56 Amendments of Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS
Amendment 1 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises the importance of the Central Asian region for strategic relations with the EU and insists on the strengthening of trade ties and exchanges between the two regions; calls for the EU’s role in the region to be more proactive in response to the growing regional influence of Russia and Chinpoints out that the EU is the second largest trading partner for the Central Asian countries; calls for the EU’s role in the region as a promoter of free trade, open and diversified market economies, WTO standards and principles of the international trade and to be more proactive in response to the growing regional influence of Russia and China; welcomes efforts to explore possibilities for cooperation with China on the Central Asia region with regard to development of the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative; calls on exploring possibilities for closer cooperation with the US on the economic initiatives in Central Asia;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes the positive efforts of Kazakhstan in eliminating bureaucratic burdens and improving regulatory framework for businesses, which is now in the 41st global ranking position in the World Bank Doing Business Index; calls on all Central Asian countries to step up their efforts in this regard to improve business climate and eliminate barriers to cross-border trade; points out that corruption remains one of the biggest impediments for foreign investment in the region;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Strongly believes that trade can be an effective tool for promoting sustainable development and environmental governance; supports increasing EU support for development of renewable energy, energy efficiency and resource management in the Central Asian countries and encouraging cross-border cooperation among them, as a basis of sustainable development of the region;
Amendment 18 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that there is a significant lack of highly-skilled, professional workforce which affects the competitiveness and economic development of the region and limits possibilities for foreign investment; calls, therefore, on the Commission and Member States to put more emphasis on support for higher education reforms, coupling of education with labour market, vocational training, student exchanges, scholarships, training and sharing of know-how, with the focus on younger generation;
Amendment 23 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for continued efforts to support the modernisation and diversification of the economy of these countries and to help them create a favourable environment for foreign investment by strengthening the rule of law, reducing bureaucratic burdens and administrative interference in enterprises, reforming the judicial system to ensure the protection of foreign investment, and fighting corruption;
Amendment 26 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Following the findings of the OECD, recognises the particular importance of FDI-SME business linkage programmes (BLPs) as a tool for diversification and maximising the spill-over effect of investments, enabling Central Asian countries to tie FDI more closely with their domestic economies, enhancing their competitiveness while gaining access to international markets, finance, technology and management skills; in this regard, calls upon the governments of Central Asian states to initiate these programmes and to increase the involvement of stakeholders in already existing BLPs; points out that in order to ensure that local production meets international quality standards, complementary measures such as offering training programmes that help SMEs upgrade the skills of their staff or aiding SMEs in embracing internationally- recognised quality standards, need to be put in place;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Taking into consideration the highlights of the Strategy progress reports, emphasises the importance of Member States' involvement in the implementation of EU assistance in order to bring higher impact and results.
Amendment 121 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls for closer cooperation between EU and OSCE on Central Asia, especially in the fields of human rights, democratisation and security, with the aim of joining and complementing, where appropriate, their efforts in the region;
Amendment 190 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Points out that providing broad possibilities on the EU side for people-to- people contacts, youth education and mobility is one of the priorities that can bring about positive developments in relatively closed societies, help to address the lack of highly skilled technical professionals in the Central Asian countries and wider opportunities for youth, and in the longer-term unlock the economic development potential in the countries;
Amendment 200 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls on the Commission and Member States to make full use of existing instruments and look for new ways to encourage student and young professionals' exchanges, provide wider opportunities for receiving higher and university education in Europe, especially in technical and applied sciences;
Amendment 202 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Invites the Commission, EEAS and Member States to explore possibilities for easier travel and work in Europe for skilled professionals, students, journalists and young people from the Central Asian countries;
Amendment 225 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls upon the Commission and EEAS to define and apply robust and objectively verifiable conditions for any continuing budget support programmes, in particular, giving sufficient attention to support for anti-corruption mechanisms; points out that the EU budget support should not be used for direct financing of the basic public services (such as primary and secondary education, basic healthcare, basic infrastructure), which is a primary responsibility of the authorities, the EU aid should rather be tied to the performance of the authorities in this regard, the EU budget support should encourage the development of the advanced public services, such as research, innovations, university education, innovative infrastructure etc.;
Amendment 296 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is concerned that stalled and uneven socio-economic development, poor governance and a weak institutional framework, lack of respect for rule of law; unresolved ethnic issues and lack of prospects for orderly succession and non- inclusive governance in the countries of Central Asia are sources of potential instability;
Amendment 36 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the military balance in the Black Sea Basin has shifted following the illegal annexation of Crimea, and occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia with Russia now unlawfully controlling hundreds of kilometres of the Crimean and Abkhazian coastline and the adjacent waters facing NATO and EU maritime borders; whereas Russia has fuelled aggressive actions on Ukrainian territory;
Amendment 44 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas prior to the illegal annexation, Russian land and air forces in Crimea were minimal and concerned mainly with the defence of Sevastopol – main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet – and two adjacent naval bases; whereas through a military build-up in Crimea, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and in the Black Sea Basin following the annexation, Russia has moved to create an offensive joint striking force comprising the navy and land and air forces;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Russia has accelerated the expansion and modernisation of the Black Sea Fleet following the annexation; whereas the Black Sea Fleet modernisation plan is one of the most ambitious parts of the Russian State Arms Procurement programme for 2011-2020; whereas in December 2014 the Russian Government approved a new military doctrine which considers NATO as a main security threat to Russia; whereas in 2007 Russia has declared that it "suspends" its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) and has fully withdrawn from the CFE on March 11, 2015;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU, NATO and the US have condemned the ‘treaty’ signed in November 2014 and in March 2015 between Russia and the separatist authorities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of the fundamental principles of the international law and Russia's international commitments, including those taken under the Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008, and have reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas since the occupation by Russian forces, Abkhazia, Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, and, most lately, Crimea has been the scene of human rights abuses, affecting in particular Crimean Tatars;
Amendment 91 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that the annexation of Crimea has precipitated a significant change in the strategic landscape of the Black Sea Basin and the adjacent area; warns that by occupying the entire peninsula, Russia has gained a very important launching pad facing both west (Transnistria and the Danube Mouths), the Balkans and south (the Eastern Mediterranean), where it has established a permanent naval task force, and that the illegal annexation of Crimea offers Russia a ‘southern Kaliningrad’, another outpost directly bordering on NATO, this time at sea;
Amendment 103 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the change in the strategic landscape, and the evolving military situation in the Black Sea Basin, are indicative of broader, systemic challenges to European security; believes that the EU and the Member States must have a security response to these challenges; the EU should also strengthen its own resilience and respond to the challenge of weaponised information and information security;
Amendment 111 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes with concern continuous military build-up by Russia in occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions of Georgia. The military infrastructure of defensive and offensive character with a wide operational range, including the multiple launch rocket artillery battalions (so-called "Smerch", "Grad" and "Uragan" units), surface-to- air missile battalions (S-300, OSA, Tochka/Tochka U), surface-to-air missile artillery battalions (Strela-10, 2S6 Tunguska), self-propelled missile battalions (2S3 "Akatsia"), pose a serious threat to the whole Black Sea region. The sea area in the occupied Abkhazia region is controlled by the patrol-guard boats, including of the "Mangust" and "Sobol" types, based in the Ochamchire and Sokhumi port;
Amendment 160 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the relationship with Russia, being a major actor in the international system, should be cooperative rather than conflictual in the long run; is of the view, however, that in the short and medium term, owing to a lack of trust following Russia’s latest actions, any resumption of cooperation should continue tofirmly rely, firstly, on the strong strategic reassurance offered by NATO to its eastern members and, secondly, on the fact that there can be no pola change of Russian policy towards Ukraine, in particular the full and unconditiconal solution based on accepting the illegal annexation of Crimeaimplementation of the Minsk agreements of September 2014 and February 2015, including the restoration of the control of the Ukrainian authorities over its territory within internationally recognised borders, that is return of Crimea to Ukraine;
Amendment 162 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 180 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the need to bring back to balance the strategic landscape in the Black Sea Basin; reminds that this can be done by further increased NATO and US deployments in the region thus increasing the deterrence of most affected allies and NATO as a whole in this particular region; believes, that littoral states can make important input by joining their efforts, therefore, calls on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to start considering a creation of a joint battalion and NATO Member States to consider support for such initiative;
Amendment 181 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Calls on EU Member States to remain firm and united in committing to the agreed sanctions against Russia, also by freezing all military and defence cooperation and cancelling contracts, such as delivery of Mistral class amphibious assault ships to Russia;
Amendment 217 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Reminds that the EU must stay united and speak with a single voice in the face of the Russian hybrid war in Ukraine; strongly believes that unity is the prerequisite of an effective response to all security threats and political challenges resulting from a mix of Russian military and non-military actions in Ukraine;
Amendment 219 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Reminds that on 16 July 2014 the Council of the European Union lifted the arms embargo on Ukraine and thus there are now no objections, including legal restrictions, for Member States to provide defensive arms to Ukraine;
Amendment 224 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that the Black Sea region should have real priority for the EU; considers that the current Black Sea Synergy (BSS) format is outdated; calls again on the Commission and the EEAS to draw up a comprehensive EU Strategy for the Black Sea region; calls on review of European Security Strategy and expects that the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy will bring about increased CSDP cooperation with Black Sea littoral partner states;
Amendment 238 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Reminds that particularly due to the security situation in the Black Sea Basin all EU Members states need to enjoy the same level of security in line with article 42 (7) TEU;
Amendment 246 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Welcomes NATO Allies commitment during the last NATO Summit in Newport of reaching the 2% GDP level of defence spending within the next ten years; expresses concern following announcements of some allies who declared new cuts and in this context reminds article 3 of the Washington Treaty;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas security architecture of Europe and a number of international laws and agreements have been violated by waging aggression against Ukraine, including occupation and annexation of Crimea, by Russia;
Amendment 55 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders of Eastern Partners should be guiding principles defining good cooperation and stability of the region;
Amendment 106 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance and timeliness of the review of the ENP; emphasises that the revised ENP should be able to provide a quick and adequate response to the situation on the ground, while also putting forward an ambitious long-term vision for developing relations with the neighbouring countries;
Amendment 167 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the renewed policy must be more strategic, with a real and ambitious political vision, and politically driven; calls for special envoys to be appointed for the East and the South, with the task of politically coordinating the revised policy;
Amendment 249 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Points out, that gradual economic integration of Associated partners in the EU internal market will enable for the creation of an economic area with them;
Amendment 316 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that Association Agreements are most advanced but not the final step in the relations between the EU and its neighbours;
Amendment 324 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the continuous need to focus on strengthening and consolidating democracy, the rule of law, the independence of the justice system, fight with corruption, respect for minorities and diversity; highlights that capacity-building in national institutions, including their national assemblies, together with support for civil society, pro- democracy groups and political parties, will enhance political dialogue and pluralism;
Amendment 423 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for closer coordination between the ENP and wider Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) activities, addressing different aspects of the security of ENP countries and of the EU, as well as promote joint initiatives of the neighbouring states in the security field, to enable them to take more responsibility and make a positive input to the security in their region;
Amendment 523 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Emphasises the need to build strong partnerships with neighbouring countries; stresses the importance of ensuring that the ENP is part of the EU's broader external policy and of taking into account the other strategic players that have influence on the neighbourhood – the ‘neighbours ofa framework of cooperation between EU and the partners acknowledging the broader geographical context of our neighbours and their relation with their neighbours' – as well as international and regional organisations;
Amendment 532 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses that the EU should realistically consider the different policy options that its partners face and how to build bridges with their neighbours on different levels and how to address the foreign policy of third countries in its neighbourhood, ensuring that it is for the EU and its sovereign partners to decide on how they want to proceed in their relations;
Amendment 555 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls for the EU to explore and identify, together with its partners, priorities for integration in different policy fields, such as economic development, trade, infrastructure and regional development, the environment, competition policies, SMEs, migration, security, energy and energy efficiency, with the aim of creating an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness;
Amendment 575 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses the importance of free movement of people, and supports enhancing visa facilitation and visa liberalisation within the neighbourhood, particularly for students, young people and researchers, also through Erasmus+; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to further enhance mobility partnerships within the neighbourhood and develop possibilities for circular migration schemes, which would encourage and reward regular migrants;
Amendment 601 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that high unemployment, social exclusion and poverty, combined with the low political participation of women, are root causes of instability, and, as also other areas where resilience of partners should be strengthened, such as state building, security and stability, strategic communication and energy, demands engagement beyond the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTAs);
Amendment 627 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Emphasises that for the ENP to be a successful policy, it should also ensure that there is ownership by the Member States, also by expanding Flagship Initiatives; calls on the Commission, therefore, to reinforce policy coordination and joint programming of financial assistance, and to provide mechanisms to foster consultation between the Member States, EU structures and neighbouring countries;
Amendment 654 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns against the EU and its Member States as well as in its neighbourhood, and support projects aimed at promoting high journalistic standards, media freedom and encouraging investigative journalism;
Amendment 148 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the rule of law is one of fundamental principles of the European Union, and it means not only respect for democracy and human rights, but also compliance with international law and well established substantial and procedural principles of law, in preparation and application of national legislation, as well as independence and impartiality of judicial system and judicial processes;
Amendment 232 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is of the opinion that, in the long run, a constructive and predictable relationship between the EU and Russia is possible, for the benefit of both partners, especially in view of the existing political, trade and energy relations, people-to- people contacts and of the common challenges and interests on the world scene;
Amendment 1 #
2015/0080(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The report shall inter alia include information about the application of the anti-circumvention mechanism.
Amendment 9 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Congratulates Georgia on having been able to sustain external pressure and re- direct its exports towards new markets; condemns the policy of economic blackmail employed by Russia against Georgia prior to and after the signature of the DCFTA in June 2014;
Amendment 14 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Parliaments of the Member States to ratify the Association Agreement including DCFTA as soon as possible, so that all economic and trade provisions of the Agreement could come into full force without any delay;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that the success of the DCFTA is subject to the thorough implementation by both parties of the commitments set out in the agreement; calls, in this respect, for the EU to provide Georgia with all necessary assistance; invites the Member States to share with Georgia their know-how in economic reforms and approximation;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that, in view of thUnderlines the crucial importance to radically enhance EU’'s highenergy security by decreasing its dependencey on energy imports and the current dominance of a single gas supplier, it is urgent to diversify energy supply sourcesRussia and by increasing its resilience to external pressure; Considers that it is urgent to diversify energy supply sources, including the consideration of alternative sources and safe nuclear energy, and energy routes;
Amendment 30 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the efforts of the Commission to build an Energy Union and calls for its rapid implementation; recalls that a fully- fledged Energy Union can only be achieved when energy and external policy go hand in hand; stresses, in particular, the need for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice at the international level and to develop a coherent energy diplomacy to withstand pressure from third countries when energy is used as a political tool; invites the Commission to assess options for voluntary demand aggregation mechanisms that could increase the EU’s bargaining power;
Amendment 40 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines, that operation and balancing of the electricity transmission systems of some EU Member States still depend on external non-EU operators; stresses, that integrating the Baltic States into the Continental Europe electricity network would finalise the Integrated European Electricity Market; therefore, calls for swift synchronisation of the Baltic States' electricity systems with the European Continental Networks and end their dependence on the Russian power system;
Amendment 43 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that energy cooperation must take into account the EU’s core values, such as the respect for human rights and democracy; calls on all actors of EU external policy to advocate the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in all contacts with third countries; calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to address the control of nuclear infrastructure within the EU by non-EU entities, and to closely monitor nuclear safety standards in the EU’s neighbourhood, as well as the management of European nuclear waste. and the implementation of the 3rd Energy Package;
Amendment 51 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is concerned by the announcement from Russia that gas supply to Ukraine will be stop and calls on all sides to the agreement that was brokered by former Energy Commissioner Oettinger to find an acceptable solution.