15 Amendments of Fabio Massimo CASTALDO related to 2015/2114(INI)
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the uncontrolled spread of weapons constitutes a serious risk for peace and security, human rights and sustainable development; whereas every minute, somewhere in the world, a person dies because of armed violence and 15 new weapons are manufactured;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, EU Member States exported arms with a total value of EUR 9.6 billion13 in 2013 and EUR 10.7 billion in 201214 to countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); whereas EU Member States accounted for 36 per cent of overall exports to third countries, by way of comparison, the overall budget for the European Neighbourhood Instrument for 2014-2020 is EUR 15.4 billion; whereas EU Member States accounted for 36 per cent of overall exports to third countries and it can hardly be claimed that these trade flows are in the direct security interests of the EU; __________________ 13 16th Annual Arms Exports Report 14 15th Annual Arms Exports Report
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Article 10 of the Common Position clearly states that economic, social, commercial and industrial factors and interests must not, in any way, affect the application of the eight criteria set out in the Common Position;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya, situations which are only the tip of the iceberg in a changing neighbourhood which is less stable and less secure than in the past;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, whose democratic legitimacy has not been proven or which have dubious relations with international terrorism, armed groups and other violent non-state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are usedwho use them to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts andor grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure, as part of a strengthened CFSP and CSDP, defence and security of EU Member States; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed, especially where the trading partners are countries which do not show much respect for democratic standards or which have high levels of corruption, owing to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobility, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Deplores that irresponsible arms transfers continue to hinder democratic, economic and social development in many parts of the world; recognises that the effective implementation of Criterion Eight of Common Position 2008/944 (COARM) would be a decisive contribution to the EU’s Policy Coherence on Development objectives; considers, furthermore, that for developing countries it would, in general, be more advisable to direct their spending towards investments to boost their economic and social growth, rather than towards the purchase of arms, technologies and military know-how;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Trea, even though it has to be noted that three of the leading sellers of arms in the world have not signed (Russia and China) or ratified (Untied States) the Treaty and that it continues to be unclear whether arms ‘transfers’ include also their donation and rental; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; takes the view that the ambiguities relating to arms transfers to non-state actors should be resolved and that states should not be allowed to omit from their annual reports sensitive commercial information or information relating to national security;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the success of the first Conference of States Parties held in Cancun from 24 to 27 August 2015, but points out that no agreement was reached on the template to be used for the annual reports; believes that the Treaty will be genuinely successful only if steps are taken to make it universally applicable and if binding or punitive mechanisms are established, to be used in the case of any failure to apply the rules;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that the Common Position does not affect the right of Member States to operate more restrictive national policies, that, in any case, refusal to transfer any military technology or arms remains the exclusive competence of the Member States and that the common standards set by the Common Position are to be regarded as the minimum standard for the management of transfers of military technology according to recital 3; points out that harmonisation at the European level should only lead to a more restrictive arms export policy at national level and not be used as a pretext for watering down stricter national rules;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Takes the view that the real problem is that the Common Position is being applied loosely and interpreted inconsistently by the Member States and therefore considers it crucial that a consistent and ambitious application of the eight criteria be pursued; points out in this regard that there are no penalties in case of infringement of the criteria and considers it advisable to make arrangements for conducting independent checks and for penalties in case of any infringement of the Common Position;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Finds regrettable the very late adoption of the Sixteenth Annual Report making it the most delayed ever; considers that a comprehensive, transparent, accurate and timely COARM annual report is essential to enable the democratic bodies of the Union and public opinion to perform their role of democratic scrutiny in the best possible way;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that the report includes standardised information on issued export licences but does not include comprehensive information on the real export of arms; calls for this shortcoming to be remedied and for provision be made, accordingly, for an annual report that highlights the real export data disaggregated by type and destination;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers that technological developments make it increasingly more difficult to distinguish between pure military and pure civilian use and that special attention should therefore be paid to the Dual Use List, in the light of the Wassenaar Arrangement; calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Commission to ensure that there are no loopholes at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement and between the Military List and the Annexes of the Dual-Use Regulation and to pay particular attention to new technology of strategic importance such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and surveillance technology;