47 Amendments of Vladimír BILČÍK related to 2021/2236(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, in particular, that of 8 June 2022 on violations of media freedom and the safety of journalists and that of 16 September 2020 on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
— having regard to the Joint Staff Working Document on Economic and Investment Plan for Eastern Partnership,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
— having regard to Reporters' Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index 2022,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Georgia submitted its application for EU membership on 3 March 2022 in the context of continued strong public support for Georgia's European aspirations as well as Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas freedom of expression, freedom of media and the safety of journalists are a cornerstone of a functioning democracy;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the 19 April 2021 Agreement, mediated by the President of the European Council, underlined the need to address politicised justice through judicial reform in order to increase the independence, transparency and accountability of the judicial system;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the media environment of Georgia continues to deteriorate and, in the recent years, an unprecedented high number of violent physical attacks against journalists have occurred in Georgia; whereas in 2022 Georgia fell in the World Press Freedom Index from 60th to 89th place out of 180;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas selective investigations and prosecutions targeting those critical of the current government undermine public trust not only in judicial institutions, but also in the Georgian authorities;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas former President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose health has been constantly deteriorating, continues to be incarcerated;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Recital D f (new)
Df. whereas Nika Gvaramia, the director of the TV channel Mtavari, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison on dubious charges of money laundering, bribery and document forgery;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D g (new)
Recital D g (new)
Dg. whereas 20% of Georgian territory continues to be occupied by the Russian Federation;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D h (new)
Recital D h (new)
Dh. whereas Russia continues to employ disinformation, cyber attacks and other hybrid methods to undermine Georgia's societal and institutional resilience;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D i (new)
Recital D i (new)
Di. whereas the Russian Federation has intensified the annexation of Georgia’s occupied territories, including through the intentions of holding the so- called 'referendum' in the Tskhinvali/South Ossetia region on the matter of 'joining' the Russian Federation, transfer of the “Bichvinta” property complex and the surrounding area to the Russian Federation, as well as the incorporation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia in military, economic, justice, social and other spheres of the Russian Federation;
Amendment 45 #
Dj. whereas ethnic cleansing, discrimination and other severe forms of human rights violations of Georgians in the Russian occupied territories of Georgia, erection of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers and lengthy closure of so-called crossing points along the 'Administrative Border Line' continue to destabilise Georgia;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D k (new)
Recital D k (new)
Dk. whereas the Russian Federation and its occupation regimes are deliberately hampering the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees, forcibly expelled as a result of ethnic cleansing from the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Georgian authorities to uphold and ensure the highest standards of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms and to determinedresolutely pursue the priorities for reform set out in the Commission’s opinion in order to unambiguously demonstrate their political determination to implement the nation’s ambitious European aspirations, as expressed by the application for EU membership that Georgia submitted on 3 March 2022; calls on the Georgian authorities to initiate and lead the work on addressing these priorities in an inclusive manner before the Commission reports on their implementation by the end of 2022; calls on all Georgian political forces and civil society to constructively participate in and contribute to these efforts; stresses that Georgia’s bid for accession to the EU will continue to be assessed based on its own merits and its success in meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine calls for unity and solidarity on the part of the international community; welcomes the strong response of Georgian society in support of Ukraine; regrets the fact that Georgia has not aligned with EU sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; calls for political alignment by the Georgian authorities and all political stakeholders with EU positions on this important matter, in line with the country’s European ambitions;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; calls for the continuation of efforts to achieve a negotiated peaceful conflict resolution of the conflict, including through the Geneva International Discussionsand end to Russian occupation of Georgian territory, including through the effective and result-orientated functioning of Geneva International Discussions and Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs) in Gali and Ergneti, the ongoing activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, as well as the policy of non- recognition and engagement; notes with concern the continuation of illegal ‘borderisation’ activities, in the occupied regionsllegal detentions and kidnappings and restriction on freedom of movement along the Administrative Border Line; calls on the Council to extend the mandate of EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia beyond 14 December 2022 and to provide it with a budget that is commensurate with its tasks to stabilise and normalise the situation and build confidence between the parties in the conflict in an increasingly tense security environment; calls on the EU to further enhance its engagement for the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict, by effectively using all the instruments, including the Special Representative(EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, the Geneva International Discussions (GID), the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs), the EUMM in Georgia, as well as the policy of non- recognition and engagement;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; calls for the continuation of efforts to achieve a negotiated peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through the Geneva International Discussions, the ongoing activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia; notes with concerncondemns the continuation of illegal ‘borderisation’ activities in the occupied regions; calls on the Council to extend the mandate of EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia beyond 14 December 2022 and to provide it with a budget that is commensurate with its tasks to stabilise and normalise the situation and build confidence between the parties in the conflict in an increasingly tense security environment;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its international obligations under the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, notably to withdraw all its military and security from Georgia’s occupied territories and allow establishment of international security mechanisms therein, to allow the EUMM unhindered access to the whole territory of Georgia pursuant to its mandate;
Amendment 93 #
6. Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti- corruption reforms, and which continues to fuel societal divisions; calls on all political stakeholders to refrain from divisive and inflammatory rhetoric, and unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti-corruption reforms; stresses with concern that deep polarisation continues to undermine Georgia's resilience, in particular, in the face of continued geopolitical challenges and Russian disinformation which seeks to further divide Georgian society; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present athe best pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Georgia; calls on all political forces to return to and abide by the April 19 Agreement; notes that provisions of the 19 April Agreement have been incorporated in the EU-Georgia Association Agenda 2021-2027; calls on the Government of Georgia to ensure their strict implementation;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests, including oligarchs of the sole oligarch, Bidzina Ivanishvili, in economic, political and public life as one of the priorities identified by the Commission to be addressed before Georgia is granted candidate status;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reiterates its concern over the destructive role played by the sole oligarch, Bidzina Ivanishvili, in Georgia's politics and economy, and the level of control he exerts over the government and its decisions, including those on the politically motivated persecution of journalists and political opponents; is deeply worried by Ivanishvili's exposed personal and business links to the Kremlin, which determine the position of the current Government of Georgia towards sanctions on Russia; calls on the Council and democratic partners to consider imposing personal sanctions on Ivanishvili for his role in the deterioration of the political process;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that hasty and non- transparent actions in making key appointments or institutional changes only reinforce the perception of politicised justice; in this respect notes, in particular, regrets that the Supreme Court judges were appointed before the shortcomings in the nomination process identified by ODIHR and the Venice Commission were addressed; reiterates that the lack of progress on judicial reform meant that the conditions for receiving the EUR 75 million tranche of EU macro-financial assistance by September 2021 were not fulfilled;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that, despite Georgia's legal framework for guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of media, there is continued deterioration of the media environment and the safety of journalists;
Amendment 142 #
11b. Condemns the increasing number of cases of intimidation, threats and violence against the persecution of journalists, including an increasing number of criminal investigations into media workers and owners;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Notes continued Russian disinformation campaigns targeting the Georgian society, including in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine; calls on the EU institutions and Member States to continue strengthening cooperation with relevant Georgian institutions to address Russian disinformation and its consequences;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Condemns the sentencing of Nika Gvaramia, the director of the independent TV channel Mtavari, on 16 May 2022; notes that the postponement of Nika Gvaramia's appeal process is unacceptable and reiterates its call for a review of Gvaramia's conviction;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates the importance of independent oversight of Georgia’s state institutions; regrets, in this respect, the dismantling of State Inspector’s Service against ODIHR recommendations; highlights the positive role of the public defender of Georgia in protecting human rights, promoting good governance and strengthening the rule of law; calls for an inclusive process of selecting the new Public Defender;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to release former president Mikheil Saakashvili from prison on humanitarian grounds in order to allow him to undergo proper medical treatment abroad;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that, according to expert evaluations, the DCFTA has had a positive impact on legislative approximation and institutional development, but it only had a modest impact on trade between the EU and Georgia; calls on the Commission to review the DCFTA's potential to increase trade volumes between the EU and Georgia;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Regrets the continued delays in the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port following the Georgian Government's cancellation of the project contract with the Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) in 2020; is deeply concerned by the Panama Papers revelations concerning Bidzina Ivanishvili's investment in the rival Poti port project and the impact of vested interests on key projects as well as overall investors' confidence in Georgia;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Calls on the Commission to extend “Roam-like-at-home” Regulation to Georgia, which has the potential to bring significant benefits for EU and Georgian businesses and citizens;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Calls on the Commission to support creation of a common roaming space between Georgia and the EU through coordinated assistance with a focus on gradual reduction of international roaming tariffs between Georgia and the EU in line with the EU regulations thus protecting consumers’ rights, as well as assisting gradual approximation of Georgia to the EU acquis and contributing to Georgia’s European integration process;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Underlines Georgia's role as a significant contributor to the EU crisis management (CSDP) operations;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15d. Calls for an increased assistance and enhanced partnership in the area of security and defence with Georgia as declared in the EU Strategic Compass, including through the European Peace Facility; welcomes EU’s commitment and determination to support Georgia in countering hybrid threats;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15e. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to further engage with Georgia on the CSDP, particularly in view of Georgia’s interest in discussing the possibility of participating in PESCO projects and in developing cooperation with the relevant EU agencies, with a view to enhancing Georgia’s resilience;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15e. Reiterates support to the human capital development, strengthening private sector role in Vocational education system management and addressing skills mismatch for better employment possibilities;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 f (new)
Paragraph 15 f (new)
15f. Welcomes Georgia’s strong commitment to starting the process of becoming the Third Country Associated to Erasmus+ Programme and encourages Georgia’s participation in the new Horizon Europe Program in order to make use of the opportunities for the Georgian scientific and innovation community;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 g (new)
Paragraph 15 g (new)
15g. Calls the European Commission and Georgia to consider increasing the number of Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects in Georgia in order to increase EU-Georgia connectivity;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 h (new)
Paragraph 15 h (new)
15h. Encourages European Commission, ENTSO-E and Georgia to start working on synchronization of Georgian electricity grid with the European Continental Grid and on the inclusion of Georgia in Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA);
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the signing of the Jean Monnet Dialogue between the European Parliament and the Georgian Parliament; regrets the delays in implementing the JMD; reiterates the European Parliament's commitment and calls on the Georgian Parliament to start the process as soon as possible;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Deplores and condemns the personal attacks against Members of the European Parliament by representatives of the Georgian Dream party; considers these attacks unacceptable and damaging to the mutual relationship between Georgia and the European Union;