising about these existing networks or similar initiatives in Tunisia;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls ~~therefore~~ for a better social inclusion of young people to prevent the recruitment of new fighters; recommends using the expertise gathered through the initiative of international organisations such as Hedayah to develop local and regional strategies for countering violent extremism; calls for awareness raising about these existing networks or similar initiatives in Tunisia;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls therefore for a better social inclusion of young people to prevent the recruitment of new fighters; recommends using the expertise gathered through the initiative of international organisations such as Hedayah to develop local and regional strategies for countering violent extremism; calls for awareness raising about these existing networks or similar initiatives in Tunisia; welcomes initiatives such as of "Tomorrow will be better", a government campaign to counter religious extremism among youth through awareness raising programmes and the promotion of Islam moderate values;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the Nobel peace prize was awarded to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet in 2015 for "its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy In Tunisia";

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30 a. supports efforts to enhance cooperation and coordination with the Tunisian authorities in order to combat the shared terrorist threat, including via capacity building measures; encourages the Tunisian authorities, however, to respond proportionately to such threats, including via new legislation, in order to safeguard newly-won democratic freedoms and fundamental rights;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;deleted

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; ~~calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia~~stresses the importance of flexibility in the granting of visas; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.; stresses the need for progress on preventing illegal migration – including efforts to tackle the organised crime groups responsible for it – and on the negotiations on the readmission agreement;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; ~~calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia;~~ notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP ~~and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers, etc.~~;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

~~31.~~ Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia ~~31.~~ Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation with a view to improving the mobility of the Tunisian people; hopes that the partnership will be expanded so that it does not focus as a matter of priority on young graduates; calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, artists, researchers, etc.;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. ~~Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; c~~Calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;

Amendment 247 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Arnaud DANJEAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; ~~calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia;~~ notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States ~~show their solidarity with~~assist Tunisia by facilitating visas ~~for~~which prioritise entrepreneurs, students, and researchers~~, etc.~~;

Amendment 248 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; calls for the s~~ignature of a visa waiver for~~wift negotiation of a readmission agreement between the EU and Tunisia; and notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

~~31. W~~welcomes the EU and the Tunisia ~~31.~~ Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation~~; calls for the signature~~ with a view to facilitating the issuing of a visa ~~waiver for Tunisia~~s; notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;

Amendment 25 #

Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the freedom of the press and the freedom of publication are essential elements of an open, free and democratic society;

Amendment 250 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes the EU and the Tunisia Mobility Partnership signed in March 2014 and calls for its rapid implementation; ~~calls for the signature of a visa waiver for Tunisia;~~ notes that though mobility partnerships rely on national competences, they are included in the EU proposal within the ENP and recommends that Member States show their solidarity with Tunisia by facilitating visas for entrepreneurs, students, researchers etc.;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

Amendment 254 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Arnaud DANJEAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

Amendment 255 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Stresses the importance of the free movement of people, and supports enhancing mobility within the neighbourhood, in a secure and well managed environment, through visa facilitation and liberalisation, particularly for students, young people, artists and researcherEncourages the EU to sign mobility partnerships with its closest southern partners in an effort to clear the way for visa facilitation and liberalisation combined with readmission agreements; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to develop possibilities for circular migration schemes which would open up safe and legal routes for migrants; condemns trafficking in human beings, most of the victims of which are women, and stresses the importance of reinforcing cooperation with partner countries in order to combat it;

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Stresses the importance of the free movement of people, and supports enhancing mobility within the neighbourhood, in a secure and well managed environment, through visa facilitation and liberalisation, particularly for students, young people, artists and researchers; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to develop possibilities for circular migration schemes which would open up safe and legal routes for migrants; condemns trafficking in human beings, most of the victims of which are women, and stresses the importance of reinforcing cooperation with partner countries in order to combat it; Notes that the delivery of long-term visas with several entries, instead of short-term visas, are best to decrease irregular migration, including through smuggling and human trafficking; Recommends Tunisia amends the 2004 law on the criminalization of individuals who have left its territory without authorization, in accordance with international law;

Amendment 257 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Stresses the importance of the free movement of people, and supports enhancing mobility within the neighbourhood, in a secure and well managed environment, through visa facilitation and liberalisation, particularly for families, students, young people, artists and researchers; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to develop possibilities for circular migration schemes which would open up safe and legal routes for migrants; also calls on the Commission to support a programme that would enable Tunisia to put in place legislation to protect migrant rights, including the rapid establishment of an asylum regime in compliance with international law; condemns trafficking in human beings, most of the victims of which are women, and stresses the importance of reinforcing cooperation with partner countries in order to combat it;

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32a (new)

32a. Stresses that missions such as EURONAVFOR MED are a positive and effective way to tackle human trafficking; calls on the EU to continue to intensify operations of that type, and to involve partner countries such as Tunisia;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Aa (new)

Aa. whereas despite unprecedented democratic reforms Tunisia is still mired by the legacy of the Ben Ali regime, including widespread corruption, record- high youth unemployment and clearly insufficient protection of human rights and freedoms;

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Welcomes ~~the~~ EU-Tunisian partnership in the field of research and innovation, the participation of Tunisia ~~in the~~to Horizon 2020 Framework programme; emphasizes that a consistent scientific research and technological development policy would be an incentive to R&D investments, the transfer of research and innovation to the private sector and the creation of new businesses; underlines that Tunisia should become a full participant in the Erasmus + programme in order to develop ~~the fur~~further ther exchange of university students; calls for a ‘"positive discrimination policy’" to be implemented for young students coming from less developed regions with incentives to allow their participation in such programmes;

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Welcomes the EU-Tunisian partnership in the field of research and innovation, the participation of Tunisia in the Horizon 2020 Framework programme; ~~underlines that~~calls on Tunisia ~~should~~to become a full participant in the Erasmus + programme in order to develop the further exchange of university students; is concerned about the growing difficulties faced by Tunisian students wanting to study in Europe; calls for a ‘positive discrimination policy’ to be implemented, particularly for young students coming from less developed regions with incentives to allow their participation in such programmes;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Welcomes the EU-Tunisian partnership in the field of research and innovation, the participation of Tunisia in the Horizon 2020 Framework programme; underlines that Tunisia should become a full participant in the Erasmus + programme in order to develop the further exchange of university students; calls for a ‘positive discrimination policy’ to be implemented for young students coming from less developed regions with incentives to allow their participation in such programmes; Recalls that 40% of university graduates entering Tunisia's job market are unemployed; Calls on Tunisia to readjust and prioritize partnerships to develop skills in foreign languages, engineering, renewable energies, sciences and computer science which have the highest employment rates;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33 a. Calls on the Commission to encourage the development of partnerships among schools, universities and research centres and to strengthen shared projects of lifelong learning, especially in the fields of language learning, new technologies, woman's education promotion and entrepreneurship;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Calls for a strengthened partnership in the creative, cultural and audiovisual sectors through the strengthening of networks as well as through initiatives for an increased intercultural dialogue, mobility of key players, the promotion and circulation of cultural and audiovisual content, including through festivals and exhibitions; encourages Tunisia to participate in the Creative Europe Programme;deleted

Amendment 266 #

Salvatore Domenico POGLIESE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Ccalls for a strengthened partnership in the creative, cultural, sport, popular education, community life and audiovisual sectors through the strengthening of networks as well as through initiatives for an increased intercultural dialogue, mobility of players, the promotion and circulation of cultural and audiovisual content, including through festivals and exhibitions; encourages Tunisia to participate in the Creative Europe Programme;

Amendment 267 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Calls for a strengthened partnership in the creative, cultural and audiovisual sectors through the strengthening of networks as well as through initiatives for an increased intercultural dialogue, the highlighting of common historical and archaeological heritage from the Roman era, the mobility of players, the promotion and circulation of cultural and audiovisual content, including through festivals and exhibitions; encourages Tunisia to participate in the Creative Europe Programme;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. Recommends the use of Arabic by EU institutions, and especially by the EU delegation in Tunis, when publishing calls for tenders, for expression of interest and also when communicating with the public; underlines the importance for the Tunisian government of informing its citizens about its actions; considers that the use of Arabic is helpful to ensure inclusive involvement of civil society in EU-Tunisia relations;

Amendment 269 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. Recommends the use of Arabic by the EU institutions, and especially the EU Delegation in Tunis, when publishing calls for tenders, for expression of interest and also when communicating with the public; underlines the importance for the Tunisian government of informing its citizens about its actions;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas one third of the population lives with less than 2.3 euros a day; Whereas out of Tunisia's population of 10 million over 0.7 million are unemployed, 1 Million are under- employed and each year an additional 50,000 unemployed youth are added;

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. considers that the use of Arabic is necessary to ensure involvement of civil society in EU-Tunisia relations, in particular in the context of the free trade agreement negotiation;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas ~~Tunisia currently~~, following the Libyan war, Tunisia hosts over a million displaced ~~Libyans,~~people fleeing instability and violence ~~in Libya, thereby putting~~, and whereas that continues to put a strain on the internal situation and infrastructures, and ~~leading displaced people~~whereas many of them do not receive any support from the Tunisian authorities, and, because of this, a number of them have been driven to use the premises of former refugees camps such as Choucha, without any basic services being provided;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas instability in Libya and its spillovers represent a serious threat to the stability of Tunisia and of the whole region; whereas Tunisia currently hosts over a million displaced Libyans, fleeing instability and violence in Libya, thereby putting a strain on the internal situation and infrastructures and leading displaced people to use the premises of former refugees camps such as Choucha, without any basic services being provided;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)

- having regard to the signature by Tunisia on 1 December 2015 of an Association Agreement for research and innovation under the Horizon 2020 programme;

Amendment 30 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Louis MICHEL

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Tunisia currently hosts ~~over a million~~more than 200.000 displaced Libyans, fleeing instability and violence in Libya, thereby putting a strain on the internal situation and infrastructures and leading displaced people to use the premises of former refugees camps such as Choucha, without any basic services being provided;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Tunisia currently hosts over a million displaced Libyans, fleeing instability and violence in Libya, thereby putting a strain on the internal situation and infrastructures and leading displaced people to use the premises of former refugees camps such as Choucha, without any basic services being provided; whereas a tripartite dialogue has been set up, in the context of the organisation of the sub- committees, between the authorities, civil society actors and EU representatives in Tunisia;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas with the end of Ben Ali regime and the consolidation of the democratic process, the EU could improve its political dialogue with Tunisia by taking more into consideration the interests and priorities of this important partner as a way to achieve the objective of stability.

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the Tunisian economy is highly dependent on foreign investment, tourism and exporting products to the EU and whereas the economy can only flourish if democracy can develop further;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the Tunisian public debt rose under the Zine Ben Ali regime, and whereas that has helped the country’s elite to become rich, and, under international law, that rise should be defined as odious;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the absence of appropriate legal frameworks for foreigners and asylum seekers in Tunisia prevents the safeguarding of their economic and social rights as well as their right to international protection;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the European Union and its Member States must remain committed to working with the people of Tunisia and its government to promote common interests, including in trade, investment, tourism, culture, and security;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the lack of jobs and opportunities was one of the main reasons for the massive popular demonstrations in 2011 and many of the problems are still felt by people every day with high youth unemployment;

Amendment 38 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas Tunisia has suffered several terrorist attacks in the last year; whereas Tunisia is an essential partner of the European Union in the fight against terrorism;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas data from the Open Doors’ World Watch List shows a decrease in tolerance towards Christian converts, particularly when it comes to social life;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 c (new)

- having regard to the entry into force on 19 April 2016 of the Regulation on the introduction of emergency autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Tunisia;

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Tunisia is one of the European Union’s European Neighbourhood Policy priority countries;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas Tunisia played an important role in facilitating the conclusion of an agreement between the conflicting sides in Libya;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas Tunisia has been the victim of 3 terrorist attacks in the past year;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the recovered assets fraudulently acquired by the Ben Ali family and relatives are still frozen in a number of – mostly European – countries, whereas those assets are of paramount economic and social importance for the funds needed by Tunisia to meet the serious economic and social challenges which it is still facing and to stabilise its economy, create employment and reduce inequality;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas an alarmingly high number of Tunisian youths are recruited by IS/Daesh and whereas hopelessness and economic stagnation contribute to young people becoming increasingly vulnerable to the lure of extremist organisations;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the influence of Salafi Islam on public and social life has increased;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas on 3 March 2014 the EU and Tunisia decided to establish a mobility partnership based on dialogue and reciprocity, with a view to better managing the movement of people travelling short-term so that regular and professional migration takes place between their respective territories, taking into account the socio-economic situation and the state of the labour market in the signatory countries;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Urges the ~~mobilisation of substantial resources for support Tunisia; underlines that without stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk~~European Union and its Member States to mobilise substantial resources for support Tunisia; considers that this aid cannot be given in the form of loans which further exacerbate the country’s debt; asks for a better country by country balance between the key eastern and Mediterranean partners in the ENP; underlines that without stability, democracy in the region and taking into account social demands, any prospect of reform will be put at risk; therefore calls for the establishment of a genuine ‘deep and comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Tunisia’;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. URenews its commitment to the Tunisian people and the political transition process that began in 2011; emphasises the challenges and threats facing the country while it consolidates its democratic process, implements the reforms needed to achieve social and economic prosperity, and guarantees its security; urges the mobilisation of substantial resources for support Tunisia; underlines that without stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Urges the mobilisation of substantial resources for support Tunisia; underlines that ~~without stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk~~the social and economic situation in Tunisia, including the rate of unemployment and the perception of corruption, along with the absence of stability and good governance in the region, hinder the implementation of reforms and endanger prospects for development;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

- having regard to the Joint communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy (JOIN(2015) 50 final) of 18 November 2015

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Urges the mobilisation of substantial technical and financial resources ~~for~~to support Tunisia including through a better coordination of EIB and EBRD activities; underlines that without stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;

Amendment 51 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Urges the mobilisation and better coordination of substantial resources for support Tunisia; underlines that without increasing Tunisia's absorption capacity, its stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Urges the mobilisation of substantial resources for support Tunisia;~~ underlines that without stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Urges the concrete mobilisation of substantial resources ~~for~~to support Tunisia; underlines that without stability and good governance in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Urges the mobilisation of substantial resources ~~for~~to support Tunisia; underlines that without stability ~~and~~, good governance, and economic development in the region, any prospect of reform will be put at risk;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Calls for a focus on better education as well as counter- radicalisation of youth;

Amendment 56 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the ~~launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriate~~better coordination of focused funding to support the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way; also calls upon the authorities of Tunisia to increase its efforts to enhance its absorption capacity for the financial assistance and consolidation efforts;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriate funding to support the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy ~~in a comprehensive wa~~and society in the country, particularly employment creation and maintaining quality public services that are accessible to everyone; also calls for the consolidation of efforts to support civil society;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the launch of a real ‘'Marshall Plan’' with appropriate funding to support the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way; expresses concerns by the current socio-economic and budgetary difficulties inherent to the instability of the transition period and the imperative for Tunisia to implement adequate reforms aiming at boosting employment and developing sustainable and inclusive growth; deems it essential, as a result, that the budget authorities grant a decisive strengthening of the resources of the ENI earmarked for Tunisia;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriate funding to support the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way; further believes that economic development remains central to Tunisia's democratic aspirations and encourages the further removal of trade barriers with the EU to stimulate economic growth, employment, and foreign direct investment;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

— having regard to the recommendations of the EU-Tunisia Association Council of 17 March 2015 for the implementation of the EU-Tunisia Action Plan (2013-2017), and to the joint statement of the EU-Tunisia Association Council of 18 April 2016;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies ~~the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriate funding to~~ supporting the consolidation of the democratic transition and fostering investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on participants of the Deauville Partnership to fulfil pledge commitments; considers that the situation in Tunisia justifies ~~the launch of a real ‘Marshall Plan’ with appropriate funding~~substantial aid with a view to supporting the consolidation of the democratic transition and foster investment and development in all sectors of the economy, in a comprehensive way;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Commends the good cooperation between Tunisia and its neighbours, as illustrated for example by the signing of a preferential trade agreement and the establishment of local transborders committees with Algeria aimed at fostering local development, and by the intertwining of Tunisia’s economy with Libya’s and by the solidarity of the Tunisian people with displaced Libyans; expresses the utmost concern regarding ~~a possible foreign military intervention in Libya~~the unstable situation in Libya, asks the High Representative to continue to call on all parties involved in Libya to work in a constructive manner with the Government of National Accord, the sole legitimate Libyan government recognised by the Libyan Political Agreement and Resolution 2259 of the UN Security Council of 23 December 2015;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Commends the good cooperation between Tunisia and its neighbours, as illustrated for example by the signing of a preferential trade agreement and the establishment of local transborder committees with Algeria aimed at fostering local development~~, and by the intertwining of Tunisia’s economy with Libya’s and by~~; hopes that stability returning to Libya will enable mutually beneficial economic links to be established and support the solidarity of the Tunisian people with displaced Libyans; expresses the utmost concern regarding a possible foreign military intervention in Libya;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Reminds the importance of the respect of human rights in the implementation of the reviewed European Neighbourhood Policy; calls for the development of monitoring mechanisms on the respect of fundamental freedoms, gender equality and other human rights issues, with full involvement of the civil society.

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

- having regard to the European Council Statement on Tunisia of 20 March 2015 on intensifying the cooperation to counter the common terrorist threat, to strengthen Tunisia's promising democracy and to assist its economic and social development, to the Foreign affairs Council conclusions on Tunisia of 20 July 2015 and to the EU - Tunisia Association Council joint statement by High Representative Federica Mogherini and the Tunisian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Khemaies Jhinaoui of 18 April 2016

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Underlines that the re-launch of the political process of integration in the framework of the Arab Maghreb Union could be particularly opportune to ensure security and strengthen cooperation in the whole region;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3 b. Affirms that Tunisia's historical democratic transition, in spite of a dire social and economic situation, call for a much more ambitious EU-Tunisia partnership beyond conventional measures; believes the EU should make more concessions, notably as regards internal markets access, if it wants to play a substantial role in anchoring Tunisia among democratic states;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3 c. Believes the EU has been too slow and too unambitious in its response to the Arab spring, including in Tunisia;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concerns at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its scrutiny of the executive; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for Tunisia;deleted

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concerns at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its ~~scru~~legislative role and slowing down the draftinyg of the ~~executive~~urgently needed new legislations; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for Tunisia;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concerns at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its scrutiny of the executive; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends the urgent adoption of a budget for Members of the PRA to recruit assistants and advisers, in the interest of all elected members; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for Tunisia;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concern at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its scrutiny of the executive; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation ~~and express its support for~~, support social and economic reforms, and express its support for the process of democratisation in Tunisia;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concerns at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering its scrutiny of the executive; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament ~~assess~~support a review of the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week, on its premises, in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for Tunisia;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the need to support the People’s Representatives Assembly (PRA) given the challenge of enhancing stability in a volatile regional context while deepening democracy; expresses concerns at the lack of means of the PRA thereby hindering the reform process and its scrutiny of the executive; encourages Parliament’s services to enhance the capacity-building support activities provided to the PRA in the framework of the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach; recommends that Parliament assess the needs in terms of support of the PRA and organise a political meeting at the highest political level, such as a ‘Tunisian Week’, on its premises in order to foster parliamentary cooperation and express its support for Tunisia;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 10 May 2012 which considers the public external debt of the countries in North Africa and the Middle East to be ‘odious’;

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the establishment of an EU-Tunisia JPC ~~as a tool for~~which will play a key role, enabling Members of the European Parliament and Tunisians to meet regularly and develop~~ing~~ a structured political dialogue on democracy, the rule of law and any topic of mutual interest, and calls for the launching of specific initiatives of support to the PRA with other Parliament committees, such as the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the establishment of an EU-Tunisia JPC as a tool for developing a structured political dialogue on democracy, the rule of law and any topic of mutual interest, stresses that as part of the opening of trade agreements, the EU- Tunisia Joint Parliamentary Committee has an important role to play in effectively monitoring ongoing negotiations, and calls for the launching of specific initiatives of support to the PRA ~~with~~and other Parliament committees, such as the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the establishment of an EU-Tunisia JPC as a tool for developing a structured political dialogue on democracy, the rule of law and any topic of mutual interest, and calls for the launching of specific initiatives of support to the PRA with other ~~Parliament committees, such as the Committee on Civil Liberties,~~ committees of the EP, such as the civil liberties committee (for support regarding matters of "Justice and Hhome Aaffairs", migration law and measures relating to police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, including terrorism);

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the establishment of an EU-Tunisia JPC as a tool for developing a structured political dialogue on democracy, human rights, the rule of law and any topic of mutual interest, and calls for the launching of specific initiatives of support to the PRA with other Parliament committees, such as the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Welcomes the tripartite dialogue in Tunisia; calls for its continuation and extension to all aspects of EU-Tunisia bilateral relations and in particular, to ensure the involvement of civil society in the implementation of the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the negotiation process of EU-Tunisia priorities;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. welcomes the bilateral cooperation between EU Member States and the Tunisian authorities in areas such as defence, security, and strategic communications as a commitment to peace, counter-terrorism, and institutional reform; further believes enhanced communications allows the Tunisian people to make informed choices about their own lives, as well as enhancing the international reputation of the country as a whole;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Notes that the reform of the public administration is one of the main challenging reforms that Tunisia has to implement; welcomes the consideration by the Tunisian government of new methods to fast-track key priority policies; believes that the twinning between European and Tunisian administrations is a positive contribution to the reform of the public administration;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the continuation of technical and capacity-building support for civil society groups, since these have proven to be of fundamental importance for democratic transition and overall development, government accountability, and monitoring of respect for human rights, including the protection of women; welcomes specific EU financed programmes in this domain such as the project supporting civils society (PASC) and its recent call for proposals to encourage CSOs to implement projects related to regional/municipal elections (civil monitoring of the electoral process, youth awareness campaigns, civic education); welcomes the agreement signed between the European Social and Economic Committee and the Tunisian quartet to strengthen ties between Tunisian and European civil societies;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)

- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 25 February 2016 on the opening of negotiations for an EU-Tunisia Free Trade Agreement

Amendment 90 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Norica NICOLAI, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Louis MICHEL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 91 #

David MCALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the promotion of civic education and democratic engagement and for the continuation of technical and capacity-building support for civil society groups, since these have proven to be of fundamental importance for democratic transition and overall development, government accountability, and monitoring of respect for human rights, including the protection of women;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the ~~continuation~~strengthening of technical and capacity-building support for civil society groups, since these have proven to be of fundamental importance for democratic transition and overall development, government accountability, and monitoring of respect for human rights, including ~~the protection of women~~gender equality;

Amendment 93 #

Javi LÓPEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the continuation of technical and capacity-building support for political parties, trade unions and civil society groups, since these have proven to be of fundamental importance for democratic transition and overall development, government accountability, and monitoring of respect for human rights, including the protection of women;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 95 #

Miroslav POCHE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 96 #