13 Amendments of Hilde VAUTMANS related to 2018/0256M(NLE)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that the preferential treatment granted for certain Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports to the EU under the agreement of 8 March 2012 concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products is a particularly sensitive matter for Europe’s horticulture industry, especially in southern Europe;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that most of the concerns expressed in that opinion are, from the point of view of the European horticulture industry, still relevant today, in what is a difficult and volatile period for the industry, in particular as a result ofone reason for this being the ongoing Russian embargo;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that it is important for this agreement to give guarantees regarding respect for international law, including human rights, in the territories concerned;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that there are still major competitiveness issues for European producers owing to the wide divergences compared with Moroccan producers in terms of labour costs, working conditions, food safety, phytosanitary and environmental standards;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that this agreement does not imply recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and that the EU’s position remains that of supporting UN efforts to secure a fairachieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable settlement of the Western Sahara conflict, on the basis of the right topolitical solution, which will provide for the self- determination of the Sahrawi people and in accordance withpeople of Western Sahara and in accordance with International Law and the relevant UN resolutions; reiterates, therefore, its full support to the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr Horst Köhler, in helping the parties to achieve this settlement;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Draws attention to the fact that some of the fruit and vegetables exported preferentially to the EU under the terms of the agreement in question (including tomatoes and melons) come from the territory of Western Sahara, and points out that very ambitious plans have been drawn up with a view to further developing such production and exports;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that a meeting of the parties involved in the conflict is to be held in Geneva in early December on the initiative of the UN and with the participation of Algeria and Mauritania, and hopes that meeting will help kick- start the peace process;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the parties to resume the negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Nevertheless welcomes the clarification thatTakes note of the new agreement provides, and hopes that it will be able henceforth to provide a clear, stable framework for the economic operators concerned, on both sides of the Mediterraneanfor the parties of this agreement;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is doubtful whether the distinction drawn in the new agreement between products from the Western Sahara and those from Morocco is relevant from an agricultural, customs and trade perspective, setting the obvious political aspects aside; notes, in particular, that in the new agreement there is no allocation of the tariff rate quotas laid down in the initial agreement, and that, in terms of access to the preferences granted by the EU, it will not therefore make any difference whatsoever whether or not products are of Western Saharawi origin; calls for labelling of origin of the products originating from the Western Sahara;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that during inclusive consultations led by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) with a wide variety of Western Saharan local representatives, civil society organisations and other organisations and bodies, broada majority support was expressed, by the parties participating, for the socio- economic benefits the proposed tariff preferences would bring;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes good note ofNotes the exchange of letters and acknowledges the efforts of the Commission and the EEAS in trying, within the remit of their competences, to evaluate the benefit for the population and to ascertain their consent to this agreement; stresses, nevertheless, that more could be done to improve the traceability of products coming from Western Sahara; invites the Commission services, therefore, to engage further with the Moroccan authorities to improve this aspect, notably in order to produce clear and reliable statistics.e traceability of products coming from Western Sahara;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls that according to art. 21. TEU the Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for the principles of the United Nation Charter and International law; therefor consent can only be given when a clear intend of improvement of the human rights is shown;