2018/2160(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the recommendations of the Committee on Women’s Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, particularly its recommendation on women’s participation in leadership positions and decision-making: challenges and perspectives, adopted at its 13th Plenary Session held in May 2017 in Rome,

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ab (new)

Ab. whereas despite progress in advancing gender equality globally, women in the MENA region remain underrepresented across all spheres of life, especially in the workforce and in the economic and political spheres,

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ac (new)

Ac. whereas many girls are still forced into early marriages, drop out of school, and are unable to live up to their full earning potential in the region; whereas in some countries of the region Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still a widespread practice,

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ad (new)

Ad. whereas there is worrying prevalence of the tendency to blame victims of gender-based violence, especially of sexual harassment, and condemnation of such acts by public authorities and other institutions is often missing,

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ae (new)

Ae. whereas laws across the region are far from uniform, but in most countries, same-sex acts between consenting adults in private are treated as a criminal offense,

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Recital Af (new)

Af. whereas Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) have played an essential role as active agents of change in the region advocating for legislative changes of those polices that still institutionalise discrimination; Whereas WHRDs and LGTBI rights activists in the MENA region and beyond bravely face and challenge societal norms while frequently facing many obstacles, including threats, harassment, defamation, stigmatization, social pressure, arrests, torture, jail, travel bans, kidnappings and other violations,

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ag (new)

Ag. whereas the Parties to the UNFCCC decided at COP 18 (Decision 23/CP.18) to adopt the goal of achieving gender balance in the bodies established pursuant to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol in order to improve women’s participation, ensure a more effective climate change policy that addresses the needs of women and men equally, and to keep track of progress made towards the goal of gender balance in advancing gender-responsive climate policy,

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ah (new)

Ah. whereas the Lima Work Programme on Gender, adopted at COP 20 (Decision18/CP.20), brings pressure to bear in relation to gender equality in the representation of Parties and promotes gender sensitivity in developing and implementing climate change policy,

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Recital Ai (new)

Ai. whereas the Paris Agreement (COP 21) establishes that gender- responsive climate action must be integrated into all aspects of the implementation of the Agreement,

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Is disappointed that the situation of women has not improved in most countries affected by the Arab Spring in spite of their large-scale support for the revolutions; notes, however, that since then, in some countries in the MENA region, these movements have been accompanied by legislative reforms intended to foster gender equality but they have not properly resonated on the ground for lack of investment in suitable awareness-raising tools;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Is disappointed that the situation of women has not improved in most countries affected by the Arab Spring in spite of their large-scale support for the revolutions;, and in some countries, researchers documented 1a a regress in women’s rights after the Arab uprisings; __________________ 1a Esfandiari, H., Heideman, K. (2015). The Role and Status of Women after the Arab Uprisings. IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2015, pp. 303-306.

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of September 1995, and the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (Cairo Conference) of September 1994, as well as the outcomes of their review conferences,

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Is disappointed that the situation of women has not improved in most countries affected by the Arab Spring in spite of the~~ir large-scale support for the rev~~ active role that women from these countries have played in the mobilisation for democracy and social, poluitioncal and civil rights;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Is disappointed that the situation of women has not improved, or even worsened, in most countries affected by the Arab Spring in spite of their large-scale support for the revolutions;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Deplores the complicity of the European Union and its Member States with both deposed and undeposed authoritarian regimes during the Arab Spring in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa; strongly condemns the intensive arms trade of some EU Member States in the region; condemns the military interventions of the Member States and NATO in countries such as Libya that have led to war, death and the destruction of those countries and instability in neighbouring countries; takes the view that the EU should establish a new framework for relations with the countries in the MENA region based on strict compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter and on non-intervention in their internal affairs and respect for their sovereignty, with the aim of supporting the development of neighbouring regions and promoting employment, education and gender equality, instead of association agreements geared solely towards establishing free-trade areas that harm people and offer benefits only for corporate interests on the European side and for elites in the MENA countries;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls that women were part of the driving force of the developments that led to the Arab uprisings;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Underlines that in those countries where the Arab spring has led to ongoing conflict, women’s involvement in peace- making process and meditation are essential to restore a non-violent society;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that women’s commitment and empowerment in the public, political, economic and cultural spheres of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are vital if long-term stability, peace and economic prosperity are to be achieved; considers that women’s access to education, supported by civil society organisations, is essential in order to accomplish this; together with tackling all forms of violence against women, including gender stereotypes, thus promoting gender equality;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes that women’s and girls’ access to education is essential to promoting their role in all these spheres; maintains that women’s rights and gender equality civil society organisations can help to empower women in MENA region countries; calls, further, for increased EU support for civil society in the region, building on existing initiatives that are already successful;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Underlines that, despite of the Arab spring, obstacles such as discriminatory laws and institutions remains restrictive for women as regards having the possibility to participate in politics, to run for office or to fulfil their economic and social demands;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Notes that some countries are hosting millions of refugees, the majority of whom are women and children who live in poverty, exacerbating domestic violence, the prostitution of women and young girls, forced child marriage and child labour in the community;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Calls on the EEAS to step up its efforts to exchange best practices when it comes to women’s role in public life;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 b (new)

– having regard to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular to the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 13,

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the countries in the MENA region to implement the Beijing Action Plan for education and health as fundamental human rights; including access to voluntary family planning, sexual reproductive healthcare, including access to free contraception, abortions and sex and relationship education for girls and boys;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the countries in the MENA region to implement the Beijing Action Plan for ~~education and~~women’s access to education and sexual and reproductive health as fundamental human rights;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Also calls on~~Urges all these countries to ratify and lift all existing reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), further urges these countries to take the requisite measures to uphold gender equality in society, for example by adopting national action plans ~~in conjunction with~~that include effective gender equality measures in conjunction with women’s organisations and other civil society stakeholders;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that gender equality and women’s participation in public life is a key element to stimulate democracy and to boost a more efficiently functioning and peaceful society;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the countries in the MENA region to reform their legislation on personal status with a view to eliminating laws which discriminate against women such as the laws governing inheritance and marriage, to increase women’s participation in public life, including political life, and to combat all forms of violence against women by ratifying the Istanbul Convention;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the countries in the MENA region to reform their legislation on personal status with a view to eliminating laws which discriminate against women and to combat all forms of violence against women and girls by ratifying the Istanbul Convention;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Urges the governments and parliaments of the MENA countries to take measures to promote women’s effective participation in every level of political life, at national, regional and local parliament and government level, and at international organisations such as the United Nations; calls, in this regard, for the exchange of best practices to be stepped up with a view to promoting gender equality by strengthening cooperation at international level with UN Women, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Committee on Women’s Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the MENA countries to play an active part in tackling all forms of violence against women; calls on them to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention, an instrument for tackling violence against women and girls, including domestic violence and female genital mutilation; calls, in particular, on countries which have yet to do so to revise their legislation by adding wording on gender-based violence and honour crimes, also making the threat to commit such acts an offence and imposing more severe penalties for all crimes of that kind;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Acknowledges the important role of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in the recent legislative changes in the region, such as the recent law on violence against women in Tunisia, that allows women to get emergency and long-term protection (restraining) orders against abusers, the introduction of partial improvements to the 2008 domestic violence law in Jordan, and the repealed of rape-marriage exoneration laws in Tunisia, Jordan, and Lebanon; Notes however that structural reforms are needed in the region in order to guarantee that all women are free to live without discrimination or violence;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes the considerable economic 6. and social disparities between urban and rural areas which often deprive women of the means to be independent; Ccalls for a stronger process of decentralisation and the empowerment of the regions through the development of local autonomies; calls, further, for increased EU support for civil society in the regions, building on successful existing initiatives;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 c (new)

– having regard to the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP 18) Decision 23/CP.18,

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes programmes developed by the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, such as Med4jobs, as means to address the problem of employability of young people and women in the Mediterranean; calls on the member states of the Union for the Mediterranean to instruct its Secretariat General to focus its work on the economic and social development of MENA countries with a view to supporting the consolidation of its transition process, giving particular prominence to women and girls;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the importance of including a gender perspective in the consideration and approval of Union for the Mediterranean projects so that they might serve to effectively foster the economic, social and political empowerment of women in the region;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Notes also the importance of the agricultural sector for the economies of the countries in the MENA region; emphasises the direct influence of climate change on the agricultural sector and on women in particular; calls on all the Member States to put into practice the commitments undertaken under the conclusions agreed at the 62nd session of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women regarding the issues to address and the opportunities for achieving gender equality, empowering women and girls in rural areas and integrating rural areas, taking into account the specific characteristics of their climate strategies;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that women can be powerful drivers of change, able to draw up and implement effective strategies for climate adaptation, conflict resolution, anti-radicalisation and reducing the impact of these and developing the resilience to cope with such changes by relying on their areas of experience and practical knowledge; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States, as key players in conflict resolution, tackling climate change and anti-radicalisation in the MENA regions and as part of their foreign policy, to support women and organisations that defend and promote their rights;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that women can be powerful drivers of change, able to draw up and implement effective strategies for climate adaptation, conflict resolution, anti-radicalisation and reducing the impact of thesStresses the role of women in conflict resolution and stabilisation processes, anti-radicalisation and reducing the impact of these; calls for more women to be included in those processes; highlights the need for easy access to justice and transitional justice focusing on women survivors of conflict-related sexual violence;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that women can be powerful drivers of change, able to draw up and implement effective strategies for climate adaptation, promoting peace and conflict resolution, ~~anti-radicalisation and reducing the impact of these~~ending foreign occupation and tackling violent extremism;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Recognises that gender equality is a catalyst for sustainable development and the management of climate challenges; stresses that women are not only victims, but also powerful agents of change who, on the basis on equal participation, can formulate and execute efficient climate strategies and/or solutions in relation to adaptation and mitigation and can build climate resilience as a product of their diverse areas of experience and practical knowledge across sectors ranging from agriculture, forestry and fisheries to energy infrastructures and sustainable cities;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Highlights the vital role of women in preventing -radicalisation and counter- terrorism strategies and their leading role in peacebuilding; recalls that women’s full participation at all level of decision- making process in the design and implementation of preventing and countering violent extremism contributes to the effectiveness and sustainability of policies and programmes;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls on the countries in the MENA region to observe the UNFCCC decision 23/CP.18, which establish the goal of achieving gender balance in the bodies established pursuant to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol in order to improve women’s participation, ensure a more effective climate change policy that addresses the needs of women and men equally, and to keep track of progress made towards the goal of gender balance in advancing gender-sensitive climate policy;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Recalls the UNFCCC decision 21/CP.22on Gender and climate change, which ‘Invites Parties to appoint and provide support for a national gender focal point for climate negotiations, implementation and monitoring’;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 d (new)

– having regard to the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC held in Paris, France, from 30 November to 11 December 2015,

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9d. Recalls that the Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016 - 2019 makes promoting gender equality and women’s rights across the world one of the EU’s external policy priorities; thus holds the EU Commission to its words calling to prioritise its efforts for gender equality including the necessary financial resources;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 e (new)

9e. Is concerned about restrictions on access to public health care and in particular on the access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially for women and girls in rural areas;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 f (new)

9f. Recalls to the EU delegations the importance of using gender mainstreaming in political dialogues and across sectorial policy dialogues;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 g (new)

9g. Pays tribute to all women and LGTBI rights defenders who are looking for overcoming any unfair and discriminatory treatment and to those who have defended human rights despite the difficulties that they have to face; Calls on governments in the region to urgently put in place the necessary mechanisms to fight all forms of violence against women, including harassment, of women’s and LGTBI rights activist;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 h (new)

9h. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to ensure the support of women’s and LGTBI rights defenders and to continue to improve its implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, fully utilising all means at its disposal; emphasises that EU delegations must prioritise support for those human rights defenders most at risk in their EIDHR local calls for proposals, resulting in effective and targeted support;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Reiterates the call of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean to support a Euro- Mediterranean project on gender gaps and which includes an analysis of women’s representation rates in national and regional parliaments and in local institutions; takes the view that the Committee on Women’s Rights of that Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament should receive information annually on gender inequality indicators in the Euro-Mediterranean region;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 e (new)

– having regard to the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC held in Marrakech, Morocco, from 7 to 18 November 2016, and its decision on gender and climate change extending the 2014 Lima Work Programme on Gender, decision21/CP.22,

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 f (new)

– having regard to the EU Gender Action Plan2016-2020 (GAP II),

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 g (new)

– having regard to the Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016 - 2019,

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Recital Aa (new)

Aa. whereas the Arab uprisings in 2011 have ruptured old structures and generated a wave of civic engagement with women as important actors, however this transition has not yet led to in an increased participation of women in the shaping of policies, laws and rights that determine their empowered role in their respective societies,

source: 631.921

2019/01/17 AFET 265 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

— having regard to the document entitled ‘Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe – A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy’, presented by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on 28 June 20161 , and to the 2017 and 2018 implementation reports, _________________ 1 https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/top_st ories/pdf/eugs_review_web.pdf.

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)

- having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the EU’s continued efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; condemns the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in some countries; takes the view, however, that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been completely achieved;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the EU’s efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights, economic development, security and fundamental freedoms in post- Arab Spring countries, while prioritizing social and economic development, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; takes the view, however, that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been achieved;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the EU’s efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; takes the view, however, that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been achieved and sometime the situation has even worsened;

Amendment 103 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Recalls the harm and suffering caused by extremism and terrorism in the region, and highlights that violence is a serious threat to the stability of the region and that security cooperation within the region, as well as cooperation with the EU and its Member States, remains of utmost importance in order to successfully overcome terrorist organisations like Daesh and hence help the people in the region to eventually live in peace, stability and progress;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Welcomes the different EU assistance and aid packages for MENA countries after the Arab Spring; stresses however the need to increase efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict in the MENA countries;

Amendment 105 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Welcomes EU initiatives aimed at addressing the terrorist threat in the MENA region; underlines the importance of strengthening the capacity of state actors that play a key role in countering terrorism and violent extremism as well as the essential need to focus on partnerships between authorities, youth and communities to address underlying factors that can make communities vulnerable to violent extremism;

Amendment 106 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 107 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions~~, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran~~;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real~~Notes the mismatch between the size of the EU’s political and budgetary investment to accompany the political ~~and~~, economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of newand social transformations sought by a majority of the population in MENA countries and the real influence of EU policies; notes that global political and economic ~~regional~~ players, such as Russia and China, ~~in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Ira~~and regional players, particularly the Gulf states, Turkey and Iran, are key players whose objectives and means may be in competition, and even conflict, with those of the European Union;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of it~~Welcomes EU's considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, in the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the groundregion, notes, however, that the impact of EU policies remains limited; calls for a stronger commitment from the EU towards being a more active player in the region; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)

- having regard to the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015- 2019, adopted by the Council on 20 July 2015, and to its mid-term review of June 2017,

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Expresses concern about~~Acknowledges the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; ~~points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates it~~recognises this vis~~ion into action~~ an example onf the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iraninherent incapability of the EU to act effectively in foreign policy and resolves to reduce the EU's attempts to act as a regional or global power;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU ~~has not been able to gain real~~still lacks political and economic leverage, and is ~~no longer~~therefore not fully perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; ~~points to the dissatisfaction felt by~~calls for the EU to engage in more dialogue with local NGOs and civil -society ~~and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action~~organisations in order to pursue a policy that better meets the expectations of stakeholders on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Expresses concern about~~Notes the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain ~~real~~substantive political and economic leverage, and is no ~~longer~~t perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region and believes that Member States may be better placed to play an important role in this regard; points to the dissatisfaction felt by some governments, civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of ~~new~~deceptive political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; admits its own errors in this sense and the difficulty to have coordinated policies between the EU and the Members States as well as a certain lack of political consistency vis-à- vis different partners; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society ~~and~~, local NGOs and young people in general at how the EU fails to translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; ~~is concerned about~~notes the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no ~~longer~~t perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is extremely concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and the emergence of new political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and notes the emergence of new and resurgent political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Stresses concern that widespread state failure and prolonged regional conflict has resulted in Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, to take further advantage of this instability to expand its influence through partners and proxies via enhancing its military and proxy presence in the MENA region, stimulating weapon proliferation, increasing funding to various proxy groups while continuing to develop more capable ballistic missiles and intelligence capabilities, and undertaking malicious cyber activities resulting in a perpetuation of violence in the region, causing grievous harm to civilian populations;

Amendment 119 #

Boris ZALA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the High Representative to substantially rethink and revive the project of the Union for the Mediterranean; encourages the use of this project as a way to foster cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean countries, potentially leading to a customs union and a free-trade area, thus providing a positive reality and a materialised perspective for the Maghreb and the Mashreq and making the EU a competitor and game player in the area as well as a strong driver for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the aftermaths of the Arab spring;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 d (new)

- having regard to the joint staff working document of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy entitled ‘Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020’, adopted in 2015(SWD(2015)0182),

Amendment 120 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Deplores the fact that some Gulf countries, notably United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, undermine democratic developments in the MENA region, by, inter alia, supporting the repressive regime in Egypt that came to power as a result of the military coup in 2013, and interfering in the democratic consolidation in Tunisia, under the guise of fighting political Islam;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Takes positive note that the 3rd Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) on 8 October2018, which commemorated the Tenth Anniversary of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, recognized the usefulness to continue developing the interactions between the UfM and other actors in the Euro-Mediterranean region;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Regrets that partnership priorities are concluded with countries without any conditions and despite significant and continuing backsliding in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Calls the Union to strongly support the UN peace processes regarding the resolution of conflicts in the MENA region;

Amendment 124 #

Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3 b. Emphasises the need for the EU to engage in dialogue with all political actors in the MENA countries;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s ~~expectations and objectives~~prejudices and ideology, with little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real change in the areas of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries and without any reasoning based on geopolitical realities or on the region's political culture;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries ~~was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objective~~did not take enough into consideration EU's partner countries interests and expectations, with little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to ~~promote real chang~~have a greater positive influence in the areas of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was State-centred, based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objectives, with ~~little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countrie~~insufficient attention for addressing the root causes of the Arab Spring and the aspirations of the local populations; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real change in the areas of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objectives, with little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries and too little consideration for the aspirations of the populations who should benefit from EU policies and for the particular political situation in different countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives ~~in relation~~ to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real change in the areas of democracy, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries; stresses that differentiation and enhanced mutual ownership are the hallmark of the European Neighbourhood Policy, recognising different levels of engagement, and reflecting the interests of each country concerning the nature and focus of its partnership with the Union; calls for a more consistent application of the ‘more for more’ principle by defining, at policy, programme and project levels in bilateral relations, concrete goals and benchmarks for increased support;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 e (new)

- having regard to the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 (GAP II), adopted by the Council on 26 October 2015, and to the Annual Implementation report 2016 thereof, published on 29 August 2017 by the Commission and the High Representative,

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that ~~for far too long~~ the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objectives, with little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Springs to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real change in the areas of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objectives, with too little consideration for the aspirations of the local populations and little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real change in the areas of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries; calls for a more consistent application of the ‘more for more’ principle by defining, at policy, programme and project levels in bilateral relations, concrete goals and benchmarks for increased support;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 133 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Recalls that the goal of democratisation can only be achieved in a sustainable manner if it is thoroughly pursued throughout the respective countries in both the urban as well as in particular the rural areas, and highlights that stability is supportive for the development of a democracy, and that a well-timed preparation process which should include a wide consultation and inclusion of relevant societal groups and leaders is beneficial for this goal; further underlines that at the same time democratisation is supportive to economic development and the strength of the rule of law;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Condemns the EU’s connivance and complicity with dictatorships in the region; is highly critical of the role played by the various Western interventions of recent years in exacerbating conflicts in the area; states that there can be no military solution to the conflicts in the region; rejects the use of the notion of ‘responsibility to protect’, as it violates international law and does not offer an adequate legal basis for justifying the unilateral use of force;

Amendment 135 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the EU and the Member States, taking into account the EU anti- corruption acquis, to strengthen their judicial cooperation programmes with partner countries in the region in order to promote the exchange of best practices and an effective legal arsenal to fight corruption;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Strongly condemns the direct or non-direct support (in the form of finance, arms, training, etc.) that the United States, the EU, Turkey and the monarchies of the Gulf region have been providing to terrorist groups; calls in particular on the EU Member States and regional players, especially Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to stop financing all militias and, more specifically, to stop buying oil from oil fields controlled by ISIS/Da’esh and transported by truck through Turkey, as brought to light by reports submitted to the UN Security Council; believes that mechanisms are required to stop the financing of terrorism through offshore entities involving states and financial institutions, and to stop arms trafficking and the buying and selling of energy resources and raw materials which benefit terrorist groups;

Amendment 137 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4 c. Strongly condemns the intensive arms trade of Member States with various countries in the region, as in the cases of the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Sweden; calls for an immediate suspension of arms transfers and military support to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners; reiterates its call for the Council to impose an EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, given the serious allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, which would mean that the continued licensing of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia is in breach of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP;

Amendment 138 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4 d. Firmly opposes the use of drones in extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings; demands a ban on the use of drones for this purpose pursuant to its abovementioned resolution of 27 February 2014 on the use of armed drones, paragraph 2(a) and (b) of which call on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Council to ‘oppose and ban the practice of extrajudicial targeted killings’ and ‘ensure that the Member States, in conformity with their legal obligations, do not perpetrate unlawful targeted killings or facilitate such killings by other states’ respectively;

Amendment 139 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Acknowledg~~Notes the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in the hope of attaining ~~real~~ democratic and political ~~leverage~~reform in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political and economic dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

- having regard to the EU Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, adopted by the Council in 2013,

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Acknowledges the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in ~~the hope of attaining real~~order to increase its democratic and political leverage in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political and economic dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Acknowledges the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in the hope of attaining real democratic and political leverage in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political and economic dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region;(Does not affect the English version.)

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Acknowledges the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in the hope of attaining real ~~democratic and~~ political leverage in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political ~~and~~, economic and social dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Acknowledges the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in the hope of attaining real democratic and political leverage in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political and economic dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region; insists on the importance of in-depth, annual country by country reporting on the implementation of the ENP;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Acknowledges the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in the hope of attaining real democratic and political leverage in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political and economic dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region; is convinced that there is no economic development and social improvement without security and stability;

Amendment 145 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Is concerned by the social and political impact of the austerity measures carried out across the region, which by reducing public spending and the provision of public services, contribute to increasing social and economic hardship among a large share of the population, which in turn fuels social unrest; notes with concern the direct role of international donors, notably the European Union through its macro- financial assistance programmes, in this process;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Is convinced that any long-term solution for the armed conflicts should address the underlying causes of poverty and instability in the countries and also fulfil the legitimate demands and aspirations of the peoples; reaffirms its support for any peaceful political effort to protect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries;

Amendment 147 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Recalls, in this regard, the crucial support provided by EIDHR in the implementation of the EU’s Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy and its Human Rights Guidelines and country strategies, which has enabled the EU to act more strategically in this area and has ensured accountability, visibility and effectiveness;

Amendment 148 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Highlights the importance of the Union for the Mediterranean, which is the only political forum that gathers the EU Member States and all the Mediterranean countries; stresses that the Union for the Mediterranean, that has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, must play a greater role in jointly addressing our common challenges;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Opposes any foreign military intervention in the countries, be it Saudi or Iranian, Arab or Western; is very concerned at the escalation of tensions in the region; denounces the instrumentalisation of religious differences in order to instigate political crises and sectarian wars;

Amendment 15 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)

- having regard to the joint communication by the Commission and the VP/HR to the European Parliament and the Council of 14 March 2017 entitled ‘Elements for an EU Strategy for Syria’ (JOIN(2017)0011) and to the Council conclusions on Syria of 3 April 2017, which together make up the new EU strategy on Syria,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirmingNotes that the migration crisis, which is the direct result of the destabilisation of those countries, shows that it is essential to gear foreign policy to the pursuit of stability and security, particularly support for recognised governments, and to abandon once and for all attempts at interference in the name of human rights, an~~d fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectives~~ approach that is condemned to failure in advance;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countriNotes that the numerous security challenges, in particular terrorism, with which the MENA countries continue to be confronted prompt them to prioritise security policies, sometimes inat the ~~region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability~~expense of reforms aimed at consolidating the rule of law and respect for human rights; takes the view that wthen long-term stability ~~and security become the predomin~~of those countries cant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectivesnly be achieved through a balanced relationship between security requirements and respect for the rule of law;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of ~~managing~~responding appropriately to the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, ~~the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimat~~an excessively security-focused perspective con~~cerns about the fragility of certain countries in the reg~~ migration, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of short-term stability; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; ~~is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectives~~recalls that fostering state and societal resilience should not be confused with the perpetration of authoritarian regimes; is convinced that a credible and coherent stability and sustainable security policy can only be achieved through the pursuit of longer-term interests and principles, including the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, under a human centred and conflict sensitive approach;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of ~~managing~~responding adequately to the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, ~~the nexus between security and~~an excessively security-focused perspective on migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, reduced consideration to climate change imperatives as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an narrow and short-sighted ideology of stability; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a counterproductive, shorter-term policy vision and ~~depriv~~undermine EU action ~~directed at reaffirming~~and credibility in its support of human rights and fundamental freedoms ~~of the required intensity~~; is convinced that sustainable stability and security can only be achieved through ~~longer-term objectives~~an approach centered on the preservation of the environment and on human rights, rule of law and democracy;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Is concerned, how~~Believer,s that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach ~~by the Member States, is encouraging the~~may lead to unsatisfactory EU’s action towards ~~the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability~~stabilising the region; takes the view that ~~when~~ stability and security ~~becom~~ought to be the predominant objectives, ~~they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at~~including the reaffirm~~ing~~ation of human rights and fundamental freedoms ~~of the required intensity~~; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectives;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, ~~as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States,~~ is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of ~~stability~~wishful thinking; takes the view that ~~when~~ stability and security should become the predominant objectives, ~~they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at~~while also reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through realistic longer-term objectives;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability; takes the view that ~~when~~ stability and security ~~become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming~~are objectives which go hand in hand with inclusive and beneficial economic and social development and the strengthening of human rights and fundamental freedoms ~~of the required intensity~~; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectives;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security, development and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability, disregarding other important aspects; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term and shortsighted policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term ~~objectives~~planning and objectives and policy consistency, with the promotion of human rights and rule of law at the core of the action;

Amendment 16 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the ~~Arab~~popular uprisings that affected most countries in the MENA region in 2011 ~~constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes;~~, which where~~as a~~ large ~~segment of the protesters was composed of~~ly driven by young women and men aspiring to a better ~~and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberal reforms gave rise to great hope and~~economic and social conditions and political liberalisation of authoritarian regimes, have created huge expectations;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managing the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimate concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the region, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of stability; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; reiterates that human rights are not subsidiary to migration management or counter-terrorism actions and is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectives;

Amendment 161 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Calls the EU and its Member States to facilitate their access to asylum seekers to European territory and ensure human rights to all migrants; strongly condemns all readmission policies, especially those relating to countries where these people risk their lives and face ill-treatment contrary to the Geneva Convention; criticises the financial support of the EU for policies whose aim it is to externalise border controls without changing the current situation of the people in need in those countries and endangering those most in need of protection; calls for ensuring rights and a safe passage to both migrants and refugees; stresses further that European politics must not be made conditional on cooperation in migration matters such as border management or readmission agreements; recalls its concerns about the increasing use of trust funds, such as limited transparency, lack of consultation and regional ownership;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Underlines that the work of human rights defenders is crucial for the long term development and stability of the region; as such, reiterates its call for full implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders; emphasises the need for EU and Member State leaders and diplomats at all levels to raise cases of individual human rights defenders at risk with third country governments including through public statements, demarches and regular dialogue, meeting with defenders, visiting defenders in detention, and observing defenders’ trials; highlights the need for the EU and Member States to increase their funding and capacity for human rights defenders at risk, through emergency grants as well as through support for civil society protection mechanisms such as ProtectDefenders.eu;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Calls on the European institutions, its Member States as well as national development agencies, to strive to provide a unified European position towards the region, focusing on our common interest, to ensure a single and coherent European strategy, in order to fulfil the EU’s full potential as a meaningful supporter for democratic, economic and social reforms;

Amendment 164 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Calls the EU to address the root causes of migration such as conflicts, environmental causes, extreme poverty and social exclusion and re-orient political cooperation towards a more balanced and equal partnership with the MENA region, putting youth policies and investments towards local Small and Medium Enterprises at its heart;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Reiterates that terrorism can only be eradicated by addressing its roots, i.e. poverty, exploitation and society’s inability to address peoples’ needs and create opportunities for the youth; believes that the utmost respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as well as respect for the multicultural nature of their societies, constitute the sole means of preventing the spread of terrorist ideology;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Insists that the EU and Member States must actively seek to engage with and support the most vulnerable human rights defenders and civil society actors across the MENA region, including those in remote and rural regions, women, LGBTI, indigenous, environmental and land rights, refugee rights and labour rights defenders;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6 c. Is deeply concerned about the use of repressive cybersecurity and counter- terrorism legislation, calls on the EU and Member States to engage with third country governments to end such practices and repeal repressive legislation, as well as to ensure proper vetting of the exports of European surveillance technology and technical assistance;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the concept of co- ownership put forward by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); is concerned, however, that it runs the risk of allowing authoritarian regimes in certain partner countries to cherry-pick priorities according to their national agenda, instead of advancing along the path towards democratisation; stresses, therefore, the importance of a long-term policy framework and synergies in programming for post-Arab Spring countries based on the primacy of democracy, the inclusion of all democratic political forces and the primacy of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values; reiterates that strengthening these aspects is in the interests of the partner countries, as well as of the EU, and calls for stronger conditionality in this sense;deleted

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the concept of co- ownership put forward by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); ~~is concerned, however, that it runs the risk of allowing authoritarian regimes in certain partner countries to cherry-pick priorities according to their national agenda, instead of advancing alo~~recognises that some cherry- picking of priorities may occur and stresses that this should not be at the detriment of seeking the path towards democratisation; stresses~~, therefore,~~ the importance of a long-term policy framework and synergies in programming for post-Arab Spring countries based on the primacy of democracy, the inclusion of all non-violent democratic political forces and the primacy of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values; reiterates that strengthening these aspects is, as well as developing an attractive economic climate, counter-extremism and support for positive reforms are in the interests of the partner countries, as well as of the EU, and calls for stronger conditionality in this sense;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals ~~against authoritarian regimes~~, many of them with a substantial Islamist component; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men ~~aspiring to a better and more inclusive future~~supported by professional revolutionaries paid by George Soros's Open Society Foundation; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberal reforms ghave ~~rise to great hope and expectations~~led to enormous social unrest which the countries concerned are finding it difficult to recover from;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. W~~elcomes~~arns that the concept of co- ownership put forward by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)~~; is concerned, however, that it~~ runs the risk of allowing authoritarian regimes in certain partner countries to cherry-pick priorities according to their national agenda, instead of advancing along the path towards democratisation; notes with concern that some programmes agreed under this revised policy notably in the field of counter-terrorism, security, judiciary and migration, might actually be conducive to strengthening negative human rights trends; stresses, therefore, the importance of a long-term policy framework and synergies in programming for post-Arab Spring countries based on the primacy of democracy, the inclusion of all democratic political forces and the primacy of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values; reiterates that strengthening these aspects is in the interests of the partner countries and their populations, as well as of the EU, and calls for stronger conditionality in this sense; insists that in cases of systematic violations of human rights by the authorities, EU assistance should exclude budget support, as a direct endorsement of public policy, and should be restricted to supporting local civil society;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the concept of co- ownership put forward by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); is concerned, however, that it runs the risk of allowing authoritarian regimes in certain partner countries to cherry-pick priorities according to their national agenda, instead of advancing along the path towards democratisation; stresses, therefore, the importance of a long-term policy framework and synergies in programming for post-Arab Spring countries based on the primacy of democracy, the inclusion of all democratic political forces and the primacy of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values; reiterates that strengthening these aspects is in the interests of the partner countries, as well as of the EU~~, and calls for stronger conditionality in this sense~~;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the concept of co- ownership put forward by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); is concerned, however, that it runs the risk of allowing authoritarian regimes in certain partner countries to cherry-pick priorities according to their national agenda, instead of advancing along the path towards democratisation; stresses, therefore, the importance of a long-term policy framework and synergies in programming for post-Arab Spring countries based on the primacy of democracy, the inclusion of all democratic political forces and the primacy of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values; reiterates that strengthening these aspects is in the interests of the partner countries and their population, as well as of the EU, and calls for stronger conditionality in cases of systematic violations of human rights by the authorities; reminds that partner countries that are willing to pursue reforms, closer political dialogue and attain more should receive more support adequate to their aspirations and commitment, and demands a performance-based approach in this sense;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Regrets that in certain instances the bilateral investigative and judicial cooperation on cases of detention, violence or death of EU citizens has been insufficient, as in the case of the Italian researcher Giulio Regeni; considers it essential to link further collaboration in other sectors to substantial improvements in this field;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Recognises and appreciated the substantive and ongoing support to maintaining stability, security and political reform and deradicalisation efforts from key regional actors such as Morocco, Egypt and Jordan;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Is convinced that where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place or do not meet the respective countries’ aspirations, the EU should provide increased access to sustainable trade and investment, notably to the benefit of Southern Mediterranean populations and economies, supporting productive capacities with a focus on the domestic and regional markets, fostering decent work, social protection and inclusive socio-economic development;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Recognises the continued efforts from NATO to support and advance security sector reform and stabilisation in the region with respect to its ongoing Operation Active Endeavor which among other things track and control suspect vessels with the goal to disrupt and thwart terrorist activity in the Mediterranean;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7 c. Recognises the increased efforts of NATO to prevent state collapse and encourage security sector reform via its Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) agreements with key states such as Tunisia and its ongoing Capacity Building Initiatives in MENA countries like Jordan;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes fuelled by anger over youth unemployment and poor living conditions; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future~~; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberal reform~~, the establishment of new governments and political reforms and social justice; whereas the overthrow of some of the regimes gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7 c. Stresses the need to seek the most efficient use of available resources in order to optimise the impact of the EU external action, that should be achieved through coherence and complementarity among the Union's External Financing Instruments;

Amendment 181 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)

7 d. Welcomes the positive cases of democratic transition in the region and the consequent privileged partnership with the EU; calls for the EU to take this into account in all its policy areas, in order to enhance its coherence and to assist the partner countries in a more effective way;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Takes the view~~Stresses that~~, as~~ the ~~EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that som~~challenge posed by migration flows is a common challenge for the countries inof the MENA region ~~might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue w~~(countries of origin and transit) and those of the Union (countries of destination); considers ith the EU; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic refoo be in the mutual interest for the EU to invest in tools to better manage migration flows; considers that the development of economic and social opportunities in those countries is one of the most relevant responses in the long terms;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for ~~the management of~~halting migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms and consequently that security measures must be adopted in Europe itself in order so to contain migration;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for ~~the management~~an appropriate response ofn migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; ~~stresses, instead, the importance of a po~~considers that the EU should develop a comprehensive facilicty framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reformsor refugees applying to all Southern Mediterranean countries, from Turkey to Morocco; believes that such facility would lay down the foundations for real, closer political dialogue with these countries and for stronger engagement on their part on all issues related to migration and refugee flows; stresses, in addition, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio-economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors, including with regard to fostering conditions for a safe, dignified life for people in the region and reducing forced displacement;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstrucbelieves that Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements positively contribute to progressive political and economic reforms as well as support the modernisation ~~and~~of infrastructure ~~modernis~~and the creation ~~in s~~of attriact ~~correlation with progressive political and economic reforms~~ive economic climates in countries concerned;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is~~Underlines the importance of dialogue and close cooperation between the EU and i~~ncreasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead,~~ts Member States with the southern Mediterranean countries, also with the objective that migratory flows are ordered and an effective fight is carried out against the groups that traffic with the lives and hopes of human beings; stresses the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation ~~in strict correlation with~~taking into account progressive political and economic reforms;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, ~~as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refuge~~more assistance should be provided to the MENA countries to deal with the influx of immigrants from sub-Sahara Africa and in this light welcomes, the~~re is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU~~ efforts made by the EU to tackle the root causes of migration but recalls that more efforts will be needed to be successful in this endeavour; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progress~~ive~~ on political and economic reforms;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that~~, as~~ the EU is strugglesing to come up with a renewed vision for ~~the management of~~an appropriate approach on managing migration and assist~~ance to~~ing refugees~~, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use mi~~; believes that such approach should be based on great~~ion containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead,~~er solidarity and equitable burden sharing between EU Member States; stresses the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU shcould provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;

Amendment 19 #

Boris ZALA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of ~~liberal~~democratic reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU ~~struggles to come up with~~is elaborating a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead,involving MENA region partners in the implementation of common solutions to tackle issues such as irregular migration, human trafficking and terrorism should be a top priority; stresses the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU ~~struggle~~fails to come up with a ~~renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees~~forward-looking, rights-based and people-centred vision for its migration and asylum policy, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU and to side-line human rights and democracy priorities therein; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;

Amendment 192 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, th~~ere is~~at reflects the objectives of the Member States, creating an increas~~ing~~ed risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU and Member States; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the management of migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; is concerned about the possible instrumentalisation of EU foreign policy as ‘migration management’, and emphasises that all attempts to work with MENA region countries, including countries of origin and transit, on migration must go hand in hand with improving human rights conditions within these countries and complying with international human rights and refugee law; stresses, instead, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reforms;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Reiterates that the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law are amongst the core principles of the EU's foreign policy as articulated in article 21 TEU; stresses that the promotion and protection of such rights and principles can never be or become secondary to economic national interests including arms trade; calls in this regard for an arms embargo on those countries in the Middle East engaged in military interventions, either outside their territories or against their own populations;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Is concerned about the ongoing sales from EU Member States of surveillance technologies used for internal repression by the governments of a number of Middle Eastern countries; reiterates its position as laid down in its report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering, technical assistance and transit of dual- use items as adopted on January 18th 2018; urges the EU Member States to treat give utmost importance to this file in trying to reach agreement in the Council;

Amendment 196 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out the risk that the EU’s action for the region and the approach pursued by Member States through bilateral relations may not be in harmony, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcomes, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in Council decision-making in foreign affairs, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leverageStresses the importance and the depth of the links between several Member States and many southern Mediterranean countries; highlights that the EU in its relations with the Mediterranean countries must take into account and strengthen the richness and depth of these links;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out the risk that the EU’s action for the region and the approach pursued by Member States through bilateral relations may not be in harmony, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcomStresses that EU action shall always be in harmony with Member States' actions; deplores, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in Council decision-making in foreign affairs~~, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leverage~~;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

- having regard to the Commission proposal (COM (2018) 460) for a Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out ~~the risk~~ that the EU’s action for the region and the approach pursued by Member States through bilateral relations ~~may not be in harmony, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcome~~can legitimately differ; condemns, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in Council decision-making in foreign affairs~~, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leverage~~;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out the risk that the EU’s action for the region and the approach pursued by Member States through bilateral relations may not be in harmony, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcomes, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in Council decision-making in foreign affairs, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leveragecalls on EU Member States to strengthen the coordination of their actions in the region, between them and with the EU;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out ~~the risk~~ that the EU’s action for the region ~~and the~~is undermined by uncoordinated and unilateral approaches pursued by Member States ~~through bilateral relations may not be in harmony~~, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcomes, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in Council decision-making in foreign affairs, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leverage;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out the risk that the EU’s action for the region and the approach pursued by Member States through bilateral relations may not be in harmony, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcomes, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in ~~Council~~ decision- making in ~~foreign affair~~certain Common Foreign and Security policy areas, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leverage; takes the view that the deeper involvement of Member States in the ENP as foreseen in the 2015 review of the ENP, although positive, should be better pursued; notes in this respect the need to include analysis of the policies of Member States in reports on the EU’s relations with the countries of the region;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Expresses concern at the continued export of arms and security equipment by Member States to authorities in the region which fail to respect human rights and international humanitarian law; urges Member States to strictly comply with the EU Common Position on Arms Exports, which among others states that export licences should be denied where there is a clear risk that the military technology or equipment to be exported might be used for internal repression or for the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law; calls on the VP/HR to provide to Parliament a detailed overview of the Member States' arms exports to the MENA region;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Regrets that the internal narrative in some EU Member States, as regards migration and refugee flows, is counterproductive to the objective of presenting the EU as a coherent and credible actor in the promotion of human rights in the MENA region;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Considers that the Partnership Priorities agreed between the EU and partner countries under the ENP should make explicit reference to the relevant association agreement, notably its human rights clause, ensuring that human rights constitute an essential and transversal aspect of the agreed Partnership Priorities, to be discussed at all levels, notably the highest political level, and not confined to low-level sub-committee meetings;

Amendment 209 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9 c. Believes that reforms of public administration and sector in the southern neighbourhood should be a priority, together with the fight against corruption, and should be pursued through increased financial resources, capacity building and closer cooperation with the Member States;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of ~~most of th~~some regimes and the introduction of ~~liberal~~ reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for closer involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; takes the view that the EU should make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership;deleted

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for closer and genuine involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; takes the view that the EU shouland human rights defenders in the elaboration, implementation and evaluation of Partnership Priorities and Single Support Frameworks with the partner countries and the bilateral dialogue with national and local authorities; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; emphasises the need to ensure the participation of genuinely independent civil society, including unregistered groups, as well as that of interlocutors located in remote and rural areas; takes the view that the EU should refrain from engaging through government-controlled agencies and make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs while avoiding government-organized NGOs (GONGOs); points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership; calls for direct financial support for independent civil society organizations to be clearly earmarked and secured in EU assistance programming;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for closer involvement of local civil society, including human rights defenders, in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; emphasises the need to ensure the participation of genuinely independent civil society, including unregistered human rights groups, and regrets that this is particularly hindered where dialogue and support passes through government- controlled agencies; takes the view that the EU should ~~mak~~facilitate access to available funds for smaller and local civil society organisations (CSOs) ~~easier,~~, including social partners, and streamline the application processes ~~and focus on local CSOs~~; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, as well as improving social partners’ capacity for social dialogue with the government, with a view to increasing local ownership;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Calls for~~Notes the potential for certain closer involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; takes the view that the EU should make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs after strict vetting procedures and recipient organisations fully underscore EU values and objectives; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for closer involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries, provided that it is genuinely civil society and not artificial associations financed from abroad, which completely undermines their pretension to represent civil society; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; takes the view that the EU should make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs, provided that they only engage in real voluntary activity and do not interfere in politics, a role which should be played by those who are formally engaged in the political life of their country; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for closer involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; emphasises the need to ensure the participation of genuinely independent civil society, including unregistered human rights groups and human rights defenders and regrets that this is particularly hindered where dialogue and support passes through government- controlled agencies; takes the view that the EU should make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership;

Amendment 216 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for more inclusiveness and a closer involvement of local civil society in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; takes the view that the EU should make access to available funds for smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) easier, streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, with a view to increasing local ownership;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Welcomes the European Endowment for Democracy’s consistent efforts to promote democracy and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in the southern neighbourhoods of the EU; recognises the risks faced by human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders who face specific risks and threats due to their gender, and calls on the EEAS and the Member States to pay special attention to them in the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders; underlines the need for strong EU coordination on engagement with MENA region country authorities regarding human rights defenders and civil society;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses that strengthening local authorities contributes to the spread of democracy and the principles of the rule of law; calls therefore for the process of decentralisation to be encouraged and for empowerment of the regions through the development of local autonomies; encourages and supports partnerships with EU Member States and decentralised cooperation projects carried out by local authorities of the Member States in order to develop municipal and regional governance in the countries of the region;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Highlights that for any political transformation to be fully sustainable it is important and needed to come to terms with ones past, and in this light points to the important work of the independent “Truth and Dignity” Commission of Tunisia;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring tofor democracy, freedom, the rule of law and a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of ~~most~~some of the regimes and the promised and partial introduction of liberal reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

~~11. Recalls the importance of securing adequate visibility for EU efforts and EU assistance and investment in the region;~~deleted

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

~~11. Recalls the importance of securing adequate visibility for EU efforts and EU assistance and investment in the region;~~deleted

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls the importance of securing adequate visibility for EU efforts and EU assistance and investment in the region; calls in particular for the reinstatement of the mandate of an EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean, which would spearhead EU engagement with the region and provide hightened EU visibility;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls the importance of securing adequate visibility for EU efforts and EU assistance and investment in the region, by means of enhanced strategic communication, public diplomacy, people- to-people contacts, cultural diplomacy, cooperation in educational and academic matters, and outreach activities to promote the Union's values;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Believes that with a view to increasing the EU’s capacity to make a political and policy impact and to promote ownership and widespread support by beneficiary countries, each EU Delegation should set up high-level advisory councils comprising economic, media, cultural, academic and civil society leaders from the country concerned and providing input as regards policy priorities and the policy architecture devised by the EU;deleted

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Believes that with a view to increasing the EU’s capacity to make a political and policy impact and to promote ownership and widespread support by beneficiary countries, each EU Delegation should set up high-level advisory councils reflecting the social, economic and political diversity of the country concerned, comprising economic, media, cultural, academic ~~and~~, civil society ~~leaders from the country concerned and~~and most prominent youth leaders, as well as social partners and leading human rights defenders providing input as regards policy priorities and the policy architecture devised by the EU;

Amendment 229 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Believes that with a view to increasing the EU’s capacity to make a political and policy impact and to promote ownership and widespread support by beneficiary countries, each EU Delegation should set up high-level advisory councils comprising economic, media, cultural, academic and civil society leaders from the country concerned, including those living in exile or abroad, and providing input as regards policy priorities and the policy architecture devised by the EU;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes and declining socio-economic conditions; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of ~~most~~some of the regimes and, in some cases, the introduction of ~~liberal~~democratic reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Is convinced that young people should be a pcri~~mary~~tical focus of the EU’s action towards the region, with an intersectional approach; calls for youth policies to be mainstreamed in all the Union’s policies in the MENA region; proposes that each EU Delegation set up youth advisory councils comprising young political, economic, media, cultural and CSO leaders with a view to providing input on policy priorities, the capacity of EU policies to make an impact in the country and introduce an additional element of accountability in relation to policy choices; calls on European political families to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, with a view to promoting their empowerment, training and capacity-building to enable them to stand in local elections and become new actors of change in their respective countriessupports increased youth policies in the MENA region;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Is convinced that young people should be a primary focus of the EU’s action towards the region, with an intersectional approach; calls for youth policies to be mainstreamed in all the Union’s policies in the MENA region; proposes that each EU Delegation set up youth advisory councils comprising young political, economic, media, cultural and CSO leaders with a view to providing input on policy priorities, the capacity of EU policies to make an impact in the country and introduce an additional element of accountability in relation to policy choices; calls on European political families to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, with a view to promoting their empowerment, training and capacity-building to enable them to stand in local elections andbelieves that it may be beneficial to consider a stronger emphasis on youth policies in the MENA region; including in the political, economic, media, cultural and CSO spheres and to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, as to seek to support their empowerment, in order to become new actors of positive change in their respective countries;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Is convinced that young people should be a primary focus of the EU’s action towards the region, with an intersectional approach; calls for youth policies to be mainstreamed in all the Union’s policies in the MENA region; proposes that each EU Delegation ~~set up~~offers its support to the respective national government with the launch of youth advisory councils comprising young political, economic, media, cultural and CSO leaders with a view to providing input on policy priorities, ~~the capacity of EU policies to make an impact in the country~~ and introduce an additional element of accountability in relation to policy choices; calls on European political families to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, with a view to promoting their empowerment, training and capacity- building to enable them to stand in local elections and become new actors of change in their respective countries;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Is convinced that young people should be a primary focus of the EU’s action towards the region, with an intersectional approach; calls for youth policies to be mainstreamed in all the Union’s policies in the MENA region; ~~proposes that each EU Delegation~~believes it is crucial to devise durable solutions appropriate to the scale of the youth employment challenge and underlines the relevance of promoting decent job, entrepreneurship and self- employment opportunities; proposes that each EU Delegation, alongside high-level advisory councils, sets up specific youth advisory councils comprising young political, social, economic, media, cultural and CSO leaders with a view to providing input on policy priorities, the capacity of EU policies to make an impact in the country and introduce an additional element of accountability in relation to policy choices; calls on European political families to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, with a view to promoting their empowerment, training and capacity- building to enable them to stand in local elections and become new actors of change in their respective countries;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Is convinced that young people should be a primary focus of the EU’s action towards the region, with an intersectional approach; calls for youth policies to be mainstreamed in all the Union’s policies in the MENA region; proposes that each EU Delegation set up youth advisory councils comprising young political, economic, media, cultural and CSO leaders with a view to providing input on policy priorities, the capacity of EU policies to make an impact in the country and introduce an additional element of accountability in relation to policy choices; calls on European ~~political familie~~actors to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, with a view to promoting their empowerment, training and capacity- building to enable them to stand in local elections and become new actors of change in their respective countries;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Believes that, in light of the socio- economic grievances that the Arab Spring revealed and that worsened since in most cases, EU’s action towards the region should put greater emphasis on policies and reforms aiming at strong universal social protection systems, sustainable socio-economic development and inclusion, with a specific focus on the most vulnerable groups; calls on the EU to invest more resources in reforms aiming at improving access to quality essential services for all such as education and healthcare, and to increase its effort in enhancing social dialogue as well as promoting legislative reforms for freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression, freedom of the press, fighting corruption and ensuring access to resources and information as key ingredients for stability and for an open, dynamic and resilient society;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Believes that inclusive economic and social development that promotes job creation and the employability of young people contributes to meeting the demands for social inclusion which are also at the root of the Arab Spring events; stresses the importance of promoting social inclusion, combating unemployment, especially among young graduates, and undertaking fundamental reforms to promote growth and employment, by introducing training better tailored to the labour market or reforms to labour rights; calls on all parties to preserve their spirit of cooperation in order to focus their actions on reforms for sustainable and inclusive economic and social development which will be beneficial to all;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Calls the Union to strongly support the countries of the MENA region in their fight against the danger of religious radicalism to which idle young people are particularly exposed;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13 b. Points out to the fact that opening the private sector and further differentiating economies can contribute to the much needed job creation in the area, particularly for youth and women; welcomes the positive signs of recovery for the tourism sector in the area, recognizes its great potential in fostering sustainable growth and job opportunities and calls for particular EU attention and support for the areas affected by infrastructural and/or security challenges; calls on the EU to enhance its support to the countries more willing to advance on democratization, rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, by using all the available financial tools at its disposal, from macro-financial assistance to the European Neighbourhood Instrument, to the European External Investment Fund, as well as to the upcoming NDICI;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13 c. Recalls the need to increasingly exploit the largely untapped potential for innovation and dynamism of the private sector in the region; encourages the EU to step up dialogue, financial and technical assistance in this sense; welcomes initiatives such as Startup Europe Mediterranean (SEMED) to map and establish a network between startups, investors, universities, research institutions and policymakers in the two shores of the Mediterranean, as a key action to stimulate cooperation on innovation, job creation and sustainable economic growth;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future, better economic prospects, increased social freedoms and higher participation in the political process; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberal reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)

13 d. Stresses the importance of linking all reforms and investments, as well as the EU action towards the area, to the achievement of the SDGs and to sustainable development in general;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)

13 e. Points out to the challenge of climate change, desertification and water shortage that is deeply affecting the region; strongly encourages policymakers as well as all actors in both the EU and the MENA region to step up their action to fight this phenomenon; highlights the opportunity for the region to move forward in its energy transition through increased exploitation of renewable energy sources, that hold great economic potential for many of the MENA countries; points out to the opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation this would bring about, as well as to the opportunities for regional cooperation on energy and climate change; stresses in this regard the opportunity that recent discoveries of natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean can constitute for all the countries involved;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls the added value of parliamentary diplomacy and of the regular bilateral interparliamentary meetings which Parliament holds with its counterparts from the Southern Neighbourhood as a tool for exchanging experiences and fostering mutual understanding; encourages the EU’s national parliaments to hold bilateral interparliamentary meetings within the framework of the ENP; underlines once more that political parties in the national parliaments and the European Parliament can play a role in this regard; takes the view that dialogue between the European Parliament, EU national parliaments and the parliaments of the Southern Neighbourhood could provide a very valuable opportunity to foster regional dialogue and cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood; ~~points, moreover, in this context, to~~notes with regret, however, that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean as(PA UfM) has yet to meet the expectations of being a venue where regional integration and an ambitious political and economic agenda for this organisation could be ~~re-~~ dynamised; expresses concern at the institutional duplication of the PA UfM and the Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean and believes that interparliamentary dialogue around the Mediterranean would gain in efficiency, visibility and purpose by merging both institutions; regrets also the side-lining of the PA UfM within the regional framework of the Union for the Mediterranean and calls for greater transparency and parliamentary oversight of UfM activities, notably the UfM labelled projects;

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls the added value of parliamentary diplomacy and of the regular bilateral interparliamentary meetings which Parliament holds with its counterparts from the Southern Neighbourhood as a tool for exchanging experiences and fostering mutual understanding; points out the importance of the Joint Parliamentary Committees in this context as a unique instrument to formulate ambitious joint policies between the EU and its closest partners; encourages the EU’s national parliaments to hold bilateral interparliamentary meetings within the framework of the ENP; underlines once more that political parties in the national parliaments and the European Parliament can play a role in this regard; takes the view that dialogue between the European Parliament, EU national parliaments and the parliaments of the Southern Neighbourhood could provide a very valuable opportunity to foster regional dialogue and cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood; points, moreover, in this context, to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean as a venue where regional integration and an ambitious political and economic agenda for this organisation could be re- dynamised;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

~~15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality and the right to non- discrimination of vulnerable groups are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action;~~deleted

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that women’s rights, ~~gender equality~~women's empowerment, gender equality, children’s rights and the right to non- discrimination of minorities and vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and LGBTQI people are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action; calls for the gender equality and women’s rights dimension of the ENP to be strengthened, in line with the GAP II priorities;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality and the right to non-discrimination of vulnerable groups are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action; observes that while some encouraging progress may be noted in these areas in some countries, notably Tunisia, the overall situation remains characterised by deep-rooted patriarchy, gender inequality and violence against women; notes also that women's rights defenders face arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, smear campaigns and intimidation;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality and the right to non-discrimination of vulnerable groups, in particular religious and ethnic minorities, are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality ~~and~~, the right to non- discrimination of vulnerable groups and freedom of religion or belief are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action;

Amendment 249 #

Brando BENIFEI, Ana GOMES, Hilde VAUTMANS, Soraya POST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality and the right to non-discrimination of vulnerable groups, including LGBTQI people, are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action;

Amendment 25 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes while at the same time they were by no means unified or synonymous and had arisen under different circumstances; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future while also seeking different types of reforms in the various countries; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberal reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 250 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 251 #

Brando BENIFEI, Ana GOMES, Soraya POST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Calls on the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States to actively and consistently defend the indivisibility of human rights, including LGBTQI rights, within their cooperation with MENA states, and to emphasize that these rights need to be upheld through State practice as well as legislation; to support local LGBTQI activists and rights defenders' work according to the priorities they set and through the means they recommend, including through providing adequate protection when they are at risk; and to increase efforts to defend civil society and the associated rights (expression, association, assembly, privacy...) necessary for the survival of all human rights defenders and CSOs, and their ability to fight for their rights and network with each other;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Is disappointed that the situation of women has not improved in most countries affected by the Arab Spring in spite of their large-scale support for the revolutions; underlines that women’s commitment and empowerment in the public, political, economic and cultural spheres of the countries in the region are vital if long-term stability, peace and economic prosperity are to be achieved; considers that women’s access to education, supported by civil society organisations, is essential in order to accomplish this; emphasises that women can be powerful drivers of change, able to draw up and implement effective strategies for climate adaptation, conflict resolution, anti-radicalisation and reducing the impact of these;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Welcomes the upward progression of women in political participation and education, as well as the recent reforms approved in some of the countries on matters such as the rape-marriage exoneration, violence against women and heritage rights; calls for strong enforcement of such laws; is concerned, however, that female participation in the labour market in the region is one of the lowest in the world, causing social exclusion and a substantial loss for the economy as a whole; points out to the importance of addressing this issue as a fundamental component of sustainable economic growth and social cohesion;

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Denounces the widespread and systematic persecution against LGBTI persons and LGBTI rights defenders across the MENA region, including judicial harassment, physical attacks and smear campaigns; calls on the EU and Member States to enhance their support to LGBTI defenders and to engage effectively with the national authorities on the matter;

Amendment 255 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15 b. Believes that the EU should develop a more comprehensive approach to assistance on education reform in partner countries and devote relevant resources and programmes to lower education, including pre-school, to ensure the development of competencies, skills, including digital skills, adequate vocational and educational training and entrepreneurship education programmes, critical thinking and social awareness among society at large and from a very young age; stresses the importance of providing quality education as a means to empower young people and strengthen social cohesion;

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)

15 c. Recalls its support for the funding of academic and vocational training programmes to create wide reserves of professional skills in the MENA countries, as well as for actions such as the Erasmus+ VET Mobility Charter, that should be extended as far as possible to all MENA countries, by means of flexible and evolving tools such as mobility partnerships;

Amendment 257 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls once again on the Commission to act on Parliament’s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro-Mediterranean Erasmus programme separate from Erasmus+, with dedicated funds and an ambitious dimension in terms of scope and available resources; calls for the Commission and Parliament to increase the scope and participation of their European Union Visitors programme and to facilitate the participation of young people and of women political leaders;deleted

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls once again on the Commission to act on Parliament’s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro-Mediterranean Erasmus programme ~~separate from Erasmus+~~, with dedicated funds and an ambitious dimension in terms of scope and available resources; calls for the Commission and Parliament to increase the scope and participation of their European Union Visitors programme and to facilitate the participation of young people and of women political leaders;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future, recognition of their dignity, greater respect for democratic principles and the rule of law, and better social inclusion; whereas the overthrow of most of the regimes and the introduction of liberal reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls once again on the Commission to act on Parliament’s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro-Mediterranean Erasmus programme ~~separate from~~under Erasmus+, with dedicated funds and an ambitious dimension in terms of scope and with a focus not only on primary, secondary and higher education cycles, but also on learning, and available resources; calls for the Commission and Parliament to increase the scope and participation of their European Union Visitors programme and to facilitate the participation of young people and of women political leaders;

Amendment 261 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls once again on the Commission to act on Parliament’s proposal for the creation of an ambitious Euro-Mediterranean Erasmus programme separate from Erasmus+, with dedicated funds and an ambitious dimension in terms of scope and available resources; reiterates that investing in youth will provide a solid basis for the long-term stabilazation of the region; calls for the Commission and Parliament to increase the scope and participation of their European Union Visitors programme and to facilitate the participation of young people and of women political leaders;

Amendment 263 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Strongly condemns, once again, all atrocities and the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the conflict, and in particular the perpetrations committed by forces of the Assad regime including with the support of its allies Russia and Iran, as well as by the UN-listed terrorist organisations; deeply regrets the failure of repeated regional and international attempts to end the war, and urges renewed and intensive global cooperation to achieve a peaceful, sustainable solution to the conflict; stresses that there should not be any tolerance and impunity for the horrific crimes committed in Syria; reiterates its call for independent, impartial, thorough and credible investigations and prosecutions of those responsible and supports the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on international crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2012(IIIM); calls, furthermore, for support for civil society organisations and NGOs, which are collecting and help preserving evidence of human rights abuses and humanitarian law violations;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Regrets that since the 2015 ENP revision only one report, of 18 May 2017 on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Review, has assessed developments in the neighbourhood at a regional level, despite the commitment contained in the 2015 Communication on the ENP review to produce regular reports at neighbourhood level, in addition to country-specific reporting, including information on fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, gender equality and human rights issues; calls for country-level and regional reports to include adequate outcome analyses and human rights impact assessments of EU and Member State policies;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Maintains that, eight years after the events of the Arab Spring, the issue of combating climate change has become more important and crucial for the future of our relations with the Maghreb and Mashreq countries; calls, therefore, for the EU to step up its cooperation with partner countries on energy security, promoting renewable energy, sustainable energy and energy efficiency targets, in order to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas in oil-importing countries in particular the global financial crisis, the decline in oil prices, demographic trends, conflict and terrorism have further aggravated the situation after the 2011 events; whereas the economic model characterizing such countries is no longer viable, resulting in a crisis of trust that needs to be urgently addressed by the concerned governments, with a view to establishing a new social contract with their respective citizens; whereas the increasing social impact of the decline in state subsidies, public sector jobs and public services, the spread of poverty and environmental problems, especially in remote areas and among marginalised communities, have been a source of continuing unrest and spontaneous protests in the region, which are likely to continue growing in the years ahead;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas 8 years later, human rights continue to be attacked by the governments of the region; whereas some of the dictatorial governments remain and new governments with these characteristics have been established; whereas those who demand a more just and open society are being repressed; whereas human rights defenders and political opponents are being imprisoned under the umbrella of the fight against terrorism that is also used to justify the lack of progress in the 2011demands; whereas few perpetrators of the violence, murders and torture that took place before and after the 2011 protests, have been brought to justice; whereas the lack of opportunities and in some cases the vacuum of power, is being exploited by radical jihadist groups such as the Islamic State;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas various cases of democratization in the Middle East in recent years have resulted in devastating consequences for the region which have included militant Islamist groups taking power, civil war and in some cases, state failure; the respective cases of Algeria, Libya, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza Strip remain deeply unstable and undemocratic;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

— having regard to the jJoint ~~consultation paper~~Communication from the Commission of 18 November 2015 entitled ‘Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy’ (JOIN(2015)0006), and on the joint report from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 418 Ma~~rch~~y 201~~5 entitled ‘Towards a new~~7 on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy’ Review (JOIN(20157)000618),

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

A b. whereas the region holds some of the worst records of freedom of expression in the world and any progress made since 2011 revolutions remains fragile as new forms of control and repression have appeared; whereas freedom of speech and freedom of association are still restricted through legislation, fines and arrests with not only journalists, but also media outlets being under existential threat;

Amendment 31 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

A b. whereas the majority of the population in the MENA region is under 35; whereas youth unemployment in the region is still among the highest in the world; whereas this causes social exclusion, political disenfranchisement as well as brain drain towards other countries; whereas young people in vulnerable settings can constitute targeted groups for radical movements;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

A c. whereas human rights defenders are suffering a wave of arrests and convictions in an escalating attack on the right to free expression; whereas authorities across the region are leveraging accusations of spreading misinformation and are imposing harsh prison sentences based on online postings; whereas activists and HRDs are at risk, due to vague laws that are favouring the governments and facilitate the silencing of dissent and imprisonment of activists;

Amendment 33 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)

A d. whereas widespread discrimination against women still exists across the region; whereas women's rights are regressing in the region and women activists are suffering repression and threats;

Amendment 34 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)

A e. whereas according to UNICEF, the first threat affecting children living in MENA conflict areas is child labour; whereas 2.1. million children in Syria and 700.000 Syrian refugee children do not have access to education; whereas continuing violence and external displacement, natural disasters, growing economic and gender inequality, and high rates of youth unemployment and poverty in several MENA countries have left 28 million children in need of humanitarian assistance;

Amendment 35 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)

A f. whereas there are numerous armed conflicts and thousands of people have been murdered and disappeared and millions displaced; whereas ISIS/Da’esh and other jihadist groups have committed atrocities, including brutal executions and unspeakable sexual violence, abductions, torture, forced conversions and the enslavement of women and girls; whereas children have been recruited and used in terrorist attacks; whereas there are serious concerns about the welfare of the population currently under the control of ISIS/Da’esh and their possible use as human shields during the liberation campaign; whereas these crimes may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectivestaking into account the highly differentiated political developments in the countries of the region, it is necessary to take stock and carry out a complete evaluation of the EU’s strategy towards the region in order to set objectives and a framework for action commensurate with the diversity of the situations in the countries in the region;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, ~~it is~~many states remain in a state of perpetual political and economic turmoil, despite this it is still essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU and Member States in response to the Arab Spring and ~~to assess its~~determine a clear and responsible objective towards engagement with the MENA region and to assess their collective capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to rea~~ssess~~lign the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives to better reflect the will of Member States and a series of clear and attainable objectives in the MENA region that reflect the realities on the ground;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse ~~evolutionary~~ paths in terms of politics and stability, it is essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess and adapt the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries ~~and~~, its future objectives and the means to achieve them;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region, as well as the urgent need for security, jobs, rule of law and improvement in living conditions; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

- having regard to the partnership priorities concluded between the European Union and a variety of countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives, while paying close attention to the heterogeneity in the region;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations of certain groups in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives;

Amendment 42 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic and stability aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, eight years after the Arab Spring and political developments which have led countries in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions to follow many diverse evolutionary paths in terms of politics and stability, it is still essential to assess how to respond to the legitimate democratic aspirations in the region; whereas it is important to take stock of the efforts and policy stance adopted by the EU in response to the Arab Spring and to assess its capacity for policy delivery; whereas it is essential to reassess the policy framework of the EU towards Southern Neighbourhood countries and its future objectives;

Amendment 44 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the weapons and surveillance equipment sold by European companies are contributing to feed and prolong the armed conflicts, the commission of war crimes and social repression in the region; whereas the EU is financing and delivering arms to rebel groups and militias that are repressing civil society;

Amendment 45 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

B b. whereas the region suffers from a deep social and economic crisis that was the root of the 2011 protests and which is again generating protests in some countries; whereas the countries of the region have the highest unemployment rates in the world;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

B c. whereas the austerity policies promoted by the IMF are maintained; whereas the economic cuts, the increase in taxes and prices of basic products, were already one of the causes of the 2011 protests and are causing new protests;

Amendment 47 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)

B d. whereas fear of the rise of political Islamism, control of migration, the fight against terrorism and energy security should not justify violations of the rule of law and human rights in the region;

Amendment 48 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)

B e. whereas conflict in Syria and Libya has led to a growth in the numbers of refugees in neighbouring countries such as Tunisia Egypt and Jordan; whereas migrants and refugees are facing serious abuses; whereas many of them are victims of sexual abuse, torture, aggression and exploitation along migratory routes and in countries such as Libya, Egypt and Morocco; whereas the EU is signing migratory agreements with these countries despite their violations of human rights;

Amendment 49 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; ~~whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives;~~ whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

- having regard to the 2018 NATO Summit Declaration,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the ~~capacity of Member States to exert a~~political stability and economic and social prositive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectivesperity of the MENA countries are of strategic importance for the Union and therefore require a long-term approach and a determined policy to exert a positive influence on ongoing developments; whereas European action is too often uneven and fragmented and its overall coherence is undermined by insufficient coordination between the Member States and the European Union;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; whereas ~~individual~~the EU Member States’ a~~ction in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage~~bsolutely must preserve their national independence in foreign policy; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; whereas ~~individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage~~the EU's efforts need to be carried out in synergy with individual Member States’ action in the region; whereas the EU needs to increase its political, economic and security interests are maintained; whereas long- term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU and Member States, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; whereas ~~individual Member States’~~the EU's action in the region needs to be in synergy with the ~~EU’s~~Member States' objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by ~~fragmentation~~contradicting approaches; whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability as well as resilience in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term, integrated approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the Union’s external policies must be consistent with each other and with other policies with an external dimension; whereas the Union must pursue the objectives set out in Articles 8 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation and uncoordinated initiatives that have sometimes been more harmful than useful; whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be coordinated and in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage and be more diplomatically active; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term and forward-looking approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives, in line with the needs of citizens in partner countries and the EU strategic interests;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentation; whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political and diplomatic leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the policy of the EU towards the North African and Middle Eastern countries has two main objectives: encourage political and economic reforms in each individual country in due respect for its specific features, and encourage regional cooperation among the countries of the region themselves and with the EU;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the MENA region is hit by armed conflicts and crisis that highly compromise its stability and its development;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

- having regard to NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue and ongoing crisis management and cooperative security efforts in the region,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU ~~should play a central role in promoting conflict resolution and both democratic and economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq region~~and Member States who maintain strong political, historical, economic and cultural ties with the region may possibly play a bigger role in promoting conflict resolution and both democratic and economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions in cooperation with the United States and Canada with the objective of ensuring stable, moderate, partner nations capable of an uncompromised balance between executive, legislative and judicial authorities;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU should play a central role in promoting conflict pre~~solution and both~~vention, mediation and resolution as well as effective democratic and economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU should play a central role in promoting conflict ~~resolution~~prevention and resolution, protection and promotion of human rights, rule of law, and civil society space and both democratic and fair economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; whereas an open civil society and the work of human rights defenders as actors for social change are fundamental to the long term resilience and prosperity of the region;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU should play a central role in promoting conflict resolution and both democratic and economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; whereas some Member States have contributed to the catastrophic destabilisation of certain countries in the region, whether by military means (Libya) or by political means (Syria);

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU should play a central role in promoting conflict resolution and ~~both~~ democratic, social and economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas human rights defenders and civil society in significant parts of the MENA region have faced increasing systematic persecution, threats, attacks, reprisals, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment; whereas the European Union and Member States must significantly step up their efforts in order to adequately respond to the trend;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas political Islam could confiscate the ideals of the Arab Spring and is putting a tremendous pressure on States and societies in the MENA region attempting to create religious interferences in the functioning of public institutions as well as vis-à-vis societal and cultural habits;

Amendment 67 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas in response to ~~a request by the European Council in December 2013, the VP/HR launched a major strategic reflection process on the strategic policy framework for the EU’s Neighbourhood Policy~~the developments in the region, the EU revised its Neighbourhood Policy in 2015; whereas the Review foresees a deeper involvement of Member States in the ENP;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas despite some reforms some MENA region countries’ authorities have intensified their crackdown on civil society, with continuous and widespread cases of politically-motivated prosecution, arbitrary detention and harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and political opposition activists;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas state and societal resilience are among the key priorities of the EU Global Strategy; whereas it recognizes that a resilient society featuring democracy, trust in institutions, and sustainable development lies at the heart of a resilient state, while repressive states are inherently fragile in the long term;

Amendment 7 #

Brando BENIFEI, Ana GOMES, Hilde VAUTMANS, Soraya POST

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

- having regard to the EU Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, adopted by the Council in 2013,

Amendment 70 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas the Franco- Swiss company LafargeHolcim is indicted for complicity in crimes against humanity and financing of a terrorist enterprise, among other charges relating to its contacts with Daesh in Syria;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

E b. whereas companies based in several EU Member States have continued to export surveillance technology to some MENA countries facilitating hacking and malware as well as other forms of attacks on human rights defenders and civil society activists on social media; whereas this activity has led to the repression of freedom of expression online;

Amendment 72 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

E b. whereas, for those countries with which the EU has signed association agreements, the legally binding commitments of these agreements, including on human rights, should form a basis for relations and, notably, the Partnership Priorities agreed between the EU and certain neighbourhood countries;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)

E c. whereas any detention that results from the exercise of the rights or freedoms guaranteed in international law, such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, is an arbitrary detention that is prohibited under international law;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes ~~with concern~~ that, eight years after the upheavals~~, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persist~~ in the MENA region, the picture remains mixed with, on one hand, some positive developments and ~~continuing viol~~the consolidations of ~~human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cas~~democratic gains and, on the other, the persistence of significant obstacles in the majority of the countries; is worried about the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the first upheavals, ~~most of the expectat~~the legitimate aspirations of dignity, human rights and social and political reform of the people of the regions have in most countries still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms ~~in several cases~~, the widespread discrimination against minorities and the repressive response to demands of self-determination; is worried about the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale; deplores the persistent levels of corruption, nepotism and unaccountability of many ruling elites of the region;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, ~~most of the~~people's expectations ~~have still no~~for progressive political, social and economic reforms have in most cases not yet been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the dire socio-economic situation in the region, ~~which continues to be dire~~ and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale, especially among young people, pushing them towards radicalisation and creating tense societies;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the ~~expectations have~~legitimate aspirations of the people of the region for progressive political, social and economic reforms have in most cases still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations of the peaceful protesters calling for democracy, human rights and the rule of law have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the continued dire socio- economic situation in the region, ~~which continues to be dire~~ and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale and may lead to increased susceptibility for extremist thought;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the ~~upheaval~~protests, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases as well as terrorism against security forces and innocent civilians in certain instances; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale often leading to mass migration movements, radicalisation and instability which results in devastating political, economic and social consequences for the EU and Member States;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

- having regard to the set of EU thematic guidelines on human rights, including on Human Rights Dialogues with third countries and on Human Rights Defenders,

Amendment 80 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in s~~everal cas~~ome countries; is worried about the security situation, as well as the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;

Amendment 81 #

Brando BENIFEI, Ana GOMES, Soraya POST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale; is worried about the shrinking and closing of space for civil society, the rollback of gains in freedom of expression, assembly and association, and the repression of human rights defenders after 2011 in several MENA states;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases, and attacks on the rights of minorities and LGBTI people; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;

Amendment 83 #

Brando BENIFEI, Ana GOMES, Soraya POST, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases, and attacks on the rights of minorities and LGBTI people; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment, particularly among women and qualified young people, and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Notes with particular concern that civil society and human rights defenders across the MENA region face increasing threats, reprisals, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, torture and ill- treatment and other forms of persecution; emphasises the need for the EU and Member States to prioritise and step up their support to civil society and human rights defenders whose work is indispensable for the long-term stability and security of these countries; stresses in this context, the critical importance for EU and Member States officials to act on individual cases, including through public statements, demarches and trial observation, as well as to enhance assistance to human rights defenders at risk, including through direct meetings and emergency support;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Expresses concern about the phenomena of terrorism and radicalisation leading to violent extremism, which continues to pose a significant threat to states and societies in the Middle East and North Africa and in the EU; calls the EU to assist its partners in addressing the root causes of radicalisation such as poverty, unemployment and social exclusion, through an enhanced cooperation with the MENA region which puts people, especially youngsters, at its heart; calls on the EU to support youth’s access to entrepreneurship, for example encouraging and supporting investments in start-ups;

Amendment 87 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Notes with concern that the region remains home to terrorist organisations such as ISIS and al-Qai'da, which exploited and exacerbated the Arab Spring, resulting in their ability to thrive on the instability and export of violent jihadi ideology throughout the region and around the globe;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Supports the aspirations of the majority of MENA region people who want to establish free, stable, prosperous, inclusive, and democratic countries which respect their national and international commitments on human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 89 #

Stelios KOULOGLOU, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Condemns the economic, social and political interference implemented in third countries through the Structural Adjustment Plans of the IMF; stresses that these policies have led to economic, social, political and humanitarian crises;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

- having regard to the Global Compact on Migration,

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Is concerned about ongoing human rights violations, the shrinking space for democracy and civil society, the curtailing of the rule of law as well as military interventions in a number of Middle Eastern countries;

Amendment 91 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Patricia LALONDE, Urmas PAET, Marietje SCHAAKE, Mirja VEHKAPERÄ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Notes with concern the particular role and responsibility of the military and the security services in the deterioration of the political trajectory of several countries in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and their persistent and dominating control over State and economic resources; calls on the EU and Member States to adequately incorporate this fundamental dimension within their engagement with the MENA region; urges the EU to prioritise the support of parliamentary and civil society efforts towards greater accountability and transparency of the security and military services;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Reminds the MENA region authorities that their long-term prosperity goes hand in hand with the protection of universal human rights and the establishment and anchorage of democratic and transparent institutions that are engaged in protecting citizens’ fundamental rights; condemns the extended use of security arguments in some MENA region countries to repress freedom of expression both online and offline and supress the role of the media in promoting well-informed citizens;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1 c. Notes with serious concern the increasing recourse by the governments in the MENA region to repressive counter- terrorism and cybersecurity legislation as a means to stifle dissent and to criminalise and persecute human rights defenders; calls on the EU and Member States to engage with national authorities to end such practices and to repeal repressive legislation, and to ensure that exports of European surveillance technology and technical assistance strictly comply with EU legislation and are not complicit in human rights violations;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes ~~the EU’s~~ efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; takes the view, however, that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been achieved;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Welcomes the EU’s efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; t~~Takes the view~~, however,~~ that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been achieved;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Welcomes the EU’s efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; t~~Takes the view, ~~however,~~ that, despite a fifteen-year EU policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the failure to work along with the contrasts of the actors involved in the region has led to the EU’s goals and policies ~~have~~ not yet beening achieved;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the EU’s and Member States' efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in post-Arab Spring countries, and acknowledges the complexity of such a task; takes the view, however, that, despite a fifteen-year policy focus on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, renewed policy efforts and increased budgetary resources in the wake of the Arab Spring, the EU’s goals and policies have not yet been achieved given a plurality of unrealistic policies and policy expectations; stresses that policies should take into account the realities on the ground;

Amendment 99 #