45 Amendments of Thierry MARIANI related to 2021/2244(INI)
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 a (new)
Citation 31 a (new)
— having regard to that the number of unregistered firearms in civilian illegal possession in the Western Balkans is thought to be around 3.8 million and large quantities of ammunition and military explosive devices such as but not limited to hang grenades, anti-personnel- as well as an anti-tank mines.
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 b (new)
Citation 31 b (new)
— having regard to: 24.7.2020 COM(2020)608 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2020-2025 EU action plan on firearms trafficking, and the Europol reports: Threat Assessment Report on Illicit Trafficking in Firearms (EDOC#673806v7A of June2013), Intelligence Notification (19/2014); “Firearms in the hands of Terrorist in Europe”(EDOC:#759937v3; May 2015). - observing that Europol confirmed that Western Balkans remain among the main supplying regions of trafficking to the EU.
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 c (new)
Citation 31 c (new)
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas European integration representthe Albanian citizens still have a long process tahe aspirations of Albanian citizens towards democracy and prosperity and serves as a powerful catalyst forad of them to achieve democracy and prosperity and there is still need for strong popular will to implement reforms;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the prospect of Albania’s merit-based membership is in the Union’s own political, security and economicis in neither their, nor the Member States own interests;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the prospect of Albania’s merit-based membership is in the Union’s own political, security and economic interestsit is not in the Member States’ interests to have any more countries, especially Albania, join the European Union;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereasif the EU must provide a clear pathway for countries seeking to join the EUprocess for accession, then it shall only be open for European nations that are stable and fulfil all requirements;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Albania should continue to press forward with the consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, including the protection of persons belonging to minorities, especially Christians;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Albania should continue to press forward with the consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, including theand protection of persons belonging to minoritieall her citizens;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Albania hais fulfilled all the conditions for the scheduling of the first Intergovernmental Conference and is advancing in itsar from fulfilling the criteria for an accession process;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its clear support for Albania’s democratic transformation, underpinned by its strategic orientation and unwavering commitment to European integration;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its clear support for Albania’s democratic transformation, underpinned bythat Albania’s accession to the European Union its strategic orientation and unwavering commitment to European integrationnot in the interests of the Member States or EU citizens;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underscores that the pace of EU accession is determined by the progress on the due functioning of all institutions and is grounded in the rule of law, good governance and fundamental rights; urges Albania to sustain and intensify efforts to reinforce the functioning of the judiciary, strengthen the rule of law, counter corruption and organised crime, and ensure media freedomre will be no more EU accession in the foreseeable future;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms the joint responsibility of Albania’s political forces to strengthen constructive political dialogue and cooperation, enabling an effective functioning of the country’s democratic institutions by continuing to improve governance, transparency and pluralism and by enabling the participation of genuine civil society groups;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes all efforts to reducensure polarisation ahead of the 2021 general elections, which brought the opposition parties back into theupcoming elections, so as to enable true democracy, sound debate and providing real choices for the citizens of Albania so as to ensure a sound and transparent political process;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls the need to keep addressing the remainingSuggest addressing any electoral shortcomings by further improving the accessibility and integrity of elections, including through digitalisation, data protection, equitable access to media and revisesound rules on political party financing;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the responsibility of nationcentral- and local -authorities to improve transparency, accountability and inclusiveness by conducting anticipatory, meaningful and regular public stakeholder consultations;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates the need to foster the culture of accountability, non-partisan access to public information and scrutiny of public institutions, in particular through an enabling fiscal and security environment and cooperation with the media and thecredible groups from civil society;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the need for further progress on freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism; requests authorities to take decisive action against the marginalisation of and intimidation against independent media outlets and reporters; repeats its calls to improve the working conditions of journalists and to adopt regulations enhancing transparency around media ownership, funding and public advertising; warns against the recent attacks on Albania’s cultural heritage, especially Roman sites, and stresses that this heritage must be protected and the perpetrators prosecuted and punished;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the need for further progress on freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism; requsuggests authorities to take decisive action against the marginalisation of and intimidation against independentall media outlets and reporters; repeats its calls to improve the working conditions of journalists and to adopt regulations enhancing transparency around media ownership, funding and public advertising;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. RecallsSuggest that any revision of media laws shcould btake in line withconsideration the Venice Commission recommendations and shwould preferably take place in a transparent and inclusive manner;
Amendment 124 #
14. Recalls the need to strengthen investigative journalism, fact-checking and media literacy as means to tackle hate speech, disinformation and fake news; stresses the need to ensure an impartial regulatory functioning of the Audiovisual Media Authority;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the relevant bodies to systematically and proactively prevent andor prosecute all instances of hate speech, actions thate crimes and intimidontravenes the applicable legislation;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes advances in ensuring equal opportunities and calls for further improvements in the enforcement of gender equality, property rights, data protection, rights of people with disabilities and minority rightshope that rights in force in accordance with applicable legal frameworks are strengthened;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses serious concern about the massive leaks of personal data; calls on the Albanian authorities to enhance prevention, ensure accountability for data misuse and speed up alignment with EU personal data protection rules;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges the progress achieved in implementing the Istanbul Convention and calls onSuggest the authorities to step up the prevention and responses to gender- basedall violence and femicide, to enhance support to survivors and to advanensure a proportional and fair allocation of resources theo curb and prosecution ofe cases of harassment, domestic violence and violence against children;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls the need to ensure the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and notes the importance of addressing allegations of police misconduct and disproportionate use of force as well as false information in regard to the conduct of police and security institutions;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes Albania’s long-standing proven commitment to hosting refugees; recalls the authorities’ obligation to ensure due asylum process and to address the needs of refugees, asylum seekRecalls that, according to the EU’s border control agency Frontex, around 48 500 illegal border crossings were reported on the ‘Western Balkans route’ in the first 10 months of 2021; welcomes the Albanian Government’s commitment to fight organised crime groups that help smuggle migrants into Schengen countries via the Balkans route; welcomes the Albanian authorities’ decision to request assistance from Frontex to reinforce patrolling along the Greek borders and reduce migrantstion;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. WelcomNotes Albania’s long-standing provrecent commitment to hosting refugees; recalls the authorities’ obligation to ensure due asylum process and to address the needs of refugees, asylum seekers andeconomic as well as illegal migrants;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Emphasises the obligation of Albanian authorities to continue eliminating corruption and criminal activities in all domains of public life, including in public procurement procedures and political party financing; recalls the particularly damning conclusions made in the European Court of Auditors’ January 2022 report titled ‘EU support for the rule of law in the Western Balkans: despite efforts, fundamental problems persist’, which noted in particular that the judiciary in Albania continued to be vulnerable to political interference and that judges and prosecutors constantly face criticism;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. EmphasisSuggest the obligation ofat the Albanian authorities to continuecommence in earnest attempts to eliminating corruption and criminal activities in all domains of public life, including in public procurement procedures and political party financing, so as to ensure a decent, transparent and dignified life for all of Albania citizens, not only those in power;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Commends the steady progress in implementing a comprehensive justice reform, underpinned by the unprecedented vetting process, followed by a restored functionality of relevant courtIs surprised at the recent allegations of ‘corruption’ made by the US Secretary of State against former President Sali Berisha, on account of the fact that he declared George Soros as a persona non grata in Albania because of his attempts to interfere in the country’s judicial reforms;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Commends the steadyNotes the lack of measurable progress in implementing a comprehensive justice reform, underpinned by the unprecedented vetting process, followed by a restored functionality of relevant courts;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. RecallProposes the paramount importance of further advancing and consolidating an irreversible shift towardsAlbania so as to guarantee accountable, independent and functional judicial institutions that can serve the citizens of Albania;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the work of the international experts that have supported the build-up of the Specialised Structure for Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) and the SPAK Courts in tackling corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Highlights EU funding of sustainable post-earthquake and post- pandemic recovery and supports the ongoing efforts towards Albania’s democratic, green and digital transformation; underlines the need to step up EU funding for the rule of law, sustainable green growth, biodiversity, innovation, competitiveness, property rights and reversal of the demographic decline;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Underlines the importance of empowering the youth and welcomes the designation of Tirana as the 2022 European Youth Capitalyouth by offering a concrete possibility to attend school that can prepare the youth for the Albanian job market;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Commends the fact that Albania remains a reliable and committed external policy partner, fully aligning to the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy, and actively contributing to EU crisis- management missions and operationsStresses that Albania’s accession to NATO and its alignment with the CSDP are not conducive to stability throughout the European continent;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Applauds the country’s commitment to solidarity and multilateralism, including through its membership of the UN Security Council in 2022-2023; is concerned, however, about the considerable upgrade to the Kuçova base, which now falls within NATO, at odds with all stability and de-escalation policies in the region;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Welcomes the Albanian Government’s continued steps promoting good neighbourly relations and inclusive regional integration by developing a Regional Economic Areaarns against the numerous attempts made by Albania to interfere in Kosovo;