2017/2036(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the inclusion in the agreement of provisions geared towards sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Cuba~~; recalls that Cuba has benefited from EU development assistance or humanitarian aid since 1984, and it is currently receiving assistance from the EU under the DCI regulation~~, in particular the commitment to work towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its sustainable development goals (SDGs) taking into account the Addis Ababa Programme of Action on financing for development;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Acknowledges and welcomes the important role Cuba plays in South-South cooperation, its commitment and its international solidarity in the form of humanitarian aid contributions, principally in the health and education sectors; especially recognises the valuable work done by the Cuban medical brigade in Haiti and the agreements in the field of education it has concluded with the SADR;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Welcomes the promotion of the gender perspective in all the relevant fields of cooperation, including sustainable development;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3 b. Supports the emphasis put on greater civil society involvement in the formulation and implementation of relevant development cooperation activities, including through capacity- building;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3 c. Urges the Parties, once the PDCA is ratified, to rapidly establish the dedicated dialogue on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Amendment 14 #

Ignazio CORRAO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that the EU, through this agreement and other forms of engagement, can play a crucial role in accompanying Cuba’s economic and social evolution, based on its own experiences in relation to moving towards a market economy, developing renewable energy sources and creating inclusive social protection systems, as well as supporting the agricultural sector and preventing natural disasters; points out that economic policy choices are the exclusive reserve of each individual country, which must make its choices with the sole end in mind of the well-being of all the individuals belonging to its population;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that the EU, through this agreement and other forms of engagement, can play a crucial role in ~~accompanying~~the process of Cuba’'s economic and social ~~evolution~~updating, based on its own experiences in relation to ~~moving towards a market economy,~~ developing renewable energy sources ~~and creat~~, maintaining inclusive social protection systems, a~~s well as~~nd supporting the agricultural sector and preventing natural disasters;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that the EU, through this agreement and other forms of engagement, can play a crucial role in accompanying Cuba’s economic, democratic and social evolution, based on its own experiences in relation to moving towards a market economy, developing renewable energy sources and creating inclusive social protection systems, as well as supporting the agricultural sector and preventing natural disasters;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Hopes that this agreement, by supporting the private sector and Cuban entrepreneurs, as well as various sections of civil society, will contribute to the development of the private sector and the blossoming of a strong, independent civil society.deleted

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Hopes that this agreement, by supporting the inclusive role of the private sector and Cuban entrepreneurs, as well as various sections of civil society, will contribute to the development of the ~~private sector~~economy and the blossoming of a strong, independent civil society.;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Recalls that the diplomatic relations between the EU and Cuba were established in 1988 and that Cuba has benefited from EU development assistance and humanitarian aid since 1984; for the programming period 2014 - 2020 EUR 50 million have been allocated to Cuba under the DCI regulation;

Amendment 20 #

Ignazio CORRAO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Hopes that this agreement~~, by~~ will support~~ing~~ the local private sector and Cuban entrepreneurs, as well as various sections of civil society, ~~will~~and contribute to the development of the private sector and the blossoming of a strong, independent civil society.;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Recalls the importance of having the "European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights" as an instrument to strengthen human and fundamental rights and freedoms across civil society; considers that, taking into account the human rights situation in the country, it is necessary to enhance this Instrument in order to achieve the goals set in the Agreement;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Recalls the important role of Cuban civil society in the economic and democratic development of the country; manifests the need for civil society to be a leading player in all areas of this agreement, including the related to development aid; reminds the support of the European Parliament, through the Sakharov prize, to Cuban civil society in its role of promoting human rights and democracy in Cuba.

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Is concerned by the risk that Cuba, which is classed as an ‘upper middle income country’ by the DAC/OECD, could see its development assistance under the DCI regulation phased out; considers that the eco~~nomic crisis and social inequality affecting the country~~untry's situation as a still- developing island state and the economic circumstances it is facing, which are exacerbated by the adverse impact of unilateral coercive measures, justify the adoption of measures that will enable EU assistance to Cuba to be continued, and this should be given particular consideration as part of the forthcoming mid-term evaluation of the DCI regulation;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Is concerned by the risk that Cuba, which is classed as an ‘upper middle income country’ by the DAC/OECD, could see its development assistance under the DCI regulation phased out; considers that the economic c~~risi~~hallenges and social inequality affecting the country justify the adoption of measures that will enable EU assistance to Cuba to be continued, and this should be given particular consideration as part of the forthcoming mid-term evaluation of the DCI regulation;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that, as the United Nations has indicated, the economic, trade and financial embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States has been, and continues to be, one of the main obstacles to the country's economic and social development, especially, for example, in the services, health, education, food and social services sectors;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Supports the Parties' reaffirmation of the need for all developed countries to provide 0.7% of their gross national income for official development assistance, and for emerging economies and upper-middle-income countries to set targets for increasing their provision of international public finance;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that development policy based on law, respect for democratic values and individual rights, and good governance is one of the pillars of the EU’s external action and are also the cornerstones of Cuba's current development model, and this should be clearly reflected in the application of the agreement;

Amendment 8 #

Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICĂ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that development policy based on law, respect for democratic values and individual rights, freedom of expression and good governance is one of the pillars of the EU’s external action, and this should be clearly reflected in the application of the agreement;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that development policy based on law, respect for democratic values ~~and individu~~, human and fundamental rights, and good governance is one of the pillars of the EU’s external action, and this should be clearly reflected in the application of the agreement;

source: 604.500

2017/05/10 INTA 58 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Acknowledges that EU-Cuban relations, especially in the area of bilateral trade, take a new start with the signing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA)~~, which~~ by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla; notes that the PDCA as the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba constitutes the new legal framework for these relations, comprising a chapter on trade and trade cooperation; underlines that the agreement can provide new possibilities and commitments for both signatories;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that there are inconsistencies between the Cuban Constitution and the principles established in the Article 1 of the PDCA;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. PNotes that the EU is Cuba's main export and second trade partner as well as the biggest foreign investor; points out that the EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba, and that ~~Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefiting from the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)~~EU tariff rates apply as notified by the World Trade Organisation (WTO); notes furthermore that Cuba was removed from the list of GSP beneficiaries given that not all eligibility criteria were fulfilled any longer, thus having a considerable impact on its exports;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba, and that Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefiting from the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), since it has reached the category of an Upper Middle Income Country (UMIC), which lose the GSP status with the new EU GSP regime, in force since January 2014;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba~~, and that Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefi~~; recalls that as a result of the reform of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), from January 2014, Cuba lost its trade preferences for exporting ~~from~~to the EU~~’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)~~, given Cuba is classified as an Upper-Middle- Income Country;

Amendment 14 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba, and that Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefiting from the EU’'s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), stresses furthermore that trade is only moderately important to Cuba's economy, the values of exports and imports taken together equals 26,4 percent of GDP;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recalls as the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba for over 55 years is not only a violation of the human rights of an entire people and the greatest obstacle to the development of the Cuban economy, but also a violation of principles contained in the United Nations Charter and international law, mainly through its extraterritorial applications. Believes that the blockade should be lifted, as requested in Un General Assembly resolution of October 2016 and in previous several resolutions, to facilitate a modernization of the Cuban economy to the benefit of the Cuban people.

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Highlights that trade and trade cooperation pillar of the PDCA does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba; recalls that this pillar covers customs cooperation, trade facilitation, intellectual property, SPS measures, technical barriers to trade, traditional and artisanal goods, trade and sustainable development, cooperation regarding trade defence, rules of origin and investment;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. To explore future possibilities to integrate Cuba to the EU-CARIFORUM- EPA, which contains a lot of specific and useful trade cooperation chapters and would offer Cuba the possibility of further regional integration;

Amendment 18 #

Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Alessia Maria MOSCA, Nicola DANTI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Takes note that Cuba is a member of the WTO and therefor emphasises that basic principles of the World Trade Organization must be respected. (Such as trade facilitation, agreements on trade barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade defence instruments);

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on Cuba to ratify the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement that has entered into force in February 2017; welcomes the creation of the Trade Facilitation Committee in the country and, in this sense, asks the EC and EEAS to provide technical support;

Amendment 2 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Acknowledges~~Welcomes the fact that EU-Cuban relations, ~~especially~~also in the area of bilateral trade, take a new start with the signing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which can provide new possibilities and commitments for both signatories; points out that, 22 Member States have signed bilateral agreements with Cuba despite the enforcement of the Common Position 1996;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Condemns all unilateral measures directed against Cuba, which negatively affect third parties' interests, including EU's enterprises and citizens, and thereby violate commonly accepted rules of international trade.

Amendment 21 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Points out that customs cooperation is a crucial area to be developed in order to address important challenges such as border security, public health, the protection of geographical indications, fight against counterfeit goods as well as against terrorism, among others; calls on the EC and the EEAS to provide technical and financial assistance and to establish bilateral instruments by mutual agreement to help Cuba's implementation of trade facilitation measures and information services;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Welcomes the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, and calls on the US Congress to start working towards the elimination of the blockade; calls on the United States to fully respect and implement the agreement with the EU of May 1998 in London to alleviate the problems with extraterritorial legislation, and its commitment to resist future extraterritorial legislation of that kind;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Points out that EU cooperation with Cuba resumed in 2008 and it is covered by the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI); notes that EU financial support has already been allocated to sectors that respond to national priorities such as support to sustainable economic and social modernisation and other support measures; takes note that Cuba also participates into regional programs such as Al-Invest (covering the internationalisation of SMEs); calls on the European Commission to report on the on-going projects and to share relevant information with the EP at all stages of the procedure;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3e. Notes that Cuba is listed as potential beneficiary under the European Investment Bank External Lending Mandate; calls for an opening for the extension of the mandate to Cuba as this would be another concrete signal of EU´s developing relationship and could make a strategic contribution to Cuba's support to sustainable economic and social modernisation;

Amendment 25 #

Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment~~Stresses the importance of the rule of law, good governance, respect of human rights and economic freedom in improving the business climate to stimulate growth and prosperity within Cuba and enhance trade and investment relations abroad; underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, legal recognition and certainty for both private and public actors, the creation of spaces for the setting up and functioning of fully independent enterprises including SMEs, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector; recalls that private property is not recognised in the current constitution of Cuba;

Amendment 26 #

Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Alessia Maria MOSCA, Nicola DANTI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms, enabling the country to overcome the limitations in the provision of goods and services as well as bringing a progressive move towards free social spaces, coexistence, technology and communication that the Cuban population appreciate and demand; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Underlines the need~~Acknowledges the will of Cuban authorities to modernise their Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms~~; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and~~ while assuring high labour and social standards; emphasises the importance of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector; calls on the cooperation subcommittees to be established to analyse the potential actions to be taken and ask the EC and the EEAS to inform regularly the EP on the initiatives on this regard;

Amendment 28 #

Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector; in this context also points out that the Cuban people only with genuinely democratic elections can freely express their will to determine their own political and economic system;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines th~~e need~~at it is up to Cuban citizens to decide upon its economic model, including the way it wishes to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, and technological innovation ~~and overall market freedoms~~; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Acknowledges that EU-Cuban relations, especially in the area of bilateral trade, take a new start with the signing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which can provide new possibilities and commitments for both signatorWelcomes the inclusion in the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) of a chapter in trade and trade cooperation aiming to create a more predictable and transparent environment for local and European economic operators, increasing their economic capacity to follow Cuban development path and create new jobs and opportunities;.

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines the need to modernisze the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberaliszation~~, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports~~ mainly in infrastructures and agro-food industry, foreign direct investment mainly in tourism sector, economic and financial investments, and transactions, technological innovation ~~and overall market freedoms~~; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives~~, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector~~ to support micro and small enterprises;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation, private employment and overall market freedoms; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector;

Amendment 32 #

Arne GERICKE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recognises the economic importance of tourism for Cuba, condemns the repeated anomalous arrests of foreign tourists and calls on the Cuban Government to show greater sensitivity in dealing with what is obviously a problem;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Deplores the decision to classify Cuba as an Upper-Middle-Income Country and calls on the Commission to explore the possibility to grant EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences to Cuba in order to support sensitive exports to the EU;

Amendment 34 #

Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general; while emphasising that the development of strong foreign investment to improve the physical and technological infrastructure of the country and build a competitive Cuban production system will require many other economic and financial measures with regulations that give legal certainty and economic stability to the country;

Amendment 35 #

Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general; points out that there is still much to be done to fully liberalise the economy; remains concerned at the still very low levels of economic freedom in the country which is hindered by legal uncertainty, rigid state- planning and controls;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Takes note of~~Welcomes the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted ~~in recent months to~~for the development of their sustainable economy and social modernization, including the encouragement of free enterprise and economic liberali~~sation in general~~zation in general; recalls that one of the overarching objectives of the PDCA is to supporting the diversification of the Cuban economy and the promotion of an appropriate business climate and entrepreneurship;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general; encourages the authorities to further promote a sustainable economy, based on the use of renewable energy, non- chemical fertilizers and technological knowledge in the country;

Amendment 38 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general, underlines, however, that excessive bureaucracy and lack of regulatory transparency continue to limit trade and investment;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage~~Welcomes the adoption by the Cuban Parliament in August 2011 of the guidelines of the economic and social policy, aimed at fostering the economic and social development of the country, including through the promotion of free enterprise and economic ~~liberalisation in general~~opening ;

Amendment 4 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Acknowledges that EU-Cuban relations, especially in the area of bilateral trade, take a new start with~~Welcomes the signing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which represent a positive turning point in relations between the EU and Cuba that can provide new possibilities and commitments for both signatories, also in the area of bilateral trade;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Emphasises the growing importance of Foreign Direct Investments, especially in the area of sustainable energy production, for the Cuban economy and economical changes; underlines moreover the importance of the "Cuentapropistas" who have proven the importance of private engagement in all sectors of local economy in Cuba; recalls at the same time the difficulties for European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to sustain solid financing of projects because of the US- embargo and the 51 % rule of the shares of joint ventures by the Cuban government; calls for strategies that foster European private-sector contribution in Cuba to develop local SMEs;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Reiterates the condemnation by the United Nations General Assembly, the Council of Europe, the European Union and individual countries of the Helms Burton and similar Acts of the USA which have unlawfully restricted economic links with Cuba and sanctioned economic actors inside the country and extraterritorially; underlines the enormous economic damage Cuba has suffered following these Acts; and asks the European to continue to provide legal and financial help to those European companies which still suffer economic damage from the Acts, as they or their subsidiaries engage in trade with Cuba;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses that the Cuban economy is highly dependent on significant oil subsidies from Venezuela and on external assistance such as remittances from Cubans living abroad;

Amendment 43 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Emphasises the need of diversification of exports from Cuba beyond the traditional products and asks the Commission to create ad-hoc trade desks in order to exchange practices and provide Cuban exporters with the necessary knowledge to improve the access of goods onto the EU market;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Strongly calls on Cuba to ratify and comply with the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and to proscribe all forms of labour exploitation, in particular wage confiscation; is highly concerned about the current situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and ILO conventions; in particular wage confiscation, being a widespread and systematic practice of the Cuban State for instance in the field of foreign investment; is highly concerned about the current situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and ILO- conventions, especially in the area of tourism industry; notes with concern the current practice by which Cuban workers can only be employed through Cuban state-owned working agencies entailing a number of negative consequences for workers and foreign companies;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Strongly calls on Cuba~~Welcomes the fact that Cuba has ratified all 8 ILO core conventions; calls on Cuba and all countries it holds or negotiates agreements with to ratify and comply with the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Decent Work Agenda, and to proscribe all forms of labour exploitation, in ~~particular~~cluding wage confiscation; i~~s highly concer~~n this sense, stresses that all workers need ~~about the current situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and~~to enjoy a core set of labour rights as well as adequate social protection in line with the ILO conventions;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Strongly calls on Cuba to ratify and comply with the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and to proscribe all forms of labour exploitation, in particular wage confiscation; is highly concerned about Welcomes Cuba decision to ratify in 2015 last fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions (n.182) and asks for further c~~urrent situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and ILO conven~~ommitments regarding their implementations;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Strongly calls on Cuba and all countries it holds or negotiates agreements with to ratify and comply with the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and to proscribe all forms of labour exploitation, ~~in particular wage confiscation; is highly concerned about the current situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and ILO conventions;~~

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Recalls the Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Cuba 2014-2020 and its importance for the process of reforms as well as sustainable economic and social development; highlights that also all parts of the rural society in Cuba should benefit from the earmarked 50 Million EU funds for the agricultural sector given that the Cuban agricultural productivity still remains low;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Welcomes the role of the World Customs Organization (WCO) providing strategic support to the Cuban Aduanas General de la República (AGR) under the Mercator Programme in order to evaluate preparedness for implementing the WTO TFA. Stresses the importance for AGR to be pro-active in the implementation of the TFA and asks the Commission to assist Cuba in this process;

Amendment 51 #

Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. WIs deeply concerned about various reports of increased government repression against the opposition, journalists, bloggers and artists in the past year; welcomes the ongoing human rights dialogue in the frame of the PDCA, but deplores the insufficient inclusion of civil society, which is recognised in the agreement as one of the actors of cooperation; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on human, environmental and labour rights, which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’ rights and protecting the environment; calls for immediate tangible improvements to facilitate the European Parliament’s consent.; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to establish clear benchmarks and indicators in order to monitor the implementation of human rights obligations in the PDCA; calls on the EU to further advance human rights in all areas of its cooperation with Cuba, in line with the policy goals declared in the "Trade for All" Strategy; recalls that all agreements with the EU and third countries include a human rights clause, including the PDCA with Cuba;

Amendment 52 #

Eleonora FORENZA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the ongoing hHuman rRights dDialogue in the frame of the PDCA, but deplores the insufficient inclusion of civil society; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on human, environmental and labour rights, which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’' rights and protecting ~~the environment; calls for immediate tangible improvements~~environment; suggests that the roadmap particularly takes into account clear and verifiable steps to strengthen social dialogue at regional and local level as well as on the part of enterprises, the effective enforcement and implementation of legislation and policy measures guaranteeing the freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively without loopholes and the conduction of strict labour inspections which lead to penalties in the case of discrimination, non-justified dismissals, intimidation or threats against workers; calls for immediate tangible improvements at least with regard to some targets of this roadmap, in particular regarding human and labour rights, to facilitate the European Parliament’'s consent.;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the ongoing human rights dialogue in the frame of the PDCA, ~~but deplores the insufficient inclusion of civil society; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on human, environmental and labour rights,~~ which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human ~~rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’~~and social rights ~~and~~, protecting the environment~~; calls for immediate tangible improvem~~, recognizing the right of Cuban citizents to ~~facilitate the European Parliament’s consent~~decide independently on their future.

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the ongoing human rights dialogue ~~in the frame of the PDCA, but depl~~and the explicit mention of civil society as an actor of cooperation in the frame of the PDCA which was launched in 2015, befores the ~~insufficient inclusion of civil society; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on~~signature of the agreement; believes that this is the most appropriate framework to ensure the development and monitoring of human, environmental and labour rights, which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’ rights and protecting the environment; recalls ~~for immediat~~that with the sta~~ngible improvements to facilitate the European Parliament’s consent.~~rt of the provisional application of the PDCA Cuba will engage for the first time in cooperation under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights;

Amendment 55 #

Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the ongoing human rights dialogue in the frame of the PDCA, but deplores the insufficient inclusion of civil society and peaceful opposition, as well as the lack of tangible results; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on human, environmental and labour rights, which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’ rights and protecting the environment; calls for immediate tangible improvements to facilitate the European Parliament’s consent.

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the ongoing human rights dialogue in the frame of the PDCA, ~~but deplores the insufficient inclusion of civil society~~and encourages both sides to include civil society in the dialogue; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on human, environmental and labour rights, which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’' rights and protecting the environment; calls for immediate tangible improvements to facilitate the European Parliament’'s consent.

Amendment 57 #

Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Alessia Maria MOSCA, Nicola DANTI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls also on European companies operating in Cuba to apply the same labour and ethical standards required in their countries of origin, especially those that receive credits or any financial assistance of public origin;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Highlights that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in case of violation of the provisions on human rights;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the PDCA is not yet being applied provisionally; supports the longstanding practice of not applying the trade and investment provisions of politically important agreements provisionally before the European Parliament has granted its consent; calls ~~for this practice to be continued and extended to include all international agreements related to EU External Action;~~ on the Council, the Commission and the EEAS to continue and extend this practice to all international agreements related to the EU's External Action when trade aspects are concerned as it is the case with the PDCA; strongly encourages the negotiators under Paragraph 40 of the Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law Making to agree on this best general practice of refraining from provisional application until Parliament has granted its consent to international agreements and seek the full respect of Parliament's rights and prerogatives throughout the whole life-cycle of international agreements as regards inter-institutional cooperation and information sharing;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the PDCA ~~is not yet being applied provisionally; supports the longstanding practice of not applying the trade and investment provisions of politically important agreements provisionally befor~~will be applied provisionally, once the European Parliament has g~~ranted~~iven its consent; calls for this practice to be continued and extended to include all international agreements related to EU External Action;

Amendment 8 #

Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the PDCA is not yet being applied provisionally; supports the longstanding practice, also confirmed by Commissioner Cecilia Malmström in her hearing on 29 September 2014, of not applying the trade and investment provisions of politically important agreements provisionally before the European Parliament has granted its consent; calls for this practice to be continued and extended to include all international agreements related to EU External Action;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the PDCA ~~is not yet being applied provisionally; supports the longstanding practice of not applying the trade and investment provisions of politically important agreements provisionally before~~, despite being signed in December 2016, will be applied provisionally only when the European Parliament has g~~ranted~~iven its consent; calls for this practice to be continued and extended to include all international agreements related to EU External Action;

source: 604.647

2017/05/11 AFET 174 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

Amendment 10 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~the~~ historical, economic and cultural ties ~~linking~~exist between Europe and Cuba ~~are characterised by their depth and strength~~;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Urges the Cuban government to redefine its policy on Human rights aligning with the provisions of the Charters, declarations and international instruments to which Cuba is a signatory; insists that the persecution and imprisonment of dissidents for their ideals and their peaceful political activity is contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

Amendment 101 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Demands that the Cuban authorities permit members of the political opposition, human rights activists and all citizens to travel abroad and return freely to Cuba; calls for free and full access for the Cuban population to information in all forms;

Amendment 102 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Denounces imposed charges against Eduardo Cardet Concepcion, national coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL), for exercising his right of freedom of speech; condemns violent detentions of 10 Members of Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), including its leader Jose Daniel Ferrer; calls on the Cuban authorities for their immediate and unconditional release; urges to stop the harassment and intimidation of members of MCL as well as UNPACU;

Amendment 103 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls on the Cuban authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, arbitrarily detained solely for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and condemns again such detentions; urges the authorities to stop harassing, persecuting and intimidating independent journalists, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders and to hold those responsible accountable;

Amendment 104 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Reminds the Cuban authorities that these acts and detentions constitute an attack on the most basic human rights in particular freedom of expression, assembly and political association; Urges the EEAS and its delegation in Cuba to take the necessary actions in order to seek the release of the above individuals, to ensure that an immediate stop is put to the harassment of political opponents and human rights defenders as well as to assist and protect them;

Amendment 105 #

Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Affirms the European Parliament’s aspiration to see relations between the EU and Cuba develop to the greatest possible extent, with full respect for the independence and autonomy of the partie~~Stresses that the future of Cuba must be based on the sole will of its citizens; recalls that political reconciliation and mutual understanding must include all Cubans who are willing to peacefully work for freedom, democracy and adherence to human rights;

Amendment 106 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Affirms the European Parliament’s aspiration to see relations between the EU and Cuba develop to the greatest possible extent, with full respect for the independence and autonomy of the parties~~Stresses that the political future of Cuba must rest on the sole will of its citizens; Recalls that reconciliation and mutual understanding must include all Cubans who are willing to work peacefully for freedom, democracy and harmony;

Amendment 107 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY, Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Sabine LÖSING, João PIMENTA LOPES, Miguel VIEGAS, João FERREIRA, Eleonora FORENZA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Affirms the European Parliament’s aspiration to see relations between the EU and Cuba develop to the greatest possible extent, with full respect for the independence, equality and autonomy of the parties;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Affirms the European Parliament’s aspiration to see relations between the EU and Cuba develop ~~to the greatest possible extent~~further, with full respect for the independence and autonomy of the parties;

Amendment 109 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Recognises the efforts made by Cuba to incorporate the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and c~~Calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~the~~ historical, economic and cultural ties ~~linking~~exist between Europe and Cuba ~~are characterised by their depth and strength~~;

Amendment 110 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises the efforts made by Cuba to incorporate the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ~~and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;~~.

Amendment 111 #

7. ~~Recognises the effor~~Notes the statements made by Cuba ton incorporateing the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

Amendment 112 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Recognis~~Notes the efforts made by Cuba to incorporate the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

Amendment 113 #

László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises the efforts made by Cuba to incorporate the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and ~~calls on~~urges Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

Amendment 114 #

Daniel CASPARY, David McALLISTER, Cristian Dan PREDA, Renate SOMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises the efforts made by Cuba to incorporate the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; takes note of the work of the Cuban National Centre for Sex Education; calls on the Cuban government to set up efforts to end any kind of discrimination and marginalization targeting the LGBT Community;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Demands that, in line with the recognition of both parties that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of life, future elections in Cuba must be genuinely democratic; emphasises that this includes the right to vote freely and to be elected fairly at periodic elections held on the basis of universal and equal suffrage and free voting procedures, the results of which are accurately counted and respected; encourages the Cuban people and government to have such elections within the next year and offers the support of European Election Observers;

Amendment 116 #

László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Expresses its concern that government control over freedom of expression has continued, whereby access to outside information is restricted, independent journalists are subject to arbitrary arrests, websites critical of the government are filtered and blocked and human rights defenders face harassment; calls on the government to ensure space for legitimate civil society action within a proper legal framework, as a free civil society is one of the foundations for the protection and support for human rights and democratic values in society;

Amendment 117 #

Marek JUREK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the importance of Cuba signing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but stresses the need for ratification without delay and for full compliance with its provisions, in particular as regards guaranteeing the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as enshrined in Article 18 of the ICCPR, which developed from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Amendment 118 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Reminds that internet connectivity in Cuba is among the lowest in the world and that internet access is extremely expensive and content remains restricted; welcomes that more Cubans are getting access to the internet but believes the government should take further steps to foster uncensored access and improve the digital rights of the population;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Supports the findings of the UN Committee on enforced disappearances in Cuba of 17 March 2017 urging Cuba to take the necessary measures to guarantee the full independence of its judicial system as well as to set up an independent National Institution of Human Rights in lines with the Paris Principles;

Amendment 12 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas pursuant to Article 21 of the Treaty of the European Union, the external action of the Union should be guided by the principles of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and the respect for the principles of the UN Charter and the international law;

Amendment 120 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

Amendment 121 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Welcomes~~Takes notes of the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015;

Amendment 122 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Welcom~~Notes the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015;

Amendment 123 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Welcomes~~Stresses the importance of the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015 and encourages further efforts;

Amendment 125 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY, Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Sabine LÖSING, João PIMENTA LOPES, Miguel VIEGAS, João FERREIRA, Eleonora FORENZA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015; believes that the embargo should be lifted in the context of this normalization as it continues to have a widespread impact on the Cuban population countering Cuba's effort to achieve sustainable development;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Reiterates the need to respect the inalienable principle of territorial integrity, and calls on the United States to return the illegally occupied territory of Guantánamo; stresses at the same time the inalienable right of peoples to choose their economic, political and social system without interference of any kind; condemns, therefore, the terrorist acts of destabilisation organised by third countries with the intention of bringing down a government;

Amendment 127 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Points out that, with a view to the development of political and economic relations between the EU and Cuba, it would be desirable for any unilateral extraterritorial measures taken by third countries that restrict our counterpart’s full economic activity to be lifted;deleted

Amendment 128 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY, Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Sabine LÖSING, João PIMENTA LOPES, Miguel VIEGAS, João FERREIRA, Eleonora FORENZA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Points out that, with a view to the development of political and economic relations between~~Calls for the lifting of the United States' economic blockade on the island and of the EUlaws and ~~Cuba, it would be desirable for any unilateral extraterritorial measures taken by third countries~~unilateral measures accompanying it, particularly those with extraterritorial effects, since thatey restrict our counterpart’'s ~~ful~~normal economic activity ~~to be lifted~~;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 13 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the European Union ~~maintain~~'s relations with ~~the Community of~~ Latin America and the Caribbean ~~and there is broad consensus among its 33 member states on the desirability of expanding relations between the European Union and Cuba~~offer an opportunity to expand relations between the European Union and Cuba on the basis of democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law;

Amendment 130 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY, Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Sabine LÖSING, João PIMENTA LOPES, Miguel VIEGAS, João FERREIRA, Eleonora FORENZA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses that the normalisation process cannot proceed until the economic, trade and financial blockade is lifted, as has been called for since 1992 by the UN General Assembly, which for the 25th consecutive time adopted a resolution to that effect, almost unanimously, with 191 votes out of 193 in favour;

Amendment 131 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Welcomes the fact that~~Emphasises the importance of the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba and welcomes the fact that it was launched before the conclusion of the PDCA negotiations;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the fact that the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba was launched before the conclusion of the PDCA negotiations; reiterates that the objectives of the European Union's policy towards Cuba has to continue to be the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouragement of a process of transition to a pluralist democracy and a lasting economic recovery aimed at improving the living standards of the Cuban population;

Amendment 133 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Reiterates that the objectives of the European Union's policy towards Cuba has to continue to be the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouragement of a process of transition to a pluralist democracy and a lasting economic recovery aimed at improving the living standards of the Cuban population;

Amendment 134 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls for a transitional provision establishing a graduated entry into force of the different areas of cooperation, postponing the economic and financial cooperation until the progress made by the Cuban government in the areas of human rights and economic freedoms is demonstrated;

Amendment 135 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recognises that the PDCA can contribute to the reform, adjustment and modernisation processes already proposed in Cuba, in particular with regard to the diversification of Cuba’s international partners and the establishment of a general framework of political and economic development; urges the European institutions and the Member States to assist the economic and political transition in Cuba, encouraging the evolution towards a fully democratic regime that respects the basic rights of all its citizen; supports the use of the various EU's foreign policy instruments, and in particular the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in order to reinforce EU's dialogue with Cuba's civil society and those who support a peaceful transition in Cuba;

Amendment 136 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Urges the European institutions and the Member States to assist the economic and political transition in Cuba, encouraging the evolution towards a fully democratic regime that respects the basic rights of all its citizen; supports the use of the various EU's foreign policy instruments, and in particular the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in order to reinforce EU's dialogue with Cuba's civil society and those who support a peaceful transition in Cuba;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Recognises the important role that this agreement can play in supporting Cuba's efforts to diversify its economy, based on high levels of education and training, and in particular its efforts to develop an environmentally sustainable economy and agriculture;

Amendment 139 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Expects the PDCA, along the lines of the Helsinki Final Act, to become the benchmark for a genuine democratisation process, with the aim of bringing about free elections and overcoming one-party rule;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the European Union maintains relations with ~~the Community of~~ Latin America and the Caribbean and the~~re is broad consensus among its 33 member states on the desira~~ possibility of expanding relations between the European Union and Cuba;

Amendment 140 #

Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls on the HR/VP Federica Mogherini to recognise the existence of a political opposition to the Cuban Government and to allocate all available tools to restore democratic and inclusive political dialogue in Cuba;

Amendment 141 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Calls on the HR/VP Federica Mogherini to recognise the existence of a political opposition to the Cuban Government;

Amendment 142 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recalls that the PDCA, as the first agreement between the EU and Cuba, will mark a turning point in bilateral relations between the two Parties; welcomes the fact that both Parties have agreed to develop this relationship in a structured manner, mutually subscribing to an agenda and obligations that are binding for both signatories;

Amendment 143 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights dialogue;~~deleted

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights ~~dialogue~~enforcement system;

Amendment 146 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights dialogue; notes, however, that the human rights dialogue has not to date put an end to the persecution and arrest of human rights activists and political opposition activists in Cuba and that, on the contrary, according to information from the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN), there have been more and more crackdowns in recent years, as is illustrated by the fact that, on average, 500 dissidents are detained every month, their homes are searched, and computers, books, cameras, recording equipment and even cash are taken away, which severely limits the activities of what are peaceful opposition activists;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights dialogue; urges the EU to promote and provide guarantees for the work of the human rights defenders and the active participation of civil society actors in this process, including all peaceful dissidents;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights dialogue; believes the European Union should keep human rights and fundamental freedoms at the core of its relation with Cuba;

Amendment 149 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Stresses that guaranteeing human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba should be the priority of the EU and will work to put an end to political harassment and persecution of human rights defenders; considers that freedom of expression should also be guaranteed both at public gatherings and, for example, on the Internet; takes the view that human rights organisations should be guaranteed access in Cuba, including to prisoners;

Amendment 15 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the European Union maintains relations with the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean ~~and there is broad consensus among its 33 member states on the desirability of~~(CELAC), which welcomed expanding relations between the European Union and Cuba;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Urges the EU to promote and provide guarantees for the work of the human rights defenders and the active participation of civil society actors including peaceful dissidents without any exclusion, in this process;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Calls for the churches in Cuba to be given their freedom so that, as recognised institutions, they can develop social welfare activities and provide childcare, disability and elderly care, and meals services;

Amendment 152 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Calls for the Cuban churches to be given their freedom so that they can receive spiritual and material assistance directly from churches in Europe without Cuban state interference;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in case of violation of the provisions on human rights; calls to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding road map which should be aimed at safeguarding and monitoring all human ,environmental and labour rights provisions mentioned in this resolution; in this sense calls on the EU to closely follow and report back to the European Parliament about the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba within the provision of suspension of the agreement;

Amendment 154 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in ~~case~~the event of violation of the provisions on human rights, and expects specific criteria to be drawn up which, if they were met, would result in immediate referral to the bodies with responsibility for suspension of the agreement;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in case of violation of the provisions on human rights; in this sense calls on the EU to closely follow the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba when implementing the PDCA;

Amendment 156 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Stresses that the PDCA should contribute to improving the living conditions and social rights of Cuban citizens, reaffirming the importance of working systematically in promoting the values of democracy and human rights, including freedom of expression, association and assembly;

Amendment 157 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

Amendment 158 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Looks to the EU, represented by its delegation in Havana, to take a public stand against any reprisals or discrimination against the democratic opposition and civil society in Cuba;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalization in general, in the recent months, while emphasizing that the development of strong foreign investment to improve the physical and technological infrastructure of the country and build a competitive Cuban production system will require many other economic and financial measures with regulations that give legal certainty and economic stability to the country;

Amendment 16 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas Cuba was the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean with which the EU had not signed any type of agreement; whereas 20 of its Member States have signed various types of bilateral agreements and maintain good relations with the island;

Amendment 160 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Daniel CASPARY, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, David McALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Takes note of some liberalisation measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in the recent months, while emphasizing that the development of strong foreign investment to improve the physical and technological infrastructure of the country and build a competitive Cuban production system will require many other economic and financial measures with regulations that give legal certainty and economic stability to the country;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Calls on the Parties to highlight the importance of gradually strengthening the private sector in Cuba; stresses that this requires the development of independent, transparent and impartial institutions and a quality infrastructure to ensure that standards are observed; points out that Cuba can draw on the experience of EU Member States in this respect;

Amendment 162 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Considers it vital that the next national elections in Cuba in 2018 should be transparent and democratic;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes that the PDCA is an opportunity for Cuba to b~~e more engaged in~~rake with its communist past and to enjoy greater access to EU programmes, including Horizon 2020, the framework programme for research and innovation, and Erasmus+, the programme for education, training youth and sport, which would in turn foster closer academic and people-to-people exchanges;

Amendment 164 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes the view that the agreement will ~~serve to promote dialogue~~clearly demonstrate the advantages of economic freedom and economic cooperation, facilitating a predictable and transparent business environment and the development of a stronger, more stable framework in the future;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes the view that the agreement will serve to promote dialogue and economic cooperation, facilitating a predictable and transparent business environment and the development of a stronger, more stable framework in the future where it is ensured that Cubans can participate in investments jointly with companies and individuals from the European Union;

Amendment 166 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

~~20. Calls for Cuba to be included as an eligible country under the EIB’s external mandate;~~deleted

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls for Cuba to be included as an eligible country under the EIB’s external mandate provided it meets the requirements laid down by the EIB;

Amendment 168 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Notes that the PDCA will help speed up procedures for the development and stabilisation of democratic institutions in Cuba.

Amendment 169 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

~~21. Notes that the PDCA will also constitute an instrument for promoting, in multilateral fora, joint solutions to global challenges such as migration, the fight against terrorism and climate change;~~deleted

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

Amendment 170 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the PDCA’s explicit references to civil society as an actor of cooperation; voices its profound solidarity with the entire Cuban population and its support for needed progress towards democracy and respect and promotion of fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 171 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the PDCA’s explicit references to civil society as an actor of cooperation; encourages both parties to promote an active role of the Cuban civil society during the implementation phase of the agreement;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Confirms its decision to send an official long- pending delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament to Cuba, and urges the Cuban authorities to allow the entry of such a delegation without any further delays in the view of the upcoming PDCA; calls on the Cuban authorities to ensure unimpeded access to all venues and meetings with the requested interlocutors;

Amendment 173 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Voices its profound solidarity with the entire Cuban people and its support for them in their progress towards democracy and respect and promotion of fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 174 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

22b. Confirms its decision to send an official delegation of the Foreign Affairs committee of the European Parliament to Cuba, and urges the Cuban authorities to allow the entry of such a delegation and have an unimpeded access to its interlocutors; regrets the Cuban authorities' refusal to allow some EP political groups visiting Cuba and calls on the authorities to alter their position;

Amendment 18 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

E. whereas ~~what is known as~~ the ‘cCommon pPosition ~~of the EU’, adopted in 1996, has been superseded by the bilateral agreements with Cuba that have been signed during this period by 20 EU Member States~~96/697/CFSP was repealed by Council decision (CFSP) 2016/2233 of 6 December 2016;

Amendment 19 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~what is known as~~ the ‘cCommon pPosition ~~of the EU’, adopted in 1996, has been superseded by the bilateral agreements with Cuba that have been signed during this period by 20 EU Member States~~96/697/CFSP was replaced by Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2233 of 6 December 2016;

Amendment 2 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15

— having regard to its previous resolutions on Cuba, in particular the ones of 17 November 2004 on Cuba, of 2 February 2006 on the EU's policy towards the Cuban Government, of 21 June 2007 on Cuba and of 11 March 2010 on prisoners of conscience in Cuba,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~what is known as~~ the ‘common position of the EU’, adopted in 1996, has been superseded by the bilateral agreements with Cuba that have been signed during this period by 20 EU Member States;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas what is known as the ‘common position of the EU’, adopted in 1996, has been superseded by the bilateral agreements with Cuba that have been signed during this period by 2018 EU Member States, although not all these agreements are in force;

Amendment 22 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the PDCA ~~emphasises the areas of shared interest~~defines general principles and objectives for the relationship between for the EU and Cuba, including three main chapters on political dialogue, cooperation and sectoral policy dialogue, as well as trade and trade cooperation;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas closer political and economic relations with Cuba could help advancing political reforms in the country in accordance with the aspirations of all its citizens;

Amendment 24 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas democracy, human rights ~~feature in both the political dialogue and cooperation chapters~~and good governance feature in the Agreement;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas human rights feature in both the political dialogue and cooperation chapters; whereas in particular the protection of the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights is one of the main objectives of the European Union, both internally and in its relations with third countries; whereas in this sense the full compliance with human rights and the defence of democracy and the rule of law, must be an essential condition of the EU- Cuba Agreement;

Amendment 26 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas in particular the protection of the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights is one of the main objectives of the European Union, both internally and in its relations with third countries; whereas in this sense the full compliance with human rights and the defence of democracy and the rule of law, should be the aspiration of the EU in its relations with Cuba;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the communist regime still denies its citizens fundamental human and civil rights;

Amendment 28 #

Daniel CASPARY, David McALLISTER, Cristian Dan PREDA, Renate SOMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas Cuba is willing to accept cooperation with the EU within the framework of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the key objectives of which are supporting, developing and consolidating democracy in third countries, and enhancing respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

Ia. whereas both parties recognise that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of life which can only be realized by genuinely democratic elections;

Amendment 3 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15

Amendment 30 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, David McALLISTER, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba, led by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, ~~began~~was established in 2015;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba, led by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, began in 2015; whereas no tangible results have been achieved and the situation of human rights remains extremely worrying, despite the setup of the Human rights dialogue;

Amendment 32 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba, led by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, began in 2015; whereas no tangible results have been achieved on human rights in Cuba, despite the setup of the Human rights dialogue;

Amendment 33 #

Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, Andrzej GRZYB

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas on three occasions the European Parliament have awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Cuban activists, Oswaldo Payá in 2002, the Ladies in White in 2005 and Guillermo Fariñas in 2010;

Amendment 34 #

Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas Cuba has been highly criticised for being elected as an UNHRC Member for 2016 - 2019 term due to the violations of all applicable Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

Amendment 35 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, David McALLISTER, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas according to Freedom House Organisation, Cuba is one of the "least free" countries in the world;

Amendment 36 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

Amendment 37 #

K. whereas issues discussed at the second meeting of the human rights dialogue held in Cuba in June 2016 with the participation of line ministries and agencies included freedom of association and human rights issues in a multilateral context, such as the death penalty; whereas the next meeting of the human rights dialogue is due to be held in Brussels during the first half of 2017; whereas the political dialogue between the EU and the Cuban Government, must include the direct 'intensive dialogue with civil society and the peaceful opposition' without any restriction, and must follow the EU's criteria on democracy, universal human rights and fundamental freedoms' such as freedom of expression, assembly and political association, as well as its 'worldwide policy of support to human rights defenders';

Amendment 38 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas issues discussed at the second meeting of the human rights dialogue held in Cuba in June 2016 with the participation of line ministries and agencies included freedom of association and human rights issues in a multilateral context, such as the death penalty; whereas the next meeting of the human rights dialogue is due to be held in Brussels during the first half of 2017; whereas participation in it by independent civil society in Cuba, as an autonomous player, is of fundamental importance both for EU-Cuba relations and in terms of respect for human rights in Cuba;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

Ka. whereas the political dialogue between the EU and the Cuban Government, must neither forget nor neglect the direct 'intensive dialogue with civil society and the peaceful opposition' without any restriction, and should follow the EU's 'views on democracy, universal human rights and fundamental freedoms' such as freedom of expression, assembly and political association, as well as its 'worldwide policy of support to human rights defenders';

Amendment 4 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

- having regards to the findings of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Cuba issued on 17 March 2017,

Amendment 40 #

Tunne KELAM, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER, Jarosław WAŁĘSA

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

Ka. whereas the fundamental right to freedom of religious belief is being seriously violated by the Cuban Government in that a special state institution ('Oficina de Asuntos Religiosos') carries out checks on priests and church organisations;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the PDCA includes a so- called ‘human rights clause’, which is a standard ~~fundam~~essential element of EU international agreements that allows the PDCA to be suspended in case of violation of the provisions on human rights;

Amendment 42 #

Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER, Cristian Dan PREDA

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)

La. whereas on 20 March 2017 Eduardo Cardet Concepcion, national coordinator of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) was sentenced for three years imprisonment as a result of criticism of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro; whereas for decades the Cuban authorities have harassed and intimidated members of the Christian Liberation Movement in an attempt to silence and dissenting ideas; whereas such proceedings are in breach of freedom of speech and expression;

Amendment 43 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)

La. whereas Cuba has not ratified several important UN conventions and independent human rights organizations and mechanisms do not have access to Cuba; whereas the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons visited Cuba in April 2017 in what was the first visit to the country in ten years by an independent expert of the UN Human Rights Council;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)

La. whereas independent journalists, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders, mostly members of the democratic opposition, are still persecuted, arbitrarily detained or being held in jail in Cuba for exercising the basic rights of expression, assembly and political association;

Amendment 45 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)

Amendment 46 #

Tunne KELAM, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)

Lb. whereas a humane treatment must to be ensured for the political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba; whereas on 24 February 2017, political prisoner Hamel Santiago Maz Hernández, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), died in the great prison of Havana, known as Combinado del Este; whereas since 3 June 2016 he was in jail accused of disrespect to any government official, without being subjected to any trial; whereas on 9 March 2017, 10 Members of UNPACU were detained, including their leader Jose Daniel Ferrer;

Amendment 47 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)

Lb. whereas throughout March 2017 the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation verified at least 432 arbitrary detentions of peaceful dissidents in Cuba; whereas 11 cases of physical assaults and 8 cases of harassment by secret political police and para-police agents, of which peaceful opponents were also victims, were also documented;

Amendment 48 #

Cristian Dan PREDA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)

Amendment 49 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital L c (new)

Lc. whereas a humane treatment must be ensured for the political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba; whereas on 24 February 2017, political prisoner Hamel Santiago Maz Hernández, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), died in the great prison of Havana, known as Combinado del Este; whereas since 3 June 2016 he was in jail accused of disrespect to any government official, without being subjected to any trial;

Amendment 5 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

- having regard to the findings of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Cuba issued on 17 March 2017,

Amendment 50 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital L d (new)

Ld. whereas on 20 March Eduardo Cardet Concepción, leader of the opposition Christian Liberation Movement was sentenced to 3 years in prison after publicly criticizing the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro; whereas Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas both Parties have agreed on the broad modalities and areas for cooperation in the cooperation chapter, including on issues such as rule of law, human rights, good governance, justice ~~and~~, combating corruption and organized crime and participation in civil society;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)

Ma. whereas allegations of human rights abuses taking place in Cuba targeting, inter alia, human rights defenders, independent journalists, academics, artists and political activists are highly alarming; whereby such allegations describe the use of beatings, public shaming, short-term arbitrary arrests and detentions without trial;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital M b (new)

Mb. whereas domestics human rights groups face extreme difficulties in performing their duties; notably, the domestic legal organisation Cubalex was raided by state authorities in September 2016 and its staff subjected to intimidation, detention and harassment according to the Human Rights Watch 2017 Report;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) devotes a chapter to the principles of international trade and addresses customs cooperation, trade facilitation and diversification, standards and technical rules, sustainable trade and promotion of a stable, transparent and non-discriminatory business and investment regime;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

~~P. whereas the ‘Economic and social policy guidelines’ for Cuba, adopted following a public debate procedure in 2011, contained proposals for reform, updating and modernisation;~~deleted

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

P. whereas the ‘Economic and social policy guidelines’ for Cuba, adopted following a pCub~~lic debate procedure in 2011, contained proposals for reform, updating and modernisation~~an Communist Party organised debate procedure in 2011 from which civil society partners were excluded, contained proposals for reform, updating and modernisation; whereas the adviser in connection with those guidelines, Cuban economist Ómar Everleny Pérez, was dismissed from a Cuban state economic studies centre in 2015 because of his criticism of the slow progress being made;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

P. whereas the ‘Economic and social policy guidelines’ for Cuba, adopted following a public debate procedure in 2011, contained proposals for reform, updating and modernisation; whereas the "socialist property of the entire people" remains the foundation of the economic system;

Amendment 58 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Q. whereas two fresh public debates were opened in Cuba in 2016 on the ‘Conceptualisation of the economic and social model’ and the ‘National economic and social development plan up to 2030: the nation’s vision, priorities and strategic sectors’;deleted

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q a (new)

Qa. whereas the Cuban economic system is in need of trade liberalization, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms that would allow the island to modernize its economy;

Amendment 6 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties and instruments,

Amendment 60 #

Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER, Daniel CASPARY, David McALLISTER, Andrzej GRZYB

Amendment 61 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q b (new)

Qb. whereas this economic and trade liberalization should enable the country to overcome the limitations to the population in the provision of goods and services and bring inevitably a progressive move towards free social spaces, coexistence, technology and communication, that the Cuban population appreciate and demand;

Amendment 62 #

Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Michael GAHLER, Daniel CASPARY, David McALLISTER, Andrzej GRZYB

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q b (new)

Amendment 63 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital S

S. whereas Cuba is a signatory to only 11 of the 18 United Nations human rights conventions and has ratified only eight of them;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital S

S. whereas Cuba is a signatory to 11 of the 18 United Nations human rights conventions and has ratified eight of them; whereas Cuba has not ratified the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convenant on Economic, social and cultural rights;

Amendment 65 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital S

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital S

S. whereas Cuba is a signatory to 11 of the 18 United Nations human rights conventions and has ratified only eight of them;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital T

T. whereas Cuba has ratified all eight core conventions of the International Labour Organisation; whereas there are no free trade unions in Cuba in spite of the fact that the Cuban Constitution guarantees right of association and right of assembly, provided that those rights are not contrary to the objectives of the socialist state;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital U

~~U. whereas Cuba’s National Assembly has been a member of the world Interparliamentary Union since 1977;~~deleted

Amendment 69 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital U

~~U. whereas Cuba’s National Assembly has been a member of the world Interparliamentary Union since 1977;~~deleted

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human rights;

Amendment 70 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital U a (new)

Ua. whereas the need for Cuba to launch a process of political transition to multi-party democracy, with participation and decision-making open to all Cubans on the basis of an open-ended dialogue that excludes no-one;

Amendment 71 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Cristian Dan PREDA, Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER, David McALLISTER, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Recital V

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital V

V. whereas the United Nations General Assembly has adopted 26 consecutive resolutions calling for the end of the United States embargo on Cuba, and the resolution was adopted unanimously for the first time in October 2016; whereas Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament decided to send a long -pending delegation to Cuba without any positive response from the Cuban authorities yet;

Amendment 73 #

Javier COUSO PERMUY, Sofia SAKORAFA, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Sabine LÖSING, João PIMENTA LOPES, Miguel VIEGAS, João FERREIRA, Eleonora FORENZA

Motion for a resolution
Recital V a (new)

Va. whereas that embargo on Cuba, as well as US laws containing elements of extraterritoriality, such as the Helms- Burton Act, persist despite the normalisation of relations between the two countries, and constitute an obstacle to the normal economic development of the island and also affect the activities of European undertakings there;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital V a (new)

Va. whereas, according to Cuban Government estimates, the economic losses suffered by the Cuban people as a result of the economic, trade and financial blockade which the United States has imposed on the country for more than 50 years amount to USD 125 873 million at current prices;

Amendment 75 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital V a (new)

Va. whereas religious discrimination remains a significant factor in Cuba, notably in the harassment, intimidation and defamation of Christian religious leaders and communities, especially those involved or having dealings with human rights advocates;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital V a (new)

Va. whereas on three occasions the European Parliament have awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Cuban activists, Oswaldo Payá in 2002, the Ladies in White in 2005 and Guillermo Fariñas in 2010;

Amendment 77 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital V b (new)

Vb. whereas Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament decided to send a delegation to Cuba to ascertain the situation without any positive response from the Cuban authorities yet; whereas some political groups are facing the same situation despite several attempts to visit Cuba;

Amendment 78 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital V b (new)

Vb. whereas Cuba has played an important and constructive role as mediator in resolving conflicts between countries and within countries, as was recently the case with the negotiation and conclusion of a peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC;

Amendment 79 #

James CARVER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the signing in Brussels, on 12 December 2016, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba and states that it constitutes an instrument that will offer an appropriate framework for relations, in keeping with the EU’s interests in its relationship with Cuba;deleted

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)

-A. whereas pursuant to Article 21 of the Treaty of the European Union, the external action of the Union should be guided by the principles of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and the respect for the principles of the UN Charter and the international law;

Amendment 80 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Pavel TELIČKA, Javier NART, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the signing in Brussels, on 12 December 2016, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba and states that it constitutes an instrument that will offer a~~n appropriate~~ new framework for relations, ~~in keeping with the EU’s interests in its relationship with Cuba~~between the EU and Cuba; stresses that this agreement depends on its full compliance;

Amendment 81 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the signing in Brussels, on 12 December 2016, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba and states that it constitutes an instrument that will offer a~~n appropriate~~ new framework for relations~~, in keeping with the EU’s interests in its relationship with~~ between the EU and Cuba;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the signing in Brussels, on 12 December 2016, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba and states that it constitutes an instrument that will offer an appropriate framework for relations~~, in keeping with the EU’s interests in its relationship with~~ between the EU and Cuba;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Welcomes the fact that with this agreement the 1996 Council Common Position, which for has been an obstacle to normal relations between the EU and Cuba, has been repealed;

Amendment 84 #

James CARVER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

~~2. Affirms the high strategic value of the relationship between the EU and Cuba;~~deleted

Amendment 85 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Affirms the ~~high strategic~~ value of the relationship between the EU and Cuba;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Affirms the high s~~trateg~~ymbolic value of the relationship between the EU and Cuba;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Affirms the high strategic value of the relationship between the EU and Cuba for bringing end to communist oppression and restoring freedom for the citizens of Cuba;

Amendment 88 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

~~3. Notes that the structure, content and dynamic of the agreement match the principles and values established by the EU institutions for its external relations;~~deleted

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that the structure, content and dynamic of the agreement match the ~~principles and valu~~outlines established by the EU institutions for its external relations;

Amendment 9 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~the~~ historical, economic and cultural ties link~~ing~~ Europe and Cuba ~~are characterised by their depth and strength~~;

Amendment 90 #

Tunne KELAM, Michael GAHLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the fact that the Council of the EU understood the need to establish a new framework for relations with Cuba and took the decision to embark on negotiations and conclude them successfully within a significantly brief timeframe;deleted

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcom~~Underlines the fact that the Council of the EU ~~understood the ne~~decided to establish a new framework for relations with Cuba and took the decision to embark on negotiations and conclude them successfully within a significantly brief timeframe;

Amendment 92 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcomes the fact~~Underlines that the Council of the EU ~~understood the n~~agreed to establish a new framework for relations with Cuba and took the decision to embark on negotiations and conclude them successfully within a significantly brief timeframe;

Amendment 93 #

Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL, Michael GAHLER, Tunne KELAM, Jarosław WAŁĘSA, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recogni~~Stresses the ~~high level of commitment that the Republic of Cuba is undertaking with the European Union in a wide range of fields and through a sophisticated system of political dialogue~~responsibility which Cuba is undertaking with the European Union to meet the commitments set out in the agreement;

Amendment 94 #

María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT, Javier NART, Pavel TELIČKA, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Recogni~~Stresses the ~~high level of commitment that~~responsibility of the Republic of Cuba is undertaking with the European Union ~~in a wide range of fields and through a sophisticated system of political dialogue~~when fulfilling the engagements included in the agreement;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises the ~~high level of~~ commitment that the Republic of Cuba is undertaking with the European Union in a wide range of fields and through ~~a sophisticated system of~~ political dialogue;

Amendment 96 #