53 Amendments of Brando BENIFEI related to 2018/2160(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
— having regard to the document entitled ‘Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe – A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy’, presented by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on 28 June 20161 , and to the 2017 and 2018 implementation reports, _________________ 1 https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/top_st ories/pdf/eugs_review_web.pdf.
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to the jJoint consultation paperCommunication from the Commission of 18 November 2015 entitled ‘Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy’ (JOIN(2015)0006), and on the joint report from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 418 Marchy 2015 entitled ‘Towards a new7 on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy’ Review (JOIN(20157)000618),
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the EU Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, adopted by the Council in 2013,
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Global Compact on Migration,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
Citation 7 b (new)
- having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)
Citation 7 c (new)
- having regard to the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015- 2019, adopted by the Council on 20 July 2015, and to its mid-term review of June 2017,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 d (new)
Citation 7 d (new)
- having regard to the joint staff working document of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy entitled ‘Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020’, adopted in 2015(SWD(2015)0182),
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 e (new)
Citation 7 e (new)
- having regard to the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 (GAP II), adopted by the Council on 26 October 2015, and to the Annual Implementation report 2016 thereof, published on 29 August 2017 by the Commission and the High Representative,
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Arab uprisings that affected the MENA region in 2011 constituted a moment of mass upheavals against authoritarian regimes and declining socio-economic conditions; whereas a large segment of the protesters was composed of young women and men aspiring to a better and more inclusive future; whereas the overthrow of mostsome of the regimes and, in some cases, the introduction of liberaldemocratic reforms gave rise to great hope and expectations;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas in oil-importing countries in particular the global financial crisis, the decline in oil prices, demographic trends, conflict and terrorism have further aggravated the situation after the 2011 events; whereas the economic model characterizing such countries is no longer viable, resulting in a crisis of trust that needs to be urgently addressed by the concerned governments, with a view to establishing a new social contract with their respective citizens; whereas the increasing social impact of the decline in state subsidies, public sector jobs and public services, the spread of poverty and environmental problems, especially in remote areas and among marginalised communities, have been a source of continuing unrest and spontaneous protests in the region, which are likely to continue growing in the years ahead;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the majority of the population in the MENA region is under 35; whereas youth unemployment in the region is still among the highest in the world; whereas this causes social exclusion, political disenfranchisement as well as brain drain towards other countries; whereas young people in vulnerable settings can constitute targeted groups for radical movements;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the capacity of Member States to exert a positive influence in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is very unequal and has often been marred by fragmentationcontradicting approaches; whereas individual Member States’ action in the region needs to be in synergy with the EU’s objectives; whereas the EU needs to increase its political leverage; whereas long-term political and economic stability as well as resilience in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions is of fundamental strategic importance to the EU, and as such requires a longer-term, integrated approach as regards the policy framework and its objectives;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU should play a central role in promoting conflict resolutionprevention and resolution, protection and promotion of human rights, rule of law, and civil society space and both democratic and fair economic governance in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; whereas an open civil society and the work of human rights defenders as actors for social change are fundamental to the long term resilience and prosperity of the region;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas human rights defenders and civil society in significant parts of the MENA region have faced increasing systematic persecution, threats, attacks, reprisals, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment; whereas the European Union and Member States must significantly step up their efforts in order to adequately respond to the trend;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas in response to a request by the European Council in December 2013, the VP/HR launched a major strategic reflection process on the strategic policy framework for the EU’s Neighbourhood Policythe developments in the region, the EU revised its Neighbourhood Policy in 2015; whereas the Review foresees a deeper involvement of Member States in the ENP;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas state and societal resilience are among the key priorities of the EU Global Strategy; whereas it recognizes that a resilient society featuring democracy, trust in institutions, and sustainable development lies at the heart of a resilient state, while repressive states are inherently fragile in the long term;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas, for those countries with which the EU has signed association agreements, the legally binding commitments of these agreements, including on human rights, should form a basis for relations and, notably, the Partnership Priorities agreed between the EU and certain neighbourhood countries;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations havelegitimate aspirations of the people of the region for progressive political, social and economic reforms have in most cases still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases; is worried about the socio-economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale; is worried about the shrinking and closing of space for civil society, the rollback of gains in freedom of expression, assembly and association, and the repression of human rights defenders after 2011 in several MENA states;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that, eight years after the upheavals, most of the expectations have still not been met; condemns the persistent and continuing violations of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in several cases, and attacks on the rights of minorities and LGBTI people; is worried about the socio- economic situation in the region, which continues to be dire and, in particular, about the high levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion, which cause disillusionment and disenfranchisement on a large scale;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses concern about the fact that, in spite of its considerable political and budgetary investments and continuous political and economic outreach, the EU has not been able to gain real political and economic leverage, and is no longer perceived as a game changer by the countries in the region; points to the dissatisfaction felt by civil society and local NGOs at how the EU translates its vision into action on the ground; is concerned about the increasingly complex political situation in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, and notes the emergence of new and resurgent political and economic regional players such as Russia and China, in addition to the competing narratives and financing from the Gulf countries and Iran;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that for far too long the policy stance towards the Maghreb and Mashreq countries was marred by an approach which was based to too great an extent on the EU’s expectations and objectives, with little incentive for and ownership by beneficiary countries and too little consideration for the aspirations of the populations who should benefit from EU policies and for the particular political situation in different countries; regrets that the initial efforts after the Arab Spring to introduce stricter conditionality and delivery incentives in relation to beneficiary countries through the ‘more for more’ principle did not lead to greater leverage on the part of the EU in its ability to promote real change in the areas of democracy, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in most countries; stresses that differentiation and enhanced mutual ownership are the hallmark of the European Neighbourhood Policy, recognising different levels of engagement, and reflecting the interests of each country concerning the nature and focus of its partnership with the Union; calls for a more consistent application of the ‘more for more’ principle by defining, at policy, programme and project levels in bilateral relations, concrete goals and benchmarks for increased support;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the initial efforts by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, in cooperation and dialogue with the European Parliament, to substantially reform the EU policy framework for post- Arab Spring countries in the hope of attaining real democratic and political leverage in the Maghreb and Mashreq regions; points to the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and its added value as regards the potential for achieving synergies in actions at EU level, building on political and, economic and social dialogue and securing adequate support and implementation through the Financial Instruments for the external action of the EU; takes note of the 2015 revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at taking into account the changing scenarios in the region;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned, however, that the complexity of managingresponding appropriately to the migration and refugee flows from and through the Maghreb and Mashreq regions, the nexus between security and migration, the challenge of terrorism and the legitimatan excessively security-focused perspective concerns about the fragility of certain countries in the reg migration, as well as the lack of a cohesive approach by the Member States, is encouraging the EU’s action towards the region to rely excessively on an ideology of short-term stability; takes the view that when stability and security become the predominant objectives, they lead to a shorter-term policy vision and deprive EU action directed at reaffirming human rights and fundamental freedoms of the required intensity; is convinced that stability and security can only be achieved through longer-term objectivesrecalls that fostering state and societal resilience should not be confused with the perpetration of authoritarian regimes; is convinced that a credible and coherent stability and sustainable security policy can only be achieved through the pursuit of longer-term interests and principles, including the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, under a human centred and conflict sensitive approach;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Underlines that the work of human rights defenders is crucial for the long term development and stability of the region; as such, reiterates its call for full implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders; emphasises the need for EU and Member State leaders and diplomats at all levels to raise cases of individual human rights defenders at risk with third country governments including through public statements, demarches and regular dialogue, meeting with defenders, visiting defenders in detention, and observing defenders’ trials; highlights the need for the EU and Member States to increase their funding and capacity for human rights defenders at risk, through emergency grants as well as through support for civil society protection mechanisms such as ProtectDefenders.eu;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Insists that the EU and Member States must actively seek to engage with and support the most vulnerable human rights defenders and civil society actors across the MENA region, including those in remote and rural regions, women, LGBTI, indigenous, environmental and land rights, refugee rights and labour rights defenders;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Is deeply concerned about the use of repressive cybersecurity and counter- terrorism legislation, calls on the EU and Member States to engage with third country governments to end such practices and repeal repressive legislation, as well as to ensure proper vetting of the exports of European surveillance technology and technical assistance;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the concept of co- ownership put forward by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); is concerned, however, that it runs the risk of allowing authoritarian regimes in certain partner countries to cherry-pick priorities according to their national agenda, instead of advancing along the path towards democratisation; stresses, therefore, the importance of a long-term policy framework and synergies in programming for post-Arab Spring countries based on the primacy of democracy, the inclusion of all democratic political forces and the primacy of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values; reiterates that strengthening these aspects is in the interests of the partner countries and their population, as well as of the EU, and calls for stronger conditionality in cases of systematic violations of human rights by the authorities; reminds that partner countries that are willing to pursue reforms, closer political dialogue and attain more should receive more support adequate to their aspirations and commitment, and demands a performance-based approach in this sense;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Regrets that in certain instances the bilateral investigative and judicial cooperation on cases of detention, violence or death of EU citizens has been insufficient, as in the case of the Italian researcher Giulio Regeni; considers it essential to link further collaboration in other sectors to substantial improvements in this field;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Is convinced that where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place or do not meet the respective countries’ aspirations, the EU should provide increased access to sustainable trade and investment, notably to the benefit of Southern Mediterranean populations and economies, supporting productive capacities with a focus on the domestic and regional markets, fostering decent work, social protection and inclusive socio-economic development;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Stresses the need to seek the most efficient use of available resources in order to optimise the impact of the EU external action, that should be achieved through coherence and complementarity among the Union's External Financing Instruments;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7 d. Welcomes the positive cases of democratic transition in the region and the consequent privileged partnership with the EU; calls for the EU to take this into account in all its policy areas, in order to enhance its coherence and to assist the partner countries in a more effective way;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that, as the EU struggles to come up with a renewed vision for the managementan appropriate response ofn migration and assistance to refugees, there is an increasing risk that some countries in the region might use migration containment and their role therein to seek greater leverage in their political and policy dialogue with the EU; stresses, instead, the importance of a poconsiders that the EU should develop a comprehensive facilicty framework promoting democratic, political and socio- economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors; is convinced that, where the prerequisites for the negotiation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, conditional on democratic progress, are not yet in place, the EU should provide increased access to trade and investment, and assistance for reconstruction and infrastructure modernisation in strict correlation with progressive political and economic reformsor refugees applying to all Southern Mediterranean countries, from Turkey to Morocco; believes that such facility would lay down the foundations for real, closer political dialogue with these countries and for stronger engagement on their part on all issues related to migration and refugee flows; stresses, in addition, the importance of a policy framework promoting democratic, political and socio-economic inclusion as mutually reinforcing factors, including with regard to fostering conditions for a safe, dignified life for people in the region and reducing forced displacement;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Points out the risk that the EU’s action for the region and the approach pursued by Member States through bilateral relations may not be in harmony, and that the EU’s capacity to make a political impact might be lost as a result; welcomes, in this context, the proposal made by the President of the Commission to move beyond unanimity in Council decision- making in foreign affaircertain Common Foreign and Security policy areas, as it could help the EU to speak with one voice in its foreign relations and have greater leverage; takes the view that the deeper involvement of Member States in the ENP as foreseen in the 2015 review of the ENP, although positive, should be better pursued; notes in this respect the need to include analysis of the policies of Member States in reports on the EU’s relations with the countries of the region;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Regrets that the internal narrative in some EU Member States, as regards migration and refugee flows, is counterproductive to the objective of presenting the EU as a coherent and credible actor in the promotion of human rights in the MENA region;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Considers that the Partnership Priorities agreed between the EU and partner countries under the ENP should make explicit reference to the relevant association agreement, notably its human rights clause, ensuring that human rights constitute an essential and transversal aspect of the agreed Partnership Priorities, to be discussed at all levels, notably the highest political level, and not confined to low-level sub-committee meetings;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9 c. Believes that reforms of public administration and sector in the southern neighbourhood should be a priority, together with the fight against corruption, and should be pursued through increased financial resources, capacity building and closer cooperation with the Member States;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for closer involvement of local civil society, including human rights defenders, in the identification of needs in the partner countries; welcomes the efforts by the EEAS and the Commission to broaden civil society outreach and include the private sector, and encourages them to do more in this regard; emphasises the need to ensure the participation of genuinely independent civil society, including unregistered human rights groups, and regrets that this is particularly hindered where dialogue and support passes through government- controlled agencies; takes the view that the EU should makfacilitate access to available funds for smaller and local civil society organisations (CSOs) easier,, including social partners, and streamline the application processes and focus on local CSOs; points out the perception among local civil society interlocutors of a primary focus by the EU on large, international CSOs; calls on the EU to invest more resources in promoting the capacity building of local CSOs and facilitating enhanced partnerships between them and large, international CSOs, as well as improving social partners’ capacity for social dialogue with the government, with a view to increasing local ownership;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls the importance of securing adequate visibility for EU efforts and EU assistance and investment in the region, by means of enhanced strategic communication, public diplomacy, people- to-people contacts, cultural diplomacy, cooperation in educational and academic matters, and outreach activities to promote the Union's values;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Believes that with a view to increasing the EU’s capacity to make a political and policy impact and to promote ownership and widespread support by beneficiary countries, each EU Delegation should set up high-level advisory councils reflecting the social, economic and political diversity of the country concerned, comprising economic, media, cultural, academic and, civil society leaders from the country concerned andand most prominent youth leaders, as well as social partners and leading human rights defenders providing input as regards policy priorities and the policy architecture devised by the EU;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is convinced that young people should be a primary focus of the EU’s action towards the region, with an intersectional approach; calls for youth policies to be mainstreamed in all the Union’s policies in the MENA region; proposes that each EU Delegationbelieves it is crucial to devise durable solutions appropriate to the scale of the youth employment challenge and underlines the relevance of promoting decent job, entrepreneurship and self- employment opportunities; proposes that each EU Delegation, alongside high-level advisory councils, sets up specific youth advisory councils comprising young political, social, economic, media, cultural and CSO leaders with a view to providing input on policy priorities, the capacity of EU policies to make an impact in the country and introduce an additional element of accountability in relation to policy choices; calls on European political families to engage in enhanced exchanges with active local young people from the MENA countries, with a view to promoting their empowerment, training and capacity- building to enable them to stand in local elections and become new actors of change in their respective countries;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Believes that, in light of the socio- economic grievances that the Arab Spring revealed and that worsened since in most cases, EU’s action towards the region should put greater emphasis on policies and reforms aiming at strong universal social protection systems, sustainable socio-economic development and inclusion, with a specific focus on the most vulnerable groups; calls on the EU to invest more resources in reforms aiming at improving access to quality essential services for all such as education and healthcare, and to increase its effort in enhancing social dialogue as well as promoting legislative reforms for freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression, freedom of the press, fighting corruption and ensuring access to resources and information as key ingredients for stability and for an open, dynamic and resilient society;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Points out to the fact that opening the private sector and further differentiating economies can contribute to the much needed job creation in the area, particularly for youth and women; welcomes the positive signs of recovery for the tourism sector in the area, recognizes its great potential in fostering sustainable growth and job opportunities and calls for particular EU attention and support for the areas affected by infrastructural and/or security challenges; calls on the EU to enhance its support to the countries more willing to advance on democratization, rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, by using all the available financial tools at its disposal, from macro-financial assistance to the European Neighbourhood Instrument, to the European External Investment Fund, as well as to the upcoming NDICI;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Recalls the need to increasingly exploit the largely untapped potential for innovation and dynamism of the private sector in the region; encourages the EU to step up dialogue, financial and technical assistance in this sense; welcomes initiatives such as Startup Europe Mediterranean (SEMED) to map and establish a network between startups, investors, universities, research institutions and policymakers in the two shores of the Mediterranean, as a key action to stimulate cooperation on innovation, job creation and sustainable economic growth;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13 d. Stresses the importance of linking all reforms and investments, as well as the EU action towards the area, to the achievement of the SDGs and to sustainable development in general;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)
Paragraph 13 e (new)
13 e. Points out to the challenge of climate change, desertification and water shortage that is deeply affecting the region; strongly encourages policymakers as well as all actors in both the EU and the MENA region to step up their action to fight this phenomenon; highlights the opportunity for the region to move forward in its energy transition through increased exploitation of renewable energy sources, that hold great economic potential for many of the MENA countries; points out to the opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation this would bring about, as well as to the opportunities for regional cooperation on energy and climate change; stresses in this regard the opportunity that recent discoveries of natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean can constitute for all the countries involved;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equalitywomen's empowerment, gender equality, children’s rights and the right to non- discrimination of minorities and vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and LGBTQI people are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action; calls for the gender equality and women’s rights dimension of the ENP to be strengthened, in line with the GAP II priorities;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that women’s rights, gender equality and the right to non-discrimination of vulnerable groups, including LGBTQI people, are fundamental rights and key principles of the EU’s external action;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Calls on the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States to actively and consistently defend the indivisibility of human rights, including LGBTQI rights, within their cooperation with MENA states, and to emphasize that these rights need to be upheld through State practice as well as legislation; to support local LGBTQI activists and rights defenders' work according to the priorities they set and through the means they recommend, including through providing adequate protection when they are at risk; and to increase efforts to defend civil society and the associated rights (expression, association, assembly, privacy...) necessary for the survival of all human rights defenders and CSOs, and their ability to fight for their rights and network with each other;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Welcomes the upward progression of women in political participation and education, as well as the recent reforms approved in some of the countries on matters such as the rape-marriage exoneration, violence against women and heritage rights; calls for strong enforcement of such laws; is concerned, however, that female participation in the labour market in the region is one of the lowest in the world, causing social exclusion and a substantial loss for the economy as a whole; points out to the importance of addressing this issue as a fundamental component of sustainable economic growth and social cohesion;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Believes that the EU should develop a more comprehensive approach to assistance on education reform in partner countries and devote relevant resources and programmes to lower education, including pre-school, to ensure the development of competencies, skills, including digital skills, adequate vocational and educational training and entrepreneurship education programmes, critical thinking and social awareness among society at large and from a very young age; stresses the importance of providing quality education as a means to empower young people and strengthen social cohesion;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Recalls its support for the funding of academic and vocational training programmes to create wide reserves of professional skills in the MENA countries, as well as for actions such as the Erasmus+ VET Mobility Charter, that should be extended as far as possible to all MENA countries, by means of flexible and evolving tools such as mobility partnerships;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Regrets that since the 2015 ENP revision only one report, of 18 May 2017 on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Review, has assessed developments in the neighbourhood at a regional level, despite the commitment contained in the 2015 Communication on the ENP review to produce regular reports at neighbourhood level, in addition to country-specific reporting, including information on fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, gender equality and human rights issues; calls for country-level and regional reports to include adequate outcome analyses and human rights impact assessments of EU and Member State policies;