11 Amendments of Sir Graham WATSON related to 2013/2081(INI)
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Remains concerned about Russia's commitment to the rule of law, pluralist democracy and human rights, as demonstrated by the restrictive political environment for genuine opposition parties, the recent crackdown on civil society organisations and discriminatory legislation against LGBT individuals; deplores the political manipulation of justice1 and regrets the culture of impunity2 ; emphasises that strengthening the rule of law in all areas of Russian public life, including the economy, would be a constructive response to the discontent expressed by many Russian citizens, and is essential in order to build a genuine, constructive partnership between the EU and Russia; stresses that a determined effort to tackle corruption and redress abuses are important to enhancing confidence in the EU-Russia economic relationship; believes in principle that visa facilitation would significantly enhance the EU-Russia partnership, and in particular commercial relations, but that progress in this regard should be dependent on the Council's positive and prompt response to the Parliament's recommendation of 23 October 2012 on the Magnitsky case; __________________ 1 Cases of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pussy Riot, Alexey Navalny and others 2 Relating to deaths of individuals including Sergei Magnitsky, Natalia Estimirova, Stanislaw Markelow, Anna Politkovskaya and Vasily Alexanian
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Encourages the EU to further develop its strategic partnership with China; calls for the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice to the Chinese Government; calls, while welcoming the almost 60 active sectoral dialogues, for further sectoral dialogues to be developed and for the and the proposed negotiations on an Investment Treaty, for further sectoral dialogues to be developed as well as for a speedy resolution of ongoing trade investigations, and reiterates the need for the EU-China human rights dialogue to be further strengthened;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – indent 1 (new)
Paragraph 38 – indent 1 (new)
- South Korea (This is should be considered as a new country substitle, e.g. like "Japan", "China".)
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 38 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Calls on the EU to deepen its political cooperation with South Korea, a major democratic Asian actor that has recently intensified trade relations with the European Union through an ambitious Free Trade Agreement; (This should be considered a new paragraph under the new subtitle "South Korea" and not a subparagraph under "Japan".)
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Calls for the EU and its Member States to strengthen their relations with India, based on the promotion of democracy, social inclusion, the rule of law and human rights, and expresses its satisfaction at the rapid progress onurges both sides to do their utmost to conclude the negotiations of a comprehensive EU-India fFree tTrade aAgreement, which will stimulate European and Indian trade and economic growth;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Recalls that the Eastern Neighbourhood is of strategic importance and recalls the European perspective of the countries concerned; calls for greater efforts to achieve the objectives of the Eastern Partnership and a greater political commitmintensified efforts and a greater political commitment to achieve the objectives of the Eastern Partnership, including the need to establish a closer link betweent to doing sohe CFSP and the ENP; welcomes the progress made in the negotiations of Association Agreements and, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, and visa facilitation instruments between the EU and its eEastern pPartners and calls on them to make final efforts to meet the requirements for ato ensure the successful of the Vilnius Summit in November 2013; further calls both sides to undertake all the necessary efforts to sign or to initialise Association Agreements with those Eastern Partnership countries which are ready and willing to do so, provided that the relevant requirements are met; deplores in this regard the undue pressure exerted by Russia on Eastern Partners; stresses in this respect that the European perspective would constitute a driving force for reform in Eastern Neighbourhood countries and further strengthen democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and good governance;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Considers it regrettable, nevertheless, that the overall situation with regard to democratic standards and respect for human rights in mostsome of the Eastern Partnership countries has scarcely progressed, if not deteriorated; stresses, furthermore, that the full development of the Eastern Partnership can only take place once all the frozen conflicts must be are solved in a peaceful manner; and that the EU should equip itself to play a more active role in this respect; reiterates its view that the development of relations should be conditional on a meaningful commitment to democracy and the rule of law;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Recalls that democratic reforms promoted by the EU are in the interest of the partner countries themselves and can contribute to their economic and social development; points out that strong democratic institutions and closer ties with the EU through Association Agreements, including DFTCAs, and visa facilitation measures will help to strengthen the sovereignty of these countries against the influence of powerful neighbours; rReaffirms the EU's readiness to be a reliable and strong partner for these countries on the basis of shared common values, and to share with them all the advantages of the EU acquis, along the lines of an Economic Area Plus arrangement;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Supports the EU's promotion of a regional approach in Central Asia, which is essential in tackling regional issues;, calls for the EU's engagement in this region to be strictly linked to progress oin democratisation, human rights, good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, the rule of law and the fight against corruption, but is at the same time mindful of the EU's strategic interests; further emphasizes the importance of the EU presence on the ground to closely monitor politically motivated trials and the necessity to promote political pluralism; notes that the EU should in particular draw attention to the alleged accusations of the use of torture and ill- treatment of arrested political and social activists in its relations with the Central Asian countries;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Underlines the importance of Asia- Pacific regional security, and is concerned about tensions, including territorial disputes around the East and South China Sea, as well as having increasing concerns about North Korea; suggests that the EU could take a more active role, and calls for all parties concerned to be included in all mechanisms of dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, especially in the multilateral arena, in view of the importance of stability in this area to the EU's maritime security and commercial interests;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Commends Taiwan's continuous efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region, particularly in the East and South China Sea; recogniszes the progress made in cross-Strait relations, especially the flourishing economic links, tourism and cultural cooperation; welcomes Taiwan's achievement of visa waiver status or visa facilitation from more than 130 countries or areas, contributing to an increase in the movement of people; reiterates its firm support for Taiwan's meaningful participation as an observer in relevant international organiszations and activities, including the World Health Organisationsuch as the WHO, UNFCCC and ICAO, in particular the triennial ICAO Assembly and other related meetings, activities, and mechanisms, for furthering EU and global interests; urges the Commission and the Council to facilitate the negotiation of an EU-Taiwan economic cooperation agreement (ECA); encourages closer bilateral cooperation between the EU and Taiwan in areas such as trade, research, culture, education and environmental protection;