65 Amendments of Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS related to 2024/2082(INI)
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an attack against the rules- based international order and the European security architecture; whereas Russia’s persistent attempts to destabilize the Union and to undermine the European security architecture demands that the Union substantially enhances the cohesion and effectiveness of its foreign, security and defence policy as well as its strategic sovereignty; whereas North Korea reportedly sent 12,000 combat- ready North Korean troops in Russia and delivered to Russia millions of shells and artillery charges;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas Europe is facing the most complex combination of both military and non-military threats since the end of the Cold War accentuated by Russia’s unprovoked and illegal military aggression against Ukraine; whereas such non-military means include disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, food and energy blackmailing, instrumentalisation of migration, and subversive political influence to seek support for Russia’s illegitimate military operations; whereas this requires the EU to enhance the effectiveness of its security and defence policy to defend its interests and values;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
A d. whereas the Draghi report highlights in a substantiated and worrying way a combination of structural weaknesses affecting the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), identifies fragmentation, insufficient public defence spending and limited access to financing; whereas the European Investment Bank (EIB) lending policy still excludes financing ammunition and weapons, as well as equipment or infrastructure exclusively dedicated to military/police use;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas CSDP has 13 civilian missions, 8 military operations and 1 civilian-military mission under way with around 5000 personnel deployed on three continents; whereas reviews state that they persistently suffer from Member States not delivering on their pledges to provide sufficient military or civilian personnel; whereas they also suffer from slow decision making, lack of flexibility and adaptation to the local ground specific needs; whereas EU missions and operations are often targeted by hybrid threats, including disinformation, putting at risk their effectiveness in stabilising the country in which they are deployed and, instead, reinforcing pre-existing instability whose beneficiaries often are malicious third states actors;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the seriousness of the threats to the security of the European continent, which have reached a level unprecedented since the Second World War; expresses deep concern at the rise of geopolitical fractures, new imperialist ambitions for domination by authoritarian powers and their increased coordination, systemic rivalry of great powers, nationalist unilateralism and the primary and growing use of force and violence by certain states and non-state actors to promote their political objectives and interests or to resolve disputes; believes that the geopolitical theatres in Ukraine, Middle East and Taiwan are increasingly interconnected as Russia, China and Iran are deepening their ties, and this trend amounts to a paradigm shift, as it reverses the logic of building international security on the basis of respect for international law, a rules-based international order and multilateralism;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Acknowledges that geopolitical theatres in Ukraine, the Middle East and Taiwan are interconnected as Russia, China and Iran are deepening their ties and want to challenge the liberal world order; therefore calls for a much-needed paradigm shift in the EU’s CSDP and deepened cooperation with its allies;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the EU and its Member States to accelerate their commitments made in the Versailles Declaration, adopted on 11 March 2022, to assume greater responsibility for their defence and security, including by achieving greater strategic autonomy; stresses that NATO and the transatlantic partnership with the United States remain the cornerstones of European collective defence; stresses the need for EU Member States to step up their efforts by increasing their spending and procuring more joint capabilities, thereby strengthening their armed forces whether for national, NATO or EU operational purposes; calls upon the EU to enhance its conventional deterrence capabilities on its eastern border;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Concurs with the ambition of building a European pillar within NATO and stresses that the development of a European defence union can go hand-in- hand with the deepening of EU-NATO cooperation; stresses that a European pillar within NATO consists of jointly acquiring strategic enablers or strategic weapon systems that are often too expensive for a single member state, such as air-to-air refueling capability, command & control capability, hypersonic weapons, layered air defence, electronic warfare capabilities; believes that the European added value lies in jointly developing or buying those enablers and systems that we severely lack as individual Member States;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reaffirms its unwavering support for the EU and its Member States to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, and to provide it with the necessary military means to defend itself, end the conflictachieve victory against Russia and restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; believes that without decisive EU military support, Ukraine will not be able to achieve full victory; welcomes the joint security commitments between the EU and Ukraine, and the bilateral security agreements concluded by Ukraine with severalEU Member States; reiterates its call forto EU Members States to accelerate theirurgently meet their commitments and delivery of weapons, air defence systems and ammunitions to Ukraine, including air-launched cruise missiles; calls foralso urges the EU Members States to lift all restrictions hindering Ukraine from using Western weapons systems against military targets withininside Russia, as allowed by international law;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reaffirms its unwavering support for the EU and its Member States to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, and to provide it with theall necessary military means and in time it needs to defend itself, end the conflict and restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; welcomes the joint security commitments between the EU and Ukraine, and the bilateral security agreements concluded by Ukraine with several Member States; reiterates its call for Member States to accelerate their delivery of weapons, air defence systems and ammunition to Ukraine, including air- launched cruise missiles; calls for Member States to lift all restrictions hindering Ukraine from using Western weapons systems against military targets within Russia, as allowed by international law;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reaffirms its unwavering support for the EU and its Member States to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression and to provide it with the necessary military means to defend itself, end the conflict and restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; welcomes the joint security commitments between the EU and Ukraine, and the bilateral security agreements concluded by Ukraine with several Member States; reiterates its call for Member States to accelerate their delivery of weapons, fighter aircrafts, drones, air defence systems and above all ammunition to Ukraine, including air-launched cruise missiles; is deeply concerned that the EU failed to deliver the shells it has promised, with a significant delay; calls on the Council to commit to transferring all confiscated military equipment or ammunition from EU operations and missions inside and outside of the EU, to Ukraine, and to promote this idea globally; calls for Member States to lift all restrictions hindering Ukraine from using Western weapons systems against military targets within Russia, as allowed by international law;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Urges the EU and its Member States to expedite the implementation of the EU joint plan to supply 1 million artillery ammunition to Ukraine; calls on the Member States to further expand training operations custom made to the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for the EU and its Member States to support Ukraine in expanding the international coalition in support of its Victory Plan presented by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the only viable route to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the basis of international law, thereby holding Russia and its accomplices, in particular Belarus, to account for itstheir war crimes, including the crime of aggression, and ensuring Russian reparations and other payments for the massive damage caused in Ukraine;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for the EU and its Member States to support Ukraine in expanding the international coalition in support of its Victory Plan presented by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the only viable route to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the basis of international law, thereby holding Russia to account for its war crimes, including the crime of aggression, and ensuring Russian reparations and other payments for the massive damage caused in Ukraine; calls on the HRVP to mobilize more diplomatic support for Ukraine and for the sanctions imposed on Russia, using the full spectrum of the diplomatic toolbox, including secondary sanctions;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Strongly condemns the deployment and training of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, and views such action as an attempt to further escalate the conflict;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the importance of the European Peace Facility (EPF), which has been instrumental in supporting the provision of military capabilities and training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while providing coordination for all stakeholders through the clearing house mechanism hosted by the EU Military Staff ; welcomes the setting up of the dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund under the EPF and calls for financial resources for military assistance to Ukraine to be increased through this instrument; urges Hungaryexpresses its deep concern about the blocking, since March 2023, of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by a Member State, precisely the opening of a new tranche of expenditure to support Ukrainian forces, the release of previous repayment tranches and the establishment of the new assistance fund for Ukraine; is also deeply concerned by the foreseeable drop in the share of windfall profits from sanctions against Russia earmarked for military aid to Ukraine; urge the VP/HR and the Council to find innovative solutions capable of lifting these blockages and offsetting these funding cuts; urges Hungary to cease immediately its efforts to hinder EU’s actions in support of Ukraine and to lift its veto on the EPF military support to Ukraine, including the agreed reimbursements to EU Member States that deliveredfor the military aid to Ukrainehat they delivered;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Welcomes the G7 loan of €45 billion in financial support to Ukraine from the mobilization of interest from frozen Russian assets, and welcomes the swift approval by the Council and Parliament of the EU’s share of that loan, amounting to €35 billion; but strongly disapproves Hungary’s veto of the recent attempts to extend the EU sanctions renewal period, which would secure more long-term stability and support for this loan structure;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Welcomes the commitment by the G7, on 26 October 2024, to provide €45 billion in financial support to Ukraine from the mobilization of interest from frozen Russian assets; recalls, however, that this mobilization will be at the expense of the sum earmarked for EU military support via the Ukraine facility, which will now only benefit up to 15%; recalls that Ukraine's reconstruction will only be possible once it has won the war against Russia; therefore calls on the EU and the Member States to mobilize the necessary funds to ensure that military support to Ukraine enables it to win its legitimate fight against Russia, starting with the instrument designed to support the Ukrainian defence industry in the EDIP instrument, which remains unfinanced to date;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Urges that the ongoing EU military training and financial assistance to Ukraine be used to accelerate Ukraine's accession to the EU, to start adapting the Ukrainian Armed Forces to EU capability requirements and to involve them in cross-border technological and defence industrial cooperation projects and programmes;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Welcomes the fact that EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) will have reached the target of 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained by the end of 2024; calls on EU Member States and the EU to, at a least maintain the level of ambition of the training, including in the Air and Maritime domains as appropriate, or to react to any other urgent Ukraine's training requests;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Stresses the importance of cooperation with and integration in the long term of the Ukrainian defence industry into the EU's European defence technological base (EDTIB); welcomes the opening in September 2024 of the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv to promote cross-border cooperation between the Ukrainian DTIB and the EDTIB, to be a focal point for Ukrainian partners, as well as a coordination and information hub; calls on the Member States and their military industries to honour their commitment to establish military production on Ukrainian territory;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Welcomes the ongoing initiatives of several EU Member States to deepen cooperation with Ukraine in the field of defence industrial production and urges further use of Ukraine’s innovative defence potential to develop weapons and ammunition and to accelerate their production in close cooperation with the EU and other Western partners, using available support mechanisms;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Deplores the fact that some components of Western origin are found in weapons and their systems used by Russia against Ukraine, and calls on the EU and Member States to implement sanctions more thoroughly;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the vision set out in the European Defence Industrial Strategy accompanied by the Commission’s proposal for establishing the European defence industry programme; supports the objective of strengthening EU defence industrial preparedness to further enable Member States to identify and discussaccelerate joint defence programming and procurement, as well as European defence projects of common interest, and to secure supply lines to deal with shortages in defence production, such as for gunpowder and explosives;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the vision set out in the European Defence Industrial Strategy accompanied by the Commission’s proposal for establishing the European defence industry programme; supports the objective of strengthening EU defence industrial preparedness to further enable Member States to identify and discussecide joint defence programming and procurement, as well as European defence projects of common interest;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Calls the European Commission to create the conditions for a genuine EU internal Defence market, by making proposals reducing barriers to market entry for defence products across the EU, reviewing the directives on the transfer of defence-related products and defence procurement, and propose actions for better market access for all companies, more and smoother cross-border cooperation and increased security of supply;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Recognizes that military logistics can contribute to deterrence by signalling Europe's overall military preparedness; calls on the Commissioner for Defence and Space to develop an integrated approach to military mobility and logistics that ensures that the Council's pledge to remove all remaining barriers by 2026 is upheld, and coincides with much higher EU investments in key aspects of military mobility;
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Emphasizes the importance of developing, maintaining and protecting the infrastructure necessary to ensure rapid and efficient military mobility and calls for the appropriate EU funding for ongoing and necessary military mobility projects to be secured in the next MFF;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that geopolitical developments have evolved rapidly since the Strategic Compass was adopted by Member States in March 2022; calls, therefore, for a review of the Strategic Compass based on a comprehensive joint threat assessment; calls, furthermore, for the Commission and the VP/HR to present an updated version of the Strategic Compass, following this review exercise and for this to inform the preparation of the white paper on the future of European defence; calls on the VP/HR to take account of the European Parliament's position on the updating of the Strategic Compass and on the future White Paper on Defence;
Amendment 431 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its call to strengthen the EU military planning and conduct capability and to achieve full operational capability, including through the provision of adequate premises, staff, enhanced command and control, and effective communication and information systems for all CSDP missions and operations; reiterates its full support for the Rapid Deployment Capacity to achieve full operational capability in 2025, with at least 5 000 troops available for rescue and evacuation tasks, initial entry and stabilisation operations or temporary reinforcement of missions; insists on the importance of operationalizing article 42(7) TEU, also as the expression of solidarity among Member States, especially with those whose geographical position leaves them directly exposed to imminent threats and challenges;
Amendment 456 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to initiate an open discussion based onstart implementing the recommendations presented in Mr Draghi’s report on the future of European competiveness, including that concern the increasing thee of resources allocated to security and defence in the next multiannual financial framework and exploringe all funding options to this end; further calls on Member States to amend the EPF financing process to ensure adequate and sustainable support for partners and allies, while also aligning with CSDP missions and operations;
Amendment 471 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Considers that the Union's current budget for ensuring the security of Europeans, against a backdrop of geopolitical upheaval and Russia's aggression against Ukraine, is not equal to the challenges to be met in the short and long term; therefore calls for the next MFF to genuinely provide the means for a real Defence Union; supports the proposal for a massive financial and budgetary EU investment in European defence;
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Expresses deep and increasing concern over China’s support to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, in particular through the exportation of dual- use goods to Russiafeed the Russian war machine, and the ongoing involvement of China- based companies in sanctions evasion and circumvention and calls upon the VP/HR to consider secondary sanctions and other tools to close the sanction evasion loop; is concerned that China weaponizes supply chains to bolster its industry and support Russia; is also deeply concerned over the increasing number of escalatory and hostile acts being conducted by China against Taiwan, including cyberattacks, influence campaigns, Chinese warplanes entering Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone and the severing of subsea cables;
Amendment 496 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Expresses deep concerns about the effect that European dependencies on China have on the credibility of the Member States’ ability to safeguard their national security and the EU as a whole to effectively criticize and counter China’s economic coercion, escalation with Taiwan, and support to Russia; calls on the Commission and EU Member States to de-risk from risky Chinese vendors in its critical infrastructure, and to not direct any EU funds or subsidies to advance the position of those vendors in Europe;
Amendment 504 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Chinese authorities to put an end to all aggressive actions, in particular air and maritime operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, that endanger the stability in the Indo- Pacific region and thereby undermine international security, the sovereignty of regional countries, the safety of life at sea and freedom of navigation; stresses that further escalation in the Taiwan Strait would have detrimental effects on the European economy and therefore urges the Commission to start with the development of contingency planning and mitigation measures based on likely scenarios of escalation such as an economic blockade of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China (PRC);
Amendment 514 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Condemns Iran, in the strongest terms, for its destabilising activities in the Middle East region and for its continued support for terrorist groups, which pose a direct threat to regional and global security; expresses concern at the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia, in particular the intention to sign a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership, and strongly condemns Iran's provision of drones and ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and its people; expresses, however, full support for and solidarity with Iran’s civil society and democratic forces;
Amendment 518 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Condemns Iran, in the strongest terms, for its destabilising activities in the Middle East region and for its continued support for terrorist groups, which pose a direct threat to regional and global security; expresses, however, full support for and solidarity with Iran’s civil society and democratic forces; calls on the VP/HR to put the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the EU-terror list;
Amendment 535 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates its condemnation of the despicable terrorist attacks perpetrated by the terrorist organisation Hamas against Israel on 7 October 2023, which contributed to further destabilisation in the Middle East, intensified by aggressions against Israel by Iranian proxies (such as terrorist organisations including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen) and the Iranian regime itself; deplores the scale of civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon; condemns the Israeli Defence Forces' intentional attacks on UNIFIL, which are contrary to international law; reaffirms the essential stabilizing role played by UNIFIL, to which 16 Member States contribute, in southern Lebanon and calls for an immediate end to the attacks, the full implementation of UNSC resolution 1701 and ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon;
Amendment 592 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Recalls that mainstreaming and operationalising gender perspectives in external relations and implementing the women, peace and security agenda are long-standing priorities for the EU; insists that the update of the Strategic Compass propose further measures to ensure gender equality and the full and meaningful participation of women in CSDP, especially in military missions;
Amendment 598 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the VP/HR and the Member States to continue to innovate CSDP missions and operations, including with robust, flexible and modular mandates, in order to adapt to the changing security context and needs of host countries, and to build on the synergies and complementarities of the civilian and military dimensions of the CSDP; insists on the need for comprehensive and uncompromising reviews of CSDP missions and operations: in particular on the realism of mandates in relation to the resources allocated, methods of recruiting members of missions and operations and matching profiles to the skills required, rationalization of resources and management of missions and operations, transparency on calls for tender, activities and results obtained, lessons learned on good practices and difficulties encountered, and, on the basis of these reviews, calls on the HR VP to take a decision to adapt or abandon ineffective missions and strengthen the most useful missions; also questions the governance of evaluation and control of CSDP missions and operations, and believes it should be improved;
Amendment 605 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Reiterates its calls on the EEAS to take concrete actions to support CSDP missions and operations fighting against and countering disinformation and propaganda, in countries where CSDP missions and operations are deployed, in particular in the Western Balkans and in Eastern Partnership countries; calls on the European Commission to take into account EU’s external missions and operations when shaping its European Democracy Shield in order to pre-empt threats aiming at discrediting EU’s external actions and protect EU personnel deployed abroad; insists on the need to build on lessons learned across the different EU missions and operations, as well as cooperating with Member States mission and operations, to better communicate and identify threats in order to pre-empt or respond to them in a timely manner when necessary; calls for an improved strategic communication and enhanced outreach in the areas of deployment - using the relevant local languages - in order to better inform the local population of the motives, benefits and roles of the EU missions and operations in their respective regions, informing them as well of the consequences of relying on the support of other actors aiming at destabilising them, in particular Russia;
Amendment 624 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 f (new)
Paragraph 21 f (new)
21 f. Welcomes the actions of the EU CSDP civilian mission in Armenia (EUMA) on the Armenian side of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and its contribution to the stability in the border areas of Armenia; encourages Member States to continue supporting the mission and providing adequate resource, to promote confidence-building, enhance human security in conflict-affected areas, and create an environment conducive to EU-supported normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan;
Amendment 627 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 h (new)
Paragraph 21 h (new)
21 h. Welcomes EUMM Georgia’s role in monitoring the situation at the Abkhaz and South Ossetian Boundary Line; condemns the temporary arrest of EUMM officers by security actors while conducting a routine patrol along the Abkhaz Boundary Line; expresses its deep concern by any actions that obstruct EUMM actions aiming at undermining efforts to build confidence; calls on the HRVP and the Council to monitor the situation closely;
Amendment 630 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21 e. Recalls the importance of the role of the EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova in contributing to the strengthening of the Republic of Moldova’s crisis management structures and to enhance its resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), in the context of the Russian aggression of Ukraine; to this aim, calls on the EEAS to assess the adequacy of its means, methods and resources in relation to the mission's objectives, especially as regard staff expertise for the needs of the mission, and to adapt them in the light of the evaluation's conclusions EUAM Armenia;
Amendment 632 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 g (new)
Paragraph 21 g (new)
21 g. Supports an increased role of the two EU civilian CSDP missions EUPOL COPPS and EUBAM Rafah, in line with European Council conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024 recalling they can play an important role based on the principle of the two-state solution and the viability of a future Palestinian state, to participate in the facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza strip, to improve the efficiency of the Palestinian authority in the West Bank, and to prepare for its return to the Gaza strip; stresses in particular the need to create the necessary conditions for the full reactivation of EUBAM Rafah to allow it act as a neutral third party at the Rafah crossing point, in coordination with the Palestinian Authority as well as the Israeli and Egyptian authorities; expects the reinforcement of the scope and mandates of EUPOL COPPS and EUBAM Rafah on the ground to be included as key priorities of the forthcoming EU-Middle East Strategy;
Amendment 637 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21 c. Welcomes the creation of a new type of hybrid civilian-military European Union Security and Defence Initiative in the Gulf of Guinea (EUSDI Gulf of Guinea), established is August 2023, aiming at empowering the security and defence forces of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin to improve the stability and resilience of their northern border areas;
Amendment 638 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Takes stock of the termination of EUTM Mali, EUMPM Niger military operations and EUCAP Sahel Niger mission, and acknowledges that the various international missions have not been able to achieve their primary goal of lasting peace in the region; is concerned by the failure of the EU's Sahel strategy in terms of Security and Defence; expresses deep concern about the worsening of security situation, the continuous failure of states and the resurgence of terrorism in the Sahel region; calls for a deep assessment on the mandates and roles of EU missions and operations and policies in Africa and a profoundly revised strategy for the CSDP in the Sahel region that would be well articulated with the EU development policy in Africa;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the importance of enhanced intelligence sharing and information exchange among Member States and EU institutions, including Parliament, to combat foreign interference, improve situational awareness and to be able to better anticipate and counter threats to collective security and define common lines of actions under the CSDP, particularly in the area of crisis management; therefore calls for the creation of a European equivalent of the Five Eyes intelligence cooperation for foreign intelligence collection, attribution of digital operations and sanction evasion;
Amendment 670 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses serious concern overs at the growing security challenges posed by cyber and hybrid attacks, ands well as foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which are aimed, inter alia, at undermining the stability of democratic societies, especially in the run-up to elections; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to strengthen their capabilities to address these challenges and increase resilience against disinformationEAS to build up their capabilities to address these challenges and increase resilience against information manipulation; emphasizes the need for more strategic, preventive communication, both within the EEAS and with missions and operations deployed in the field; calls for an improved strategic communication and enhanced outreach in the areas of deployment - using the relevant local languages - in order to better inform the local population of the motives, benefits and roles of the EU missions and operations in their respective regions, informing them as well of the consequences of relying on the support of other actors aiming at destabilising them, in particular Russia;
Amendment 673 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses serious concern over the growing security challenges posed by cyber and hybrid attacks, and foreign information manipulation and interference, which are aimed, inter alia, at undermining the stability of democratic societies, especially in the run-up to elections; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to strengthen their capabilities to address these challenges and increase resilience against disinformation; is concerned by the delay of many Member States in implementing the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2 Directive) and calls for a swift implementation to secure European critical infrastructure; calls on the VP/HR to better synchronize and more actively use the cyber, hybrid and FIMI sanction toolboxes, and explore how sectoral sanctions may be carried out;
Amendment 697 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Calls for European solidarity and support for building a defence infrastructure system along the EU’s external border with Russia and Belarus to protect the EU from military and hybrid threats, in particular artificially facilitated waves of illegal migrants;
Amendment 703 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the findings and recommendations proposed by Mr Draghi in his report on the future of European competitiveness, which encourage Member States to update governance and investment rules in the space domain, in particular for defence-related areas; calls on the Commission and Council to prioritize the fully operationally capable European IRIS2 space communication capabilities and to grant access to Taiwan and Ukraine as soon as possible;
Amendment 717 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Expresses serious concerns over Russian surveillance and sabotage of offshore communication cables and energy infrastructure, and calls on the Member States to fully abide to the commitments of the New York declaration on the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables, including to procure submarine cable networks only from companies in allied countries; also calls for regional coastguard cooperation to counter, mitigate and repair threats to our subsea and maritime infrastructure;
Amendment 720 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. RegDeplorets, during these unstable geopolitical times, the weakening of non- proliferation and arms control regimes, and calls for the redoubling of efforts to reverse this trend; recalls that negotiations related to arms control regimes impacting Europe systematically include EU Member States;
Amendment 742 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. HWelcomes the report by Mr Sauli Niinistö to strengthen Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness, and urges the Commission to implement the recommendations with high ambition, including by developing a EU risk assessment, preparedness Union strategy, joint exercises, a coherent vision and stronger EU-NATO interface in view of crisis situations; highlights the need for EU citizens to have a broader understanding of security threats and risks in order for a consciousness on European defence to emerge; calls for the EU and its Member States to develop awareness- raising and educational programmes aimed at improving knowledge on defence among citizens, especially young people, and at strengthening the resilience and preparedness of societies to face security challenges;
Amendment 743 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Highlights the need for EU citizens to have a broader understanding of security threats and risks in order for a consciousness on European defence to emerge; calls for the EU and its Member States to develop awareness-raising and educational programmes aimed at improving knowledge on defence among citizens, especially young people, and at strengthening the resilience and preparedness of societies to face security challenges; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to address this issues in the context of the European Democracy Shield, building on the model of the Swedish Civil Contingency Initiative, to ensure widespread awareness and preparedness of the civilian population;
Amendment 747 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26 b. Recalls that radical islamist terrorism continues to constitute a persistent threat to the security of the citizens of the EU Member States and its allies and partners; calls on the EU to continue to combat this threat with determination and full solidarity, in particular through greater coordination to improve knowledge of the threat, the establishment of preparedness and response capabilities, and increased interaction with partner countries and other international actors;
Amendment 775 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the importance of NATO and the EU playing complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international security and thus avoiding the duplication of defence effortsstrengthening defence efforts; notes that the duplication of resources on each side of the Atlantic strengthens the Alliance by giving each side the capacity to act in support of the other in the event of a major crisis affecting a critical system; welcomes the accession of Sweden to NATO in 2024, which followinged Finland in 2023, representing a historical step forward into strengthening security in Europe;
Amendment 782 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the importance of NATO and the EU playing complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international security and thus avoiding the duplication of defence efforts; welcomes the accession of Sweden to NATO in 2024, following Finland in 2023, representing a historic step forward in strengthening security in Europe; calls on the VP/HR to operate in close coordination and unity with the NATO Secretary-General;
Amendment 783 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the importance of NATO and the EU playing complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international security and thus avoiding the duplication of defence efforts; welcomes the accession of Sweden to NATO in 2024, following Finland in 2023, representing a historic step forward in strengthening security in Europe; reiterates its belief that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to NATO membership;
Amendment 806 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers it essential to further develop the EU’s close relationship with the United States, which is based on mutual respect, the shared values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law; values the United States’ commitment to and involvengagement into the territorial defence of Europe, especially in the light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; therefore encourage mutual security and defence initiatives, disarmament and non- proliferation, the impact of disruptive technologies, climate change, hybrid threats, cyber defence, military mobility, crisis management and the relationship with strategic competitors;
Amendment 819 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Considers it essential to formalise a security and defence partnershipWelcomes the participation of the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in October 2024; welcomes the will of the EU and the UK to become closer security partners by signing a joint declaration with concrete engagements and structured dialogue , to strengthen EU-UK cooperation on the full range of foreign and security challenges we face as a continent; considers it essential to advance on practical cooperation, via a formalise joint declaration on Security and defence with concrete ad hoc arrangements with the United Kingdom as a means ofor strengthening European security and the European pillar of NATO, in particular in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; encourages the VP/HR to regularly invite the United Kingdom to informal Council meetings of foreign affairs (and defence) ministers to exchange views on issues of common concern while fully protecting the EU decision making autonomy;
Amendment 827 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 22
Subheading 22
Partnership with the Eastern Partners and Western Balkan countries
Amendment 828 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 22
Subheading 22
Partnership with Western Balkan countries and other countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood
Amendment 830 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. UnderlinBelieves that the EU’s security is closely interlinked with the security of its immediate neighbours in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood, and in the Western Balk has an interest in strengthening the stability and security of its neighbours who express a desire to cooperate with it, namely the Western Balkans, Moldavia, Ukraine, and Armenia recalls that to support this cooperation, the EU deploys CSDP missions in these countries and mobilizes the European Peace Facility; Call for cooperation that integrates all the elements that make up security, among which energy, the fight against hybrid threats like information manipulations, interferences in electoral processes, weaponisation of migrants;