2021/2246(INI) Report on the 2021 Commission Report on Kosovo
Next event: Vote scheduled in committee 2022/06/14
Lead committee dossier:
Next event: Vote scheduled in committee 2022/06/14
Progress: Awaiting committee decision
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | AFET |
VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL Viola ( Verts/ALE)
|
MANDL Lukas ( EPP),
SCHIEDER Andreas ( S&D),
KYUCHYUK Ilhan ( Renew),
RIVIÈRE Jérôme ( ID),
DZHAMBAZKI Angel ( ECR),
PINEDA Manu ( GUE/NGL)
|
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54
Legal Basis:
RoP 54Subjects
Events
2022/06/14
Vote scheduled in committee
2022/04/05
EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2021/12/16
EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2021/11/08
EP - VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL Viola (Verts/ALE) appointed as rapporteur in AFET
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 306 |
2021/2246(INI)
2022/04/29
AFET
306 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 1 — having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo*, of the other part, which entered into force on 1 April 20161 ,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 20 — having regard to its previous resolutions on the
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Recalls that five Member States do not recognise Kosovo’s self-proclaimed independence and calls for this position to be respected and taken into account in the Commission’s and the EEAS’s policy on Kosovo;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the adoption of the resolution of the Assembly of Kosovo strongly condemning the military aggression and the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and commends Kosovo for its alignment with the EU by adopting sanctions against Russia; welcomes Kosovo's readiness to host Ukrainian refugees and the adoption of measures to support them; welcomes the implementation of the "Journalists in Residence" programme that enables Ukrainian journalists to live and work in Kosovo;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the adoption of the resolution of the Assembly of Kosovo strongly condemning the military aggression and the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and commends Kosovo for its alignment with the EU by adopting sanctions against Russia, allocating humanitarian aid to Ukraine and for its willingness to host refugees by temporarily lifting visas for Ukraine citizens, including a specific programme for journalists from Ukraine to work remotely in Kosovo;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Welcomes the adoption of the resolution of the Assembly of Kosovo strongly condemning the military aggression and the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and commends Kosovo for its alignment with the EU by adopting sanctions against Russia and adopting measures to support refugees;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the increased efforts to fight corruption and the progress in adapting the legal framework on the rule of law; commends Kosovo for having moved up 17 places on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021; encourages Kosovo to continue improving its track record in the fight against high-level corruption and organised crime; calls on the Kosovar authorities to continue strengthening the investigation and prosecution of organised crime cases including cases of trafficking in human beings and drug trafficking;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the increased efforts to fight corruption; commends Kosovo for having moved up 17 places on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021; encourages Kosovo to continue improving its track record in the fight against high-level corruption and organised crime
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 20 — having regard to its previous resolutions on
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Welcomes the increased efforts to fight corruption, including by the adoption of the Rule of Law Strategy and underlines that implementation is key; commends Kosovo for having moved up 17 places on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021; encourages Kosovo to continue improving its track record in the fight against high- level corruption and organised crime and to be more active in the fight against money laundering;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Recalls that according to a report by KFOR, the NATO force in Kosovo, former President Hashim Thaçi is one of the three most important figures of organised crime in Kosovo, involved in the trafficking of human beings, arms and narcotics in 1990 to keep financing the war;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 2 a (new) Calls on increased transparency and stricter parliamentary scrutiny of the funds allocated to the various programmes in Kosovo; expresses particular concern about the funds earmarked for democracy and governance, as well as those allocated for the rule of law and fundamental rights, especially in view of the limited progress made in these areas and the high rates of corruption;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Calls for greater coordination and exchange of information between the relevant security services and agencies of the Republic of Kosovo and the EU with a view to identifying persons who have fought for ISIS;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 b (new) 10b. Commends Kosovo’s efforts in fighting terrorism and violent extremism; calls for active regional cooperation in countering potential terrorist activities and disrupting financial flows destined for terrorist financing; urges Kosovo to address online radicalisation and external extremist influences and calls on the Commission and the Member States to assist Kosovo in this important endeavour;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 e (new) 16e. Welcomes Kosovo’s continued efforts to repatriate and integrate foreign fighters; encourages Kosovo to adopt a new Strategy for the Prevention of Violent Extremism and Radicalism Leading to Terrorism, bearing in mind that the implementation of the previous strategy faced a lack of institutional coordination and of financial tools;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11.
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11.
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Is concerned that the judiciary continues to be inefficient and vulnerable to political interference; welcomes, in this respect, the proposals for the reform of the prosecutorial system and underlines that the opinion of the Venice Commission should be fully taken into account in their implementation, highlighting that it is of utmost importance to ensure irreversible political independence and integrity of the judiciary;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Is concerned that the judiciary continues to be inefficient and vulnerable to political interference; stresses the importance of improving the accountability and transparency of Kosovo’s judicial system; welcomes, in this respect, the proposals for the reform of the prosecutorial system and underlines that the opinion of the Venice Commission should be fully taken into account in their implementation;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 22 Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Encourages Kosovo to step up efforts to strengthen in general the independence of the judiciary, increase the capacity of law enforcement agencies, enforce assets declaration and confiscation of criminal assets; notes in this context the proposal for a new agency on civil confiscation of assets and reiterates the need to fully take into account the Venice Commission opinion before proceeding with the legislation;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Takes note of the government’s plans for the vetting of judges and prosecutors, and
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Takes note of the Venice Commission’s opinion on the government’s plans for the vetting of judges and prosecutors
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Takes note of the
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Takes note of the government’s plans for the vetting of judges and prosecutors, and underlines the importance of the Venice Commission’s opinion; stresses that vetting should be used as a last resort and insists that the EU and the US reservations
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Takes note of the government’s plans for the vetting of judges and prosecutors, and underlines the importance of the Venice Commission’s opinion; stresses that vetting should be used as a last resort and insists that the EU and the US reservations should not be disregarded; welcomes the cooperation of Kosovo authorities with the EU to find solutions within European standards that make Kosovo’s judiciary more efficient, independent and accountable;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Regrets that despite the EU’s repeated calls to ensure a fair, transparent and merit-based selection of the Chief State Prosecutor, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council has concluded the selection process disregarding these principles;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes the efforts to de- politicise and professionalise Kosovo’s civil service and public administration, and calls on Kosovo to step up its reforms of the public administration and public finances; however also notes the low level of implementation of the multitude of expert proposals delivered by the countless senior law-enforcement experts provided by the Member States and partner nations, within the longstanding rule of law mission EULEX, that has been operational since 2009;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Welcomes the efforts to de- politicise and professionalise Kosovo’s civil service and public administration, and calls on Kosovo to step up its reforms of the public administration and public finances in a progressive and proportionate manner; reiterates the importance of a sound, depoliticised and citizen-oriented public administration appointed through a competitive, merit- based, transparent and fair process;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Welcomes the adoption of the Rule of Law Strategy and Action Plan for 2021-2026 and urges the authorities to implement it through a regular, structured and unified process;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 —
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 b (new) 13b. Welcomes the progress on the establishment of the National Centralised Criminal Records Registry (NCCR), supported by the EU, and calls on Kosovo to address the remaining challenges;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Welcomes the long-overdue adoption of the laws on Political Party Financing and Disclosure of Assets by the Assembly of Kosovo and calls for their rigorous implementation;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Deplores the practice of continuous boycotts of the Presidency of the Assembly of Kosovo by Srpska Lista representatives and the high absenteeism of deputies in the Assembly sessions, leading to blockages of some agenda points; welcomes the first-reading adoption of the new Regulation of the Assembly introducing financial sanctions against parliamentarians who do not justify their absence and calls for its speedy final adoption and implementation;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Commends Kosovo’s
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Commends Kosovo’s vibrant and constructive civil society for its work and engagement; encourages the
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Commends Kosovo’s vibrant and constructive civil society for its work and engagement; encourages the government to establish cooperative working relations with them, based on mutual trust, while respecting their independence, and to ensure their meaningful involvement in the respective reform projects, in particular for key legislation;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16.
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Urges the
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Urges the government to
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Urges
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 a (new) — having regard to the fact that the hostilities in the Western Balkan are not over and that there is no stable peace established, merely a standstill in hostilities,
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Urges the government to implement the ruling of the Constitutional Court granting parcels of land to the Visoki Dečani Monastery; is concerned that the authorities have still not implemented this court decision, thereby undermining the government’s commitment to enforcing the rule of law and its respect for an independent judiciary; underlines the importance of implementing all Constitutional Court decisions and to apply a non-selective approach to the concept of rule of law;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Urges the government to implement the ruling of the Constitutional Court granting parcels of land to the Visoki Dečani Monastery; is concerned that the authorities have still not implemented this court decision, thereby undermining the government’s commitment to enforcing the rule of law and its respect for an independent judiciary as well as the international reputation of the Country;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Urges the government to implement the 2016 ruling of the Constitutional Court granting parcels of land to the Visoki Dečani Monastery; is concerned that the authorities have still not implemented this court decision, thereby undermining the government’s commitment to enforcing the rule of law and its respect for an independent judiciary;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 2 a (new) Instructs the EU Commission to end the mandate of the EU EULEX Mission during 2022.
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 b (new) 16b. Welcomes the prolongation of the mandate of the EULEX mission and the cooperation shown by Kosovo authorities, as well as the recent deployment of a temporary unit to strengthen capacities of the EULEX Formed Police Unit (FPU); encourages Kosovo to continue its cooperation with EULEX and with the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, as an important demonstration of its commitment to the rule of law;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 d (new) 31d. Commends the work of the European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) that has been assisting Kosovo authorities in establishing sustainable and independent rule of law institutions;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Welcomes the conclusion of a Working Arrangement between the Kosovo Police and Europol in July 2020, which will constitute the basis for enhanced cooperation between Kosovo Police, Europol and EU Member States in fighting terrorism and extremism as well as organised crime, and calls on Kosovar authorities to make full use of this potential;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 c (new) 16c. Commends the agreement with Europol for secure exchange of information as a step towards further cooperation between the Kosovo Police and Europol;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 d (new) 16d. Underlines in this context that Interpol is an important instrument in the fight against organised crime; regrets that Kosovo is not yet a member of Interpol, despite its multiple attempts to become one; calls for Kosovo’s inclusion in Interpol and on EU Member States to proactively support Kosovo's bid to join this organisation;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Urges the Commission to implement the
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 b (new) — having regard to the fact that no comprehensive transitional justice process was implemented in Kosovo in order to come to terms with the conflict and as such most if not all underlying issues leading to the conflict remains unsolved today,
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Calls upon the EU and the Western Balkan countries to establish a framework for a fruitful cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the Western Balkan countries, in order to ensure that the EPPO can effectively exert its competences in the area of EU funds, in particular in the area of IPA III funds in the Western Balkan countries;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 b (new) 17b. Calls on the European Commission to link funding more closely to progress on the rule of law, to increase support to civil-society organisations and independent media;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Notes that Kosovo
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Notes that Kosovo’s legal and institutional framework broadly guarantees the protection of human, minority and fundamental rights; expresses concern about the underrepresentation of women and minority groups in political campaigns, state positions and public administration;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Notes that Kosovo’s legal and institutional framework broadly guarantees the protection of human, minority and fundamental rights, but that implementation is key;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on Kosovo to increase efforts to better integrate children with disabilities into educational institutions; stresses that more effort is required to provide children with disabilities access to quality education;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Regrets the Kosovo Assembly’s failure to adopt the draft Civil Code, which would bring much-needed progress for Kosovo citizens and would have a positive impact on the economic development of Kosovo; urges Kosovo government to bring back the bill to the Assembly and calls on all the Kosovo political forces to act constructively supporting eventually the positive outcome of the legislative process;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Regrets the Kosovo Assembly’s failure to adopt the draft Civil Code, which would bring much-needed progress for Kosovo citizens, in particular in improving the conditions of the most vulnerable parts of Kosovo society, especially women and children, as well as LGBTI+ persons, and would have a positive impact on the economic development of Kosovo;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Regrets the Kosovo Assembly’s failure to adopt the draft Civil Code, at the first reading, and calls for its adoption once the Civil Code is again submitted to the plenary, which would bring much- needed progress for Kosovo citizens and would have a positive impact on the economic development of Kosovo;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 c (new) — having regard to the fact that the EU Member States of Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Romania, and Greece have not recognised the Republic of Kosovo,
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Condemns in this context all derogatory, discriminating, and degrading speech against the LGBTI+ community, single parents and others, including by some high-level politicians; calls on the competent authorities to continue working on the Civil Code, fully in line with the constitution and ensuring its swift adoption; calls in this regard for more public engagement of the Kosovar leadership promoting fundamental human rights for all Kosovar citizens, including LGBTI+ people; expresses its support for the inclusion of same-sex partnerships into the legislation, in line with the Kosovar constitutions;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Regrets the rejection of Kosovo's parliament of the Civil Code reform that would have, inter-alia, allowed same-sex couples to form civil partnership; is concerned that while legislation and policies for LGB persons have progressed, implementation is lacking, especially at local level, while trans and intersex rights are missing from legislation; calls on national authorities to step up their efforts to protect LGBTI persons rights and particularly to implement draft legislation to enable legal gender recognition (LGR) based on self-determination;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20.
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Regrets the fact that the initiatives to involve the Serb community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Regrets the fact that the initiatives to involve the Serb community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures are only very limited; reiterates that the institutionalisation of the learning of official languages in Kosovo and equal access to services and information in the official languages are essential; welcomes in this respect the establishing of the Department for Balkan studies at the University of Pristina and the decision to open a language centre for learning Kosovo’s official languages; reiterates its call to the Kosovar government to considerably step up its efforts, improve the internal dialogue and genuinely engage with independent civil society organisations of Kosovo Serbs, in particular in the North, with the aim of improving the daily life of Kosovo Serbs and successfully integrating them;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Regrets the fact that the initiatives to involve the Serb community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures are only very limited; urges, in particular, the government of Kosovo and the relevant ministers to step up efforts to reach out to CSOs in Serbian communities and calls on the EU to further facilitate and support inter- community programmes; reiterates that the institutionalisation of the learning of official languages in Kosovo and equal access to services and information in the official languages are essential;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Regrets the fact that the initiatives to involve the Serb community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures are only very limited; reiterates that the institutionalisation of the learning of official languages in Kosovo and equal access to services and information in the official languages are essential; calls on the Kosovo government to fulfil its promise of engagement in the internal dialogue with Kosovo Serbs;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Regrets the fact that the initiatives to involve the Serb community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures are only very limited; reiterates that the institutionalisation of the learning of official languages in Kosovo and equal access to services and information in the official languages are essential; Welcomes the efforts of the Kosovo authorities to address inter-ethnic incidents;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21.
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Reiterates its call for greater inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including the
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 d (new) — having regard to the fact that Serbia has not recognised the Republic of Kosovo,
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Reiterates its call for greater inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including the Roma, Ashkali
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Reiterates its call for greater inclusion and protection of persons belonging to minorities, including the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, as well as persons with disabilities and displaced persons, by providing them with access to adequate healthcare and social protection, ensuring their access to education, justice, public services, housing and the labour market, as well as to political and social decision-making, while efficiently tackling intersectional forms of discriminations these groups are facing, through a systemic institutional approach; urges for more efforts to fight antigypsyism; encourages the government to accelerate work on a new 2021-2026 strategy and action plan for the inclusion of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Reiterates its call for greater inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, as well as persons with disabilities and displaced persons, by providing them with access to adequate healthcare and social protection; in this regard recommends that the rights of people with Bulgarian ethnicity in the Gora and Zhupa regions to be enshrined in law and ensured in practice
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Reiterates its call for greater inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, as well as persons with disabilities and displaced persons, by providing them with access to adequate healthcare and social protection; Welcomes the initiative of the Government of Kosovo to regularly consult and meet with all communities living in Kosovo as part of internal dialogue.
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Reiterates its call for greater inclusion of persons belonging to minorities, including the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, as well as persons with disabilities and displaced persons
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Calls for the urgent revision of high-school textbooks, which provide misinformation and use discriminatory language and descriptions for ethnic minorities, sexual minorities and women; encourages government authorities to pursue the initiative and EU supported project "European Union Support to Basic and Secondary Education" started in late 2021 aimed at updating these textbooks;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Calls for the urgent revision of high-school textbooks, which provide misinformation and use discriminatory language and descriptions for ethnic minorities, sexual minorities and women; encourages government authorities to pursue the initiative started in late 2021 aimed at updating them;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. In that respect notes with regret that the petition of nearly 500 people, who have historically self-identified as Bulgarian, which was registered at the Assembly of Kosovo in May 2018, has still not been considered and recommends that those rights are enshrined in law and ensured in practice;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Calls on Kosovo to intensify its efforts in providing minority groups equal opportunities, adequate representation in political and cultural life, public media, the administration, and in the judiciary;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 a (new) 34a. Calls on Kosovo to protect and promote cultural heritage, languages and traditions of its national minorities;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 e (new) — having regard to the fact that the number of unregistered firearms in civilian illegal possession in the Western Balkans is thought to be around 3.8 million and large quantities of ammunition and military explosive devices such as, but not limited to, hand grenades, anti-personnel – as well as anti- tank mines,
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 b (new) 21b. Commends Kosovo for the peaceful co-existence of religious communities, and highlights the importance of the continued protection of the cultural heritage and property rights of all religious communities;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Underlines that the free media are one of the essential pillars of democracy and that journalists must be protected from political pressure;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Underlines that the free media are one of the essential pillars of democracy
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Notes that the media landscape has been distorted in recent years, with large- scale investments leading to increased private sector influence over major media outlets; reiterates the
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Notes that the media landscape has been distorted in recent years, with large- scale investments leading to increased private sector influence over major media outlets and online media being frequently used for commercial and political blackmail; reiterates the need to guarantee media transparency, including on media ownership; warmly welcomes the appointment of the new members of the Board of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) while noting that further steps are needed in order to safeguard its independence;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23.
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Welcomes the appointment of new board of public broadcaster RTK in a transparent and merit based process; calls for finding a sustainable solution for the public broadcaster and secure editorial independence. Notes that the media landscape has been distorted in recent years, with large-
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Is deeply concerned about the continuing high level of domestic and gender-based violence in Kosovo; calls for the effective implementation of the
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Is deeply concerned about the continuing high level of domestic and gender-based violence in Kosovo
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Is deeply concerned about the continuing high level of domestic and gender-based violence
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 f (new) — having regard to: 24.7.2020 COM(2020)608 final communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2020-2025 EU action plan on firearms trafficking, and the Europol reports: Threat Assessment Report on Illicit Trafficking in Firearms(EDOC#673806v7A of June2013), Intelligence Notification (19/2014); “Firearms in the hands of Terrorist in Europe”(EDOC:#759937v3; May 2015). - observing that Europol confirmed that Western Balkans remain among the main supplying regions of trafficking to the EU,
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Is deeply concerned about the continuing high level of domestic and gender-based violence in Kosovo; calls for the effective implementation of the national strategy against domestic and gender-based violence; Welcomes the adoption of the National Strategy on protection against domestic violence and violence against women, the draft law on crime victim compensation and the adoption of the revisions on free legal aid, which guarantees free legal aid to victims of domestic violence, victims of gender- based violence and of sexual violence.
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Is deeply concerned about the continuing high level of domestic and gender-based violence in Kosovo; calls for the effective implementation of the national strategy against domestic and gender-based violence; welcomes the adoption of the National Strategy on protection against domestic violence and violence against women, draft law on crime victim compensation and the adoption of the revisions on free legal aid, which guarantees free legal aid to victims of domestic violence, victims of gender- based violence and of sexual violence;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Is deeply concerned about the continuing high level of domestic and
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Welcomes Kosovo's efforts to improve overall coordination on gender equality while calling for further progress in achieving gender equality and advancing women’s rights, including by prioritising gender mainstreaming and increased cooperation with civil society, in particular women’s organisations;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Calls for the EU to strengthen its support for and cooperation with Kosovo in addressing disinformation and fighting malign hybrid activities, in particular from Russia and China; condemns in particular the long running disinformation campaigns by Russia’s state-owned Serbian-language outlet Sputnik Serbia, which regularly spreads misinformation to saw ethnic tensions, tries to delegitimise Kosovo’s statehood, to destabilise its governance and to undermine Kosovo’s relations with Europe.
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Calls against this backdrop for the EU to urgently strengthen its support for and cooperation with Kosovo in addressing disinformation and fighting malign hybrid activities, in particular from Russia and China;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Calls for the EU to strengthen its support for and cooperation with Kosovo in addressing disinformation and fighting malign hybrid activities that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region, in particular from Russia
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 b (new) 24b. Is highly alerted that the EU accession countries in the Western Balkans are being hit particularly hard by attacks in the form of foreign interference and disinformation campaigns stemming from Russia and China; is alarmed that Hungary and Serbia are helping China and Russia with their geopolitical objectives; recommends convening dialogues with Western Balkan civil society and the private sector to coordinate anti-disinformation efforts in the region, with an emphasis on research and analysis and the inclusion of regional expertise; calls on the Commission to build up the infrastructure required to produce evidence-based responses to both short-term and long-term disinformation threats in the Western Balkans; calls on the EEAS to pivot to a more proactive stance, focusing on building the EU’s credibility in the region, rather than defending it, in expanding StratCom monitoring to focus on cross-border disinformation threats emanating from Western Balkan countries and their neighbours;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 3 a (new) — having regard to the Zagreb Declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 6 May 2020,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 27 g (new) — observing the reports: Strengthening Resilience in the Western Balkans: Mapping Assistance for SALW Control, Small Arms Survey, September 2018; and UNODC (2020), Global Study on Firearms Trafficking, Vienna and their observations that provides the information: that the ongoing threat in the Western Balkans region was confirmed by several studies. It is stresses that weapons used in terrorist attacks in the EU “were acquired through local illicit firearm markets and were found to originate from the Western Balkans and the Western Balkans is the main supplier of illicit firearms in Europe. In addition, it is described of the links between the Western Balkans and small arms used in EU Member States in various types of criminal activity. The latest report from the UN on the subject, UNODC Global Firearms Study confirms that the Western Balkans remain a source of illicit firearms, notably assault rifles for Western Europe,
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 b (new) Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26.
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26.
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Welcomes Kosovo’s active participation in the regional cooperation mechanisms, including the Common Regional Market and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans; welcomes the various bilateral cooperation agreements between Kosovo and North Macedonia and Albania; calls on the Kosovo government to engage constructively in the implementation of the roadmap to the Common Regional Market, particularly in unresolved negotiations on four agreements on mobility and recognition of diploma;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Welcomes Kosovo’s active participation in the regional cooperation mechanisms, including the Common Regional Market and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans; welcomes the various bilateral cooperation agreements between Kosovo and North Macedonia and Albania; Encourages Kosovo to be also invited and to participate in regional cooperation forums like the Open Balkan Initiative.
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27a. Welcomes the cooperation of the six Western Balkan countries within the Common Regional Market (CRM); notes that the CRM creates an integrated market of 18 million people, which is highly competitive and creates many benefits, including more and better jobs;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 a (new) 26a. Emphasises that all regional economic cooperation schemes in the Western Balkans should be inclusive and acceptable to all six countries, establishing cooperation on an equal footing among all six countries, while strengthening further alignment with EU standards and acquis; expresses, in this context, its scepticism towards the Open Balkan Initiative, while pointing to the danger that a regional economic cooperation initiative not encompassing all six countries and not being based on EU rules could have a negative impact on the EU integration processes;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Regrets the lack of progress but reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement leading to mutual recognition, which is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; expects from the EU a more effective action of mediation between the parties aimed at overcoming the current stalemate; calls for all past agreements to be respected and fully
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement, which is crucial for
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement, which is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; calls for all past agreements to be respected and fully implemented, including the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, which is an important element of the full normalization process in view of addressing the most important needs of the Serbian community;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its unequivocal support for the EU-
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement concluding with mutual recognition, which is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; calls for all past agreements to be respected and fully implemented, including the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, which should not undermine the functioning of Kosovo’s institutions;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement centred around mutual recognition, which is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; calls for all past agreements to be respected and fully implemented, including the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Reconfirms its support for the EU- facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement based on mutual recognition, which is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; calls for all past agreements to be respected and fully implemented, including the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27a. Calls on the EU actors to support Kosovo’s authorities, providing concrete security guarantees and opportunities for socio-economic integration when working towards the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities consistent with the Constitution of Kosovo, and as part of a mutual agreement;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27a. Notes that the works on the Mitrovica bridge have long been completed and the bridge should be opened to traffic without further delay or obstructions in order to overcome intercommunal divisions and to foster the process of reconciliation and post-conflict resolution;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas Kosovo is not recognised as an independent state by all Member States;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 c (new) 29c. Reiterates its regret that the Mitrovica Bridge has not yet been opened to all traffic, in spite of the completion of the renovation works; calls on the Serbian and Kosovar authorities to promote people-to-people contacts between local communities in order to strengthen dialogue, including at a non- governmental level;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 b (new) 20b. Regrets that the project of revitalisation of the Iber bridge agreed by Belgrade and Pristina in 2016 has not yet materialised; takes the view that the reopening of the bridge is of the utmost importance for the free movement of citizens between the two sides and the intercommunal human and economic relations; calls on the Commission to double down on the finalisation and full implementation of the EU-funded project;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 b (new) 27b. Reiterates its call to improve the quality of the dialogue process through the participation of women, including in the negotiation team, increased transparency towards the public and meaningful involvement of civil society;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Regrets the decision of the
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28.
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Regrets the decision of the Government of Kosovo to reject a proposal by international mediators enabling the collection of the ballots of eligible voters to allow them to vote in the territory of Kosovo in the 3 April 2022 Serbian elections, as had been the case previously;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Calls for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Calls for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues of missing persons and the electricity arrangements in the north of Kosovo; expresses its deep sympathy to the families of the missing persons and urges the government to pay particular attention to keeping them informed and apply a more sensitive mode of communication;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas five EU Member States do not recognise Kosovo’s self-proclaimed independence
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Calls for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues of missing persons
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Calls on both Serbia and Kosovo for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues of missing persons and the electricity arrangements in the north of Kosovo;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Calls for the stepping up of efforts and the delivery of solutions on the issues of war crimes, missing persons and the electricity arrangements in the north of Kosovo;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29a. Regrets the destabilisation activities on the border in the North of Kosovo in September 2021, strongly condemning Serbia’s show of military threats, and calls on Kosovo and Serbia to address all issues through dialogue; welcomes the establishment of the Working Group tasked to find a solution on the use of vehicle license plate and urges it to finally come up with a sustainable solution to the benefit of the citizens of both countries;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29a. Calls on the government to find solutions to the electricity arrangements in the north of Kosovo;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 b (new) 26b. Stresses that setting up and cooperating with a special court on crimes committed after the war should be a priority;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 b (new) 29b. Calls for the opening and the publication of all wartime archives; reiterates its call, therefore, for the former Yugoslav archives to be opened and, in particular, for access to be granted to the files of the former Yugoslav Secret Service (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People’s Army Secret Service (KOS), and for the files to be returned to the respective governments if they so request;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 (new) 27a. Calls on the Serbian authorities as gesture of goodwill to render the Yugoslav secret service archives (KOS and UDBA); underlines the importance of a transparent procedure when handling the countries’ totalitarian regimes past, including when handling the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, which would be an important step towards reinforcing the Western Balkan region as a whole;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27a. Encourages the authorities to retrieve the relevant Yugoslav secret service archives from Serbia; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past, including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a step towards further democratisation, accountability and institutional strength in both the country and the Western Balkan region as a whole;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 b (new) 29b. Deplores several instances of officials not being allowed to enter the territories of Kosovo or Serbia; calls on both parties to treat all visits in a way that is beneficial to the normalisation process and to the overall work in the context of EU-facilitated dialogue;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new) Ab. whereas there are currently 3770 NATO troops in Kosovo, of which 600 are from the USA.
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 e (new) 29e. Reiterates its support for the initiative to establish the Regional Commission for the establishment of facts about war crimes and other gross human rights violations on the territory of the former Yugoslavia (RECOM); highlights the importance of the work carried out by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and welcomes Kosovo’s active participation; reiterates the need to reach out to young people from the northern municipalities and to integrate them in the socio-economic structures of the country;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Welcomes the
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Welcomes the
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Welcomes the introduction of a roaming-free zone in the entire Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021, improving connectivity and bringing benefits to citizens and businesses in the region; urges the Council and the Commission to work with the Serbian authorities and the other five Western Balkan states for the introduction of roaming-free zone between the Western Balkans and the European Union;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Welcomes the introduction of a roaming-free zone in the entire Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021, improving connectivity and bringing benefits to citizens and businesses in the region; in that regard, urges the EU, together with Western Balkans’ governments to intensify their efforts in order to reduce and eliminate roaming charges with all Member States;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Welcomes the introduction of a roaming-free zone in the entire Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021, improving connectivity and bringing concrete and tangible benefits to citizens and businesses in the region;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 d (new) 29d. Commends cultural and youth initiatives, such as the annual cross- border art festival Mirëdita, Dobar Dan, which promotes cooperation between artists and activists of Kosovo and Serbia; encourages Kosovar and Serbian authorities, including at the local level, to further build upon such positive initiatives and use cultural heritage as means of bringing different communities together;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 a (new) 30a. Encourages the establishment of a multinational and multilingual public broadcaster that would unite people and promote peace and reconciliation among Western Balkan countries, following the example of ARTE;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 31. Calls for the EU to further strengthen foreign policy and security cooperation, public diplomacy and international partnerships in order to achieve progress in reconciliation; welcomes the renewed engagement of the EU allies, in particular the appointment of US and UK special envoys for the Western Balkans, as well as the one from Germany; calls for their close cooperation and coordination with the EU envoy, with a view to strengthening leverage and to provide coherent advice and support;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas democracy and the rule of law are the fundamental values on which the EU is founded; whereas
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 a (new) 26a. Calls for the immediate withdrawal of NATO troops from Kosovo, as they constitute a threat both to stability in the region and to a dialogue-based political solution to the conflict;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 a (new) 31a. Calls on the Commission and the EU Office in Kosovo to step up their efforts in enhancing visibility and promoting the role, efforts and benefits of the closer partnership between the EU and Kosovo;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 a (new) 31a. Welcomes the recent successful start of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office´s programme of bilateral exchanges between school classes in the Western Balkans;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 c (new) 31c. Welcomes the presence of KFOR and its role in building and maintaining a safe and secure environment and development of a stable and peaceful Kosovo towards Euro-Atlantic integration; reminds of the importance of the mission for the ongoing development of the Kosovo Security Force through the provision of advice, training and capacity building;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Acknowledges the important contribution of KFOR and the participating states in maintaining a safe and secure environment, freedom of movement for all citizens in Kosovo and in facilitating the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans.
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 2 b (new) Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 a (new) 31a. Welcomes positive developments in Kosovo’s economic growth; welcomes that Kosovo will also benefit from the EU Digital Single Market, given the great potential of digitalisation for the development of Kosovo’s economy;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 32.
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 32.
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 32.
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas democracy and the rule of law are the fundamental values on which the EU is founded; whereas deep and comprehensive reforms are
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 a (new) 32a. Welcomes the disbursement of a COVID-19 Macro-Financial Assistance package aimed at mitigating economic impacts of the pandemic and keeping macroeconomic stability as well as mobilising €14.2 billion from IPA III to support the Western Balkans partners in meeting the requirements for European membership;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 a (new) 34a. Notes the heavy impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kosovo economy and welcomes the government’s emergency measures; underlines, however that assistance for the groups most affected by the pandemic was limited; encourages Kosovo to provide well-targeted and temporary pandemic- related fiscal support to vulnerable households and businesses; stresses that the post-pandemic recovery will significantly depend on the authorities’ ability to address the structural challenges and the effective implementation of the economic support packages;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 32 b (new) 32b. Commends Kosovo for its successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the vaccination process; welcomes that Kosovo has purchased only COVID-19 vaccines produced and certified by the EU/UK/US and that work is progressing for Kosovo to qualify for the European Digital COVID Certificate;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 31 a (new) 31a. Commends Kosovo for its successful management of the COVID-19 situation, including the vaccination process; acknowledging that Kosovo has purchased only vaccines produced and certified by the EU/UK and the US and that work is progressing for Kosovo to qualify for the European Digital COVID Certificate;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Underlines that the implementation of both fundamental and structural reforms remains essential for economic recovery and development; calls for further support for SMEs in order to develop a stronger and more resilient economy; encourages the government to increase its efforts to mitigate the socio-economic effects of a high level of emigration;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 d (new) 34d. Calls on Kosovo’s authorities and the Commission to further support SMEs in order to develop a viable economy for Kosovo;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Underlines that the implementation of both fundamental and structural reforms remains essential for economic recovery and development, as efforts to tackle corruption, improving the rule of law, enhance transparency and strengthen institutions and social dialogue would also contribute to attracting foreign direct investments to the country;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Underlines that the implementation of both fundamental and structural reforms remains essential for economic recovery and development; calls on Kosovo to further align its market policy with the EU acquis;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Underlines that the implementation of both fundamental and structural reforms remains essential for economic recovery and social development;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Underlines that the implementation of both fundamental and structural reforms remains essential for economic recovery and social development;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 33. Underlines that the implementation of both fundamental and structural reforms remains essential for economic recovery and social development;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 a (new) 33a. Underlines that the inadequate and unreliable supply of electricity is one of the constraints on Kosovo’s competitiveness and that the lack of energy security gives rise to significant costs for business and represents big obstacle to attracting high-quality foreign direct investment; urges Kosovo to step-up efforts to make use of the potential for energy efficiency;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 34. Urges the authorities to continue their efforts to reform the education system so that it provides students with the skills and knowledge required by the labour market;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 34. Urges the authorities to continue their efforts to reform the education system so that it provides students with the skills and knowledge
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 34. Urges the authorities to continue their efforts to reform the education system so that it provides students with the skills and knowledge required by the labour market; welcome the increased scholarships for female students in STEM and calls for increased efforts to integrate women into the labour market;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 34. Urges the authorities to continue their efforts to reform the education system
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 34. Urges the authorities to continue their efforts to reform the education system so that it provides students with the skills and knowledge required by the labour market; calls on Kosovo to provide equal and non-discriminatory state education in minority languages; calls for increased efforts to integrate minorities and women into the labour market;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 33 b (new) 33b. Is concerned about the continuing emigration, which deprives Kosovo of much-needed highly skilled workers; welcomes the launch of reforms to improve the capacity of the employment service and the implementation of relevant active labour market policies, including upskilling and on-the-job training;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 a (new) 34a. Stresses the need for urgent implementation of active labour market policies, including upskilling, vocational education and training, and on-the-job training, in order to increase employment of vulnerable groups; expresses serious concerns about the massive emigration of highly-skilled workers from Kosovo; notes that the increasing emigration of healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, technical staff and medical caretakers has a detrimental impact on the healthcare system; calls for Kosovo to introduce comprehensive socio-economic measures to address demographic decline and brain drain;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 a (new) 34a. Encourages the extension of the scholarship program of the College of Europe besides the European Neighbourhood countries also to the students from the Western Balkans countries.
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; whereas such an agreement would greatly contribute to enhancing the overall stability of the region;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 b (new) 34b. Reiterates its calls on the Commission to develop a regional strategy to address the persistent youth unemployment and brain drain by tackling the skills mismatch between the education system and the labour market, improving the quality of teaching, and ensuring adequate funding for active labour market measures and vocational training schemes, along with adequate childcare and pre-school education facilities; regrets the lack of progress in improving the quality of education; calls on the relevant actors to include persons belonging to minority groups in the design and implementation of employment measures;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 b (new) 34b. Stresses the need to streamline the social security system, including the revision of the war veteran pension scheme, and to establish a coherent, fair and fiscally affordable compensation system for public employment;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Welcomes the intention of the Kosovo government to deal with the thorny issue of the inflated list of war veterans receiving pensions;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 c (new) 34c. Emphasises the need for investing in digitalisation as a way of minimising the digital divide and ensuring equal access to the internet, including for the most vulnerable groups and people living in rural areas and outermost-regions; notes the great potential of Kosovo's young population for world class talent and in this regard the potential of digitalisation for the development of Kosovo's economy; regrets the Kosovo's population is isolated behind a visa-wall;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 c (new) 34c. Encourages Kosovo to effect transition in the agricultural sector in order to increase local food production and reduce imports of basic food items;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 34 e (new) 34e. Notes Kosovo's potential in the area of digitalisation and ICT skills and in this regard its remarkable development of the ICT sector since 1999; appreciates that Kosovo's young population has advanced knowledge in ICT and could therefore become Europe's next Silicon Valley;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Expresses its concern about the agreement on transfer of convicts from Denmark to serve their sentence in Kosovo correctional centres from 2023; calls for the terms and management of this agreement to be made fully transparent; takes the view that the Kosovo competent authorities should fully address the potential disparity of detention conditions in Kosovo facilities between Danish and Kosovo convicts;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 35. Underlines the need to tackle climate change in line with the EU’s climate-related ambitions and to speed up the transition to a climate-neutral, resilient, sustainable, circular and resource-efficient economy
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 36.
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is crucial for both countries to advance on their respective European paths; having regard to Serbian initiated provocations in the region of Mitrovica;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 36.
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 36. Calls on the
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 36. Calls on the government to speed up its work on the Energy Strategy 2022- 2030, in cooperation with civil society, with a particular focus on a sustainable and affordable energy supply, increased energy efficiency and the further diversification of energy sources in line with the Green Deal Agenda and the Paris Agreement; regrets the continuous delay of the publication of the strategy;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 36. Calls on the government to speed
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 a (new) 36a. Expresses its deep concern at the quality of air in most of Kosovo urban areas; underlines, in particular, that Kosovo in recent years has been in breach of ceilings for air pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and dust which pose severe threats to the health of Kosovo citizens; calls on the Kosovo authorities to stick to its National emission reduction plan complying with the requirements of the Large Combustion Plan Directive;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 a (new) 36a. Reiterates its concern that the overwhelming majority of Kosovo’s energy derives from coal and calls on removing all non-compliant coal subsidies, decentralising energy production and moving towards renewables; recognizes the need to fully integrate the northern part of Kosovo into the billing system;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 b (new) 36b. Stresses the need for a healthy environment and the protection of water resources and ecosystems, with a particular focus on rivers for the development of agriculture and strengthening food and water security;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 36 c (new) 36c. Calls to stop all dam projects inside protected areas, including future Natura 2000 sites (Emerald);
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 37 37.
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 37 a (new) 37a. Commends the efforts in improving the quality of the water basin management and the related permits; welcomes the verdict of Kosovo Supreme Court to suspend the water permit of a hydropower plant in Shterpce;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 b (new) — having regard to the Zagreb Declaration adopted at the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 6 May 2020,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas Kosovo has not been granted visa liberalisation
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 38 38.
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 38 38. Reiterates its call to implement sustainable public transport and mobility policies and address long-standing infrastructure deficiencies; welcomes plans for the modernisation of railways with loans from the EBRD and EU grants;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 38 a (new) 38a. Encourages Kosovo to liberalize its energy market, including retail electricity, in order to allow choice to consumers and to terminate the existing monopoly in the sector; welcomes the opening of a new district heating plant in Gjakova, financed by the EU funds, which is the only plant in Kosovo operating with biomass, and which is expected to reduce the pollution in the area by over 90%;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 35 a (new) 35a. Welcomes the adoption of the € 3.2 billion Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and calls on Kosovo to make an effective use of it; welcomes the ongoing preparation of five flagship projects on energy, and clean water and air;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 38 a (new) 38a. Welcomes EU's financial assistance to Kosovo, in particular infrastructure related loans and grants available through Economic and Investment Plan in the Western Balkans that include the Pristina-Merdare section of the "Peace Highway" and the preparation for new investments in water supply and wastewater treatment;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 38 b (new) 38b. Welcomes the operations undertaken by Kosovo Police in cooperation with EULEX to disrupt illegal logging throughout Kosovo, encourages the relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies of north and south to increase their cooperation in order to combat this and other crimes;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 39 39. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the European Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and to the
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas Kosovo has not been granted visa liberalisation
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas Kosovo has made progress in fighting corruption and organised crime but still remains far from EU standards;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas Kosovo has made progress, although limited, in fighting corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas Kosovo has made substantial progress in fighting corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas the EU remains Kosovo's main strategic partner and supports Kosovo’s commitment to European integration, notably through the IPA III, Economic Plan for the Western Balkans and Macro-Financial Assistance;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas the European Union is Kosovo’s biggest trading partner, accounting for 33 % of total exports and 50 % of total imports in 2020;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E b (new) Eb. whereas the EU is the largest provider of financial assistance to Kosovo and whereas Kosovo benefits from pre- accession assistance under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), with a total of EUR 1.21 billion between 2007 and 2020;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E c (new) Ec. whereas the Commission adopted a package of EUR 70 million under IPA II to help fund the access of Western Balkan countries to COVID-19 vaccines procured by EU Member States;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E d (new) Ed. whereas the assistance under IPA III is based on strict conditionality and envisages modulation and suspension of assistance in cases of backsliding in democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 a (new) — having regard to the Sofia declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 17 May 2018 and the Sofia Declaration, annexed thereto,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 3 a (new) Whereas Kosovo needs to ensure the protection of religious and cultural heritage sites belonging to minority groups, especially for the Serbian community as well as Christian Albanians.
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 5 a (new) Whereas the attraction of working in a Member State or other more developed nation created a detrimental loss of both highly to medium skilled individuals in Kosovo, and this is to the general detriment of the development of Kosovo; currently it is estimated that 11 million immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, that is approximately ten percent of their population, currently reside in Western Europe a number that has substantially risen in the last 20 years; and according to the Gallup survey presented in 2018 showing that 42% of the population in Kosovo, excluding children, wanted to immigrate.
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes Kosovo’s
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes Kosovo’s continued and strong commitment to advance on EU- related reforms and the overwhelming
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes Kosovo’s renewed commitment to advance on EU-related reforms and the overwhelming public support for European integration; notes the strong majority in the Kosovo Parliament following the general elections and calls on the government to make use of its stable majority to urgently advance the necessary reforms;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes Kosovo’s commitment to advance on EU-related reforms and the overwhelming public support for European integration; without prejudice to Member States' positions on status;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes Kosovo’s commitment to advance on EU-related reforms and the overwhelming consensus among political parties and public support for European integration;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Welcomes Kosovo’s commitment to advance on EU-related reforms and the overwhelming consensus among political parties and public support for European integration;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Calls on EU Member States to prioritise enlargement and to deliver the promised benefits once the conditions have been met, as well as to improve the information exchange with EU citizens on enlargement.
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Proposes with urgency that Kosovo must finally implement a transitional justice process in order to ensure peace within and around Kosovo;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 5 a (new) — having regard to the Sofia Summit of 10 November2020, including the Declaration on the Common Regional Market and the Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans,
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2.
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the increased political stability and strong commitment of the government to further advance on its European path as demonstrated by the adoption of the Action Plan of the European Reform Agenda II and the National Programme for the Implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the increased political stability and strong commitment of the government to further advance on its European path as demonstrated by the adoption of the Action Plan of the European Reform Agenda II and the National Programme for the Implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement 2022-2026; underlines the need to strengthen the administrative capacities and to put in place a coherent coordination structure within the Kosovo institutions for their effective implementation;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Welcomes the growing political stability and strong commitment of the government to further advance on its European path as demonstrated by adoption of the Action Plan of the European Reform Agenda II and the National Programme for the Implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement; underlines the need to strengthen the administrative capacities and to put in place a coherent coordination structure within the Kosovo institutions for their effective implementation;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Welcomes the peaceful and orderly conduct of the municipal elections of 17 October and 14 November 2021; regrets, however, the low representation of women on ballots and the limited political competition in the Kosovo-Serb municipalities;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Regrets the decision of the Kosovo Assembly of 16 January not to allow the entry of Serb ballot papers into Kosovo, thus preventing the Serb ethnic minority from voting in the Serbian referendum aimed at amending its Constitution in order to bring Serbian legislation into line with EU legislation, in the context of Serbia's accession process into the Union;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Regrets the decision of the Prime Minister of Kosovo not to allow Serbia to organise voting for its presidential and parliamentary elections on Kosovan territory, thus further deteriorating the relations between the two countries and therefore compromising the normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 5 a (new) — having regard to the 8th Berlin Process Summit of 5 July 2021,
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Calls on Kosovo to address the long-standing deficiencies in the electoral process as a matter of urgency, in particular with regard to campaign rules, the voting by citizens abroad and the accuracy of voter lists; deplores the fact that many of the recommendations issued by previous EU election observation missions since 2013 remain unaddressed and underlines that these long overdue reforms need strong political commitment and meaningful involvement of the political parties and civil society;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Calls on Kosovo to urgently address the long-standing deficiencies in the electoral process; deplores the fact that many of the recommendations issued by previous EU election observation missions since 2013 remain unaddressed;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Generally opposes any further enlargement of the European Union, as the stability, economy and political tensions of the Union resulting from previous enlargement as well as from the disavowal of the 2016 "Brexit" referendum do not allow for it;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Reiterates its call on the Council to
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 — having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010 on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo, and to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298 of 9 September2010,
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Reiterates its call on the Council to proceed urgently with the adoption of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Kosovo; notes that the lack of visa-liberalisation hinders the implementation of EU programmes; notes that further delay could further undermine the EU's credibility and thus also impact the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Reiterates its call on the Council to proceed urgently with the adoption of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Kosovo
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Reiterates its call on the Council to proceed urgently with the adoption of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Kosovo; stresses the potential that visa liberalisation could have in bringing Kosovo closer to the EU by facilitating travel, cultural and educational exchanges, as well as business;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Welcomes the Commission’s statement of 26 August 2020 confirming its assessment of 18 July 2018 that Kosovo has fulfilled all benchmarks for visa liberalisation; takes the view that visa liberalisation will improve stability and bring Kosovo closer to the EU by improving the ease of travelling and doing business; regrets that the isolation of Kosovo citizens is impacting the implementation of EU programmes; notes that further delay could undermine the EU’s credibility and thus also impact the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and the whole enlargement process and therefore reiterates its call on the Council, expressed inter alia in its resolution of 29 November 2018, to urgently proceed with the adoption of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Kosovo;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 6 — having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010 on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo, and to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298 of 9 September2010, which acknowledged the content of the ICJ opinion,
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Fully supports Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the Council of Europe and calls on all the EU Member States to support its bid as well as Kosovo's bids to join other international organisations;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes also Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the European Union in 2022, but stresses that there is no fast-track procedure
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes also Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the European Union in 2022, but stresses that there is no fast-track procedure and that the
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes also Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the European Union in 2022, for a candidate country status but stresses that there is no fast-track procedure and that the progress in normalisation of relations with Serbia is necessary for Kosovo to advance on its European path;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes also Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the European Union in 2022 and aim for candidate status, but stresses that there is no fast- track procedure and that the progress in normalisation of relations with Serbia is necessary for Kosovo to advance on its
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes also Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the European Union in 2022
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes also Kosovo’s intention to apply for membership of the European Union in 2022, but stresses that there is no fast-track procedure and that the normalisation of relations with Serbia is a necessary
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Recognises that Kosovo is fully committed to achieving progress in the negotiations with Serbia to resolve outstanding issues in a mutually beneficial manner;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 7 — having regard to the first agreement on principles governing the normalisation of relations between
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Regrets the fact that five EU Member States, namely Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain, have not yet recognised Kosovo and reiterates its call for them to do so;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Regrets the fact that five EU Member States have not yet recognised Kosovo and reiterates its call for them to do so and reaffirm its European perspective;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Notes that the EU is Kosovo's biggest donor, trading partner and investor;
source: 731.705
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History
(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)
2022-05-30Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
| forecasts/0/date |
Old
2022-06-14T00:00:00New
2022-06-13T00:00:00 |
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2022-04-27Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
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https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-PR-704602_EN.html
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2022-04-05Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
| docs |
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2021-12-22Show (3) Changes
| events |
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| procedure/dossier_of_the_committee |
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| procedure/stage_reached |
Old
Preparatory phase in ParliamentNew
Awaiting committee decision |