2023/2114(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

— having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Article 49 thereof,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 c (new)

– having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR),

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; ~~whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines;~~

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines; whereas the Union must also reform itself to be ready for further enlargement;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in ~~particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas~~their entirety; whereas while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, ~~while avoiding~~there should be no fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines that go against the core logic of the accession process of only admitting a candidate country join the EU when it is ready to do so;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merits in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy ~~and~~, the rule of law and respect for and protection of minorities; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in ~~particular~~cluding those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible~~, while avoiding fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines~~;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring continuously full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast- tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking ~~or counterproductive fixed deadlines;~~

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the Council of Europe has historically been a key partner in the EU’s enlargement process due to its support provided to candidate and potential candidate countries in carrying out reforms and helping them meet the EU accession criteria on the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities and monitoring progress in these areas;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union should be fully implemented within the process of accession to the EU in order to safeguard and strengthen the fundamental rights and the material living standards of the accession country’s citizens;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the EU’s prosperity and security rests on its ability to defend and advance, peace, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values;

Amendment 11 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 d (new)

– having regard to United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/1 of 25 September 2015 on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas democratic backsliding is among the greatest threats facing the European Union, both internally and externally;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas accession to the EU requires ambitious integration agenda from both sides, the EU and the candidate countries;

Amendment 112 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

C b. whereas the EU’s enlargement policy is the single most effective EU instrument for securing peace, prosperity and fundamental values on the European continent;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

C b. whereas malign foreign actors are using hybrid interference methods to impact and derail the EU integration;

Amendment 114 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)

C c. whereas the challenge of a bigger European Union demands an enhanced enlargement policy, based on gradual integration into common policies and with clear benefits for the citizens already form the start to the process;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the parallel processes of widening and deepening the Union must go hand in hand as these processes have the capacity to mutually reinforce each other, multiplying their impact and significantly contributing to the overarching objectives for which the EU was created; ;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the parallel processes of widening and deepening the Union must go hand in hand; whereas the institutional reform of the EU in a way that will enhance its capacity to act, as well as its democratic legitimacy and accountability, is already a pressing necessity;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the parallel processes of widening and deepening the Union ~~must~~should go hand in hand; whereas the institutional reforms can only enter into force simultaneously with the accession of new countries;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the narrative that parallel processes of widening and deepening the Union must go hand in hand is factually wrong and politically biased;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the ~~parallel processes of widening and deepening the Union must go hand in hand;~~current infrastructure of the Union is not equipped to achieve deepening integration and widening by enlargement successfully

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 e (new)

– having regard to the report of 9 May 2022 on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe2a, _________________ 2a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources /library/media/20220509RES29121/20220 509RES29121.pdf

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the ~~parallel processes of widening and deepen~~EU must demonstrate a clear political will to support the candidate countries ing the ~~Union must go hand in hand~~ir goal of EU accession;

Amendment 121 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas ~~the parallel processes of widening and~~any potential deepening of the Union must go hand in hand with the processes of widening the Union;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the ~~parallel processes of widening and deepen~~enlargement process must not be instrumentalised to underminge the ~~Union must go hand in hand~~sovereignty of the Member States;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the parallel processes of ~~widen~~enlarging and deepening the Union must go hand in hand;

Amendment 124 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

~~E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU by aligning with the common foreign and security policy;~~deleted

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the ~~fundamental values of the EU by aligning with the common foreign and security policy~~common values of the Member States, but whereas this process must not in any way involve their submission to the strategic policy which is currently defined by the European Union and is, moreover, likely to vary in the future, with all of these countries retaining control of their political orientations, within or outside the EU; whereas the EU no longer takes into account the criteria of economic rigour and internal political stability, but uses enlargement as a geopolitical tool to cement the membership of certain countries in the Euro-Atlantic camp, thereby exacerbating the bloc mentality and aggravating global tensions, while putting at risk the economic, political and social stability of existing Member States;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU by aligning with the common foreign and security policy; whereas several Western Balkans Countries have reached very high level of alignment with EU CFSP in latest years, including on what concerns sanctions against Russia in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas the platform "Western Balkans QUAD – 100% alignment with EU Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP)" launched in MArch 2023 by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia represents a commendable initiative that must be encouraged and supported by EU institutions;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU by aligning with the EU's policies and positions, including, in common foreign and security policy;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU, including the Copenhagen criteria, and by aligning with the common foreign and security policy;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU by progressively aligning with the common foreign and security policy;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the European Commission strategy for 'A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans' of February 2018,

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must also demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU byand align~~ing~~ment with the common foreign and security policy;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas candidate countries must ~~also~~ demonstrate their adherence to the fundamental values of the EU by aligning also with the common foreign and security policy;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas the European Parliament commits to the enlargement and engages with the accession countries while they continue to reform and achieve the required benchmarks; whereas democratic transformation and rule of law represent a central role of enlargement; whereas, among others, fundamental reforms in the areas of judiciary, fight against corruption, media freedom, human rights, including women and minorities’ rights are necessary for candidate countries to move on their EU path; whereas a number of civil society organisations contribute to the accession progress in their respective candidate countries;

Amendment 133 #

Anna BONFRISCO, Susanna CECCARDI, Antonio Maria RINALDI, Thierry MARIANI, Harald VILIMSKY, Anders VISTISEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas in the past years, the Council has grossly failed the enlargement countries by blocking the accession process and not delivering on the EU’s long outstanding promises towards the Western Balkans; whereas the delays in the start of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, as well as with the visa liberalisation agreement for Kosovo, have considerably damaged the EU’s credibility in its enlargement policy; whereas this lack of engagement and credibility during the past years has created a vacuum, thus opening the space for Russia and China and other harmful third actors;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas Tűrkiye has gradually moved away from the fundamental values and legal framework of the EU, often conflicting with the geopolitical objectives of the Member States; whereas, for this reason, Tűrkiye 's EU accession process is no longer justified, as well as all the related European funding;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

E b. whereas a lack of genuine political will by some of the leaders in the enlargement countries to advance fundamental reforms has also damaged the EU’s enlargement policy; whereas the level of political will proven by the political leaders of the enlargement countries to make meaningful progress on reforms does not always correlate with the level of progress in the accession process of the different countries;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)

E c. whereas 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the Thessaloniki Summit when the EU first publicly committed to the European perspective for the Western Balkans;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)

E d. whereas some of the enlargement countries display a great potential for destabilisation, thus further threatening the security and stability on the continent; whereas exploitation of this potential by third countries is already ongoing in many enlargement countries; whereas stability, security and democratic resilience of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood are inextricably linked to the EU’s own security, stability and democratic resilience;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E e (new)

E e. whereas there is no place in the EU or in the countries aspiring to become Member States for inflammatory rhetoric, genocide denial or glorification of war criminals from any side; whereas coming to terms with the past is the only way to warrant genuine reconciliation, which is crucial for prosperous societies and a successful integration;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU should step up considerably its conditional technical and financial support for fundamental reforms, the resolution of bilateral disputes and regional economic integration in accession countries; whereas the EP welcomes in this regard the €6 billion Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans which aims to accelerate fundamental reforms, enhance the countries’ integration into the European Union’s single market as well as boost economic integration of the region;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 4 May 2022 on the follow-up to the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU should step up considerably its conditional technical and financial support for fundamental reforms, the resolution of bilateral disputes and regional economic integration in accession countries, as well as in deepening integration into the EU's Single Market as the most effective tool to support economic development in the candidate countries in order to mitigate the gap in socio-economic development;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU should step up considerably its conditional technical and financial support for fundamental reforms, the resolution of bilateral disputes and regional economic integration in accession countries; whereas candidate countries and potential candidate countries should step up their efforts to ensure fundamental reforms;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU should step up considerably its conditional technical and financial support for fundamental reforms, the resolution of bilateral disputes, the overcoming of economic inequality and regional economic integration in accession countries;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU should ~~step up considerably its conditional technical and financial support for fundamental reforms, the resolution of bilateral disputes and regional economic integration in accession countries~~not allocate any more funds for support to third countries in any regard and especially not due to enlargement aspirations from the unelected civil servants at the EU Commission;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the strengthening of the role of the European Parliament ~~should be strengthen throughout~~, including the introduction of the parliamentary right of legislative initiative, is one of the preconditions for guaranteeing the democratic legitimacy and the enffectirve ~~enlargement process~~functioning of an enlarged Union;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the role of the European Parliament ~~should be strengthen~~ throughout the entire enlargement process; is extremely limited and should be strengthened; whereas the European Parliament is undoubtedly the most supportive EU institution when it comes to enlargement ~~process~~;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the role of the European Parliament should be strengthen ~~throughout the entire enlargement proces~~so as to enable to rein in the unelected civil servants of the EU Commission and their despotic rule that is a direct threat to all European cultures and peoples;

Amendment 147 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the role of the European Parliament should be strengthen throughout the entire enlargement process, including with regular committee meetings and parliamentary scrutiny of pre-accession financial instruments;

Amendment 148 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the role of the European Parliament should be strengthened throughout the entire enlargement process; whereas civil society organisations should be structurally involved in the process as well;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the ~~role of the~~ European Parliament ~~should be strengthen throughout the entire enlargement proces~~has no decision-making competence or any legitimacy in the area of foreign affairs, a competence reserved for the Council and the Member States;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard the Council conclusions of Mars 2020,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the role of the European Parliament should be ~~stre~~enhanced in evaluating the intermediate steps of the accession throughout the entire enlargement process;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the ~~role of the~~ European Parliament ~~should be strengthen throughout the entir~~has its own tools and instruments, including democracy support programmes, which can be used to support the enlargement process;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the reinforcement of the role of the European Parliament should be strengthen throughout the entire enlargement process;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the role of the European Parliament should be strengthened throughout the entire enlargement process;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. ~~whereas~~Takes note of the role of the European Parliament ~~should be strengthen~~ throughout the entire enlargement process;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

G a. whereas the plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe has recommended to “offer a credible accession perspective for candidate and potential candidate countries to foster peace and stability in Europe and bring prosperity to millions of Europeans” and to consider “any necessary legal avenues, including Treaty changes (...) to punish breaches of the rule of law”; whereas several other recommendations of the Conference on the Future of Europe, including the call for qualified majority voting as the standard way of decision- making in the Council, require amendments to the Treaties; whereas the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have committed to following up effectively on the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

G a. whereas enlargement widens space of democracy in Europe;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)

G b. whereas addressing the aforementioned challenges requires significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures as well as in the area of social policy, including the anchoring of the European Social Pillar into the EU’s primary law; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should make use of the ordinary treaty revision procedure and the implementation of a Convention in line with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) while allowing representatives of candidate countries to participate in the Convention;

Amendment 158 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas ~~under the current institutional framework,~~ the EU already faces considerable challenges in delivering effective crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession tre’s current institutional framework, and in particular its decision-making procedures, especially in the Council, is barely adequate for a Union of 27 Staties;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant it is clear, therefore, that such anges in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties enlargement cannot and should not take place;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)

– having regard to its previous resolutions on the matter, in particular that of 24 October 2019 on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, its recommendation of 19 June 2020 to the Council, the Commission and the Vice- President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the Western Balkans, following the 2020 summit and its resolutions on the 2022 Commission reports on Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro,

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States;upholding the Rule of Law as many EU institutions was infiltrated by left wing political activist, using the EU systems that where~~as before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new member~~ put into place to benefit the peoples of the Member States as and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treatiesol against the same peoples, their cultures and nations, with the ultimate aim to abolish the nations of Europe and undermine the indigenous peoples and cultures of Europe;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas ~~under~~ the current institutional framework~~, the EU al~~ laid out in the Treadty ~~faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institution~~of Lisbon meets the requirement of future enlargements; whereas the EU’s hand ~~decision-making mechan~~ling of the crismes ~~were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee~~in recent years – including COVID-19 and Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine – have clearly shown that if the EUre is ~~able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedu~~political will, the EU can perform effectively and deliver high quality policies within the current Treaty framework. Therefores, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;the EU does need not to rush into institutional reforms in order to deliver results that would be divisive and slow down the EU in readiness to serve the citizens’ needs.

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for navigating the current uncertain and volatile international scenario, as well as a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures in a way that includes the adoption of a Qualified Majority Voting system in specific policy areas such as external policy, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility start working on of treaty changes, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties, in line with the results of the Conference on the Future of Europe;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integratbefore the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms should be considered with the view to guarantee the efficient functioning of the enlarged Union; whereas this could impl~~ies~~y significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management ~~and~~, strategic decision- making, democratic legitimacy and accountability; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next substantial enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to respond properly to the many challenges it currently faces, to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas a serious debate on these issues would add to the credibility of the enlargement process; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures~~, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions~~; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and co~~nsider the possibility of treaty change~~mmit to the revision of the Treaties, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas unanimity in the Council has become one of the biggest impediments to undertaking the necessary actions to address pressing issues; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States so that an enlargement without the proper institutional and social reforms would severely hurt the Union’s legitimacy and ability to act; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;7a _________________ 7a (We propose to put this paragraph before the current paragraph G.)

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon ~~and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties~~;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU ~~already~~ faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms weare ~~not designed~~unfit for a Union ~~that could be composed of up to 37~~with growing number of Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible ~~introduction~~advancement of differentiated integration solutions; whereas some of those solutions have been discussed for some time already; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making and sufficient democratic legitimacy; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and ~~consider the possibility of treaty change~~introduce amendments to the Treaties, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and ~~strategic~~ decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including toin particular the decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)

– having regard to the Report of the Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe of 9 May 2022;

Amendment 170 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas ~~before the next enlargement takes place,~~ significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by ~~the~~ accession treaties or by a possible 'Treaty of reform and accession';

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU already faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas ~~before~~simultaneously with the next enlargement ~~takes place~~, significant ~~pre- enlargement~~ reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this can impl~~ies~~y significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions where permitted under the Treaties; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider ~~the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties~~carefully whether treaty change would be appropriate;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas under the current institutional framework, the EU ~~already~~ faces considerable challenges in crisis management and strategic decision- making; whereas it is clear that the EU institutions and decision-making mechanisms were not designed for a Union that could be composed of up to 37 Member States; whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant pre- enlargement reforms are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should take full advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon and consider the possibility of treaty change, including via adaptations introduced by the accession treaties;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. Whereas the Conference on the Future of Europe called on the EU to agree on a strong vision and a common strategy to consolidate the unity and decision taking capacity of the EU in view of future enlargement; whereas the Conference also recommended that the EU‘s decision-making processes should be reviewed before allowing the accession of new Member States; whereas the final report advances as well specific proposals aiming at strengthening European democracy, and at improving the EU’s decision-making process in order to ensure the EU’s capability to act; whereas many of these proposals are only possible to implement if there are changes to the Treaties;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. whereas in the current geopolitical context, the EU cannot consume its strength on inward-looking discussions about institutional changes, but must be outward and forward looking by supporting the candidate countries and developing global partnerships with like- minded partners

Amendment 175 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

H b. Whereas before the next enlargement takes place, significant reforms of its governance are needed to guarantee that the EU is able to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; whereas this implies significant changes in the EU’s institutional framework, including to decision-making procedures, and the possible introduction of differentiated integration solutions; whereas in order to achieve this, the EU should carry out an ambitious revision of the Treaties, while taking full advantage of the flexibilities afforded by the Treaty of Lisbon in the short-term; Whereas the reform of the EU’s governance through Treaty change should be adopted and enter into legal force well in time for the EU’s prospective enlargement, i.e. before 2030;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;deleted

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;deleted

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas a deep reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures~~, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations~~ is a necessary precondition for the proper and efficient functioning of an enlarged European Union; whereas amending the Treaties is necessary, not as an end in itself, but in the interest of the sustainability and resilience of the European project in the years to come;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. ~~whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States;~~ whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas ~~reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiation~~the ongoing accession negotiations must proceed separately from the discussions about the reform of EU’s governance structures;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 c (new)

– having regard to the Commission communication of 5 February 2020 entitled ‘Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0057),

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas recent difficulties with EU decisions on sanctions confirm benefits of moving away from unanimity; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on political will and efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas political will strengthens efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; ~~whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;~~

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas reform of the EU’s institutional framework and governance structures, with simplified, more effective and democratic decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safhas finally been revealed to its fullest extent through the appalling track record and decisions taken in conjunction with the make believe "climate-crises", the constructed Corona crisis, the ill-fated interference in the war between Ukraine and Russia and the actions in reguard~~ing~~ to the ~~EU’s interest~~mass atrocities aund ~~its global geopolitical leadership; whereas ref~~ertaken by the Islamic terrorm o~~f the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiati~~rganization Hamas and last but not least complete inability to stop the subversive waves of mass migration that has afflicted the European contingent for far too lonsg;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas re~~form~~vise of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and where necessary adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;

Amendment 185 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership and credibility; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on democratic and efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision- making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed and adopted in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures~~, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be discussed~~ must be examined in detail and discussed among all the Member States, and be adopted ~~in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations~~, where appropriate, when the accession processes are concluded;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Union’s credibility and ability to act in a timely and effective manner depends on efficient decision- making, and even more so in an enlarged EU of 30 or more Member States; whereas efficient decision-making leading to timely and coordinated internal and external action is vital for safeguarding the EU’s interests and its global geopolitical leadership; whereas reform of the EU’s governance structures, with simplified decision-making procedures, must be ~~discussed and adopt~~considered in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. The new strategic enlargement of the EU, which is jeopardised by the 'enlargement fatigue' that has arised, must not be allowed to downplay and undermine the urgent need for further deepening but, on the contrary, the Union's institutions must work and speed up the process of deepening so that the Union can meet the expectations of its citizens.

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 d (new)

– having regard to the Council conclusions of July 2020 “Promoting values and rules-based pan-European co- operation and supporting a reinvigorated Council of Europe”,

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. whereas European institutions must identify effective solutions to overcome unanimity and must engage in mutual sincere cooperation without blocking decisions or applying vetoes that are not based on legally defined and concrete Treaty-based arguments or explanations;

Amendment 191 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. whereas the decision-making in the Union must also be reformed to maintain and strengthen the EU’s democratic legitimacy, among others through an institutional set-up that more accurately reflects a bicameral system;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. whereas passerelle clauses could be used immediately to switch from the requirement of unanimity to qualified majority voting in specific policy areas;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)

I b. Whereas Parliament has activated the Treaty revision procedure and has submitted proposals for the amendment of the Treaties to the Council in accordance with Article 48(2) TEU;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the effectiveness and uniformity of EU law can only be ensured if it takes precedence over diverging national law in areas where EU law is applicable; whereas the mechanism to ensure compliance with the EU’s fundamental principles and values and the acquis communautaire must also be strengthened in parallel with the next enlargement;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the mechanism to ensure compliance with the EU’s fundamental principles and values and the acquis communautaire must also be strengthened ~~in parallel with the next enlargement~~so that Member States and individual representatives of the peoples of Europe have the freedom of speech and can live free and secure in their own nations one more;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the mechanism to ensure compliance with the EU’s fundamental principles and values and the acquis communautaire must also be strengthened in parallel with the next enlargement; whereas the implementation of the acquis should be thoroughly and objectively monitored for each candidate state

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the mechanism to ensure compliance with the EU’s fundamental principles and values and the acquis communautaire, including the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, must also be strengthened in parallel with the next enlargement;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the mechanism to ensure compliance with the EU’s fundamental principles and values and the acquis communautaire must also be strengthened in parallel with the next enlargement in order to be complied with before it;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. ~~whereas~~takes note of the mechanism to ensure compliance with the EU’s fundamental principles and values and the acquis communautaire ~~must also be strengthened in parallel with the next enlargement~~;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), particularly Article 5(3)

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 e (new)

– having regard to the Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III),

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

J a. whereas the principles of institutional balance and of mutual sincere cooperation must be always respected;

Amendment 201 #

Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Margarida MARQUES, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; whereas th~~is financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place~~e joint determination and establishment of the financial foundation should progress concurrently with the accession negotiations; whereas Article 311 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that the Union shall equip itself with the necessary resources to achieve its objectives and implement its policies, and that, in accordance with the same article, the Union’s budget shall be fully financed from own resources, notwithstanding other revenue sources; whereas contributions based on Gross National Income (GNI) constitute only 75% of the Union’s budget, and therefore, the Union’s political strategies may be contingent on Member States’ budgetary decisions; whereas it is further noted that the Union’s budget is financed by genuine own resources, namely tariffs and value- added tax, despite Member States often regarding these funds as their national contributions to the Union’s budget; whereas European citizens have proposed strengthening the Union’s budget through new own resources at the Conference on the Future of Europe, as well as stated that Parliament should have a say in the Union’s budget, in line with the rights of national parliaments; whereas according to the Court of Justice, “exercise by the Parliament of its budgetary powers in plenary sitting constitutes a fundamental event in the democratic life of the European Union”;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies~~; whereas the current and the nex~~ as well as other EU programs and EU-wide solutions; whereas many of the shortcomings and inadequacies in the current mMultiannual fFinancial fFramework~~s should be strength~~ are inherent in its logic and design, where predictability of spending drives decisions on structure and amounts and curbs flexibility; whereas there has been a gradual decrease of the EU budget as a percentage of EU gross national income (GNI) and an excessive focus on capping overall spending at roughly 1 % of EU GNI; whereas this has prevented ~~considerably~~the Union from delivering on its agreed political ambitions and deprived it of the ability to respond swiftly to crises and emerging needs; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial framework should be properly constructed and significantly strengthened to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably and their governance overhauled to enable EU enlargement,; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place; whereas the projected budgetary impact of the prospective enlargement should be countered through increased EU budgetary autonomy, including by the phasing out of national contributions and the creation of new own resources;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes placeultural threat for the Member States as well as a direct threat to their financial sustainability;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. ~~whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies;~~ whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable and underpin substantial EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before substantial enlargement takes place;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement without jeopardizing the support needed in existing Member States; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place, preferably via pre-accession financial instruments;

Amendment 208 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for the EU’s financial sustainability~~, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies~~; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes placequestions the advisability of the EU continuing to finance the candidate countries, in particular those whose procedure has been suspended without any prospect of being restarted;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 f (new)

– having regard to the European Court of Auditors special report 01/2022 of 10 January 2022 entitled ‘EU support for the rule of law in the Western Balkans: despite efforts, fundamental problems persist’,

Amendment 210 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion ~~and~~, agriculture and foreign and security policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; ~~whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;~~

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement is also a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas this need reprioritisation and revision of the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks ~~should be strengthened considerably~~ to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas enlargement ~~is also~~poses a major challenge for EU’s financial sustainability, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; whereas the current and the next multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement; whereas this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. whereas in recent years, structural adjustment programs imposed on states have entailed measures such as wage cuts, reductions in social spending, the cessation of gas subsidies, restrictions on trade unions’ ability to represent their members, the ending of moratoriums on land sales, and the creation of land markets, leading to a concentration of land in the hands of economic private stakeholders, with diverse impacts on the citizens of the respective countries; whereas a recurring trend involves large landholders securing substantial financing from Western financial institutions, juxtaposed with minimal support extended to smallholder farmers;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. whereas, in the context of enlargement, there is a need to look in the holistic way at the review of policies announced during the State of the Union address 2023, structural reforms, institutional changes and MFF 2028- 2034;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. whereas the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will bring some of the benefits of membership to the aspiring countries in advance of accession and speed up the process of European integration;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. whereas the countries of the Western Balkans must focus on conflict resolution, regional cooperation and reforms in order to achieve common security and stability of the region;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. whereas enlargement can only be performed to countries which are not occupied by foreign powers and with stabilised and recognized borders at the moment of their accession;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)

K b. whereas a notable portion of the world’s ‘black earth’ is concentrated within specific candidate countries; whereas historically, specific candidate countries have been major global producers of commodities such as sunflower meal, oil, and seed, while also serving as significant exporters of corn and wheat; whereas enlargement without due consideration of agricultural implications may challenge the competitiveness and functioning of the CAP, and jeopardise the wellbeing and prosperity of small-scale and traditional farmers in old Member States, particularly given the significant agricultural production and export potential wielded by certain candidate countries; whereas this requires a thorough reassessment and restructuring of the EU’s agricultural policy and the CAP to advance food sovereignty, agroecology, and small-scale sustainable farming;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K c (new)

K c. whereas there exists a considerable concentration of land under the control of oligarchs and large agribusinesses, exceeding a substantial percentage of arable land, in many candidate countries; whereas the economic stability and long-term sovereignty of these nations are intricately linked to preventing the potential takeover of agricultural land by multinational enterprises (MNEs) and investment entities; whereas the heightened involvement of investment companies opens the door for speculation on agricultural goods, leading to increased market volatility, distorted pricing mechanisms, and a potential disconnect between market values and the actual agricultural production and demand; whereas such conditions pose risks of destabilising local and global food markets, threatening food security, and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations who may face higher prices and reduced access to essential food items; whereas the preservation of these crucial assets is imperative for the collective benefit of the people in these candidate countries; whereas calls from civil society, academics, and farmers have advocated for the reevaluation of land- related legislation and transactions, aiming for an agricultural model devoid of oligarchic or foreign influence and corruption;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

~~– having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2022 on the call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties2 , _________________ 2 OJ C 493, 27.12.2022, p. 130.~~deleted

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K d (new)

K d. whereas the escalating debt burden faced by specific candidate countries presents a substantial challenge, already exploited by financial institutions to propel additional privatisation and liberalisation in various sectors, including agriculture; whereas the Commission and candidate countries should exercise due consideration to the debt issue, given its implications for the incorporation of the acquis communautaire, debt relief, and the new Member States’ integration into the EU Single Market, and prevent any potential debt-trap scenarios;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K e (new)

K e. whereas the burden of additional costs from the enlargement process should not fall upon the shoulders of Europe’s most vulnerable individuals and communities, which therefore requires that the financial or economic implications of enlargement are distributed fairly and equitably, preventing the exacerbation of existing disparities and further marginalisation of those who are already facing hardships;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K f (new)

K f. whereas regional and local administrations as well as civil society organisations and experts should play an important role by fully participating in the design and scrutiny of the enlargement process; whereas peer-to-peer cooperation and programmes embedded in partnerships between cities and regions in the Union and those in candidate countries have already achieved tangible results and thus provide a basis to enrich and accelerate the enlargement process; whereas the Union should recognise and support the multiple roles played by the local and regional authorities and civil society actors as promoters of a territorial and inclusive approach to local and regional development, including decentralisation processes, participation and accountability, which should be developed with the introduction of a public legal entity for municipalities, and further enhance its support for local and regional authorities’ capacity building, as well as the provision of expertise necessary for the implementation of projects related to the enlargement;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K g (new)

K g. whereas enlargement should be based on sustainable development, and achieved through the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at local and regional levels; whereas enlargement should not contribute to environmental degradation or cause harm to the environment or climate, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and other relevant multilateral agreements; whereas enlargement should be coherent with the objectives to limit the temperature increase to 1,5°C, increase the ability of Member States to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and foster climate resilience, and support biodiversity conservation, circular economy and zero-pollution; whereas particular attention should be given to actions that create cobenefits and meet multiple objectives, including for climate, biodiversity and the environment;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K h (new)

K h. whereas the enlargement process should safeguard and strengthen the right to freedom of expression and information, as well as media freedom and pluralism, as enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’) and Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, in the candidate countries;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine is ~~an additional challenge to be addressed in the wider context of an international effort~~nothing that any Member State should have a part in, as it does not directly or indirectly benefit the population in the various Member States;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)

L a. whereas the European Political Community, a platform introduced by the French Presidency in 2022, allows for political coordination between the EU and other countries to strengthen their cooperation relations with the European Union in different domains, independently of their enlargement status; whereas these meetings are a good way to engage in political dialogue and should continue to be held in parallel to the enlargement process;

Amendment 227 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

On ~~the strategic dimension of~~ enlargement

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; urges the European Council to follow recommendations of the European Commission to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to task the Commission to submit a proposal for a framework for negotiations immediately; stresses the importance of an effective information campaign on the negotiation process, the results achieved and the benefits to society;

Amendment 229 #

Sven MIKSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; calls for the Council to support the recommendations of the Commission 2023 Enlargement package and to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, to grants Georgia the status of a candidate country and to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs on proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties (A9- 0337/2023),

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries~~, and acknowledges the ser~~; welcomes the Commission’s recommendations to open accession negotiatiouns ~~efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership~~with Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to grant candidate status to Georgia; notes, however, that in some instances, these assessments are based on the current geopolitical situation rather than on tangible and concrete progress and reforms undertaken by the candidate countries;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; highlights that the rule of law, democratic reform and respecting human rights should be put at the forefront of the accession process, alongside improved monitoring, reporting and assessment;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries and their citizens, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; underlines that the integration process should be multidimensional and therefore observed in all sectors of the candidate countries;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by some candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; emphasises that Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans are the EU’s closest partners, due to geographical and historical links;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; calls on the Memebr States to demonstrate clear and unequivocal political commitment towards enlargement;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, ~~and acknowledges the serious efforts made by candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership~~however it is the interests of the peoples of the Member States that shall be the deciding factor, not the will of peoples of thrid countries, hence; the EU shall not have any further enlargements;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the interest and the political will to join the EU shown by so many countries, and acknowledges the serious efforts made by some candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership;

Amendment 237 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Reiterates the view that Türkiye’s EU accession process cannot be resumed in the current circumstances; urges the Turkish Government and the European Union’s institutions and Member States to break the current deadlock and move forward towards a closer, more dynamic and strategic partnership through developing alternative frameworks of cooperation, such as a modernisation of the Association Agreement;

Amendment 238 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Laments that the EU has not always been up to the challenges posed by the process of enlargement, with Member States using their vetoes mainly for internal political reasons; calls on the Member States to refrain from making the same mistakes again and posing artificial hurdles for unwarranted reasons, in a process which is already long and complex on its own;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls on the Council to strongly condemn Türkiye’s hostile geopolitical behaviour in the eastern Mediterranean and to terminate Türkiye’s EU accession negotiations, as well as all EU funding and programmes relating to Türkiye’s EU accession;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs on the implementation of the principle of primacy of EU law (A9-0341/2023),

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Acknowledges the limited efforts made by many candidate countries to meet the requirements for membership; in this context, regrets the serious and worrisome lack of progress -and even backsliding- made by some candidate countries in their EU’s accession path;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. supports that the integration process should be multidimensional therefore observed in all the sectors of the candidate countries; supports that preventing foreign interference in political, economic and social sectors is of utmost importance

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Reaffirms that enlargement is the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and represents a geostrategic investment in long-term peace, democracy, stability and security throughout the continent;

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Stresses that the European accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina is crucial in order to avert tensions due to inflammatory rhetoric and secessionist acts which undermine its European aspirations;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Welcomes the Commission's recommendation on the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and the conditional recommendation on the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to urgently find a common political agreement in order to comply with the Commission's recommendation of 8 November 2023 to be able to open accession negotiations before March 2024, taking also into account the volatile geopolitical situation and efforts to prevent external malign influences in the region, thus paving the way for permanent peace and stability in the country and the region;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Recognises the importance of the Western Balkan countries in the context of the EU's enlargement policy and the importance of their integration into the European Union, which is crucial for the stability, security and prosperity of the whole of South-Eastern Europe;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1 c. Encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina to focus its efforts on meeting the defined criteria, which would create the conditions for opening accession negotiations;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;deleted

Amendment 249 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine~~Calls on the European Council, when evaluating the progress made individually by the candidate countries for EU accession and deciding on further steps, to take into account the background of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine that has significant consequences for Ukraine’s immediate neighbouring countries as well as for the stability, security and prosperity of the entire European continent and therefore requires a long-term political vision and bold decisions that reflect the strategic importance of European unity and therefore EU enlargement; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal~~; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in~~ to share peace, security, and prosperity~~, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent~~ with its European neighbours as well as to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, human rights, including minority rights, fundamental freedoms and European values;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5

– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 23-24 June 2022, ~~and~~ 29-30 June 2023, 26-27 October 2023, and 14-15 December 2023,

Amendment 250 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is ~~of the utmost strategic~~ importancet for the EU~~, and all the more so in the face~~ in the face, among other things, of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy ~~has become the strongest geo~~is a political tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement iscould be a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent; recalls, however, the need to bear in mind that Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union states: ‘If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power’;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continentnot necessary for a European Union already subject to significant political, economic and democratic tensions, in particular as a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy would only weaken the EU by adding to its instability and increasing the demographic and economic volumes affected by internal European difficulties; stresses that, in this regard, enlargement amounts to a headlong rush akin to a Ponzi scheme in which the inflow of new entrants is intended to offset the scheme’s inherent imbalances;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; emphasizes the political urgency of demonstrating to Russia the EU commitment to the new international political order on the European continent; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic and vital investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy, human rights, rule of law and European values on the continent; insists that the EU enlargement is a shared responsibility of the EU and the aspiring member states;

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU~~, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggress~~ so it must follow a long-term and well- structured sustainable plan that will not respond to or be influenced by topical and temporary political correlations a~~gainst Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal~~nd imbalances, but will serve the interests of the Union and the prosperity of its citizens through targeted policies; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security ~~and prosperity~~, as well as a ~~driver~~guide for democracy and European values ~~on the continent;~~, tackling of climate change and the protection of biodiversity.

Amendment 255 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and other geopolitical challenges we are jointly facing; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, its stability, peace and prosperity, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;

Amendment 257 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment inits citizens, points out that enlargement should contribute to the promotion and realisation of peace, security, and ~~prosperity, as well as a driver for~~disarmament, wellbeing and prosperity, democracy and European values on the continent as well as the tackling of climate change and the protection of biodiversity;

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy ~~has~~can become one of the strongest geopolitical tools at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become one of the strongest geopolitical tools at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to the European Commission EU Enlargement Package of 8 November 2023,

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that enlargement is of the utmost strategic importance for the EU, and all the more so in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; stresses that an enhanced enlargement policy has become one of the strongest geopolitical tool at the EU’s disposal; points out that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity, as well as a driver for democracy and European values on the continent;

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Emphasises that the foundation for EU enlargement rests on the widespread anticipation of embedding democratic principles in the political, economic, and social fabric of accession countries, necessitating a comprehensive discussion on all facets of prospective membership throughout the negotiation process; consequently calls for the inclusive provision of information and citizen participation at every stage and in all final decisions; further demands that the outcomes of the negotiations be subjected to a referendum in each relevant candidate country; therefore, calls on the Commission to develop an inclusive multilingual digital platform that creates transparency by outlining the accession steps and current progress, and allows all citizens and stakeholders to actively observe and engage in discussions on the ongoing accession process;

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Underlines the importance of the appeal of the President of European Council, Charles Michel, to the European Union and aspiring countries to be ready for enlargement by 2030, implying the need of taking the accession of new Member States into account during preparation of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework; recognizes the relevance of indicative timeline of enlargement for the purpose of mobilizing the preparation of the European Union and candidate countries for this process;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Considers the public support of the enlargement to be crucial for the enlargement process; understands that public support for EU enlargement is low in some accession countries of the Western Balkan, in this respect reiterates its calls for strengthening of the Parliament’s and Commission’s strategic communication about mutual benefits of the enlargement and positive experience of previous enlargements;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Stresses that judicial independence, rule of law, and the fight against corruption , disinformation, money laundering and organised crime, as well as eradicating the improper influence of oligarchs on authorities, the media and the economy, and advancing human rights are crucial preconditions for progress on the EU path;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Emphasises that the next EU enlargement constitutes a crucial turning point for the European Project; points out that the Union should ensure it has all the tools and support to continue the development of the European project, risking otherwise to become for the most part a vast free trade zone in the long term;

Amendment 266 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Considers the Commission’s new methodology as a long-term policy framework, which should guide the enlargement process; against this background, encourages the Commission to update this communication to take into consideration the accession processes of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia;

Amendment 267 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Emphasises the importance of regional cooperation among the Western Balkan countries in order to promote stability, security, prosperity and integration;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Calls to thoroughly evaluate the EU’s enlargement strategy, both in content and in substance; against this background, calls for an evaluation assessing the reasons why the progress made by the enlargement countries is so limited, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, human rights and democracy; in this context, calls on the EU delegations on the ground to apply a more credible and merit-based approach based on the rule of law and the protection of human rights;

Amendment 269 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Considers that the accession process must ensure that candidate countries intensify their efforts to improve the functioning of the rule of law and the judiciary, tackle corruption, trafficking and organised crime, ensure media freedom, empower civil society, guarantee fundamental rights and the rights of minorities, and strengthen its cooperation with the EU institutions;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

– having regard to the European Commission Analytical report on Ukraine’s alignment with the EU acquis of 2 February 2023, European Commission Analytical report on Moldova’s alignment with the EU acquis of 2 February 2023, European Commission Analytical report on Georgia’s alignment with the EU acquis of 2 February 2023,

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Considers that the process of preparing the European Union for enlargement and accession negotiations should take place in parallel;

Amendment 271 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2 c. Considers that the accession process must ensure that candidate countries increase their efforts related to equal rights for persons with disabilities; emphasises the need to increase pressure on candidate countries to implement reforms to improve the situation of persons with disabilities and to increase their efforts in terms of deinstitutionalisation including the transition from institutional to family and community based care;

Amendment 272 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2 c. Endorses using the European elections 2024 as an opportunity to discuss with European citizens the process of widening and deepening of the European Union;

Amendment 273 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2 d. Stresses the need to improve the visibility and communication concerning Union financing in candidate countries;

Amendment 274 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges the historic challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries and societies in the Western Balkans ~~and to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova~~, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia; underlines that starting accession negotiations and granting candidate status is accompanied by great expectations among the respective candidate countries' citizens that should be responded to during the accession negotiations;

Amendment 275 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges the historic ~~challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries in the Western Balkans and to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova~~problems not only facing the EU as an organization but more importantly the Member States, as the sovereign rights of the latter have become severely compromised due to years of proposals from EU Commission, resulting in amongst other increasing massive waves of migration, casuing insecurity, segregation and the undermining of the welfarestate;

Amendment 276 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Acknowledges the historic challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries in the Western Balkans and to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova~~Recognises that incorporating the countries of the Western Balkans would jeopardise the economic, social and migration situations in the Member States; stresses that Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova are, respectively, war-torn and secession-ridden and would therefore pose a serious threat to the stability of the EU if they were to join;

Amendment 277 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges the historic challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries in the Western Balkans, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to Ukraine and, the Republic of Moldova, and Georgia;

Amendment 278 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges the historic challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries inand the peoples of the Western Balkans and tof Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova;

Amendment 279 #

Sven MIKSER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges the historic challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries in the Western Balkans and to Ukraine ~~and~~, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)

– having regard to EU Association Agreement with Albania of 1 April 2009, Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina of 1 June 2015, Association Agreement with Georgia of 1 July 2016, Association Agreement with Kosovo of 1 April 2016, Association Agreement with Moldova of 1 July 2016, Association Agreement with Montenegro of 1 May 2010, Association Agreement with North Macedonia of 1 April 2004, Association Agreement with Serbia of 1 September 2013, Association Agreement with Turkey of 1 December 1964, Association Agreement with Ukraine of 1 September 2017,

Amendment 280 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges the ~~historic~~ challenge facing the EU of meeting its commitments to the countries in the Western Balkans and to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova;

Amendment 281 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Maintains its view that the integration of the Western Balkans is contrary to the interests of the Member States and the European nations; recalls, in this regard, the study carried out in 2019 by the European Council on Foreign Relations, which confirmed that the majority of the Member States’ citizens do not support expanding the EU to include the countries of the Western Balkans1 a; _________________ 1 a https://eupinions.eu/de/blog/eu- citizens-remain-against-further- enlargement

Amendment 282 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Welcomes the European Commission Enlargement Package 2023 and its Communication on EU Enlargement Policy; supports the European Commission recommendation to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, to grant candidate status to Georgia and to open accession megotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance is achieved;

Amendment 283 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Stresses that excessive delays or second tier status on the way to the full EU membership can negatively impact both public opinion and political commitment of candidate countries;

Amendment 284 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Acknowledges that the main challenge for future enlargement is not about the change of the EU treaties but rather reforms in the candidate countries;

Amendment 285 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membershipStresses that fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria must take precedence over geostrategic alignment with the EU;

Amendment 286 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and therefore in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track ~~or fixed deadlines~~ for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership and only significant progress on EU-related reforms can be a reason to resume accession negotiations with countries where the accession process is frozen, otherwise stalled or where backsliding took place; stresses the need to establish clear deadlines for concluding negotiations with the accession countries by the end of the current decade at the latest; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership; urges all candidate and potential candidate countries to prioritize strict alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy and reiterates that accession can only proceed once a country aligns with EU sanctions against Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;

Amendment 287 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short- cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;is now halted once and for all.

Amendment 288 #

Anna BONFRISCO, Susanna CECCARDI, Antonio Maria RINALDI, Thierry MARIANI, Harald VILIMSKY, Anders VISTISEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling Article 49 of the EU Treaty and the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law~~; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible~~, the economic criteria and the administrative and institutional capacity of the candidate countries, as well as the integration capacity of the European Union; stresses that while efforts should be made to seek positive results, there should be no ~~fast-track or~~ fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership; reiterates that candidate countries should join the restrictive measures (sanctions) adopted by the European Union;

Amendment 289 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership; considers, in this regard, that Tűrkiye 's EU accession process must be definitively halted in view of the numerous episodes in which Tűrkiye has acted to the detriment of the geopolitical interests of the Member States;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

– Having regard to its resolution of xx yy 2023 on proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties,

Amendment 290 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Encourages enlargement countries to continue acting with determination to implement the necessary reforms and make tangible and irreversible progress, starting with the fundamentals of the EU accession process; Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 291 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria ~~and in~~in their entirety, including ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy ~~and~~, the rule of law and rights of minorities; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there ~~should~~can be no fast- track or fixed deadlines for membership~~; underscores that there can be no short- cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy~~, which would affect the integrity of the accession process; stresses that maintaining a merit-based approach is important in order to ensure equal treatment among candidate countries, to maintain public trust isn a~~lso a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future~~nd support for the enlargement process in the EU and, ultimately, to ensure readiness of candidate countries to take on their obligations deriving from membership;

Amendment 292 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria without overriding them under certain political narratives or overlooking delays or gaps in the implementation of the necessary reforms and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; ~~stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership;~~ underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values~~; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and~~, which are an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 295 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and, the rule of law and European fundamental rights and values; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts and compromises during the accession process on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 296 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a strictly merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental and core EU values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also an important way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an ~~important~~essential indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 297 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merits in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy ~~and~~, the rule of law and respect for and protection of minorities; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track or fixed deadlines for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membershiplines, however, that the EU should set concrete timelines and roadmaps for each accession country; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values;

Amendment 298 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track ~~or fixed deadlines~~ for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure and that each applicant must be assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and in ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; stresses that while positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, there should be no fast-track ~~or fixed deadlines~~ for membership; underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 5 October 2023 on taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU,

Amendment 300 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership; in this context, highlights the need to ensure that EU funds provided to enlargement countries are in line with the EU’s own strategic goals and interests;

Amendment 301 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Calls for accession processes to take place in a reversible manner, where additional rights and funding are suspended or revoked, and where closed chapters may be reopened in cases of stagnation or backsliding, especially when the stagnation or backsliding is related to fundamental values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law;

Amendment 302 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. underscores that there can be no short-cuts on fundamental values; points out that alignment with the common foreign and security policy is also a way of showing full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and an important indicator for sustainable future membership;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Urges the Council to refrain from blocking the candidate countries’ accession processes by reference to bilateral issues, in line with Article 24 of the TEU, the conclusions of the 2003rd Council meeting and the 2016 Vienna declaration on bilateral disputes of the Western Balkan states; calls, in this context, to amend the treaties to apply qualified majority voting in the Council for the interim steps and decisions during the accession process while keeping unanimity only for the final step of accession; against this background, calls on the Council to exert greater political pressure against those Member States that misuse the accession process by vetoing candidate countries with the objective to solve bilateral disputes that are unrelated with the Copenhagen criteria; regrets that these obstacles imposed by some Member States have considerably fuelled Euroscepticism, heightened inter-ethnic tensions and provided impetus to authoritarian tendencies; deplores the resurgence of anachronic historical demands by some Member States, which hinder the EU path of some candidate countries;

Amendment 304 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4 c. Reiterates its concerns about reports that the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi deliberately seeks to circumvent and undermine the centrality of democratic and rule of law reforms in the EU accession countries; urges the Commission to initiate an independent and impartial investigation into whether the conduct engaged in and policies furthered by the Commissioner constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission and of the Commissioner’s obligations under the Treaties; calls on the Commission to report the results of this investigation to the Parliament and the Council;

Amendment 305 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre-accession cooperation and verification mechanisms, offering positive conditionality in the form of access to EU policies or triggering negative conditionality in the form of the suspension of accession negotiations and pre-accession funding, in particular by making the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 on IPA III swiftly and fully operational, and enabling the reopening of the negotiation chapters under reversibility clauses, as well as by closely involving civil society in the process;

Amendment 306 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for afurther robust monitoring mechanisms for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries, in addition to the yearly Commission’s Enlargement Package; in this context, underlines the need to include in the regular reporting also the issue of non- progress or reversal of progress in a systematic and transparent manner; against this background, highlights the need to clarify the conditions and the indicators to assess any serious or prolonged stagnation or backsliding on which sanctions against accession countries would be based; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, a~~utomatically activating~~s a pre- accession cooperation and verification mechanisms;

Amendment 307 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre- accession cooperation and verification mechanismsMember States that joined in the last 25 years in order to ensure that the system is not abused and funds misappropriated;

Amendment 308 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. CEmphasizes the absolute priority to strengthen the rule of law which has substantially gained in importance in the EU accession process and remains one of the most important conditions for EU membership to ensure that EU enlargement strengthens and does not weaken the Union and its Single Market; calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre-accession cooperation and verification mechanisms;

Amendment 309 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries welcomes the adoption of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans and reiterates its importance in accelerating the E~~U rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre- accession cooperation and verification mechanism~~uropean Union accession process;

Amendment 31 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)

– Having regard to the report on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe,

Amendment 310 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre-accession cooperation and verification mechanisms; calls for exploring avenues for further strengthening protection of the rule of law and the EU’s democratic values against backsliding for both new and existing Member States in the context of Treaty reform;

Amendment 311 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre-accession cooperation and verification mechanisms; maintains a position that additional rights and funding for the candidate countries should be suspended or revoked in cases of stagnation or backsliding on the ‘fundamentals’;

Amendment 312 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a ~~robust monitoring mechanism~~thorough screening for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries in all the negotiating chapters; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre- accession cooperation and verification mechanisms;

Amendment 313 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust benchmarks and monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre-accession cooperation and verification mechanisms;

Amendment 314 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the ~~Union~~Member States in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre- accession cooperation and verification mechanisms;

Amendment 315 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring mechanism for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values ~~and the financial interests~~ of the Union in the context of accession procedures; reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre- accession cooperation and verification mechanisms;

Amendment 316 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a robust monitoring ~~mechanism~~ for the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries; ~~urges, in particular, the setting up of a specific and effective monitoring mechanism for protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures;~~ reiterates in this regard its calls to include candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and its annual reporting exercise, automatically activating pre-accession cooperation and verification mechanisms; calls on the Commission to vigilantly scrutinise the IPA III and other funds relevant to the accession during the whole process and to scrutinise the spending and implementation more proactively;

Amendment 317 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Reiterates its position1a that cooperation between the EU and the Council of Europe in the area of supporting candidate and potential candidate countries in carrying out reforms and helping them meet the EU accession criteria on the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities should be further strengthened in order to become more formal, structured and systematic; points out the importance of the Venice Commission in the provision of assistance in the reform of judicial, governance and electoral processes in the candidate and potential candidate countries; stresses that the EU should ensure without fail that accession candidate countries comply with all its recommendations on their path towards membership; _________________ 1a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION on the institutional relations between the EU and the Council of Europe (2022/2137(INI)), article 48

Amendment 318 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Underlines that in view of the new candidate status granted to Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the potential candidate status granted to Georgia, the Eastern Partnership (EaP) framework should be readjusted; calls to list these three countries as beneficiaries to the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) Regulation, without prejudice to the scope of the new Ukraine Facility; underlines that the inclusion of new beneficiaries should under no circumstances reduce the available resources for the current beneficiaries of IPA III funding; calls on the Commission to effectively use conditionality mechanisms vis-à-vis the enlargement countries, including in the communication strategy around the funding;

Amendment 319 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Reiterates its call on the Commission to implement the recommendations of the European Court of Auditors Special Report 01/2022 in order to ensure an effective impact of EU financial assistance in support for the rule of law in the Western Balkans, in particular by developing guidelines on the application of IPA III provisions on modulation and conditionality;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

~~— having regard to its resolution of 11 July 2023 on the implementation of the passerelle clauses in the EU Treaties5,~~deleted

Amendment 320 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5 c. Calls to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the accession countries, in order to ensure that the EPPO can effectively exert its competencies in the area of EU funds, in particular regarding IPA III funds, including through the secondment of national liaison officers to the EPPO;

Amendment 321 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5 d. Welcomes the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans announced by the European Commission during the presentation of the 2023 Enlargement Package; calls on the Commission to apply strict conditionality and disburse funds only to those enlargement countries that deliver tangible results and implement reforms in the areas of the rule of law, democracy and human rights; against this background, calls on the Commission to support financially only those accession countries that genuinely work towards good neighbourly relations and sustainable reconciliation, including but not limited to the prosecution of war criminals and ensuring access to truth, justice and effective reparations to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide;

Amendment 322 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5 e. Encourages the accession countries to participate in inclusive regional cooperation schemes based on EU standards and rules; in this context, expresses its reservations towards non- inclusive regional cooperation initiatives such as the Open Balkans;

Amendment 323 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)

5 f. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen strategic communication on the benefits of enlargement both in the accession countries and in the Member States, with a special focus on countering disinformation and increasing the fight against foreign interference;

Amendment 324 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 g (new)

5 g. Highlights the need to step up citizen participation and the involvement of civil society in the enlargement process; in this context, calls on the EU to allocate additional resources to civil society actors dedicated to EU values and principles, democracy, peacebuilding and people-to-people contacts; against this background, underlines the need to mainstream gender equality, the protection of minorities (including the Roma, the LGBTIQ+ community and persons with disabilities) and fully implement the principle of non- discrimination throughout the accession process;

Amendment 325 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 h (new)

5 h. Encourages the EU to continue its cooperation with the Council of Europe to support the enlargement countries in carrying out essential reforms and training with a view to preparing these countries for their future accession to the EU;

Amendment 326 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 i (new)

5 i. Highlights the importance of advancing in the clean energy transition, as well as in energy efficiency, connectivity, the diversification and security of energy supply and sustainable development, in line with the EU acquis;

Amendment 327 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged;deleted

Amendment 328 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged Commission;

Amendment 329 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger, effective and meaningful parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the essential role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields ,using all possible means at its disposal, fulfilling its competence as derived from the Treaties and its democratic legitimacy; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged and executed in a transparent manner;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

~~— having regard to its resolution of 11 July 2023 on the implementation of the passerelle clauses in the EU Treaties5, _________________ 5 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0269.~~deleted

Amendment 330 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger and responsible parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy through the European Parliament as well as the Member States' and in particular the respective candidates countries' national parliaments; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged and implemented in a transparent manner;

Amendment 331 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; invites to consider appointing an EU chief negotiator to carry out negotiations under a broad negotiating mandate, who would also be accountable to the European Parliament; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged;

Amendment 332 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged and should serve as a model to sustain and expand the role of national parliaments in overseeing their own countries' processes of integration;

Amendment 333 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy¸ especially regarding the scrutiny of pre-accession financial assistance; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged;

Amendment 334 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy and providing democracy support through its existing instruments; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines thate need to strengthen regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries ~~should be encouraged~~;

Amendment 335 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament in evaluating the intermediate steps of the accession process throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be encouraged;

Amendment 336 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; ~~underlines that~~Commits to undertake regular dialogue and cooperation ~~between the European Parliament and~~with the national parliaments of candidate countries ~~should be encouraged~~;

Amendment 337 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that there is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the EU’s enlargement policy; insists on strengthening the role of Parliament throughout the entire accession process, including allowing it to scrutinise fully the progress made by the candidate countries across policy fields; underlines that regular dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of candidate countries should be en~~courag~~hanced;

Amendment 338 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Reiterates the importance of tools, such as the Jean Monnet Dialogue, the Inter-parliamentary Dialogue (IPD) and the Parliamentary Dialogue Process (PDP), which contribute to institutional reform processes and build democratic parliamentary culture in the accession countries; emphasises the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, which should be conducted through the already existing channels, like the AFET committee, official delegations and democracy support activities, such as regular parliamentary dialogues with partner countries;

Amendment 339 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Calls on the EU institutions to establish more venues for enhanced and structured political dialogue with candidate countries in order to advance further economic integration and legislative harmonisation, for example, by including the candidate countries as observers in the proceedings of the committees established pursuant to Article 291 TFEU and Regulation (EU) No 182/2011, as a means to show the EU's commitment to further integration and strengthen the countries' reform orientation and administrative know-how;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8

~~– having regard to its resolution of 11 July 2023 on the implementation of the passerelle clauses in the EU Treaties5 , _________________ 5 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0269.~~deleted

Amendment 340 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Stresses the importance of bolstering the democratic legitimacy of EU policies by reinforcing the European Parliament’s decision-making and scrutiny rights; reiterates, therefore, its calls to grant the European Parliament a general and direct right of legislative initiative;

Amendment 341 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membershipCalls for the immediate end to all enlargement projects;

Amendment 342 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies; believes that countries that have made substantial progress on EU-related reforms should be gradually integrated in the EU single market, thus being able to benefit from the four freedoms; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership; against this background, stresses that initiatives like the European Political Community are not alternatives to substitute enlargement as this would risk undermining the EU’s commitment to enlargement and would dash the legitimate aspirations of countries that seek to become Member States of the EU;

Amendment 343 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies, initiatives and the single market, access to EU funds in the respective areas, enabling citizens to reap the benefits of accession throughout the process and not only upon its completion; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; stresses that a dedicated and separate DG for Enlargement is necessary; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that there will be no alternatives to substitute enlargement and that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 344 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear ~~incremental~~ pathway towards EU membership~~, including gradual integration into common policies~~; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 345 #

Matjaž NEMEC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies; as well as gradual integration into relevant Union bodies under observer status for the purpose of facilitating acquis alignment and Union policy implementation, such as common foreign and security policy, including on restrictive measures; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 346 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies and providing candidate countries with observer status in certain meetings of EU institutions as in the case of previous enlargements; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas or by providing an observer status is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 347 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology, including clear reversible ‘graduation’ criteria; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas entails limited rights and obligations, and is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 348 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies, bringing clear benefits for the citizens during the whole process; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 349 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies and to the Single Market; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 23, 24, 30 and 31; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

– having regard to its recommendation of 23 November 2022 to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy concerning the new EU strategy for enlargement,

Amendment 350 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Believes that the challenge of a bigger Union requires an enhanced enlargement policy putting in place a clear incremental pathway towards EU membership, including gradual integration into common policies; notes that this pathway should be accompanied by increased technical and conditional financial assistance with a special focus on the implementation and enforcement of laws under negotiating chapters 2319, 2~~4, 30~~3 and 3127; invites the Commission to present detailed proposals on the incremental accession methodology; underlines that the phasing-in of candidate countries into selected policy areas is by no means an alternative to fully-fledged membership;

Amendment 351 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Underlines that while accession process is already delivering tangible socio-economic benefits to the citizens of enlargement countries, these gains should be extended with a gradual inclusion of candidate countries into the common policies, once the necessary reforms and negotiations on a given chapter were completed;

Amendment 352 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Suggests to consider granting candidate countries an observer status in relevant bodies and institutions once relevant policies are aligned and negotiations are completed in a given policy chapter, thus increasing participation in and ownership of the EU integration ahead of the accession; welcomes in this regard the decision of the European Economic and Social Committee to include observers from candidate countries from 2024 on;

Amendment 353 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7 c. Calls on the EU institutions and Member States to fully engage and further strengthen the reform processes in the candidate countries, in particular public administration and its improved capacities;

Amendment 354 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that European institutional and financial reforms to promote good governance, functionality and sustainability are needed to ensure the EU’s capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration;deleted

Amendment 355 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that European institutional and financial reforms to promote good governance, functionality, democratic accountability and sustainability are needed to ensure the EU’s capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration; calls for a stronger role for national parliaments and the European Parliament in the EU’s economic governance framework and highlights the importance of holding Economic Dialogues with Member States’ governments; underlines the need for the European Central Bank to be able to react flexibly to support Member States and the Union in times of crisis and in the social and ecological transition; calls for the removal of the prohibitions in Article 123 TFEU in order to extend the ECB’s mandate to act as a lender of last resort for public finances and to fulfil its stabilisation function;

Amendment 356 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that European institutional and financial reforms to promote good governance, functionality ~~and sustainability are needed~~, accountability, democratic legitimacy and sustainability are needed to face the current challenges and are inevitable to ensure the EU’s capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration;

Amendment 357 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that European institutional and financial reforms toshould increase the EU's ability to act, promote good governance, functionality and sustainability; notes that reforms are needed to ~~ensur~~reinforce the EU’s and its institutions' capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration;

Amendment 358 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Stresses that European institutional~~ Underlines that the deepening and enlargement of the Union must go hand fin~~ancial reforms to promote good governance, functionality and sustainability are needed to ensure the EU’s capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration~~ hand; stresses that the accession of new Member States can only take place if the EU’s institutional setup is first revised and made fit for purpose through Treaty change, with a view to reform the Union to unify the continent;

Amendment 359 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that European institutional ~~and financial~~ reforms to promote good governance, functionality and sustainability are needed ~~to ensure the EU’s capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration~~in many Member States;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

– having regard to the European Commission 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy,

Amendment 360 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Calls for a timely and precise revision of the cohesion policies; stresses that the ongoing debate on cohesion policy post-2027 needs to already take into account the potential impact of enlargement and the interests of structurally poor regions in the candidate countries; points out the necessity to increase the EU’s financial support towards regions with carbon intensive industries in order to implement a just transition towards a ‘net-zero emissions’ economy and the role that candidate countries will play for the EU to reach this goal;

Amendment 361 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Calls on the EU institutions and Member States to undertake the necessary European institutional and financial reforms without delay and to ensure that the results of these reforms in no way hinder or delay the accession of the new Member States;

Amendment 362 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Stresses that European institutional and financial reforms to promote good governance, functionality and sustainability are needed to ensure the EU’s capacity to absorb new members and to promote their successful integration;

Amendment 363 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Stresses that the entry into force of possible institutional reforms should be simultaneous with the conclusion of the accession process of a significant number of countries;

Amendment 364 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;deleted

Amendment 365 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting~~Notes that the academic research, which has analysed the impact of the 2004 and previous enlargements on the functioning of the EU institutions, proves that the enlargement had no negative effect on the decision-making capacity of the EU; to the contrary, the speed of decision-making has actually increased; moreover, various academic studies proved that after each enlargement decision-making was faster than during the time when fewer member states were engaged in Council negotiations. Brings attention to the fact that even though the proevi~~sions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;~~ous enlargements of 2004 and 2007 have absorbed bigger economies and population, comparing to the upcoming one, the EU institutions continued functioning well and even more effectively; consequently, there is no empirical data suggesting that the reform of the EU institutions is necessary for the upcoming enlargement; underlines that according to the experts, with a view to enlargement the EU should decentralise, not further centralise.

Amendment 366 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions ~~and relevant foreign policy decision~~, the climate crisis and ecological transition, tax measures and foreign and security policy decisions, including through the introduction of qualified majority voting in areas relevant to the accession process, and ensuring the effective functioning of an enlarged union as a whole and abolishing, in particular, the requirement for unanimity when deciding on the start of the negotiation process as well as the opening and closing of individual negotiating clusters and chapters;

Amendment 367 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Observes that the adoption of decisions by unanimity under the current Treaties increasingly prevents the EU from being a geopolitical player; Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified and more efficient decision-making proce~~dur~~sses, ~~moving away from~~abolishing unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions, and significantly increasing the number of areas where the ordinary legislative procedure applies, namely in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, budgetary policy, sanctions and ~~relevant~~ foreign policy decisions;

Amendment 368 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;deleted 6a _________________ 6a (Parts of the paragraph's content have been merged into our new version of paragraph 14.)

Amendment 369 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, ~~moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions~~based on a middle way solution between unanimity and quality majority voting in order to achieve balance between interests of small and large Member States avoiding unnecessary blockages due to particular bilateral issues, in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;

Amendment 37 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

– having regard to the Commission’s 2022 Enlargement package of 12 October 2022,

Amendment 370 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisionunanimity in the Council must be maintained for all decisions relating to foreign, security and defence policy issues as well as in all other areas where it exists;

Amendment 371 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions, such as the start of EU accession negotiations, the opening of negotiating clusters and sanctioning of the backtracking;

Amendment 372 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Points out~~Strongly believes that European institutional reforms must include simplified, more effective and democratic decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, tax policy, own resources, multiannual financial framework, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions, including enlargement;

Amendment 373 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms have to be performed before the accession of new Member States and must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and ~~relevant foreign~~foreign and defence policyies decisions having an interest for the European Union;

Amendment 374 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institution~~al reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions~~s and the Member States need to show greater political will in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;

Amendment 375 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions, but also to issues related to the Schengen area;

Amendment 376 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms ~~must~~could include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;

Amendment 377 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include ~~simplified~~effective decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity in certain areas where appropriate and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law~~, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions~~;

Amendment 378 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that any European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisionsstart with a deep restructuring of the EU Commission where the Member States has more of a control of the civil servants, also a full restructuring of other EU institutions are needed including but not limited to: the European Court of Justice;

Amendment 379 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that European institutional reforms must include simplified decision-making procedures, ~~moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions~~ensuring that the new system does not undermine the position of Member States, which is secured by the right of veto, in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, sanctions and relevant foreign policy decisions;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

– having regard to the European Commission Enlargement Package 2023;

Amendment 380 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Points out that a parallel process of widening and deepening the EU will have a profound effect on a wide area of EU policies; notes that a simplified decision-making process for potential other areas will be of benefit to the overall governability of the EU as well;

Amendment 381 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Points out that all Member States must be involved and heard in discussions and reflection on enlargement and the future of the European Union;

Amendment 382 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. is of the opinion that it is essential to move further in the integration process in the defence domain both at the industrial and operational level;

Amendment 383 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement; proposes to strengthen and reform the procedure in Article 7 TEU with regard to the protection of the rule of law by ending unanimity, introducing a clear timeframe, and by making the Court of Justice the arbiter of violations;

Amendment 384 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement; proposes, in particular, to strengthen and reform the procedure in Article 7 of the TEU by ending unanimity in Council decisions, introducing a clear timeframe and making the Court of Justice the arbiter of violations;

Amendment 385 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement; stresses the need for a broader rule of law conditionality mechanism covering all of the Union’s fundamental values as defined in Art 2 TEU;

Amendment 386 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement, in particular, more efficient monitoring of the implementation of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles by the EU institutions;

Amendment 387 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the ~~mechanism to~~ protection of the rule of law and ~~the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement~~free speech in all the Member States;

Amendment 388 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, especially independent judiciary and combatting corruption, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement;

Amendment 389 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, with all the Copenhagen criteria, even after accession to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2022 on the candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia,

Amendment 390 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the mechanisms to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, including the Art. 7 TEU procedure, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement;

Amendment 391 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Calls for~~Takes note of the mechanism to protect the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental principles and values, and the monitoring capacity to ensure compliance~~, to be strengthened ahead of the next enlargement~~;

Amendment 392 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Reiterates its calls for implementation of recommendations of the European Parliament Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, to prevent foreign malign interference and attempts to undermine democracy and to impact and derail the EU integration;

Amendment 393 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Calls for targeted awareness- raising campaigns around rights and duties deriving from EU citizenship statute for candidate countries;

Amendment 394 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that differentiated integration is part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements;deleted

Amendment 395 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that differentiated integration is part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements;deleted

Amendment 396 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that creating differentiated integration is part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member Statestatuses between EU Member States, a proposal which would be contrary both to the letter of the Treaties and to the very spirit of the Union, is out of the question; considers that it would be unacceptable and hypocritical for certain countries to be subject to identical requirements whil~~ling to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements~~e being granted lower levels of integration;

Amendment 397 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that differentiated integration ~~is part of the solution~~might be one of the ways forward for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should notever be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements and that membership of the Union should require strong commitment to respect all Union’s law;

Amendment 398 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that differentiated integration is part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; Calls on the EU institutions and on Member States to develop the EU along “concentric circles” of European integration, each entailing a diverse set of rights and duties; Welcomes in this respect the launch of the European Political Community, which constitutes the “external circle” built around the EU; underlines~~, however,~~ that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt- outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, ~~Member States willing to move European integration forward~~and pending the entry into force of amendments to the Treaties, Member States willing to move European integration forward in a wider array of policy areas and to constitute an “inner circle” should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements;

Amendment 399 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that ~~differentiated integration is~~the possibility offered by differentiated integration, where permitted by the Treaties, can be part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU and must be carefully considered before being implemented; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; stresses that participation in agriculture and cohesion policies requires membership of the European Union; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangementcitizenship and agricultural, cohesion, competition and trade policies;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)

– having regard to the Commission's 2023 Enlargement package of 8 November 2023,

Amendment 400 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that historically differentiated integration ishas been a part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that ~~respect for the~~ Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU ~~should not be subject to any derogations or opt-out~~are non-negotiable; underlines the risk of negative consequences for differentiated citizens’ rights resulting from non-participation of a Member State in certain policies or policy measures; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements;

Amendment 401 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that differentiated integration is part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangements and raise concerns about the transparency and accountability of the different layers of decision-making;

Amendment 402 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. 11. Believes that differentiated ~~integr~~assimilation is part of the solution for an efficient and deepened enlarged EU; underlines, however, that respect for the Union’s values as set out in Article 2 TEU should not be subject to any derogations or opt-outs; considers also that a broad area of European common ground must always be ensured, covering areas such as the Customs Union, the single market and its four freedoms, the core social acquis, and agricultural, competition and trade policies; notes that beyond this common ground, Member States willing to move European integration forward should be allowed to do so; underlines that under such a system of differentiated integration, while all Member States would take part in decisions about issues in the area of common ground, only Member States willing to participate in areas of deepened integration would take part in the decisions concerned; notes that differentiated integration also implies differentiated financial arrangementsthe enormous problem created by the uncontrolled waves by mass-migration from third countries to the Member States, that was encouraged, facilitated and pushed by the EU Commission and other unfriendly forces to European nations over the past 40 years, however the rapid and all-inclusive mass family reunification in the country of origin for the diaspora groups is the viable and realistic way forward, and as such proposes that the EU shall create a Temporary Agency, the European Relocation and Family Reunification Agency (ERFRA) that will create a robust and effective repatriation system to ensure the smooth, humane, prompt and cost effective family reunification process in third countries for the many and diverse diaspora groups across the Member States now suffering in constant conflicts with the host cultures and peoples of the European continent, all funds currently placed in the EU budget for enlargement shall instead be used for this purpose with the aim to SAVEUROPE;

Amendment 403 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Highlights that deepened integration by some Member States should not increase regional differences and should not encourage at any point a multi-speed Europe;

Amendment 404 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of the treaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and opt-out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on treaty revision, as proposed by Parliament;deleted

Amendment 405 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of the treaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and opt-out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on treaty revision, as proposed by Parliamentcurrent allocated funds for enlargement to be used in support of the Member States, for a pan-European family reunification process, to support the diaspora groups in Europe to return home;

Amendment 406 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ~~ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of~~, pending the entry into force of changes to the tTreaties; recalls that a number of flexibility ~~solution~~instruments, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), constructive abstentions and opt- out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on treaty revisRegrets however that, in spite of repeated calls, these instruments to streamline the decision-making process, remain unused due to inherent flaws and a lack of political will; underlines that the use of these instruments should not slow down the treaty revision procedure, as triggered by Parliament; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogation,s a~~s proposed by Parliament~~nd transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures;

Amendment 407 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of the treaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) ~~and opt- out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows~~; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent ~~constructive discussions~~ on treaty revision, as proposed by Parliament;

Amendment 408 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of the treaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and opt- out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows; ~~recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures;~~ points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on the possibility of treaty revision, as proposed by Parliament;

Amendment 409 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of the treaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, constructive abstention, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and opt- out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of ~~these~~any flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on treaty revision, as proposed by Parliament;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)

– having regard to the 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy;

Amendment 410 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for the full use of the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ahead of a more in-depth reform in the context of a possible revision of the treaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, ~~Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)~~ and opt- out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the Schengen area and the euro area clearly shows; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on treaty revision, as proposed by Parliament;

Amendment 411 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Calls for the full use of~~Notes the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon ~~ahead of a more in-depth reform in~~; believes that the con~~text of a possible revision of~~going parliamentary process aimed at changing the tTreaties; recalls that a number of flexibility solutions, such as passerelle clauses, enhanced cooperation, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and opt-out mechanisms are already possible under the current EU legal framework, as the experience of the S is premature and misjudged. Before engaging in such time- consuming and politically sensitive process, first the current Treaty arrangements should be used to the full, and if necessary, the EU should be open to explore possibility of reforms based on current legislative bases; points out that launcheingen area and the euro area clearly shows; recalls that phasing-in solutions, temporary derogations and transition periods can be negotiated in the context of accession procedures; points out that the use of these flexibility mechanisms should not prevent constructive discussions on treaty revision, as proposed by Parliament Treaty changes at present would entail a serious risk of drawing political energy away from the important tasks of finding solutions to the questions to which our citizens expect answers and handling the urgent geopolitical challenges facing Europe;

Amendment 412 #

Matjaž NEMEC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Stresses that Political and Security Committee has a vital role in preparation of the decisions related to the common foreign and security policy, including on restrictive measures, and further underlines that candidate countries for EU membership are systematically invited to align themselves with EU restrictive measures. To that end, each candidate country should be given an observer status at the Political and Security Committee and other relevant meetings of Council bodies;

Amendment 413 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Highlights that the Schengen area is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union and calls for the admission of Romanian and Bulgaria, in line with the Parliament’s resolutions;

Amendment 414 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Considers that before the next enlargement it is imperative to complete the membership of all Member States in the Euro and Schengen area;

Amendment 415 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;deleted

Amendment 416 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must ~~also~~ address the implications of enlargement on the political governance of the EU, including the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament ~~is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must rema~~, as the only directly elected institution representing EU citizens and one of the largest parliaments in the world, must not only remain workable but ensure sufficient democratic representation for all EU citizens in order to guarantee the legitimacy of the EU’s institutional framework; stresses in that regard the paramount importance of safeguarding a~~t a workable scale~~nd promoting the broadest diversity of political representation among new and old Member States through an electoral system without thresholds; points out~~, however,~~ that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;

Amendment 417 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Preforms of the EU must also address the critical fact how EU institutions, who were supposed to be politically impartial, became inundated with activists, in order to ensure that the restructured and severely diminished EU structure will be imparltia~~ment cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula~~l and not become a hot bed of political activism grossly deviating from the will of the citizens;

Amendment 418 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; ~~points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists~~considers the possibility onf a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;

Amendment 419 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that ~~a reasonable increase in the size of~~the allocation of additional seats in the Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness in case of substantial enlargement; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula, which is objective, fair, transparent and durable;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)

– having regard to the Committee of the Regions' opinion of 5-6 July 2022 on the Commission's Enlargement Package 2022,

Amendment 420 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament, including considering the possibility of observer Members of European Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;

Amendment 421 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament ~~is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it~~ must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;

Amendment 422 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications~~Takes note of the effect of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;

Amendment 423 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;, which, while it must ensure appropriate domacratic representativeness it should remain at a workable scale; Reiterates its position1a that seat allocation in the European parliament should be considered together with the voting system in the Council; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula; _________________ 1a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION on the composition of the European Parliament 2021/2229(INL) – 2023/0900(NLE)) - article 2; European Parliament resolution of 7 February 2018 on the composition of the European Parliament (2017/2054(INL) – 2017/0900(NLE),) Article 3.

Amendment 424 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre-forms simultaneous with enlargement ~~reforms~~ must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in order to ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula;

Amendment 425 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that institutional pre- enlargement reforms must also address the implications of enlargement on the composition of Parliament; recalls that the European Parliament is already one of the largest parliaments in the world and underlines that in any case it must remain at a workable scale; ~~points out, however, that a reasonable increase in the size of Parliament cannot be ruled out in or~~insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula; considers t~~o ensure sufficient democratic representativeness; insists on a new system for seat allocation based on a permanent mathematical formula~~hat reprioritising of the current seats is a better solution than increasing the seats of the Parliament;

Amendment 426 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Reiterates its call for Parliament to gain the right of initiative for legislation, in particular the right to introduce, amend, or repeal EU law;

Amendment 427 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered;deleted

Amendment 428 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered;deleted

Amendment 429 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered;deleted

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)

– having regard to the final recommendations from the Conference on the Future of Europe,

Amendment 430 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed~~Stresses the need for a revision of the Council’s decision-making process in view of enlargement,; proposes to review in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; ~~notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered~~calls for moving away from unanimity and replacing it with qualified majority voting provisions in areas such as the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and certain foreign policy decisions; notes that an exception to this principle should be provided for decisions authorising military missions or operations with executive mandate;

Amendment 431 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered; points out in this context that the threshold needed to constitute a blocking minority should be lowered to 30% of the population, thereby facilitating the possibility for small and medium-sized countries to defend their interests;

Amendment 432 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered; urges the Council to overcome the current deadlock in the Article 7 TEU procedure and to replace unanimity minus 1 by a majority of four-fifths of the Member States in relation to this procedure in the Council;

Amendment 433 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered to reduce differentials between larger and smaller states by increasing the member states’ majority weight within the Council decision-making, with higher thresholds to be set for the most important decisions;

Amendment 434 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the ~~calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered~~voting mechanism in the Council should also be reconsidered; notes that transparency of the Council should be increased and that Parliament and Council should be empowered to strengthen the transparency and integrity of their decision-making by creating a new legal basis in the Treaties;

Amendment 435 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; ~~not~~underlines that the ~~calculation of~~ qualified majority voting thresholds should ~~also be reconsidered~~be redefined as at least 2/3 of the members of the Council representing at least 50% of the population;

Amendment 436 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; ~~notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsidered;~~

Amendment 437 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Points out that the functioning of the Council should also be reviewed in view of enlargement, in particular the system of rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union; notes that the calculation of qualified majority voting thresholds should also be reconsideredand that national sovereignty must be strengthen, providing such opportunities for a Member State to block appointments in EU institutions from middle management and up, as one example;

Amendment 438 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

~~15. Notes that the composition of the Commission must take into account enlargement and recalls in this regard the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon;~~deleted

Amendment 439 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Notes that the composition of the Commission must take into account enlargement and recalls in this regard the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon~~Is of the view that the proper functioning of an enlarged EU requires as well the institutional restructuring of the European Commission, namely through the overcoming of the principle of one Commissioner per Member State; Calls in this respect for the reduction in the size of the College to 15 Commissioners, with a view to ensure high effectiveness and responsiveness, other than a more efficient distribution of portfolios; Highlights that the future Treaty revision shall ensure a demographically and geographically balanced composition of the College;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)

– having regard to the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans;

Amendment 440 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that the composition of the Commission ~~must~~should take into account enlargement and recalls in this regard the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon; calls on the next College of Commissioners to nominate a separate Commissioner for Enlargement, as well as to create a separate Directorate- General on Enlargement;

Amendment 441 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that the ~~composition of the Commission must take into account enlargement and~~enlargement must lead to a simplification of the portfolios attribution within the college of the Commission and discontinue the practice of appointing one commissioner by Member State, recalls in this regard the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon;

Amendment 442 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that the composition of the Commission must take into account enlargement and recalls in this regard the flexibility provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, stresses however that geographical representation in the Commission is imperative;

Amendment 443 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Reiterates its call for the strengthening of the instruments for citizens’ participation in the EU decision- making process;

Amendment 444 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a larger EU budget and sufficient own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes placequestions the desirability of integrating poor corruption-prone countries into a Union in the midst of an economic, political and social crisis;

Amendment 445 #

Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Margarida MARQUES, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies as well as other EU programs and EU- wide solutions; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a ~~larger EU budget and~~properly constructed and funded MFF so that the design of the EU budget enables the Union to take on new tasks and functions while continuing to deliver on agreed programmes and political priorities; further stresses that sufficient new own resources are needed to meet enlargement challenge; notes that ~~this~~enlargement adds to other growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, strategic autonomy, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; expects the trend towards a more diversified EU expenditure landscape to continue as the scope and depth of EU cooperation progresses; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial framework~~s should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement,~~ architecture should be properly constructed and the funding significantly strengthened to enable EU enlargement, without endangering other EU programmes and political priorities and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 446 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a larger EU budget and sufficient own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes placecultural problem as it undermines indigenous populations across Europe and their nations and it is also as a secondary problem a major financial burden;

Amendment 447 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a larger EU budget and sufficient own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research ~~and defence and security;~~, social equity, and environmental justice underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place; points out that current taxation rules allow MNEs and superrich individuals to avoid paying their fair share and that the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive of 2016 has proven ineffective to curb illegal tax avoidance; insists on the need for a common offensive against tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax havens; calls for bold approaches, including excess profit taxes, a financial transaction tax as well as a European wealth tax to contribute to the bridging of the EU’s funding gap;

Amendment 448 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement ~~is a major financial challenge for the EU~~will entail a major reform of the EU budget, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; points out that this challenge cannot be met without a larger EU budget ~~and sufficient~~in terms of GNI share and sufficient, new and genuine own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of ~~financial stability,~~ health, energy, decarbonisation and climate and environmental policies, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that ~~such financial reforms~~the new budget must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; ~~defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that thi~~emphasises the importance of setting in advance appropriate control mechanisms in order to prevent potential frauds and misuse of EU funds, and a necessary capacity building of local administrations fin~~ancial groundwork must be in~~ candidate countries through shared plrac~~e before enlargement takes place~~tices to strengthen their role in implementing cohesion policy;

Amendment 449 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; points out that thise challenge of supporting the needs of existing member States while extending to new member countries cannot be met without a larger EU budget and sufficient own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 d (new)

– having regard to the President of the Committee of the Region's statement of 8 November 2023 on the Commission's 2023 Enlargement package,

Amendment 450 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a larger EU budget and sufficient own resources or potential co-financing instruments; notes that this would be an opportunity to restructure the EU budget, look at its core priorities and let the most financially strong contribute to a newly reformed EU; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations ~~and adopted before enlargement takes place~~; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement~~, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place~~;

Amendment 451 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a ~~larger EU budget and sufficient own resource~~revision of the multiannual financial framework, a more efficient EU budget and reprioritisation of current funds; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 452 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU~~, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies~~; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a larger EU budget and sufficient own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 453 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a ~~larger~~more effective EU budget and sufficient own resources; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 454 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that enlargement is a major financial challenge for the EU, in particular regarding cohesion and agriculture policies; point out that this challenge cannot be met without a ~~larger EU budget and sufficient own resources~~more efficient EU budget; notes that this adds to growing demands on EU funding in the fields of financial stability, health, energy, decarbonisation, digital, research and defence and security; underlines that such financial reforms must be discussed in parallel with the ongoing accession negotiations and adopted before enlargement takes place; defends its position that the current and future multiannual financial frameworks should be strengthened considerably to enable EU enlargement, and that this financial groundwork must be in place before enlargement takes place;

Amendment 455 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Reiterates its call to revise the treaties in order to extend the ordinary legislative procedures to negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and on the Decision on own resources; is of the view that the acceleration in the phasing out of national contributions to the EU budget through the creation of new own resources might mitigate redistributive shocks caused by the accession of new Members, and make the EU MFF more resilient, flexible and fit for purpose;

Amendment 456 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Underlines that new genuine own resources (also known as ‘fresh income’) are urgently needed in order to make the Union budget more resilient and autonomous so as to allow the Union to deliver on its policies and to ensure its standing as a credible and smart debt issuer with increased flexibility and as a truly sovereign entity, also in the framework of an enlarged Union;

Amendment 457 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Stresses that enlargement constitutes both an opportunity and a need for a fundamental overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) including capping area-based payments and moving towards a stronger rewarding of ecological and societal services rendered as well as of labour intensive agro-ecological practices;

Amendment 458 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Stresses that important projects such as the banking Union, capital markets and energy Unions remain uncompleted; calls for its completion ahead of the next enlargement and for the consolidation of the Recovery Plan as a permanent financial and fiscal tool;

Amendment 459 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16 b. Stresses that enlargement of the EU holds immense potential for both current and future Member States, but that it is equally vital that this process does not inadvertently harm the very citizens the EU aims to uplift; emphasises the imperative to enhance the EU’s capacity to contribute effectively to overcoming inequalities; therefore, calls on the Commission to conduct a timely and precise review of cohesion policies in the new Member States, recognising that this may entail a profound transformation in the dynamics of net receivers and contributors;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 e (new)

– having regard to the Jacques Delors Centre's report of 19 September 2023 on Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century3a, _________________ 3a https://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/blob/2617206/4d0e0010ffcd8c0079 e21329bbbb3332/230919-rfaa-deu-fra- bericht-data.pdf

Amendment 460 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)

16 c. Other issues

Amendment 461 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)

16 d. Underlines the need to address cross-border wage dumping, which undermines fair competition and the well- being of workers and results in lower wages, reduced job security, and precarious working conditions; insists on the need for effective measures, including the enforcement of fair labour practices, ensuring compliance with the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, and adherence to the laws the Member States in which companies operate, with regard to employee compensation; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to provide support and opportunities for individuals and communities who may face challenges during this transition, which may include targeted social and economic development programs, training initiatives, and investments in infrastructure that benefit marginalised regions;

Amendment 462 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)

16 e. Calls on the Commission and candidate countries to guarantee the particular role of SMEs as a main pillar to strengthen industrial policies and enhance the countries’ ability to realise the just transition and adapt to technological challenges towards an inclusive digital transition;

Amendment 463 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)

16 f. Underlines the need to address the potential environmental challenges arising from enlargement, recognising that it may lead to ecological degradation, increased carbon emissions, and a strain on natural resources, endangering the well-being of both citizens and the planet; insists on the need to take effective measures to integrate robust environmental considerations into the enlargement process, which includes enforcing and reinforcing environmental protection standards, sustainable development practices, and compliance with international environmental agreements within all Member States; stresses that the enlargement shall not exacerbate existing disparities and environmental inequalities, recognising that marginalised regions are often more susceptible to the adverse effects of ecological degradation, including biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, air and water pollution, and soil erosion; stresses the need for adequate capacity building to allow regulatory agencies to enforce and implement EU environmental regulations effectively and thereby prevent regulatory gaps; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to provide support and opportunities for individuals and communities who may face environmental challenges during this transition, such as targeted green economic development programs, educational initiatives for sustainable practices, and investments in eco-friendly infrastructure that benefit both citizens and the environment;

Amendment 464 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 g (new)

16 g. Stresses that the enlargement process shall not inadvertently perpetuate or exacerbate gender disparities, recognising the importance of addressing gender equality issues as a fundamental component of a just and equitable enlargement; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to incorporate measures that promote and ensure gender equality within the enlargement process, which may include advocating for policies that eliminate gender-based discrimination, increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes, and advancing gender balance in the political, economic, and social spheres; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to actively monitor and assess progress toward gender equality in the newly-enlarged regions, as well as to take effective measures to combat gender-based violence, close gender pay gaps, and promote work-life balance and equal opportunities for all;

Amendment 465 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 h (new)

16 h. Underlines that the enlargement process shall not inadvertently perpetuate or exacerbate disparities based on sexual orientation and gender identity; urges the Commission and candidate countries to integrate measures within the enlargement process that actively promote and ensure the rights of LGBTIQ individuals, such as developing policies that eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, enhancing LGBTIQ participation in decision-making processes, and fostering inclusivity in the political, economic, and social spheres through education and awareness-raising activities; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to duly monitor and evaluate the status of LGBTIQ rights in candidate countries;

Amendment 466 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 i (new)

16 i. Insists that the enlargement process does not inadvertently leave behind or neglect the younger generation, recognising the importance of investing in youth and education as a cornerstone of a just and prosperous enlargement; underlines the need to prioritise youth development and education within the enlargement process, which includes advocating for initiatives that support access to quality education, vocational training, and life-long learning opportunities for all, ensuring that the younger generation is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world; therefore, calls on the Commission to increase the scope and resources allocated to youth- centred EU initiatives such as Erasmus+, EURES, #SHEU LEADS, or the European Solidarity Corps; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to further establishing programs that foster youth participation in decision-making processes, such as the EU Youth Dialogue, engaging them in community development, and encouraging their active involvement in shaping the future of both new and old Member States;

Amendment 467 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 j (new)

16 j. Urges the vigorous promotion and defence of the fundamental right to freedom of expression and information, as enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter, in all candidate countries, emphasises the imperative to actively support and defend media freedom and pluralism, free from interference by public authorities and across borders, in alignment with the principles articulated in Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; insists on the need for continuous efforts in fostering media pluralism, defending the rights of journalists, and ensuring freedom of expression in all candidate countries; cautions against the imposition of censorship and restrictions on individuals’ freedom of expression, particularly when done under the pretext of combating misinformation and disinformation; calls on candidate countries to adopt and implement policies and legal frameworks that reinforce media freedom and independence in adherence to international human rights standards; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to conduct regular evaluations and reporting on the state of media freedom and pluralism in the enlargement process, with corrective actions taken promptly when needed;

Amendment 468 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 k (new)

16 k. Stresses the importance of promoting culture and advancing the Creative Europe flagship programme with a specific focus on cultural diversity, innovation and European cohesion; underlines the enlargement’s potential to further enrich the EU’s cultural landscape; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to increase their investment into cultural programmes, such as the framework of the EU funding programmes 2021-2027 in culture, media, education, youth, and sports;

Amendment 469 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Points out that the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine ~~is an~~, the strengthening of diplomatic efforts to contribute to the de-escalation of military conflicts around the world, and the ongoing efforts to diminish the global effects and security risks caused by the climate crisis are additional financial challenges to be addressed in the wider context of an international effort; underscores the need to prevent the takeover of agricultural land and industry by MNEs and multinational investment entities, ensuring that these vital resources remain under the control of the people of the respective candidate countries and are utilised for their benefit, thereby safeguarding the countries’ financial stability and long-term economic sovereignty; calls on the Commission and candidate countries to proactively adopt measures to shield candidate countries’ agricultural land and industry from oligarchic or foreign takeovers;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 f (new)

– having regard to its amendments of 17 October 2023 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Ukraine Facility (P9_TA(2023)0363),

Amendment 470 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Points out that the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine is a~~n additional financi~~ multidimensional challenge to be addressed in the wider context of an international effort; stresses that, unlike in the case of one-donor Marshall fund, in Ukraine funds will be coming from many international sources to a variety of worthy projects; underlines that these investments will come with associated financial risk; urges that this process should be carefully planned, organized, monitored and embedded in a well- designed, tailored made legislative framework, that is corruption and fraud proof;

Amendment 471 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Points out that the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine is an additional financial challenge to be addressed in the wider context of an international effort; calls, in this regard, also for the swift adoption of the Regulation establishing the Ukraine Facility, which will support Ukraine on its path towards accession in a way that is connected to its sustainable, inclusive and transparent reconstruction and recovery;

Amendment 472 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Points out that the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine is a~~n additional financia~~ problem Ukraine and Russia will cha~~llenge to be addressed in the wider context of an international effort~~ve to face and it has nothing to do with the direct or indirect interests of the European taxpayers to be involved in such a process;

Amendment 473 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Points out that the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine is an additional financial challenge to be addressed in the wider context of an international effort in coordination with like-minded partners;

Amendment 474 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Deplores the use of unresolved bilateral and regional disputes to block or considerably delay candidate countries’ accession processes and adopt an official mechanism for the resolution and arbitration of these disputes to support their resolution separately from the accession to the EU, as they can hinder the implementation of European policies and weaken the EU’s regional and global influence; recalls that candidate countries should be assessed on the basis of their own merit in complying with the objective criteria for accession, including the implementation of EU-related reforms as well as the policy alignment with the CFSP, such as on positions and restrictive measures taken following the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine;

Amendment 475 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Points out that integration does not only happen at the institutional level of nation states; stresses the need to promote the integration of the civil societies of Member states and candidate countries by fostering non-governmental institutions, town twinning and cultural exchanges; underlines in that regard the importance of including the Committee of the Regions as well as the European Economic Social Committee into this process;

Amendment 476 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Highlights that the pre-accession funds must be increased in order to raise living standards and develop communities in the candidate countries;

Amendment 477 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Welcome~~Notes with distress the Commission’s work on pre-enlargement policy ~~and the funding review, and calls for a thorough impact assessment of the implications of~~the last 25 years and calls for a the creation of a special Member State led investigation, to fully investigate the expenditure of funds implemented by the EC in the name of European enlargement;

Amendment 478 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Points to the pending Article 48(2) procedure and its proposals for the amendment of the Treaties; calls on the European Council and its President to agree to examine these amendments and to convene a convention; stresses that this convention should be held as soon as possible following the start of the new parliamentary mandate and in any case well on time to ensure the amended EU institutional framework can enter into legal force before the EU’s prospective enlargement, i.e. before 2030;

Amendment 479 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Calls to improve the consistency, efficiency and transparency of pre- accession assistance, clearly reflecting the priorities in the fundamental areas in the allocation of IPA III funding; calls in particular to introduce stricter and enforcable accountability with regard to the spending of such funding; calls also to improve the visibility of EU funding and the tangible results of it in the enlargement countries;

Amendment 48 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 g (new)

– having regard to the Committee of the Regions' report of 2022 on Challenges and opportunities of LRAs’ involvement in the reconstruction of Ukraine,

Amendment 480 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Supports the creation of an effective EU-supported conflict resolution and mediation mechanism outside the enlargement framework, dedicated to fostering reconciliation and resolving bilateral issues in accession countries, helping to find and implement definitive binding solutions to regional and bilateral disputes and the legacies of the past;

Amendment 481 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18 b. Calls to strategically apply targeted conditionality based on clear progress benchmarks, rewarding reforms and sanctioning regression or a persistent lack of progress;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 h (new)

– having regard to the Committee of the Regions' report of 2018 on EU financial assistance available to local and regional authorities in the candidate and potential candidate countries for EU enlargement,

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard to the Presidency Conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen of 21-22 June 1993, also known as the Copenhagen Criteria,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 i (new)

– having regard to the Commission’s report of 9 February 2022 on cohesion in Europe towards 2050,

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 j (new)

– having regards to the #CohesionAlliance's joint declaration of October 2022 on the debate on the Future of Cohesion Policy5a, _________________ 5a https://cor.europa.eu/en/engage/Documen ts/2022%20CohesionAlliance_Declaratio n.pdf

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 k (new)

– having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee's opinion of 10 July 2014 on enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the EU accession process (REX/401-EESC-2014- 1609),

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 l (new)

– having regard to Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union,

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 m (new)

– having regards to its amendments of 3 October 2023 on the proposal for a regulation establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market (P9_TA(2023)0336),

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)

– having regard to the New growth plan for the Western Balkans,

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

– having regard to the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans,

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

– -having regard to the European Council conclusions of 19 and 20 June 2003 and the Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans

Amendment 58 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

– having regard to the Enlargement Package adopted by the European Commission on 8 November 2023;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)

– - having regard to the Commission communication of 5 February 2020 entitled ‘Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0057),

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard to the Manifesto of Ventotene1a, _________________ 1a https://www.cvce.eu/content/publication/1 997/10/13/316aa96c-e7ff-4b9e-b43a- 958e96afbecc/publishable_en.pdf

Amendment 60 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Nikos PAPANDREOU, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)

– having regard to the report on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe of 9 May 2022;

Amendment 61 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries (Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Moldova and Ukraine) currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas ~~those~~Kosovo and Georgia are considered ‘potential candidates’; whereas candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status hwas ~~also recently been~~ granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova by the European Council on 23-24 June 2022; whereas on 15 December 2022, the European Council decided to grant EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago due to the fact that they are still a long way from the common values of the Member States and the Copenhagen criteria; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status has also recently been granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova despite the fact that they are, respectively, war-torn and secession- ridden and thus pose a serious threat to the stability of the EU;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas significant progress has been made in the countries of the Western Balkans and in particular North Macedonia and Albania; whereas candidate status has also recently been granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidnlargement is the process whereby countries join the EU after they have fulfilled a set of political and economic conditions; whereas the process encourages democratic and economic reforms in countries that want to become EU members and promotes greater sta~~tus has also recently been granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova~~bility and prosperity in Europe;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status has also ~~recently~~ been granted on 23 June 2022 to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova; whereas the European Commission has recommended on 8 November 2023 to grant candidate status to Georgia;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations, negotiating for years causing fatigue and disappointment with the enlargement process; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status has also recently been granted to Ukraine ~~and the~~, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas enlargement remains one of the most prominent and successfull EU's foreign policy tools; whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status has also recently been granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas ~~candidate status has also recently been granted to~~the Commission has recommended to start accession negotiations with Ukraine ~~and~~, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to grant candidate status to Georgia;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~eight out of the ten~~all countries currently aspiring to join the EU have c~~andidate status, some of them since many ye~~onsistently failed to reach almost all standards a~~go; whereas those can~~nd that the EU shall immedidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status has also recently been granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldovaly end the enlargement process, so as to focus on the important task of supporting the affected Member States to stabilize themselves and ensure rapid and prompt reunification in the countries of origin of large diaspora groupings currently residing in the Member States as well as to finally stop all migration flows from third countries into the Union;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard the EU Council conclusions of December 2006,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas, on 8 November 2023, during the presentation of the Enlargement Package, the President of the European Commission announced that the Commission would recommend the Council to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, to grant candidate status to Georgia and to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina “once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved”;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas the European Commission presented the Enlargement Package 2023, including the 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy on 8 November 2023; whereas in its Communication, the European Commission recommends to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, to grant candidate status to Georgia and to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance is achieved;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas all the previous enlargements have been coherent with the mission of the European Union to politically unify the European continent around the principles of Democracy, Rule of Law, shared prosperity and peace while respecting the identities of the Member States;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas enlargements had taken place in parallel to integration deepening, which contributed towards reducing differentiation between national policies, options and discretions, with relatively less success when it comes to politically sensitive policy areas;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas on 8 November 2023, the Commission presented the 2023 Enlargement Package in which it makes a recommendation on the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and a conditional recommendation on the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the essential basis of the accession process is Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

A b. whereas enlargement has been the most effective EU’s foreign policy instrument and one of the EU’s most successful policies, but its effectiveness has considerably decreased over the last years due to a failure from the EU side, notably from the Council, to live up to its promises; whereas unfair delays, obstacles and vetoes in the Council have considerably undermined the EU’s credibility and capacity to drive political transformation in the enlargement countries; whereas a new impetus, commitment and vision are urgently needed to re-energise the enlargement process, ensuring its continuity, consistency, credibility and impact;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

A b. whereas eight out of the ten countries currently aspiring to join the EU have candidate status, some of them since many years ago; whereas those candidate countries find themselves at various stages of the accession process and negotiations; whereas the countries of the Western Balkans have for decades stated their determination to join the EU; whereas candidate status has also recently been granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

A b. whereas enlargement policy is one of the EU's key policies;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

A c. whereas the full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans was reconfirmed by EU leaders on 23-24 June 2022;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)

– having regard to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 29-30 April 1997 on the application of conditionality with a view to developing a coherent EU strategy for relations with the countries in the Western Balkan region,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met;deleted

Amendment 81 #

Thijs REUTEN, Tonino PICULA, Matjaž NEMEC, Attila ARA-KOVÁCS, Juozas OLEKAS, Raphaël GLUCKSMANN

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met; whereas enlargement has proven to be the most successful EU foreign policy instrument and is a very effective tool for boosting the necessary reforms both within the EU and in applicant countries, helping to encourage democratic transformation; whereas enlargement is a particular opportunity for tackling the climate crisis and improving energy cooperation between current and future member states; whereas enlargement is thus a crucial tool to improve the daily lives of inhabitants of both the EU and applicant countries;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are meta direct impact on all aspects of the enlargement issue within the broader context of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); whereas enlargement should become a strategic investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met; whereas enlargement should go hand in hand with the EU’s approach to addressing global challenges; whereas the enlarged internal market would have a deep impact on the economies of both old and new Member States, and has to support the urgent and necessary transformations of the latter; whereas this necessitates the integration of democratic, political, economic and societal changes;

Amendment 83 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given a new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas genuine commitment to enlargement is a strategic ~~geopolitical~~ investment in ~~the future, which~~stability, security, unity and prosperity on the European continent; whereas enlargement can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met; whereas past developments such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have shown that non-enlargement has a massive strategic cost and can undermine security and stability on our continent;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas as of Summer 2023, 53 percent of EU citizens are in favour of the future enlargement of the EU, with 37 percent against; whereas it is important to maintain the momentum in the enlargement process and fully use it in practical terms; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical investment in the future ensuring stability and security of the European continent, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions and requirements are met;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine ~~has~~and other ongoing geopolitical challenges have given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met;

Amendment 87 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a moral and historical commitment and strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine ~~has~~should not be used as a pretext to given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a ~~strategic geopolitical investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met~~desperate headlong rush which aims to overcome political and economic divisions in Europe;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new geostrategic meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement is a strategic geopolitical priority and an investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States if the proper conditions are met;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)

– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union ('the. Charter'),

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has given new ~~geostrategic~~ meaning to the enlargement of the European Union; whereas enlargement iscan be a strategic ~~geopolitical~~ investment in the future, which can be mutually beneficial for both existing and future Member States ifprovided that the proper conditions are met;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the criteria all EU candidate countries must fulfil in order to accede to the Union, as established by established by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 are: the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities, a functioning market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU and the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including the capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies that make up the body of EU law (the ‘ acquis ’), and adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas enlargement is a win-win process and has been a very effective and successful instrument for boosting the necessary reforms both within the EU and in applicant countries, helping to encourage democratic transformation; whereas effectiveness of neighborhood and enlargement policies has considerably diminished over the last decade;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the enlargement process should not be directed against any specific country or group of countries and should not be seen as a component of a geopolitical struggle;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

B b. whereas there are considerable differences in the level of preparedness to join the European Union among the aspiring countries;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas the 2023 Commission Communication on Enlargement Policy has underscored the enduring obstacles to accession in candidate countries, encompassing critical issues such as the continual improvement of the judicial and administrative capacity, the ongoing battle against corruption, the combat against organised crime, the imperative for ‘de- oligarchisation,’, and the safeguarding of minority rights; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines; whereas negative outcomes or backtracking must have consequences including reopening closed chapters when necessary, as the entire accession process is based on strict conditionality;

Amendment 97 #

Jean-Lin LACAPELLE, Gilles LEBRETON, Thierry MARIANI

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas the EU accession requires complex reforms from the candidate states and needs to be based on fair and rigorous conditionality as well as the principle of own merits; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast- tracking or counterproductive fixed deadlines;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas accession to the EU must always be a merit-based procedure whereby each applicant is assessed on their own merit in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria, in particular those of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; whereas positive outcomes should be sought as quickly as possible, while avoiding fast-tracking, which the EU has systematically introduced, notably in the case of Ukraine and Moldova, or counterproductive fixed deadlines;

Amendment 99 #