47 Amendments of Tonino PICULA related to 2021/2248(INI)
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
— having regard to the final report of 2 October 2020 of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Election Observation Mission on North Macedonia’s early parliamentary elections of 15 July 2020 and to its final report of [...] 2022 on the local elections of 17 October 2021,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17
Citation 17
— having regard to the Venice Commission’s opinion of 18 DecNovember 2021 on the draft law on the state of emergency and to its previous opinions,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas EuropeanU integration represents the aspirations of citizens of North Macedonia towards democracy and prosperity and serves as a powerful catalyst for reforms;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas North Macedonia is a trustworthy partner, having continued to make consistent effortprogress on its path towards membership of the EU and towards meeting and sustaininghaving met the conditions required for the opening of accession negotiations;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the Prespa Agreement is a landmark agreement that represent a model for stability and reconciliation in the whole region of the Western Balkans, and have improved the spirit of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas North Macedonia should press forward wihas maintained a steady and determined pace in advancing EU reforms, with a focus on the fundamentals, the country should continue to keep up the reforms momentum;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the EU remains fully committed to supporting North Macedonia’s strategic choice of Europeanobjective of EU integration;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its clear support for North Macedonia’s democratic transformationthe democracy and rule of law in North Macedonia, underpinned by its strategic orientation and unwavering commitment to EuropeanU integration;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Deplores the failure of the European Council to approve the EU’s membership negotiation framework for North Macedonia and Albania; calls on Bulgaria to withdraw its veto against North Macedonia in order not to further delay the accession progress, and not let the enlargement process be impeded by unilateral interests; reminds that the idea of the European Union is to overcome regional disputes and a difficult past, in order to work on a better, peaceful future and to prosper together;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the need to upholdaccelerate the pace and strenghten the credibility of EuropeanU integration by promptly openofficially starting accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, given that both countries have fulfilled the necessary conditions and delivered sustained results across, including the areas of the fundamental areas;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Reminds Member States that enlargement policy must be driven by objective criteria, and not be impeded by unilateral interests; reiterates that the EU’s enlargement policy has been the Union’s most effective foreign policy instrument, and full integration of the Western Balkans is in the EU's political, security and economic interest as a geostrategic investment in a stable and thriving Union.
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends North Macedonia on its steady progress on the path towards EU membership, its commitment to multiculturalism and inter-ethnic harmony, and its continued positive and coherent bilateral engagement;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges North Macedonia to sustain and intensify efforts to further strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence, counter corruptionto fight against corruption and organized crime, reform its public administration and consolidate media freedom;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reaffirms the need to maintain constructive engagement with and a broad cross-party consensus on EU-related reforms, by; underlines the need to further strengthening the capacities of the Assembly of North Macedonia (Sobranie); urges lawmakers to swiftly implement the commitments made under the Jean Monnet Dialogue process;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need to finalise the electoral reform in a timely, in line with the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission in a timely,transparent and inclusive fashion;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for the continued modernisation ofreform towards a merit-based public administration, streamlinewith improved lines of accountability, streamlined institutional framework and intra-service coordination, and simproved local governancelified administrative procedures;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls the need to reform the legal framework for online and offline mediain the area of media in accordance with the EU acquis and European standards in order to strengthen their independence, transparency of ownership, financial sustainability and self- regulation;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the proposed amendments to the penal code and cCalls for the implementation of measures that increase the safety of media professionals and tackle attempts to intimidate them;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls the need to strengthen investigative journalism, fact-checking and media literacy as means to tackle hate speech, and disinformation and foreign interference campaign; stresses the importance to enforce a zero-tolerance approach regarding intimidation, threats and acts of violence against journalists;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes the improvements in ensuring women’s rights and gender- responsive policies; welcomes the adoption of the law aimed at preventing violence against women and domestic violence and encourages the alignment of the penal code withcountry to enhance the implementation of the national action plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention's provisions;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Encourages ongoing steps to build trust in inter-community relationamong communities and the functioning of a multi-ethnic society, while recalling the importance of upholding the rights of non-majorityall communities and tackling all instances of discrimination;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for further improvements in the enforcement of the rights tof persons belonging to minorities, [including self- identification, property and] inclusive intercultural education, as well as the rights of peoplersons with disabilities and minority rights;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes North Macedonia’s membership of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance; recalls the need to open up Yugoslav secret service archives in order to vigorously address communist- era crimes across the region;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for the EU to boost its support for humanitarian assistance and border protection in the region; reiterates its calls for North Macedonia to improve migration management and reception conditions;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Welcomes the continued constructive role the country plays in mixed migration flows; regrets that the status agreement with the European Boarder and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has not yet been signed, due to pending bilateral issues; reiterates its calls for North Macedonia to improve migration management and reception conditions;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. UWhile acknowledging the progress made, underlines the need to push forward the rule of law reform;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes further steps in consolidating the track record on investigating, prosecuting high-leveland trying corruption and organised crime cases, including at high level, strengthening independent oversight institutions, and reforming electoral and judicial systems and the civil servicejudicial systems;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Emphasises the need to further advance the judicial reform, the independence of the judiciary and the functioning of bodies that ensure its self- governance;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Encourages the finalisation of the security and intelligence sector reform as well as strengthening the capacity for parliamentary oversight of the intelligence services; calls for the whistle- blower protection mechanism to be updated and the lobbying law to be implemented effectively;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Underlines the importance of delivering justice in major lawsuits related to the abuse of office, corruption and terror, including the April 2017 attacks against the Sobranie, illegal wiretapping and extortioncontinuing to establish legal accountability, including for cases related to the abuse of office, corruption, 2017 attacks in Parliament, illegal wiretapping and the so called ‘Racket case’;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the sustained progress made so far, which should lead to systemic improvements in tackling the trafficking of humans, drugs, firearms and goods, along with cybercrime and surveillance, violent crime, extremism and terrorist threats; urges North Macedonia to strengthen its resilience to hybrid threats and fake newsdisinformation;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 b (new)
Paragraph 36 b (new)
36 b. Takes note of the serious economic and social impact of the COVID-19 crisis and expresses support for the range of measures the authorities have taken to protect public health and mitigate the socio-economic impact of crisis, including putting into good use the substantial support provided by the EU in financial assistance, medical equipment and vaccines;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Welcomes the conduct of the 2021 population census;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40 a. Welcomes the steps taken to establish a direct personal taxation system based on progressive rates; notes the return to a flat-tax model; encourages the Government to modernise the tax code with a higher focus on progressive rates on income, taxation of property and environmental factors, to produces sufficient value to implement social reforms and combat inequality;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40 b. Welcomes progress made so far and encourages North Macedonia to continue to step-up its efforts for further efficient use of the potentials offered by the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes North Macedonia’s updated climate pledges; recalls that additional efforts are needed to meet the targets for energy efficiency, renewable energy, security of supply and emission reductions; commends the adoption and implementation of the energy efficiency legislation; urges the authorities to align environment and climate change legislation with the EU acquis and to ensure its enforcement;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Underlines the need to implement the Paris Agreement, including with the adoption of a comprehensive climate Strategy and a Law, consistent with the EU 2030 framework;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Urges the country to step up efforts to upgrade transport and energy infrastructure ands well as regional connectivity, including rail and road corridors and gas and electricity interconnectors;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Urges Member States to conclude the discussions on the Negotiating Framework and decide on holding of the first Intergovernmental conference (IGC) with North Macedonia without further delay; underlines that the official launch of accession negotiations will be an investment in the credibility of the EU as well as in the stability, prosperity and the ongoing reconciliation processes in the region;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Calls the EU to seriously consider the possible security implications in the Western Balkans in view of the developments in Ukraine and the possible influence of Russia in the countries of the region; security challenges have now obviously increased and concrete steps on the EU perspective are more than necessary;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes North Macedonia’s continued commitment to Euro-Atlantic security; commends the country’s increasingfull alignment with the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy and invites it to align itself, including with the restrictive measures related to Russia; welcomes its continued contributions to EU crisis management missions and operations;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. SRegrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find an understanding on pending bilateral issues; stresses the importance of continued dialogue in order to achieve a sustainable agreement on current bilateral issues; in this regard, strongly welcomes the political impetus for a renewed dialogue between Bulgaria and North Macedonia and encourages the partners to accelerate engagement in good faith and in accordance with the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation in order to reach an mutually acceptable compromisesolution to pending bilateral issues, thereby bringing societies closer together by enabling a common future in the EU;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Congratulates North Macedonia on the inauguration of the Prespa Forum Dialogue, as a regional platform to inspire and promote dialogue, reconciliation, good-neighbourly relations and regional cooperation in the spirit of the European integration;