31 Amendments of Željana ZOVKO related to 2019/2170(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2020 entitled ‘An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0641),
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the Sofia declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 17 May 2018 and the Sofia priority agenda,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 d (new) becomes
Citation 9 d (new) becomes
- having regard to the EU-Western Balkans summit in the framework of the Berlin Process of 10 November 2020,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 c (new)
Citation 12 c (new)
- having regard the joint statement of 8 December 2020 by Members of the European Parliament on accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania,
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas the EU has shown its commitment for the European perspective of Western Balkan countries and mobilized €3.3 billion to address the immediate health crisis and mitigate economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Recital D f (new)
Df. whereas the EU is Albania's biggest provider of financial assistance; whereas Albania has benefited from the EU assistance under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II) in total of €639.5 million since 2014;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D g (new)
Recital D g (new)
Dg. whereas the EU is the biggest assistance and aid provider to Albania in mitigating the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic; whereas Albania has received €4 million of immediate support to the health sector, €46,7 million of support for the social and economic recovery, €50,6 million in assistance funds and €180 million of Macro-Financial Assistance;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the clear strategic orientation and commitment of Albania to European integration, manifesting itself in good neighbourly relations and the continued implementation of the accession- related reforms; in that regard welcomes the Council decision of 26 March 2020 on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises the importance of the integration process as a catalyst for reforms, and welcomes the support which this process enjoys among the Albanian people;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises the importance of the integration process as a catalyst for reforms, and welcomes the support which this process enjoys among the Albanian people;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses the need to improve the visibility and communication concerning EU aid and Union financing in Albania; in this regard, reminds of the performance reward under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance to North Macedonia and Albania and notably the substantial support the EU has provided to the Western Balkans to fight the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses the need to improve the visibility and communication concerning EU aid and Union financing in Albania; in this regard, reminds of the performance reward under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance to North Macedonia and Albania and notably the substantial support the EU has provided to the Western Balkans to fight the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the general elections of 25 April 2021 will be key for the country’s democratic consolidation; reminds that free and fair elections are a fundamental prerequisite for EU integration;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the general elections of 25 April 2021 will be key for the country’s democratic consolidation; reminds that free and fair elections are a fundamental prerequisite for EU integration;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of implementing the electoral reform measures codified in July 2020, which are in line with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) ) and Council of Europe recommendations; welcomstresses the commitmentimportance to implement the forthcoming Venice Commission opinion regarding the amendments to the Electoral Code adopted in October 2020; deplores the breach of the 5 June 2020 agreement, and that the Albanian Parliament passed the disputed legislation, despite repeated calls by the international community to await the opinion of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of implementing the electoral reform measures codified in July 2020, which are in line with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) ) and Council of Europe recommendations; welcomstresses the commitmentimportance to implement the forthcoming Venice Commission opinion regarding the amendments to the Electoral Code adopted in October 2020; deplores the breach of the 5 June 2020 agreement, and that the Albanian Parliament passed the disputed legislation, despite repeated calls by the international community to await the opinion of the Venice Commission;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for the most pressing recommendations of the Venice Commission to be adopted and implemented in due time before the upcoming general elections;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for the most pressing recommendations of the Venice Commission to be adopted and implemented in due time before the upcoming general elections;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. EncouraUrges Albania to complete the relevant steps towards re-establishing the Constitutional Court’s ability to function fully and efficiently, and urges all involved to swiftly conclude the appointment process;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that the High Court has partly regained its ability to function and that it has been reviewing more than a thousand cases, and encourages it to make further progress in the appointment of additional judges; underlines the need to support the effective functioning of these institutions by means of adequate human resources and funding;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that the High Court has partly regained its ability to function and that it has been reviewing more than a thousand cases, and encourages it to make further progress in the appointment of additional judges; underlines the need to support the effective functioning of these institutions by means of adequate human resources and funding;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes that judicial reform and establishing conditions for functioning of the Constitutional and High Court are one of the preconditions for holding first intergovernmental conference as recognized in 2020 European Commission's report;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on Albania to ensure that minority groups have equal opportunities, adequate representation in political life, public administration and the judiciary;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on Albania to provide equal and non-discriminatory education in minority languages as well to ensure adequate access to state education and health services to all of its citizens;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls the importance of measures ensuring the protection of national minorities, including self-identification, the use of languages and property rights; calls on Albania to protect and promote cultural heritage, languages and traditions of its national minorities;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses that border protection and the prevention of cross-border crime, including in cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), must be a priority and conducted in full respect for fundamental rights; welcomes the launch of first fully fledged Frontex joint operation outside the European Union, deploying 50 officers and equipment from 12 EU Member States to support Albania in border control and tackling cross-border crime;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Expresses grave concern about the proposed measures under the draft media law and welcomes the commitment to adopt amendments only if they are assessed as being fully in line with the Venice Commission’s recommendations; regrets, however, that the Venice Commission recommendations are not yet adopted; notes that the media law was one of the preconditions for holding first intergovernmental conference as recognized in 2020 European Commission's report;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Calls on Albania to provide dedicated media space in the state and local outlets in minority languages;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses the need to substantiallyEncourages the Albanian authorities to strengthen social care coverage and improve access to social and healthcare services especially for vulnerable communities;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses the need to substantiallyEncourages the Albanian authorities to strengthen social care coverage and improve access to social and healthcare services especially for vulnerable communities;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40b. Welcomes the Commission’s Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans; recognises the importance of the EIP in supporting sustainable connectivity, human capital, competitiveness and inclusive growth as well in reinforcing regional and cross- border cooperation;