63 Amendments of Željana ZOVKO related to 2019/2171(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the first meeting of the EU-BiH Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) held on 5-6 November 2015, the third meeting of the EU-BiH Stabilization and Association Council held on 13 July2018 and the fourth meeting of the EU-BiH Stabilization and Association Committee held on 7 November 2019,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the document entitled ‘Joint socio-economic reforms for the period 2019-2022’ which were adopted by the entity governments on 10 October 2019 and Council of Ministers’ document of 30 January 2020 entitled ‘Socio- economic reforms in BiH for the period 2020-2022’,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 33rd session 1 on 20 October 2005,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Minority SafePack – one million signatures for diversity in Europe’,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 c (new)
Citation 6 c (new)
- having regard to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, adopted on 25 February 1991,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to Council conclusions of 25 January 2021 on Climate and Energy Diplomacy – Delivering on the external dimension of the European Green Deal,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
Citation 7 b (new)
- having regard to Council conclusions of 20 January 2020 on Climate Diplomacy,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)
Citation 7 c (new)
- having regard to European Council meeting conclusions of 10 and 11 December 2020 on climate,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 d (new)
Citation 7 d (new)
- having regard to working document of the European External Action Service of 6 November 2020 titled ‘Climate Change and Defence Roadmap’,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
- having regard to the Zagreb Declaration, adopted during the EU- Western Balkans Zagreb Summit of 6 May 2020,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the Council conclusions on enhancing cooperation with Western Balkans partners in the field of migration and security of 5 June 2020,
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 2 April 2009 on European conscience and totalitarianism,
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 b (new)
Citation 13 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 19 September 2019 on the importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe,
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 13 November 2018 on minimum standards for minorities in the EU,
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
Citation 15 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 11 September 2013 on endangered European languages and linguistic diversity in the European Union,
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regard the Joint Statement of 21 December 2020 by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi on the holding of local elections in Mostar,
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. –whereas Parliament considers the progress in European and Euro-Atlantic integration the only correct and possible path for BiH, and at the same time a guarantor of country’s security, stability and economic prosperity;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the credibility of the enlargement process is based on unequivocal results in key areas of rule of law and judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organized crime, security, fundamental rights, democratic institutions, public administration reform, as well as economic development and competitiveness.
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas culture and cultural heritage help strengthen one’s identity and promote social cohesion, stability and understanding in society; whereas cultural heritage is a value in its own right;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas BiH is a migrant transit route, and reception capacities remain insufficient for hostingintegrated border management as well as reception capacities for migrants and asylum seekers present in the country remain insufficient;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. - whereas additional efforts to control migratory movements are a key precondition for maintaining social stability; whereas BiH’s longest land border is with the Republic of Croatia, an EU Member State;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s biggest trading partner, accounting for 72.3% of export from BiH and 61% imports from EU in 2019, reaching a volume of trade of 10.34 billion euro, and the largest provider of financial assistance;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the persistent challenges in the reconciliation process should be addressed more vigorously;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the path towards the EU depends on sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation warranting the democratic and multicultural character of BiH; urges the country to expedite effective prosecution of war crimes under the revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy, and calls for impartial and effective investigations into these crimes; condemns any kind of historical revisionism, secessionist, unitarist (unitarian), anti-constitutional rhetoric and related acts, denial or glorification of war crimes committed during the 1990’s war and earlier;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Firmly reiterates the need for all BiH political leaders, authorities, institutions and office holders to adhere to the constitutional framework and its core principles; deplores the nationalistic and inflammatory rhetoric that undermines the Constitution and its principles; stresses that, as a matter of urgency, particular attention should be given to conducting effective monitoring on the negative impacts of such attacks on the stability in the country;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the authorities to ensure inclusive and non-discriminatory education for all children; Recalls that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multicultural and multilinguistic country and home to three constituent communities with respective official languages; underlines that every citizen has a right to exercise their freedom of expression in their mother tongue language; urges the authorities to ensure non-discriminatory education for all children, including the right of education in their mother tongue as guaranteed by the The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring linguistic, cultural and religious diversity that are a valuable part of BiH's unique heritage;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls for an increased cooperation between educational institutions and the governments at all levels to foster quality education through the necessary reforms while focussing on educational output that would tackle the brain drain and youth unemployment; calls for increased engagement in and promotion of European instruments, such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges all BiH political leaders and institutions to significantly accelerate work and co-operation to fully comply with the 14 key priorities; calls on the authorities to maintain the political will for enhanced co- operation demonstrated at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis; recalls that the European Parliament strongly advocates the position of individual approach, full fulfilment of the set criteria and consistent and credible conditionality;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the effective organisation and independent functioning of institutions is an essential feature of a viable democracy and a prerequisite for advancing the EU integration process, including obtaining candidate status; warns that ethno-nationalisticsecessionist, unitarist (unitarian) or any other kind of anti-constitutional rhetoric and attempts to obstruct the functioning of institutions undermine country-wide co- ordination and decision- making on key policies and reforms;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Commends the adoption of the amendments to the BiH Election Law that allowed Mostar citizens to vote in the 2020 local elections; welcomes the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote of 22 July 2020 on the Rules of Procedure governing the meetings of Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), paving the way for their formal adoption by the 2nd EU-BiH SAPC as soon as possible;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Commends the adoption of the amendments to the BiH Election Law that allowed Mostar citizens to vote in the 2020 local elections; expresses its concern over the way elections were conducted following serious allegation of electoral manipulation which has cast a shadow on the overall elections procedure; welcomes the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote of 22 July 2020 on the Rules of Procedure governing the meetings of Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), paving the way for their formal adoption by the 2nd EU-BiH SAPC as soon as possible;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises the importance of a breakthrough political agreement of 17 June 2020 on the principles of amendments to the Election Law of BiH, in which political leaders expressed full commitment to the EU principles and values and commitment to the implementation of all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as all decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all relevant OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations, clearly showing signs of political will to reach a compromise;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Welcomes the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote of 22 July 2020 on the Rules of Procedure governing the meetings of Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), paving the way for their formal adoption by the 2nd EU-BiH SAPC as soon as possible;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the urgent need to address shortcomings in the constitutional framework, with full respect of the procedures defined by the existing constitution for its own changes, and to make progress on reforms that would transform BiH into a fully functional and inclusive state; stresses that institutional reforms depend on the will and commitment of political leaders and institutions in the country; stresses also that BiH will not be a successful candidate for EU membership until the appropriate institutional conditions have been established; urges all political leaders to work on introducing the necessary changes, including the reform of electoral law, also taking into account the principles expressed in its previous resolutions, including the principles of federalism, decentralisation and legitimate representation, so as to guarantee that all citizens can stand as candidates, be eligible to be elected, and serve at all political levels, on equal grounds; urges the international community to facilitate the conditions for constitutional dialogue under the leadership of the EU, in particular Parliament, and in consultation with civil society;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the urgent need to address shortcomings in the constitutional framework and to make progress on reforms that would transform BiH into a fully functional and inclusive state which fully respects the guaranteed rights of all three constituent peoples regardless of their number; stresses that institutional reforms depend on the will and commitment of political leaders and institutions in the country; urges the international community to facilitate the conditions for constitutional dialogue under the leadership of the EU, in particular Parliament, and in consultation with civil society;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the need to considerably strengthen cooperation and data exchange between state, entity and cantonal jurisdictions across all policy areas; notes the urgency of strengthening state-level, as well as other levels’ capacity and expertise in the wide range of issues that need to be addressed to fulfil the obligations related to European integration;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the need to ensure consistent country-wide professional civil service standards, and calls for the implementation of merit-based standards in public appointments and promotions as a priority; notes the disproportionate representation of constituent people in the public service; welcomes the adoption of the Public Administration Reform Strategic Framework, enabling mobilisation of related EU funds;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Regrets BiH’s continued inability to comply with anti-discrimination rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ) and the rulings of the Constitutional Court of BiH; notes the continuing shortcomings in the election process, and reiterates the need to address discriminatory ethnicity and residency- based restrictions on the right to stand for election through the required constitutional changes and respecting the principles of federalism, decentralisation and legitimate representation;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls for political leaders to resume negotiations and start a process of inclusive Electoral Reform that would eliminate all forms of inequality and discrimination in the electoral process, paving the way to achieve equality of rights and legitimate representation of three constituent peoples together with all other citizens;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Regrets that BiH remains in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights by not implementing the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights(ECtHR) in the Sejdić-Finci, Zornić, Pilav and Šlaku cases;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Regrets the failure to implement the Constitutional Court decision in the Ljubić case that ensures the rights of the three constituent peoples to elect their legitimate representatives;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for thorough investigations into alleged electoral irregularities, including voter registration fraud, identity theft, barriers to independent electoral observation and political pressure on the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC), during of the 2020 municipal elections, especially with regard to the elections in Mostar;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Condemns usurpation of minority public quotas in legislative and executive bodies at all levels of governance; recalls that such acts hinder representation and diversity in institutions of BiH; calls for significant attention to be paid to the safeguarding of inclusivity; expresses concern about the misuse of identity statements;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Regrets continued political and financial pressure and instrumentalisation of the media, undermining freedom of expression and media pluralism; expresses its concern at the hostile environment for independent media, and independent journalism; ,and urges the authorities to effectively investigate and prosecute threats and attacks against journalists and media personnel; expresses its concern about the lack of transparency of media ownership; insists that effective measures should be taken to counter hate speech both online and offline;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes that Bosnia and Herzegovina has three official languages; stresses that languages enable and promote the richness and diversity of European cultural heritage, as mother tongues are vectors of values and knowledge which are often used to transmit intangible cultural heritage; urges the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take greater action to protect and promote language diversity and develop awareness about the linguistic and cultural richness the communities represent;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Reiterates its call to ensure media pluralism and emphasises that producing and broadcasting TV and radio content in all official languages of BiH would contribute to protecting cultural diversity in the country;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Insists that the EU must enhance its communication strategy, including by diversifying its funding to projects that entail local and regional media outlets, in order to effectively counter disinformation campaigns aimed at diminishing the EU’s credibility in the regionand its actions in the region, as well as the enlargement process as a whole;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Insists that the EU must enhance its communication strategy in order to effectively counter disinformation campaigns aimed at creating additional divisions in society, undermining positive reform efforts, and diminishing the EU’s credibility in the region;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the increased migratory pressure on the country; calls for effective inter-institutional coordination of migration and border management in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis; calls for equistable burden-sharing and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; underlines the need toishing of reception capacities away from the EU external border, preferably at the entry points of migrants to the country; underlines the need for the European Commission, EU agencies and international organisations to provide assistance to BiH in ensureing appropriate reception conditions and to boosin boosting the relevant capacityies for processing incoming migrants and asylum- seeker claims and , where applicable, conducting return procedures; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); calls on the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistance;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the increased migratory pressure on the country; calls for effective inter-institutional coordination of migration and a stronger border management in the face of a mounting humanitarian crisis; calls for equitable burden-sharing and adequate support for local communities hosting temporary reception centres; underlines the need to ensure appropriate reception conditions and to boost capacity for processing incoming migrants and asylum- seekers; urges BiH to conclude an agreement with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); calls on the EU to step up its support to BiH’s authorities, namely with regard to operational assistance;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Urges BiH to step up its efforts against cross-border crime, especially human trafficking, and to ensure swift conclusion of the status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that would facilitate better protection of borders in full respect for fundamental rights, while helping fight cross-border crime; insists that migration and crossings must take place through official channels within the legislative framework; warns of frequent illegal attempts by migrants to cross the green border with the Republic of Croatia;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Urges BiH to step up its efforts against cross-border crime, especially human trafficking, and to ensure swift conclusion of the status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that would facilitate better protection of borders in full respect for fundamental rights, while helping fight cross-border crimecooperation with neighbouring countries and relevant EU agencies (Europol, Eurojust, Frontex) against cross-border crime, especially human trafficking¸ migrant smuggling networks, firearms and drug trafficking;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Urges BiH to ensure swift conclusion of the status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that would facilitate better protection of its external borders and improve its overall migration management capacities;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Expresses concern over recent allegations that visas are being provided through the diplomatic and consular network to third-country nationals which use BiH as a backdoor to enter the European Union, creating a political and diplomatic crisis in the region;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes the increasing number of migrants from Pakistan entering Bosnia and Herzegovina; notes the conclusion of the readmission agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Pakistan on 4 November 2020; calls for the swift ratification of the agreement;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses the need for institutional reforms and an increased absorption capacity for pre-accession assistance in order to ensure a country wide implementation of the EU acquis; stresses that funding allocation should be carried out in a transparent, effective, accountable, depoliticised and non- discriminatory manner;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Urges the authorities of BiH at all levels and other beneficiaries of Union funding to enhance the visibility of the Union’s action, and communicate adequately on the added value of Union’s support;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on BiH to step up active labour market measures aimed at reducing long-term and youth unemployment, contributing to the most acute brain drain in the region; welcomes the initiative of a youth guarantee flagship as part the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, aiming to ensure qualitative job opportunities, continued education and traineeships for young people;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recommends focusing on growth- enhancing public investment, energy and infrastructure projects, making full use of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. URemains concerned that the standards of environmental protection remain low and often neglected; urges the authorities to enhance environmental protection in line with EU standards and international obligations; urges BiH’s authorities to ensure greater alignment with EU standards and policy objectives on climate protection and energy, facilitating the green and digital transition, and calls for the prioritisation of measures reducing ecological degradation and environmental risks to health; calls on more efforts to focus on the alignment of domestic legislation on all levels with the EU acquis aiming to reduce air pollution, especially in transboundary context and reduce harmful emissions to neighbouring countries;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges BiH to continue progressively improving Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) alignment; notes that between March 2018 and end of February 2019, the BiH aligned with 60 of the 86 declarations issued by the EU, reaching an alignment rate of 70%; calls for the strengthening of good neighbourly relations and increased efforts to resolve all outstanding bilateral issues;
Amendment 396 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. WNotes the increasing influence of foreign powers in BiH; welcomes the continued presence of EUFOR’s Operation Althea in the country and the extension of EUFOR’s mandate until November 2021; commends the work of operation EUFOR Althea that set route towards peace, stabilization and the European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina; reminds that this mission still plays a pivotal role for the security and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region;