2015/2274(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the Council’s decision to lift all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of implementation of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action provided the ~~potential to reopen the Iranian market for European businesses~~increase in mutually beneficial trade with the European Union; rRecalls that Iran has a large, relatively highly educated population, one~~eds investment and is a potential market for high-quality European goods~~ of the most diverse GDP compositions in the region, and would benefit from European investments and technology transfers in areas such as sustainable water management, pollution reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that while implementing the JCPOA and while enhancing our trade and investment relations with Iran we have to take into consideration the regional dimension, to stimulate cooperation between countries in the region and play a constructive role to decrease perpetual rivalries between them;

Amendment 11 #

David BORRELLI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to break Iran’s self-chosen isolation; in this regard, trade could be an important tool to strengthen the political dialogue and the development of bilateral relations between Iran and the EU;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system ~~is a potential~~can be a way to break Iran’'s ~~self-chosen isolat~~international isolation and increase regional development, employment and stability in the wider region;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to bincreakse Iran’'s ~~self-chosen isolation~~integration as a responsible member of the international community and the global economy;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to bincreakse Iran’´s ~~self-chosen isolation~~integration in the international community and the global economy;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that t~~rade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to break Iran’s self-chosen isolation~~he nuclear agreement with Iran makes it possible for European countries to cooperate fully with it, which will be of benefit to all;

Amendment 16 #

Eleonora FORENZA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that trade and renewed access to the global rules-based trading system is a potential way to break Iran’s ~~self-chosen~~ isolation;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for coherence between the EU's trade policy and the principles of EU energy policy and believes that all current and future EU projects and investments in Iran must be fully in line with EU long- term decarbonisation commitments;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Considers it of key importance to reduce the European Union´s dependency on imported energy, in particular by increasing the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Supports the long-term goal of the EU as laid out in the European Commission Report "Towards an Energy Union" to move away from an economy driven by fossil fuels in light of Iran´s commitment to increase the production and the export of oil and gas to the European Union;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the Council’s decision to lift all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of implementation of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action ~~provided~~allows a reengagement with Iran and will create opportunities and benefits for both sides, by providing the potential to reopen the Iranian market for European businesses; recalls that Iran has a large, relatively highly educated population, needs investment and is a potential market for high-quality European goods;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctions, which have lead to a grey economy and represent a risk to European investments ; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption, to implement a credible banking system, with an independent central bank, to ensure the protection of the invested capital in compliance with FATF recommendations, in particular in relation to intellectual property rights and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to ~~develop~~expand in Iran;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Expresses concern abou~~Notes that the high levels of corruption andre a problem and that trade- circumventing sanctions~~, which~~ have lead to a grey economy; ~~stresses, there~~points out, however, that it is fore, the ~~need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to develop in Iran~~Iranian people and its leaders to solve that problem and that there must be no EU interference in the internal affairs of what is a sovereign country, since that has often led to major foreign-policy mistakes;

Amendment 22 #

Fernando RUAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctions, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector and market economy to develop in Iran;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption ~~and trade- circumventing sanctions~~, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector to ~~develop~~expand in Iran;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and ~~trade- circumventing sanctions~~bureaucracy, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need ~~to fight corruption and~~for increased transparency, and for a truly private sector to develop in Iran;

Amendment 25 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Franck PROUST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran ~~must go hand in hand with~~shall be conditional on substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people; recalls that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and calls upon Iran to honour its international commitments more consistently;

Amendment 26 #

Eleonora FORENZA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human ~~right~~and labour rights, social and environmental international standards and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people and to ask Iran to ratify and fully implement all the 8 ILO core conventions;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. EPoints out that EU trade policy helps to protect and promote the values upheld by the EU; emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU Member States and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran,; and ~~that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage~~considers rapid evidence of improvements to human rights and fundamental freedoms to be of upmost importance for a renewal of commercial and investment ties to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and ~~that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage~~ to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 30 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Franck PROUST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that ~~a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran, and that~~, while human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential principles for European countries, the EUre must ~~use its position as an economic bloc as leverage to improve the living conditions and~~be distrust of policies that may be perceived by others as imposing Western notions and, accordingly, regarded as cultural colonisation; hopes that the wellbeing of the Iranian people will improve;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals; emphasises that it is important for Iran to develop an environment conducive to international investment and that that must take place with due regard for the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF);

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that ~~some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating prob~~the current EU mandate for the negotiations of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran is outdated; calls on the Commission to explore options for strengthening trade and investment ties with the aim to bring Iran closer to the WTO rulems ~~for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~and protect European investment; stresses that a formal negotiation framework would allow the EU to fully use its leverage as the largest integrated market and economic bloc and create a forum for exchange and dialogue;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the ~~regime, potentially creating prob~~state. Ask the Commission to present the European Parliament a report after two years of the lifting of the sanctions on potential obstaclems for EU companies operating in Iran, and th~~at increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelec~~e impact this trade relations might have on the transparency and functioning of stated in~~dividual~~stitutions;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regime, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran~~, and that~~; states in this connection that it must be possible for increased trade ~~could~~to strengthen the economic~~, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~ power of the country and of any individual without wealth being monopolised;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that ~~some sectors~~up to 70% of the Iranian economy ~~are heavily controlled by the regime~~is state controlled, potentially creating problems for EU Member State companies in Iran, and that increased trade ~~could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~, on the condition of evidence of improvements to human rights, could enhance of the role of the private sector;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some sectors of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the ~~regim~~state, potentially creating problems for EU companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Emphasises that Iran faces many environmental challenges, including water scarcity and land degradation and that while taking advantage of the full potential of business cooperation, the EU should engage with Iran to enhance the protection of environment and promote environmentally sustainable development;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Notes that the current EU mandate for negotiations of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran is outdated; calls on the Commission to explore options for strengthening trade and investment ties with the aim to bring Iran closer to the WTO rules and protect European investments; stresses that a formal negotiation framework would allow the EU to fully use its leverage as the largest integrated market and economic bloc and create a forum for exchange and dialogue;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that European environmental technology and know-how in the areas of energy efficiency, water management and agricultural irrigation is at the global forefront; beliefs that the transfer and export of these technologies must be prioritized in the renewed trade efforts between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European Union;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility of restarting Iran’s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to hold the regime to account on commitments madeNotes that Iran, as a sovereign country, may decide whether or not to apply for membership of the WTO and that the EU must not seek to influence a sovereign country's choices;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to ~~expl~~supporet the possibility of restarting Iran’s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’s economy ~~to drive growth~~, will provide technical assistance on tariff structures, on public procurement, health and safety standards, rules of origin and intellectual properties rights, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to ~~hold the regime to account on commitments made~~support necessary economic reforms within Iran and drive growth;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility of restarting Iran’'s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would ~~bring a~~ further liberalisation of Iran’'s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to hold the ~~regime~~Islamic Republic of Iran to account on international commitments ~~made~~;

Amendment 43 #

Tokia SAÏFI, Franck PROUST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to ~~explore the possibility of~~support restarting Iran’'s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’'s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules- based system and provide a mechanism to ~~hold the regime to account on commitments made~~support necessary economic reforms within Iran;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Emphasises also the importance for Iran to develop economic and trading relations with the actors in the region in order, with due regard for WTO rules, to form a cohesive economic and trading bloc; points out that the EU can provide its expertise and backing for developing and building up this regional dialogue;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Takes the view that, although many contracts have been signed with EU firms, Iran is unable to honour its commitments because of a lack of liquidity, meaning that the process of opening up Iran is caught in a vicious circle;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US; urges the Member States and the Commission to defend EU companies against the extraterritorial application of US law;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; ~~calls~~regards it as intolerable that the EU should be dependent on the US Government to provide it with legal certainty and predictability, including ~~by granting~~through waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability for EU investment in Iran, including by granting waivers immediately, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Regrets that the ~~American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran~~EU companies with US business activities are reluctant to do business in Iran due to remaining American sanctions; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability~~, including by granting waivers,~~ and asks the Commission ~~to increas~~and the EEAS to continue dialogue and cooperation with the US; including by granting waivers on a temporary basis until a final permanent solution is agreed on;

Amendment 5 #

Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that ~~while~~ several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties~~, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner~~;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Regret~~Notes that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commissionimportantly some US sanctions are not affected by the nuclear deal and will remain in place, in particular sanctions related to human rights abuses, support for terrorism and testing of ballistic missiles, and asks EU Member States to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Regrets that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; c~~Acknowledges, that non-nuclear related US-sanctions, linked to human rights and ballistic weaponry, remain in place. Calls on the US Ggovernment to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Takes the view that legal uncertainty surrounding investment in Iran, because of US extraterritorial laws and the fact that transactions are conducted in dollars, call for a change in approach to trading with Iran; calls for the euro to be the currency for transactions with Iran so as to prevent US authorities from imposing penalties as they have done in the past against some EU banks;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Notes that EU is aiming to a diversification of energy resources and that Iran is a key player on the international energy market and therefore supports further cooperation with Iran in this field ; encourages Iranian oil and gas exports to Europe and enhancing the cooperation for the development of new technological solutions, renewable energies and energy efficiency;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines the potential of an open and safe internet in Iran for the digital economy; reiterates its call for an effective European export controls regime to prevent ~~certain~~dual-use goods and technologies being misused for human rights violations and against the EU;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Notes that the effective implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility and supply-chain due- diligence guidelines is crucial if increased trade relations between the EU and Iran are to have a positive effect on Iranian society as a whole.

Amendment 56 #

Marietje SCHAAKE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Calls for specific attention for the role of SMEs from Europe and Iran, when strengthening trade relations;

Amendment 57 #

Marietje SCHAAKE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Underlines the particular need for gender balanced and inclusive growth in Iran; Urges a particular focus on the role of women in Iran who face legal discrimination, as well as European women visiting Iran, given the requirement of wearing religious symbols which can deter women from traveling to Iran;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that ~~while~~ several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties~~, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner~~;

Amendment 7 #

Fernando RUAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that while several Commission statements and EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that while several EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the delegation from the Commission unfortunately did not include the Trade Commissioner;

Amendment 9 #