1027 Amendments of Jan ZAHRADIL
Amendment 17 #
2023/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance of implementing the EPA fully and effectively, eliminating all barriers still existing especially for SMEs, including in the areas of government procurement to ensure transparency, and sanitary and phytosanitary commitments to speed up and simplify import procedures;
Amendment 31 #
2023/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the launch of the EU- Japan digital partnership to advance cooperation on digital issues; welcomes, in this regard, the conclusion of the digital trade principles and, the signature of the memorandum of cooperation on semiconductors and the Administrative Arrangement on Cooperation in Critical Raw Materials Supply Chains';
Amendment 50 #
2023/2107(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. The EU and Japan must continue to seek common approaches and solutions at the bilateral level and in multilateral fora such as the G7, G20, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization;
Amendment 7 #
2023/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas European ports are a very important part of the international supply chain;
Amendment 15 #
2023/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that European ports have an impact on the regional economy and society, and are exposed to a high-risk of security incidents, stresses that European ports should be particularly protected as critical facilities for Member States;
Amendment 26 #
2023/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that the operation and further development of Europe's ports is a complex issue that requires an appropriate approach across a number of functional dimensions, not just strictly in terms of infrastructure or superstructure, but above all in terms of trade relations, security and IT systems;
Amendment 13 #
2023/2031(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the main challenge is to reduce the current dependence with regard to critical raw materials;
Amendment 26 #
2023/2031(INI)
1. Calls for the creation of a sustainable mining model, exercising due diligence right across the supply chain and organising working conditions in accordance with the highest standards of health, safety and remuneration based on the economic situation of the country in question;
Amendment 42 #
2023/2031(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that this model must take account of the needs of local populations, ensure compliance with all ILO conventions and reduce its direct and indirect impact on the environment in the area of exploitation, using the most innovative methods available;
Amendment 50 #
2023/2031(INI)
Amendment 14 #
2021/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Europe and the Indo- Pacific together represent over 70 % of global trade in goods and services and over 60 % of foreign direct investment (FDI) with their annual trade reaching EUR 1.5 trillion in 2019; whereas the region produces 60 % of global gross domestic product (GDP) and contributes to two thirds of global economic growth; whereas the EU is the biggest investor in the area, which includes four (China, Japan, South Korea and India) out of the EU’s top 10 global trading partners; 1a _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files /jointcommunication_indo_pacific_en.pdf
Amendment 32 #
2021/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is an open, 21st century trade agreement that aims to secure a level playing field and rules-based trade environment in the Indo-Pacific and provides a model of regional trade integration; whereas the US withdrew from the agreement in January 2017 while China, Taiwan and the UK formally submitted a request to accede in September 2021;
Amendment 45 #
2021/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the geopolitical reality has dramatically changed since Russia’s invasion to Ukraine in February 2022 and makes our further engagement with Indo- Pacific partners even more important and urgent in order to diversify our trade relations, to deepen our cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, digital issues and raw materials, to strengthen supply chains resilience and help tackle global challenges.
Amendment 64 #
2021/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to work closely with its Indo-Pacific like-minded partners to reinforce value chains by strengthening and diversifying trade relations in order to reduce strategic dependencies in critical supply chains with a particular focus on technologies and raw materials, by working towards the full implementation and better enforcement of existing trade agreements, by finalising ongoing trade negotiations and by developing cooperation in strategic sectors; underlines the importance of working together with like-minded Indo-Pacific countries on establishing technical standards, to further promote the EU as a global standard-setter, underlines the importance to develop new Digital Partnership Agreements, starting with Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore;
Amendment 88 #
2021/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has been instrumental in creating more sustainable trade; welcomes the increase in the preference utilisation rates for EU exports to Japan in 2020; underlines thcalls to start negotiations to include data furtherlows provisions in the EPA; underlines that progress ihas nbeeded in the implementation of the agreement, in particular as regards then made-in the expansion of GIs protection for both parties, utilisation rates of tariff rate quotas opened by Japan for EU exporters, the and the process for ratification of ILO convention No 105 by Japan while further progress is needed in the implementation of the agreement, including liberalisation of trade in services and the ratification of ILO Conventions No 105 and No 111;
Amendment 97 #
2021/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Call on the Member States to ratify the EU-Vietnam IPA so that it enters into force and creates favourable conditions to boost EU investment in Vietnam and in the region, in particular in areas promoting green transformation and the circular economy; urges Vietnam to continue working to achieve equal treatment of EU Member States with regard to pharmaceuticals and to guarantee a full implementation of the sanitary and phytosanitary provisions; invites Vietnam to complete its key labour reforms in accordance with the agreement and to swiftly ensure the ratification of ILO Convention No 87 by 2023;
Amendment 151 #
2021/2200(INI)
17 a. Regrets the fact that negotiations for a bilateral trade and investment agreement with Thailand, launched in 2013 and put on hold in 2014 following the military take-over, are still paused; stresses the importance of taking steps (in line with the Council Conclusions of 2019) towards the resumption of negotiations on an ambitious and comprehensive FTA and invites the Thai authorities to provide clear indications in this respect and to engage in structural reforms.
Amendment 128 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) By providing preferential access to the Union market, the scheme should assist developing countries in their efforts to wealth creation and reduceing poverty and achieve and promote good governance and sustainable development by helping them to generate additional revenue through international trade, which can then be re- invested for the benefit of their own development and, in addition, to diversify their production and exports and thus upgrading their economies. The scheme's tariff preferences should focus on those developing countries that have greatercountries most in development, trade and financial needs.
Amendment 137 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The GSP scheme should be based on engaging with partner countries in a continuous and cooperative manner to help them develop and enforce international social, human and environmental standards.
Amendment 139 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7 b) The GSP scheme brings also important benefits to Union businesses importing from GSP countries, particularly those with GSP+ and EBA status, as reduction of duties leads to a reduction of costs.
Amendment 149 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Countries graduating from the Least-Developed Countries (LDC) category established by the UN should be incentivised to continue on the path of sustainable development. For this purpose, the economic vulnerability criteria to qualify for the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance should be eased compared to Regulation (EU) No 978/2012, to facilitate access by a larger number of countries graduating from the least developed country categoryevaluating, however, capacity of these countries to fulfill necessary conditions i.e. ratify and implement relevant international conventions.
Amendment 163 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Common Customs Tariff duties on non-sensitive products should continue to be suspended, while duties on sensitive products should enjoy a tariff reduction, in order to ensure a satisfactory utilisation rate and maximize the development effect of the mechanism while at the same time taking account of the situation of the corresponding Union industries.
Amendment 177 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) The reasons for temporary withdrawal of the arrangements under the scheme should include serious and systematic violations of the principles laid down in international conventions concerning core human rights (including certain principles of international humanitarian law enshrined in those conventions), labour rights, climate and environmental protection, and good governance,so as to promote the objectives of those conventions. Tariff preferences under the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance should be temporarily withdrawn if the beneficiary country does not respect its binding undertaking to maintain the ratification and effective implementation of those conventions or to comply with the reporting requirements imposed by the respective conventions, or if the beneficiary country does not cooperate with the Union's monitoring procedures as set out in this Regulation. The temporary withdrawal should continue until the reasons justifying it no longer apply. The temporary withdrawal could have long term consequences for GSP economies as well as Union businesses investing in these countries. It could have severe impacts on workers and the most vulnerable and those suffering of violations. The temporary withdrawal should be used as a last resort provided all other avenues have been explored; it should follow alerts, cooperation and assistance to allow for engagement to effectively address these failings. In situations characterised by an exceptional gravity of the violations, the Commission should have the power to respond rapidly by adopting measures within a shorter timeline. Under the Union’s zero tolerance approach for child labour the reasons for temporary withdrawal should include exports of goods made by internationally prohibited child labour, as well as forced labour including slavery and prison labour, as identified in the relevant Conventions in Annex VI.
Amendment 191 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Orderly international migration can bring important benefits to the countries of origin and destination of migrants and contribute to their sustainable development needs. Increasing coherence between trade, development and migration policies is key to ensure that the benefits of migration accrue mutually to both the origin and destination countries. In this respect, it is essential for both origin and destination countries to address common challenges, such as, stepping up cooperation on readmission of own nationals and their sustainable reintegration in the country of origin, in particular in order to avoid a constant drain in active population in the countries of origin, with the ensuing long- term consequences on development, and to ensure that migrants are treated with dignity. Tariff preferences under the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance should be reviewed if the country of origin does not cooperate in a satisfactory manner on the readmission of its own nationals. If the review deems it necessary, these tariff preferences could be temporarily withdrawn until the country of origin cooperates in a satisfactory manner on the readmission of its own nationals.
Amendment 248 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) it cooperates in a satisfactory manner with the Union and its Member States on the readmission of its own nationals and gives a binding undertaking to maintain ratification of the relevant conventions and to ensure the effective implementation thereof, accompanied by a plan of action for the effective implementation of the relevant conventions;
Amendment 257 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. As of the date of the granting of the tariff preferences provided under the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance, the Commission shall, with regard to each of the GSP+ beneficiary countries, keep under constant review and monitor in an open and transparent manner the status of ratification of the relevant conventions and their effective implementation, as well as the cooperation of the GSP+ beneficiary country with the relevant monitoring bodies. In doing so, the Commission shall examine all relevant information, in particular the conclusions and recommendations of the relevant monitoring bodies.
Amendment 263 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission shall support the necessary capacity-building measures and provide specific technical assistance, expertise and advice in order to help beneficiary countries to comply with international commitments.
Amendment 328 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The temporary withdrawal shall be used as a last resort option when all other means to remedy serious violations fail;
Amendment 337 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3
Article 19 – paragraph 3
3. Where the Commission, acting upon a complaint or on its own initiative and after duly taking into account the socio-economic effect for a beneficiary country, considers that there are sufficient grounds justifying temporary withdrawal of the tariff preferences provided under any preferential arrangement referred to in Article 1(2) on the basis of the reasons referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article it shall adopt an implementing act to initiate the procedure for temporary withdrawal in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 39(2). The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of the adoption of that implementing act.
Amendment 354 #
2021/0297(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 10
Article 19 – paragraph 10
10. Where the Commission considers that the findings justify temporary withdrawal for the reasons referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, it is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 36, to amend Annex I and Annex II, in order to temporarily withdraw the tariff preferences provided under the preferential arrangements referred to in Article 1(2). In adopting the delegated act the Commission mayshall, where appropriate, consider the socio-economic effect of the temporary withdrawal of tariff preferences in the beneficiary country.
Amendment 362 #
2021/0297(COD)
16. Where the Commission considers that there is sufficient evidence to justify temporary withdrawal for the reason set out in paragraph 1, point (a) and the exceptional gravity of the violations calls for a rapid response in view of the specific circumstances in the beneficiary country, it shall initiate the procedure for temporary withdrawal in accordance with paragraphs (3) to (15). However, the period referred to in paragraph 4, point (b) is reduced to 2 months and the deadline referred to in paragraph 8 is reduced to 5 months.
Amendment 2 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the damage to the planet’s biodiversity is almost at the point of no return and that biodiversity loss is a driver of zoonotic pathogens such as COVID-19; highlightNotes the scientific evidence on the role of trade in biodiversity loss, in particular with regard to trade in minerals, biomass and certain agricultural commodities, and biodiversity loss due to land-use changes, invasive alien species, overexploitation of resources and pollution;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the importance of the role of fishers, farmers, hunters and all mainstays of rural culture in defending biodiversity and protecting the ecosystem;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to promote trade practices that protect geographical indications (GIs) more effectively, focusing in particular on local production, which is more in line with the objective of preserving biodiversity;
Amendment 44 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the EU’s trade policy and green diplomacy should aim to phase outreplace fossil fuels and environmentally harmful subsidies as a matter of urgency in accordance with the commitments taken at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh in 2009; invites the Commission to agree on a roadmap with each trade partner covered by a trade agreement, with milestones in place, and to show leadership in relevant international forums;
Amendment 59 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Points out that a step-by-step approach should be adopted with regard to the introduction of a new trade agreement in order to avoid harming EU companies, especially SMEs, and ensure that we do not place our businesses at an economic disadvantage by requiring them to comply with new rules;
Amendment 65 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for compliance with European production standards when it comes to trade and imports from third countries; considers that imported food and products that do not comply with EU biodiversity standards should not be allowed into the internal market;
Amendment 67 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 75 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to present a legislative proposal in Spring 2021 that will prohibit the placing of products associated with deforestation or forest degradation from the EU market; calls on the Commission to adopt a moratorium on imports of wild animals from reported emerging infectious disease hotspots;
Amendment 86 #
2020/2273(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the benefits of promoting EU agricultural products, thereby heightening third-country awareness of the environmental, social and sustainability aspects of European methods of production; points out that priority should be given to organic, traditional and typical products with geographical indications and forming part of short food supply chains;
Amendment 21 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R (new)
Recital R (new)
R. whereas Trade policy must play its full roll in the recovery from theCOVID19 pandemic and towards more dynamic, innovative and competitive Europe in the world;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S (new)
Recital S (new)
S. whereas international trade in goods and services is to increase by 8.4%in 2022 according to estimations by International Monetary Fund1a ; __________________ 1a World Economic Outlook, April 2021: Managing Divergent Recoveries(imf.org)
Amendment 27 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the mainstreaming of the European Green Deal into the communication on the Trade Policy Review (TPR) and calls for a concrete action plan to make this ambition a reality;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the incorporation of the Paris Agreement as an essential element in all trade, investment and partnership agreements; stresses that ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions and respect for human rights are requirements for concluding FTAs; asks for ambitious chapters on gender, women empowerment and on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be included in all trade agreements;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the post-COVID-19 recovery is a unique opportunity to set the agenda for sustainable growth; calls on the Commission, therefore, to present its review of the 15-point action plan on TSD chapters without delay; expects the review to address the enforceability of TSD commitments as a matter of urgency, as it is not currently included; recalls, in this regard, the non-paper from the Netherlands and France on trade, social economic effects and sustainable development11 ; suggests that, as a minimum, recent advances in enforceability should be applied to EU trade policy, namely the ability to tackle any non-compliance by partners through unilateral sanctions, including thesuch as an introduction of tariffs or quotas on certain products or the cross- suspension of other parts of an agreement; __________________ 11Non-paper from the Netherlands and France on trade, social economic effects and sustainable development, accessed at ‘the Netherlands at International Organisations (permanentrepresentations.nl)’.
Amendment 78 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the EU to take a leading role at a multilateral level to end harmful subsidies by advocating transparency and strict regulation and disciplines in trade agreements and at the World Trade Organization (WTO); stresses the importance of drawing up sustainability impact assessments on an ex-ante, intermediate and ex-post basis; stresses the need to develop a comprehensive framework with concrete targets to advance the SDGs, the Green Deal and the ILO Decent Work Agenda in trade and investment agreements; emphasises that new agreements should only be concluded once these targets have been fulfilledwhen tangible commitments are made by our trading partners and that existing agreements should be revised accordingly;
Amendment 100 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the importance of fair value chains that respect human rights, labour rights and environmental standards; recalls that mandatory due diligence throughout the entire supply chain is a necessary instrument to achieve this; stresses that more attention should be paid to the vulnerable position of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially in developing countries, whereas large companies are more likely to overcome a sudden drop in demand;
Amendment 117 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the importance of ensuring fair competition and a level playing field for European businesses in both the internal market and third-country markets; stresses, in this regard, the importance of trade defence instruments and calls on the Commission to swiftly complete the EU’s trade defence toolbox through legislative proposals, supported by impact assessments in 2021, giving priority to an instrument to tackle distortions caused by foreign subsidies and state-owned enterprises and to the conclusion of negotiations on the International Procurement Instrument12 ; __________________ 12Amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 January 2016 on the access of third- country goods and services to the Union’s internal market in public procurement and procedures supporting negotiations on access of Union goods and services to the public procurement markets of third countries (COM(2016)0034).
Amendment 124 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that openness should go hand in hand with safeguarding our strategic sectors and should be closely connected with an ambitious, forward- looking industrial policy in line with the Green Deal and digital strategy, boosting economic recovery, increasing competitiveness of our businesses, creating quality jobs and ensuring that Europe plays a crucial role in the production of innovative goods and future services;
Amendment 137 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is convinced that the EU is too dependent on a limited number of suppliers for critical goods and services; insists that the EU should overcome these undesirablexcessive dependencies via a mix of policies to incentivise companies to stockpile, diversify sourcing strategies and promote nearshoring, which could create new trading opportunities for partners in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods and shall be accompanied by regulatory approximation in strategic sectors; underlines that our priority should be further diversification of sources and constant private sector adaptation to shocks;
Amendment 179 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is concerned about the recent rise in export restrictions on vaccines by the main manufacturing countries such as the US, the UK, China and India and by the EU and emphasises that this endangers the rapid global scaling up of vaccine production capacity, disrupts production chains and could lead to retaliations; urges the Commission to engage with producing countries to swiftly eliminate export barriers and to replace the export authorisation mechanism with an export and import notification requirement; insists on having timely and comprehensive access to such data;
Amendment 211 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Invites the Commission to set out concrete and specificmap vulnerable supply chains and identify possible actions and a roadmap to implement the concept of open strategic autonomy; stresses that the EU’s market strength, values and adherence to cooperation, fairness and rule-based trade should be the basis of such openness; strongly recommends that the EU seeks out partnerships with like-minded partners; stresses, however, that where cooperation is not possible, the EU should pursue its interests through autonomous measures to protect its values and fight unfair trading practices;
Amendment 225 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the TPR’s affirmation of multilateralism and extensive proposals for the necessary in-depth reform of the WTO; shares the Commission’s emphasis on sustainable development in its vision for WTO reform and urges the Commission to bring to bear all efforts to implement a sustainable development agenda; stresses the importance of taking forward the WTO initiative on trade and climate, technology and climate and make progress on plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce and investment facilitation;
Amendment 235 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Shares the suggestion made in the TPR that the G20 should cooperate and take a leading role in achieving carbon neutrality worldwide; stresses, however, that in order for this approach to be effective, some members will need to raise their emission reduction commitmentshowever stresses that reintroducing new trade tariffs would have implications for trade and global economy at a time when we want to maximise the strength of the post-Covid recovery;
Amendment 243 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Supports the new, forward-looking transatlantic agenda based on common interests and, shared values and goals; urges the Commission and the US administration to cooperate closely in orderto find a solution to ongoing transatlantic trade disputes such as Boeing-Airbus conflict, digital taxes or tariffs on steel and aluminium, to cooperate in the framework of Transatlantic Trade and Technology Council and to work together on a new ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement; in order to increase market access to EU companies, to secure a level playing field and to agree on ambitious social and environmental standards and build on each other’s experience to enforce these more efficiently; calls for joint efforts to overcome the pandemic, speed up the economic recovery and facilitate trade in essential medical goods; reiterates that we should work together to achieve meaningful WTO reform and find common solutions to common problwith regard to the WTO’s dispute settlement systems;
Amendment 251 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Is aware of the importance of the EU’s multifaceted trade relationship with China which has become in 2020 the most important trading partner of the EU in trade of goods; firmly believes that EU- China trade relations require a more balanced and reciprocal approach; stresses that the ratification process of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment making it beneficial for both sides; stresses that the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) aims at increasing market access for investors and establishing rules that are to improve the level playing field for European companies in China; underlines that the ratification process of the CAI cannot be separated from the evolving dynamics of the wider EU-China relationship and can only begin once the EU has the requisite autonomous measures in place, including a ban on products made using forced labour, an upgraded trade defence toolbox and a working sanctions mechanism on human rights; demands that the Commission move forward with the Investment Agreement with Taiwan;
Amendment 267 #
2020/2117(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes the TPR’s engagement towards Africa and the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods and looks forward to concrete steps to deepen the EU’s relations with these partners; emphasizes that far more focus shall be placed on the Asia Pacific region - the most important part of the world in terms of economic growths for the foreseeable future and calls for comprehensive and ambitious Indo-Pacific strategy; reiterates the importance of a strategic and sustainable partnership with Southeast Asia, India and Latin America;
Amendment 11 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that trade policy is an essential tool for implementing the circular economy and the EU’s sustainability agenda globally; underlines that increased recycling can reduce the EU’s reliance on imports of raw materials and energy, and points to the need to decouple economic growth from resource use in order to ensure the long- term sustainability of global value chains;
Amendment 23 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets the lack of international and European standards on waste quality as this hinders a viable trade policy that is conducive to the circular economy; calls on the Commission to present harmonised standards on waste quality and a legal definition of recyclable waste, and to include these in future FTAspresent new initiatives on proper infrastructures to insure high quality separate collection;
Amendment 57 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission to ensure that FTAs reflect the objectives of the circular economy by including strong, binding and enforceable sustainable development chapters; suggests that the circular economy should be addressed in a cross-cutting manner in all relevant FTA chapters, without increasing additional administrative or financial burden to our companies, especially SMEs;
Amendment 26 #
2020/2043(INI)
2. Supports, in the absence of a global carbon price and a multilateral solution, a market-based EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) covering imports from countries not subject to a equivalent carbon trading scheme; on condition that it is compatible with EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and WTO rules (by being non- discriminatory and not constituting a disguised restriction on international trade), and that it is proportionate, based on the polluter pays principle and fit for purpose in delivering the climate objectives;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2043(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for thorough impact assessments and for the utmost transparency of the process leading to the CBAM, as well as engagement with WTO and the EU’s trading partners to build coalitions and avoid any possible retaliations;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2043(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that many carbon- and trade- intensive industrial sectors could potentially be impacted by the CBAM, either directly or indirectly, and that it could influence supply chains; emphasises therefore, that any CBAM design should be a complementary measure to the existing carbon leakage measures to better control the cost impact and to safeguard the EU industrial sectors’ global level playing-field vis a vis third country competition with non-equivalent CO2 reduction targets and costs; stresses that any CBAM should be easy to administer anshould not place an unduexcessive financial and administrative burden on enterprises, especially small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and should not harm competitiveness of EU businesses and industries at a global stage.
Amendment 5 #
2019/2210(INI)
2. Recalls that the EU is the main trade partner of the Western Balkan countries and that bilateral trade doubled between 2006 and 2016; notes, however, that the EU continuously runs an unsustainable trade surplus with the Western Balkans that this trade expansion has overall been to the benefit of the Western Balkan partners as in the last 10 years, the region increased its exports to the EU by 130% against a more modest increase of EU exports to the region of 49%;
Amendment 18 #
2019/2210(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Demands strong integration efforts in order to support Western Balkan countries in promoting improvement of the rule of law, democracy and, human rights so as toand fight against corruption, so as to improve business environment, enhance economic competitiveness, budgetary balance and structural reform;
Amendment 25 #
2019/2210(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reminds the Western Balkan countries of the importance of regional economic cooperation, wider market environment and good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 29 #
2019/2210(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Requests that the Commission provide further technical support to the Western Balkans, especially its private sector, to improve the external investment framework, in particular in the areas of predictability and investor protection;
Amendment 34 #
2019/2210(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that energy industries in the Western Balkans remain defined by outdated infrastructure, the overwhelming dominance of coal and hydropower, urges the Western Balkan countries to stick to projects in the energy sector which reduce energy poverty, increase energy efficiency and security and help to meet climate objectives and are aligned with EU environmental legislation;
Amendment 4 #
Amendment 5 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 6
Amendment 6 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 7
Amendment 7 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 8
Amendment 8 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 9
Amendment 18 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 16
Amendment 28 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Draft motion for a resolution
Citation 20
Citation 20
Amendment 29 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 21
Amendment 30 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 22
Amendment 31 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 23
Amendment 32 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 24
Amendment 33 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 26
Amendment 34 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 27
Amendment 36 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Citation 28
Amendment 47 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital B
B. whereas development should go hand-in-hand with social justiceprogress and good governance, and whereas development, trade and human rights can have an impact on each other and may reinforce each other;
Amendment 50 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas trade and investment contribute significantly to development, wealth creation, decent jobs and inclusive and sustainable growth;
Amendment 52 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas global supply chains most often have a positive impact on local working conditions by setting higher standards;
Amendment 53 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas OECD studies suggest that to the extent that trade itself raises per capita income, it advances both working conditions;
Amendment 59 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital D
D. whereas States should set out clearly the expectation that all business enterprises domiciled in their territory and/or jurisdiction respect human rights throughout their operationsfulfil their human rights obligations within their territory and/or jurisdiction;
Amendment 66 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights endorsed by consensus in the Human Rights Council remain the authoritative framework for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity;
Amendment 71 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital E
E. whereas the UNGPs apply to all States and to all business enterprises, both transnational and others, regardless of their size, sector, location, ownership and structure and are grounded in recognition of the following: States’ existing obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms; the role of business enterprises as specialized organs of society performing specialized functions, required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights; and the need for rights and obligations to be matched to appropriate and effective remedies when breached; whereas available evidence suggests that where the UNGPs are implemented, the incidence of corporate related human rights harm is reduced;
Amendment 78 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital G
G. whereas corporations are one of the major players in economic globalisation, financial services and international trade and are required to comply with all applicable laws and international treaties in force, and to respect human rights; whereas these business enterprises as well as national corporations may at times cause, or contribute to human rights violations, and whereas they may also have an important role to play in offering positive incentives in terms of promoting human rights, democracy, environmental standards and corporate social responsibility;
Amendment 81 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas corporations are more and more willing to support corporate social responsibility initiatives; whereas companies are progressively integrating CSR into their strategies, not because they are forced to do so but because they believe in the benefits of doing so;
Amendment 93 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the major problem lies not so much in the governance gap at the international level but in the lack of capacity at the national level to effectively implement and enforce laws;
Amendment 94 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas inappropriate working conditions and negative impacts on the environment are often due to a high level of informality, in effective governmental inspections, a lack of government frameworks, high levels of corruption, ineffective judiciary systems at national level and lack of information about workers’ rights;
Amendment 122 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 3
3. Strongly supports the full implementation of the UNGPs, unanimously endorsed by the Council in June 2011 and calls on the EU and Member States to elaborate and adopt an EU, respectively national action plans that set out clear expectations for governments and all types of business enterprises for the swift, effective and comprehensive implementation of the said Principles;
Amendment 126 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 4
4. Considers it regrettableNotes that a global approach to the way in which transnational corporations abide by human rights law is still lacking;
Amendment 132 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on national governments to reinforce their efforts to ensure, through judicial, administrative, legislative or other appropriate means, that when human abuses occur within their territory and/or jurisdiction, those affected have access to effective remedy;
Amendment 139 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 6
Amendment 149 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 7
7. Warmly welcomNotes in this context the work initiated in the United Nations through the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) to create a binding UN instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights and considers this to be a step forward in the promotion and protection of human rights;
Amendment 154 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that it is crucial to define objective, scope, content and limits of the negotiated binding UN instrument;
Amendment 161 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 8
Amendment 169 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the importance of the EU and its Member States being actively involved in this intergovernmental process;
Amendment 184 #
2018/2656(RSP)
Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the EU to ensureReminds that the European Union has observer status in the United Nations as a non-state participant and that any revision or future strategy document linked to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy include clear objectives and measurable benchmarks for EU’sshould be considered by Member States in this context of inclusion in participation in the UN treaty negotiations;
Amendment 43 #
2018/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the key objectives of the 2012 GSP reform were to better focus on countries in need - the least developed countries (LDCs) and other low and lower-income countries, further promote the core principles of sustainable development and good governance, and enhance stability and predictability and improve certainty for business operators;
Amendment 72 #
2018/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses in this context the importance of a business to business approach; calls for the setting up of sectorial, multi-stakeholder platforms and online facilities, bringing together export companies from GSP beneficiary countries, import companies in the EU and potential new comers on both sides- those who are currently not exporting or not importing, in order to exchange best practices and to raise awareness of the GSP rules, conditions and economic perspectives it offers;
Amendment 100 #
2018/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need for amaintaining the current targeted approach for the withdrawal of preferences and that such withdrawal could be limited to specific sectors; calls on the Commission to bring forward new proposals on possible graduated withdrawals of trade preferences or other time bound withdrawal measures;
Amendment 107 #
2018/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Encourages GSP beneficiary countries to introduce effective measures aimed at product diversification; underlines in this sense the need to create access to knowledge and technology to diversify products so the exports can sustain themselves in global competition, particularly in Europe;
Amendment 108 #
2018/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on GSP beneficiary countries to put in place and effectively implement legal measures to protect intellectual property;
Amendment 125 #
2018/2107(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the effect that the GSP has had on private corporations’voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives to adopt cleaner and safer technologies, and the direct positive impact thereof on workers and the environment; takes the view that measures to further encourage this development should be planned;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union (EU) and Central America (CA) was the first region-to-region AA concluded by the EU and is based on three complementary parts, namely political dialogue, cooperation, and trade; whereas the trade part of the AA (Part IV) was quite broad and ambitious when it was negotiated, but retrospectively lacks updated provisions on, inter alia, gender and trade, digital trade, procurement, investment, anti-corruption or SMEs;
Amendment 14 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Central America is a relatively small market with almost 43 million inhabitants and accounts for 0.25% of global GDP;
Amendment 15 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. stresses that in the past 15 years Central American countries have been more open to trade than other countries with the same level of income; underlines however that imports continue to be the main source of trade with other countries;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas the most important markets for Central America is the region itself, the Central American Common Market represents the second largest trade partner for most countries in the region, accounting for 26% of all exports;
Amendment 17 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the implementation of the EU’s trade agreements is a key priority for the Parliament, Council and the Commission in order to monitor, assess and calibrate the EU’s Common Commercial Policy (CCP); whereas reporting on the implementation of the AA with CA is a timely and useful contribution to the reflection on the future of Europeits possible modernisation;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the main products exported by CA to the EU are still heavily concentrated in the primary sector and in relatively low value added products such as textiles, coffee, sugar, car parts or shrimps, while the main products exported by the EU to CA are machinery and appliances, products of the chemical or allied industries and transportation equipment; notes, however, that the AA is starting to contribute to the modernisation and diversification of exports from CA with more value-added, such as needles, prosthetic devices and medical devices, and to an increase in exports of Fair Trade and organic certified products;
Amendment 47 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Highlights that corruption is a non-tariff barrier that increases businesses operational difficulties and hampers the wider business environment; calls on the Commission to use this agreement to monitor domestic reform in our partner countries in relation to the rule of law and good governance and to come up with effective anti-corruption measures;
Amendment 48 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Emphasises that fair and transparent opening of public procurement markets in CA are essential to ensure a level playing field for businesses; is concerned that procurement markets in CA could be opened further at the central government and regional government level;
Amendment 49 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Views a significant hindrance to investment in CA to be intra-regional non-tariff measures; urges the Commission to ensures CA countries facilitate improved investment conditions and the local business environment for European investors that can improve employment and infrastructure and address the significant development needs of the region;
Amendment 67 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that recent political and economic developments in some Central American countries can have a negative impact oneconomic implications that negatively affect the region as a whole and might lead to the destabilisation of the region;
Amendment 70 #
2018/2106(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges Austria, Belgium, Greece and the United Kingdom and Greece to ratify the AA, and reiterates the importance of full application of the other parts of the AA, including cooperation as regards economic and trade development (Article 52 and others); notes that the AA proceeded through the United Kingdom Parliament in July and that the remaining formalities will be completed by the end of November;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Stresses that trade liberalization and global competition act over the long run as an engine for economic growth; stresses equally that progressive integration of developing countries into global value chains has significantly contributed to its wealth creation and poverty reduction;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls, however, that trade liberalisation is not positive, per se,can have negative effects in terms of reducing poverty and inequalities, and that it can even have negative effects on sustainable development in general if it is not properly regulatedbased on global rules; underlines, in this context, the potential of the WTO as an efficient rules-based multilateral negotiating forum which provides a platform for open discussion on global trade-related issues and is set to contain trade disputes and effectively deal with unfair competition; insists that the EU should continue to promote the democratisationreform of the WTO;
Amendment 25 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for a trade agenda based on fair trade for the benefit of allmultilateral rules-based system, which puts development and social, environmental and human rights at the centre of the process and has a special focus on the needs of low-income developing countries and least-developed countries;
Amendment 40 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Insists that the WTO should clearly recognise the primordial role that trade can plays in contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and the fight against climate change, using the Paris Agreement commitments as a minimum benchmark;
Amendment 48 #
2018/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned, in the above context, that bilateral and plurilateral trade agreements could lead to the fragmentation of international trade policy and thus undermine the role of the WTO; cCalls, therefore, for the EU and its Member States to make additional efforts to once again place the WTO at the centre of global trade governance;
Amendment 10 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. ReiteraNotes wits rejection ofh concern the use of development funds for non-development objectives such as border management or military capacity building and underlines that funding that does not fulfil official development assistance (ODA) criteria must be sourced from other instruments than the DCI and/or EDF;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Union and its Member States must honour their collective commitment, confirmed in 2015, to raise their ODA to 0,7 % of their GNI by 2030; calls on the Commission and the Member States to present binding timelines for progressive increases towards this level; calls the Member States to exclude the in donor costs out of the ODA calculation;
Amendment 25 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Given the dramatic situation in the field of humanitarian aid, insists to mobilise more funds from the emergency aid reserve; reiterates that education plays a key role in preventing man-made humanitarian crises by avoiding conflicts and welcomes that already a significant amount of humanitarian aid is spent on education in emergencies; calls, howev for greater, for a steady increase of this sharelexibility and responsiveness when mobilising and adjusting emergency aid funds to rapidly deal with new humanitarian emergency situations;
Amendment 41 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the effects of climate change have a tangible impact on several aspects of human life and are increasingly being felt in the development countries; calls for an increased allocationbetter support in climate action, which better reflects the strong commitment to and increased engagement in climate diplomacy in order to tackle climate changeis coherent with the engagement of the Union and the Member States as regards climate change; calls to support communities in the development of preventive and resilience-building measures against natural disasters.
Amendment 5 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru (the Agreement) is a rules-based relationship, anchored on common values and international standards for sustainable development, that has the potential of having a strong positive impact on the socio-economic development of the parties to the Agreement, on economic integration, on sustainable development, on further cooperation on regional and global issues and on bringing the countries and their citizens closer together;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Peru is one of the fastest growing and open economies in the region with trade representing 44% of GDP, whereas Colombia is a third largest economy in Latin America with expected accelerated economic growth over 2019- 2020;
Amendment 21 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that the Agreement is an opportunity to foster the peace agreement in Colombia and that it will deliver soon its peace dividend in terms of economic and social development; stresses in this context that 1 to 2% of GDP growth is estimated in addition as a result of peace;
Amendment 40 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that the Agreement has contributed to the modernisation and diversification of exports from Colombia and Peru and that it has had a positive impact on Colombian and Peruvian SMEsdriven mostly by Colombian and Peruvian SMEs; stresses, however, that more needs to be done in terms of diversification of exports from traditional mineral, oil and agricultural products to the export of processed goods and products with greater added value;
Amendment 48 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges both sides to boost the implementation rate and awareness of the agreement; Takes the view that many SMEs in the EU are not aware of the opportunities that the Agreement brings; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to study the preference utilisation rate of SMEs in particular, and to take effective steps to better communicate the opportunities and benefits offered by the Agreement;
Amendment 61 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 13 – point c a (new)
(ca) lack of transparency in administrative procedures;
Amendment 62 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Insists that corruption constitutes one of the most important non trade barriers hampering the business environment and increasing operational difficulties faced by businesses, calls on the Commission to use this agreement to monitor domestic reform in our partner countries in relation to the rule of law and good governance and to come up with effective anti-corruption measures;
Amendment 87 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Expresses iInsists concerns over the effective implementation in Peru of certain aspects of the chapter on trade and sustainable development (TSD) with regard to both labour and environmental provisions in Peru, and especially as regards the implementation of ILO conventions 87 and 98, which are fundamentalin this context welcomes the fact that Peru has taken the Presidency this year of the Council Administration of the ILO, which commits Peru even more to lead as an example in respecting labour laws; stresses equally that on the 6th of August Peru ratified the Framework Agreement between Peru and ILO on the promotion of decent work 2018-2021;
Amendment 105 #
2018/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Is concerned that Peru has exceeded the threshold under the Banana Stabilisation Mechanism of the Agreement and calls for analysis of the effect it has on markets in the European Union;
Amendment 2 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 12 December 2017 on towards a digital trade strategy,
Amendment 23 #
2018/2005(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that trade is not an end in itself, but that an inclusive, free and fair trade policy aligned with the SDGs can contribute to poverty eradication provided trading partners ensure property rights, the rule of law and competitive markets; recalls the principle of policy coherence for development, requiring that the objectives of development cooperation be taken into account in policies that are likely to affect developing countries; calls on the EU to systematically evaluate the impact of its trade policies on developing countries;
Amendment 28 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas ‘openfree and fair trade’ and investment policies need a range of effective flanking policies in order to maximise the gains and minimise the losses of trade liberglobalisation for the EU and for third countries’ populations and economies;
Amendment 38 #
2018/2005(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates the importance of the multilateral rules-based order as the most effective way to achieve an inclusive global trading system; emphasises the importance of comprehensivadequate provisions on social, labour and environmental standards in trade agreements; welcomes the Commission’s commitment to include a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development in all trade agreements;
Amendment 40 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that in the course of globalisation, internationglobal value chains have emerged; points out that these value chains crestructure the international division of labour as well as the interdependence of countriesate new interdependences, with dispersed production processes, and goods and services traded in fragments; notes that the successful integration of businesses in global value chains is of key importance for their integration in a globalised economy;
Amendment 54 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the benefits of globalisation are unequally distributed between regions and within societies; notes that this is a reason for the rising scepticism or rejection of globalisation within societies; notes that the financial and economic crises had a particularly negative effect on mid-range incomes; expresses the view that the combination of a declining middle class, citizens’ fears over losing their social and economic position, and scepticism towards globalisation, can result in naprotectionalist and authoritarian tendencies, which then lead to the promotion of protectionism as an easy answer to commpractises that can have an inverse reaction in economies that are increasingly reliant on feach others;
Amendment 60 #
2018/2005(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly supports the further mainstreaming of digital technologies and services in the EU’s development policy; calls on the Commission to increasMember States and on the Commission to reshape their ODA such that more investments in developing countries' digital infrastructure in the Global Souths encouraged.
Amendment 61 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that thea shift in economic importance of China and other Southeast Asian countries is growing significantly; understtowards the Asia Pacific region; stresses that increasing trade and investment flows within this region, ands that this leads to a relative loss of importance for the present global economic centres of Europe and North Americae ability of Asian economies to advance regional trade agreements is an important commitment to trade liberalisation, and gives them growing influence over the rules-based trading system;
Amendment 66 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that globalisation led to a faster and wider spread of technology and innovation, and that technology can be a key enabler of trade; highlights that the EU has yet not delivered on a digital trade strategy, and addressed the benefits that the internet and digital ledger technologies can bring to international trade;
Amendment 79 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that increasing protectionism in the United States and beyond, as well as the lack of consideration for the needs and expectations of developing countries in international agreements, shows the weakness of the WTO; underlines the lack of integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the world trade agendat practises are counterproductive and distort global value chains; notes the detrimental effect this has on the multilateral trading system by bringing unilateral action to problems that should be addressed between partners; stresses that this weakens the role of the WTO;
Amendment 88 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the importance of engaging in the restructuring of the world economic order and of respecting the needshaping globalisation while taking into account the needs and expectations of developing countries, while and smaller economies; stressinges that the aim of fulfilling the SDGs and the conditions of the Paris Agreement must provide the overarching frameworkrade policy can support the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and that policy coherence for development is of utmost importance to achieve this;
Amendment 99 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that strengthening the EU’s internal market as well as consolidating the economic union is vital, since a solid internal market is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of international strategies; points out that being internationally competitive depends strongly on shaping digitalisation successfully and in a socially responsible manner; notes that the shift to renewable energies needs to happen as soon as possiblee importance of achieving renewable energy targets;
Amendment 112 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Asks the Commission to create a European trade strategy for SMEs in order touse the means available to support the integrateion of SMEs into internationglobal value chains and overcome trade-specific hurdles such as non-tariff barriers; points out that access to information is one of the biggest obstacles to the market participation of SMEs, meaning that transparency and support need to increase;
Amendment 113 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 121 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 138 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to meet scepticism towards globalisation with a credible initiative on transparencytransparent practices;
Amendment 142 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to include sustainability-related measures in every chapter of trade agreements and not to reduce them to one toothlesspursue a rules-based trade policy that includes Trade and Sustainable Development(TSD) chapters in FTAs, which contribute to support and promote international conventions on social, labour and human rights, and multilateral environmental agreements; notes that the application of these binding and enforceable provisions must be appropriately monitored in order to launch government consultation procedures and trigger the special dispute resolution mechanisms, if needed, as established within the framework of TSD chapters;
Amendment 151 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Asks the Commission to pursue an ambitious trade policy, and maintain an open investment environment; adds that the ratification of concluded and signed trade agreements should take place swiftly in order to uphold commitments to our partners;
Amendment 153 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Calls on the Commission to include rules relating to digital trade in EU FTAs, including cross-border data flows to demonstrate that trade in digital goods and services can bring real benefit to businesses and consumers;
Amendment 155 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Calls on the Commission to assess how Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) and blockchain can be used to enhance international trade, and address issues such as transparency, flexibility, and tackle counterfeiting;
Amendment 156 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that impact assessments conducted before the start of negotiations must take their possible effects on the fulfilment of the SDGs into account; notes that national sustainability strategies and implementation plans for the Paris Agreement must form the starting point for impact assessments; points out that every single provision of an agreement and its possible impacts must be checked on its compatibility with the SDGs; notes that if parts of an agreement hamper the fulfilment of the SDGs or the Paris Agreement, adjustments must be made; notes that breaches of sustainability provisions must be counterweighted by corrective measures or lead to a sanction- based dispute settlement;
Amendment 168 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Points out that the ratification and implementation of the ILO’s core labour standards must be a preconditioniority for the implementation of anytrade agreements; notes that organised civil society and social partners should be included in the formative stages of agreements, the implementation phase and the monitoring phase after implementation via bilateral meetings with the negotiating partners; notes that in case of a breach of the sustainability provisions of an agreement, the dispute settlement mechanism must be accessible to civil society as well as the negotiating partners;
Amendment 180 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Asks the Commission to meet the growing complexity of value chains and the increasing interdependence of producers with clear transparency and diligence obligations for the whole supply chainencourage due diligence and transparency by working with the private sector, and to promote these values internationally;
Amendment 187 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Highlights the importance of a stable multilateral rules-based trading system; asks the Commission to do all it can to engage with trade partners to advance issues pertaining to the multilateral trade agenda, and to strengthen the role of the WTO;
Amendment 193 #
2018/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 11 #
2018/0358M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas Vietnam’s infrastructure and investment needs massively exceed public funds currently available;
Amendment 78 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance and value of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda and common values – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
Amendment 81 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the significance of the agreement in terms of competitiveness of EU businesses in the region; notes that European companies are facing increased competition from countries with which Vietnam has already free trade agreements, notably the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP);
Amendment 119 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that the agreement does not contain a specific SMEs chapter, different provisions on SMEs are however included in various parts of the agreement, stresses that implementation phase will be crucial for introducing concrete measures to boost utilisation rate of SMEs on both sides;
Amendment 148 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Acknowledges the significant decrease of the child labour in Vietnam in recent years and welcomes the commitment to child labour eradication by the Vietnamese government; reminds that Vietnam was the first country in Asia and second in the world to ratify the United Nations’ International Convention on the Rights of the Child;
Amendment 196 #
2018/0356M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the involvement of civil society in monitoring the implementation of the agreement is crucial, and calls for the swift establishment of domestic advisory groups following the entry into force of the agreement and for the balanced representation of civil society therein; points out the importance of preparatory implementation works as new recommendations have been already communicated by civil society organisations to Vietnamese authorities;
Amendment 14 #
2018/0272M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the signature of the VPA with Vietnam, an agreement designed to bring a complete policy reform in the country aimed at the progressive cleaning illegally produced timber from the supply chains of Vietnamese operators; is aware that the full implementation of the VPA will be a long- term process entailing not only the adoption of a whole set of legislation (TLAS) but also ensuring that adequate administrative capacity and expertise for implementation and enforcement of the VPA is in place at national as well as provincial levels; recalls that FLEGT licencing can start only once Vietnam has demonstrated the readiness of its TLAS system;
Amendment 16 #
2018/0272M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Underlines positive developments related to FLEGT and the VPA process during the period of negotiations since 2010 such as consolidation of legislation and regulations, strengthening management and control exploitation of domestic natural forest or clarification of forest land use rights; stresses that Vietnam has recently adopted Forestry Law -which came into effect on 1st January 2019- the law prohibits import to Vietnam of illegally produced timber;
Amendment 17 #
2018/0272M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Acknowledges commitments made by Vietnam’s wood industry, to eliminate illegal timber from supply chains and raise awareness of these matters; stresses however that a shift in a mindset within the industry as well as robust enforcement is key;
Amendment 26 #
2018/0272M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly condemns the illegal timber trade taking place across the Cambodian border and calls on the authorities of both countries to put an immediate and complete stop to the illegal flows; urges the Vietnamese authorities to investigate, remove from function and bring to justice those responsible for having authorised and managed the illegal trade from Cambodia and elsewhere; encourages the Vietnamese authorities to categorise timber from Cambodia as ‘high risk’ and to carefully consider the option of applying an import ban for Cambodia; calls on the two countries to foster and improve dialogue; calls on the Vietnamese authorities to apply the same measures to imports from other supplier countries where similar concerns exist or may arise, notably those in Africa; calls on the two countries to foster and improve dialogue and work together on effective and long term measures to combat rampant illegal logging and the cross border smuggling of timber to Vietnam;
Amendment 28 #
2018/0272M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Vietnamese authorities to apply the same measures to imports from other supplier countries where similar concerns exist or may arise, notably those in Africa; stresses that imports of timber from Africa to Vietnam increased by over 40% in a year, while this timber is often from countries characterised by weak governance, high levels of corruption and even conflict, with widespread risks of illegality in their timber harvesting;
Amendment 10 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas on 10 December 2015 the first instance of the Court repealed the Council decision to conclude the Liberalisation Agreement; whereas the Council, unanimously on February 19, 2016, appealed this judgment;
Amendment 12 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the CJEU General Court in its judgment of 21 December 2016 determined that the Liberalisation Agreement did not provide explicitly a legal basis for Western Sahara to be included, and therefore could not apply to this territory;
Amendment 151 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that a key criterion for Parliament is to ensure that there will be a mechanism in place to technically trace products from Western Sahara so that Member States customs authorities have a clear indication of their origin; calls on the EU and Morocco to swiftly present a viable solution to this end; expects the corrective measures laid down in the agreement to be used in that regardswiftly implement corrective measures laid down in the agreement which are dedicated to the exchange of data on products exported from Western Sahara to the EU;
Amendment 12 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 27 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU’s new approach to investment protection and its enforcement mechanism (ICS), which has replaced the highly controversial investor- to-state dispute settlement (ISDS);
Amendment 33 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the agreement will ensure a high level of investment protection while safeguarding the Parties’ right to regulate and pursue legitimate public policy objectives, such as public health and environmental protection; it will ensure transparency and accountability;
Amendment 44 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the transparency rules applying to proceedings before the tribunals, whichcase documents will be publically available and hearings will be held in public; believes that increased transparency will help to instil public trust in the system;
Amendment 50 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Underlines that forum shopping will not be possible and that multiple and parallel proceedings will be avoided;
Amendment 57 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes Singapore’s commitment to the multilateral investment court, a public international court which should be empowered to hear disputes on investments between investors and states that will have accepted its jurisdiction over their bilateral investment treaties, and whose ultimate goal is to overcome the current, unbalanced and fragmented investment protection regime; considers the agreement a crucial stepping stone towards that end;
Amendment 73 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights that the agreement will replace the existing bilateral investment treaties between 13 EU Member States and Singapore, which are based on outdated investment protection provisions and include the controversial ISDS; considers that this constitutes an important step in reforming global rules on investment dispute settlement and, it is hoped, will progressively lead to the removal of ISDS from bilateral investment treaties;
Amendment 76 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 83 #
2018/0095M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 9 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU and Singapore share the same fundamental values, including democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, cultural and linguistic diversity and a strong commitment to open trade and the multilateral trading system;
Amendment 11 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas this is the first bilateral trade agreement concluded between the EU and an ASEAN member state and an important stepping stone towards a final objective of a region- to-region FTA; whereas the agreement will also serve as a benchmark for the agreements the EU is currently negotiating with the other main ASEAN economies;
Amendment 16 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas Singapore is a high- income economy with a gross national income of USD 52600 per capita as of 2017; whereas its economic growth has been amongst the world's highest, at average of 7,7 percent since independence,
Amendment 18 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Singapore ranks among the easiest countries in the world to do business with; is one of the world's most competitive economies and is one of the least corrupt worldwide;
Amendment 20 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas manufacturing, particularly in electronics and precision engineering sectors, and services sectors remain the twin pillars of Singapore's high value-added economy;
Amendment 24 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas more than 10 000 European companies have their regional offices in Singapore; whereas around 50 000 EU companies export to Singapore, of which 83 percent are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs),
Amendment 26 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas EUSFTA is likely to have very positive effect on trade and investment flows between the EU and Singapore, whereas a 2018 study prepared for the European Parliament estimates that, over the first five years, trade volumes between the EU and Singapore would grow by 10%;
Amendment 36 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NotStresses that negotiations were originally concluded in 2012 and deeply regrets the long delay in bringing forward the agreement for ratification; calls therefore for speedy ratification process and its conclusion in the current parliamentary mandate so that the agreement enters into force as soon as possible;
Amendment 49 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement as it is a stepping stone for the region to region EU-ASEAN trade deal in the future, as Singapore is a hub for the entire ASEAN region and as this will avoid EU exporters being at a competitive disadvantage in respect of businesses from the other CPTPP and RCEP countries;
Amendment 59 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the agreement will grant EU companies better access to the Singapore services market such as in financial, telecommunications, engineering, architectural services, maritime transport and postal services and that such liberalisation follows a ‘positive list’ approach;
Amendment 91 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that this is a progressive trade agreement and that both Parties committed in the trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapter to ensure a high level of environmental and labour protection; notes that the agreement also includes a chapter on renewable energy generation;
Amendment 106 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. RecallNotes that the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) envisages the possibility for the EU to suspend the FTA in case of fundamental human rights violations by Singapore;
Amendment 111 #
2018/0093M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission to trigger the general review clause of the agreement as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability of labour and environmental provisions including through a sanctions-based mechanism as a last resort;
Amendment 9 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the European Commission 15-point plan to make EU trade and sustainable development chapters more effective of 26 February 2018;
Amendment 22 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the implementation of the EU-Japan EPA will increase export opportunities for EU businesses, create greater competition, and boost economic growth, as well as bring advantages to consumers by lowering prices and increasing the consumer choice on goods and services;
Amendment 74 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers; stresses that this reduces compliance costs for EU businesses who export to Japan, and creates a more predictable regulatory environment for EU agricultural exports by addressing sanitary and phytosanitary measures;
Amendment 77 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights that more than two thirds of all Japanese-brand vehicles sold in the EU are manufactured in the EU, and that Japanese-brand vehicles made in the EU are exported to third countries; points out that the removal of tariffs can boost production and jobs;
Amendment 88 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat, beef and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications; points out that processed agricultural products such as pasta and chocolate will also enjoy duty-free entry to the Japanese market over a transitional period;
Amendment 102 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the elimination of tariffs on industrial products for sectors in which the EU is highly competitive, such as chemicals, plastics, cosmetics as well as textiles and clothing;
Amendment 105 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement; points out that the agreement stresses that labour and environmental standards cannot be relaxed or lowered to attract trade and investment;
Amendment 130 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions in accordance with the provisions of the EPA;
Amendment 142 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectivenessif necessary in order to uphold the commitments made ofn labour and environmental provisions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort;
Amendment 164 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives; notes that the EPA secures fairer treatment of EU service suppliers operating in Japan comparable to that of Japanese suppliers;
Amendment 195 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the commitment of both the EU and Japan to work more closely together on developing international standards; points out that setting standards through regulatory cooperation is crucial as the EU and Japan account for more than 40% of global imports and exports;
Amendment 203 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism; notes that the EU has introduced the Investment Court System (ICS) in agreements with other partners;
Amendment 219 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Welcomes the publication of the draft adequacy decision on Japan, which established that Japan provides a comparable level of protection of personal data to that in the EU; stresses that the free flow of data across borders is a key enabler of the digital economy;
Amendment 223 #
2018/0091M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that 78% of the EU companies exporting to Japan are SMEs and that lack of access to information represents a trade barrier, especially for small businesses; welcomes that both the EU and Japan committed to setting up a website which will provide specific information to SMEs on how to access their markets;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the far-reaching reforms already undertaken by Georgia; notes that further efforts should be encouraged, especially in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (notably as regards institutional capacity-building in food safety control), public procurement, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, legal and administrative burdens on businesses and customs services;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with satisfaction that some new products have started to be exported to the EU, stresses however, that more export diversification is needed;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Supports continuous anti- corruption efforts, as Georgia is the 46 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries according to the 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the Georgian authorities to develop and implement a comprehensive public awareness programme to ensure that businesses, SMEs, farmers and citizens in general are fully informed of the opportunities and benefits offered by the DCFTA and available support programmes;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2281(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the ultimate objective of the DCFTA is to make tangible and sustainable improvements to the living conditions of ordinary citizens in Moldova as the country still remains one of the poorest in Europe;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2281(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expects Moldova to continue its reform path not only in strictly trade- related areas such as restructuring of the financial and energy sector, but also in the rule of law, public administration, the justice sector, the management and efficiency of public finances, media freedom, gender equality and women empowerment and stepping up the fight against corruption, recalls equally the importance of effective implementation of newly introduced reforms and legal instruments;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that China is the EU’s second-largest trading partner and the EU is China’s largest trading partner, andstresses constant growth in trade and notes that the trade balance has a significant deficit in China’s favour;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the EU to re-think its approach towards China in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue taking into account growing economic and political importance and influence of China at a global stage;
Amendment 30 #
2017/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the 16+1 scheme as a new type of open, inclusive and mutually beneficial partnership;
Amendment 48 #
2017/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for coordinated cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative - crucial development focused initiative - on the basis of open and transparent rules, in particular regarding public procurement;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas exports from Africa are still dominated by unprocessed products, and whereas a high proportion of these exports are covered by trade preference arrangements and have done nothing to boost industrialisation in the countries concerned;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 29 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the European Union to focus on supporting projects which will have an immediate impact on the creation of decent jobs, the fight against poverty, protection of the environment, improving the business climate, the management of public finances, transparency in the management of natural resources (in particular in mining and energy production), and the fight against corruption and illegal capital flows away from the continent and helping to create stability and security; stresses, in particular, EU initiatives focused on mobilizing the private sector which accounts for 90% of jobs in developing economies;
Amendment 43 #
2017/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the EU always to take account of the different levels of development among African countries and to support measures which enhance production and processing capacity, particularly in agriculture; stresses the necessity of labour shifts from unproductive traditional sectors such as subsistence farming into modern economic activities that add value to traded goods;
Amendment 91 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the Commission has announced on more than one occasion the launch of negotiations about investment with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and deems it regrettable that no such negotiations have yet begun; urges the Commission to finish the preparatory works to formally start negotiations on investment agreements as soon as possible;
Amendment 97 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Supports the continued efforts of the Commission in negotiating specific provisions designed to improve the ability of small and medium sized enterprises to engage in trade and investment; recognises the proliferation of integrated global supply chains in international trade patterns; asks the Commission to pursue a digital trade strategy that takes into account the opportunities it offers to small and medium sized businesses by facilitating access to global markets; recommends that this strategy should endeavour to improve connectivity and capacity-building for e-commerce, eliminating unjustified restrictions on cross-border data flows, providing that the adequate rules that promote open, trusted and secure digital trade are in place;
Amendment 99 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Encourages the Commission to advance the digital trade agenda in on- going and future FTA negotiations and at the WTO, as the organisation must continue to represent a flexible and dynamic forum for negotiations;
Amendment 125 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to invest more human and financial resources in preparation of trade agreements for adoption by our co-legislators and in improving the way that trade policy is implemented, and asks that a special trade policy implementation monitoring unit be set up within the Commission;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights the vital work done by Union delegations, in conjunction with Member State embassies and businesses, enabling swift and direct action to be taken to ensure that trade provisions are properly implemented and problems and obstacles quickly identified and effectively tackled; encourages the Commission and the EEAS to pursue their work in the field of economic diplomacy;
Amendment 137 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Highlights the fact that certain sectors may experience economic difficulties which are trade related; calls on the Commission and Member States to develop effective support policies in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the potential negative effects of trade liberalisation; asks the Commission, in this context, to reinforce the effectiveness of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Chile is one of South America's most stable, open and prosperous nations; it is an important regional player and it has been one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies in recent decades;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Union is the third biggest trading partner of Chile, just after China and United States; whereas the EU is also one of the major donors in cooperation for development giving more than half of the Official Development Assistance (ODA);
Amendment 6 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the current AA, including its trade pillar, was concluded in 20021 and has worked well between the parties during its implementation since 2003very well since its implementation in 2003, it set a fast liberalisation agenda and generated many opportunities for growth and jobs on both sides, doubling trade in goods and seeing an increasing trade in services and investments2 ; considering, however, that both the EU and Chile have concluded more modern and ambitious trade agreements ever since; __________________ 1 http://eur- lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:f83 a503c-fa20-4b3a-9535- f1074175eaf0.0004.02/DOC_2&format=P DF 2 http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries- and-regions/countries/chile/
Amendment 10 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the current AA lacks, among chapters, investment, and a trade and sustainable development chapter (TSDC);
Amendment 15 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas any EU trade negotiation must guaranteeshall aim to the highest levels of social, labour and environmental protection achieved by the parties, and may serve as a tool to promote an agenda of social justice and sustainable development, both in the EU and throughout the world; whereas the modernisation of the AA should be seen as an opportunity for the EU and its Member States to further promote common high standards and commitments in their trade agreements, especially in the areas of labour rights, environmental protection, consumer rights and public welfare; whereas a sanctions-based mechanism is needed to redress infringements effectively;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to consider it important and necessary to seek to modernise the EU- Chile AA to take into account the economic and political development over the last 15 years, in particular its trade component, in the spirit of reciprocity, mutual benefit and balance, and to note the consistent support for a modernisation expressed by the EU-Chile JPC, as well as the fact that the JCC welcomed the steps taken towards an update;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to recall that globalisation and trade policy have recently been subject to intense debate in Europe and elsewhere, because of the unequal distribution of its gains, and to consider that it is necessary to guarantee a more inclusive distribution of the benefits of trade and to provide adequate protection to those which may be disadvantaged in the process, while developing policy action in other spheres beyond the provisions of trade agreements themselves, going from industrial to fiscal and social policies;anticipate these trading trends and its possible consequences and develop primarily- at national levels- effective accompanying policies in order to provide adequate protection to those which may be disadvantaged in the process,
Amendment 65 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p
Paragraph 1 – point p
(p) to mandate the inclusion of a tax good governance clause that reaffirms the parties’ commitment to implement international standards in the fight against tax evasion, avoidance and elusion, and that includes obligationrequirements for country-by- country reporting, automatic exchanges of information and the establishment of public registers of beneficial ownership for business trusts;
Amendment 67 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) to clearly spell out in the negotiating directives the requirement to commit the parties to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) via binding standards, including with regard to internationally recognised instruments, and the uptake of sectorial OECD guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; to recall the need to respect and ensure the effective implementation of indigenous’ rights, including ILO standards on indigenous’ labour rights and the right to consultation with governmental authorities;
Amendment 79 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w
Paragraph 1 – point w
(w) to consider that negotiations on investment may be an opportunity to make progress towards a necessary international reform of the dispute settlement regime, to seek a commitment by all parties to put an end to investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) based on ad hoc private arbitration, and to replace it with a public investment court system (ICS) with an appeal mechanism, with a view to preserving the right to regulate to achieve legitimate public policy objectives, prevent frivolous litigation and guarantee all democratic procedural guarantees, such as the right to access to justice (with particular attention to SMEs), judicial independency, transparency and accountability, while pursuing the establishment of a multilateral investment court (MIC);
Amendment 83 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
(x) to ensure that the modernised AA contains a robust and ambitious TSDC that includes binding and enforceable provisions, subject to dispute settlement mechanisms, with the possibility of imposing sanctions in case of breach; considers that the TSDC should cover, among other things, the parties’ commitment to adopt and maintain in their national laws and regulations the principles enshrined in core ILO conventions and to effectively implement up-to-date ILO instruments, especially the Governance Conventions, the Decent Work Agenda, ILO Convention n°169 on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Convention on Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment for Men and Women Workers, the Convention on Domestic Workers, and the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, as well as labour standards for migrant workers;
Amendment 88 #
2017/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y
Paragraph 1 – point y
(y) to ensure, with reference to the progress achieved by Chile in bilateral trade negotiations with Uruguay and Canada, that the parties include a specific chapter on trade and gender equality and women empowerment that specifically contains clear and measurable targets, beyond the adherence of the parties and their respect for international human rights, labour and social standards, foreseeing active measures aiming to enhance opportunities for women to benefit from the opportunities provided by the AA; to ensure, inter alia, that the parties commit to collect disaggregated data allowing for thorough ex ante and ex post analysis on the impact of the modernised AA on gender equality, to pursue an enhanced participation of women enterprises (particularly micro-enterprises and SMEs) in public procurement, building on the experience of the Chilean Ministry of Gender Equality which, in 2015, established a supporting program to strengthen women entrepreneurs’ participation as suppliers in the public procurement market of ‘Chile Compras’, to support the internationalisation of women enterprises and the participation of women in WTO Mode 4 opportunities; and to ensure that this chapter foresees the involvement of women organisations and gender equality experts in the negotiating teams, as well as in the JCC (foreseeing the development of innovative means of consultation, such as electronic discussions) and that it guarantees periodical substantial discussions on gender and trade, if necessary, with the establishment of a specific consultative subcommittee;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba, and that Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefiting from the EU’'s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), stresses furthermore that trade is only moderately important to Cuba's economy, the values of exports and imports taken together equals 26,4 percent of GDP;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation, private employment and overall market freedoms; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general, underlines, however, that excessive bureaucracy and lack of regulatory transparency continue to limit trade and investment;
Amendment 42 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the Cuban economy is highly dependent on significant oil subsidies from Venezuela and on external assistance such as remittances from Cubans living abroad;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas trade policies should aim to reduce socio-economic gaps between the Global North and the Global South in terms of development and wealth, and between women and generate economic growth and wealth creation and contribute to women empowermen,t and realispromote women’s rights by ensuring decent work conditions for women and contributing to sustainable and equitable economic development;
Amendment 53 #
2017/2015(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 58 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the expansion of global trade, and integration of developing countries into global value chains in particular, has allowed many women workers to move from informal economy to the formal sector;
Amendment 59 #
2017/2015(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the progress made in recent years with the establishment of the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact¸ the EU Timber Regulation and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, and calls on the Commission to expand binding frameworks on due diligence obligations to other sectors in order to ensure that the EU and its traders and operators live up to the obligation to respect human rights and the highest social standards, including the ones related to gender equality.
Amendment 63 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas these new trade related employment opportunities for women in developing countries contributed significantly to the household income and poverty reduction;
Amendment 118 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas private sector, civil society, particularly women’s rights organisations and trade unions, has the knowledge and potential to strengthen women’s economic empowerment;
Amendment 131 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas special attention must be given to thepotential negative consequences of trade liberalisation as regards basic public services and goods, such as water and sanitation, education and healthcare;
Amendment 150 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that fair and inclusive international trade policies require a clearer framework aiming to enhance women’s livelihoods, strengthen gender equality, protect the environment, and promote social justiceprogress and international solidarity;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the urgent need to adopt gender-sensitive binding human rights regulations on an international level to regulate transnational companies (TNCs) and other companies; wWelcomes the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
Amendment 228 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for bindingeffective measures to combat exploitation and improve working conditions for women in the export- oriented industries, in particular the garment and textile manufacturing and agriculture sectors where trade liberalisation has contributedresulted in some cases to precarious labour rights and gender wage gaps;
Amendment 254 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Insists that binding instruments are needed in EU trade policy to ensure that decent work standards, women’s rights, human rights principles and environmental protection are at the core of all types of EU trade agreements and that EU trade policy is coherent with the Union’s overarching aims of sustainable development, poverty reduction and gender equality;
Amendment 258 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Commission to reinforce corporate social responsibility and due diligence mechanisms in free trade agreements with a focus on upholding human rights and their social, labour, gender and environmental aspects;
Amendment 261 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stresses the importance of implementation, enforcement or transposition of already existing legislation at regional, national and international levels;
Amendment 263 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 278 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that trading commitments in EU agreements should never overrulego hand in hand with human rights, women’s rights or environmental concerns;
Amendment 294 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for the EU and the Member States to ensure that binding clauses on labour rights, based on the ILO Conventions, including Conventions No 189 on Domestic Workers and No 156 on Workers with Family Responsibilities, are included in trade agreements, and that social clauses in trade agreements also apply to informal work;
Amendment 310 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 318 #
2017/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Emphasises the need to enhance codes of conduct, labels and fair-trade schemes, and of ensuring alignment with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
Amendment 20 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas global value chains (GVCs) have become a key feature of today’s global economy; whereas, on the one hand, GVCs offer new prospects for growth, development and jobs, but on the other hand, their complex nature, lack of transparency and dilution of liabilities has in some cases led to a higher risk of human rights violations;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a global holistic approach to corporate liability for human rights abuses is needed in the context of GVCsocial responsibility is needed where all stakeholders have a role to play in mitigating the risks of violating human, labour and environmental rights;
Amendment 97 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that trade policy must ensureshall aim to provide leverage as well as creating a level playing field for European businesses andwhich facilitate upward convergence on standards; calls on the Commission to ensure coherence between the EU’s trade and industrial policies, and to promote the European reindustrialisation strategy and the transition towards a low- carbon economy;
Amendment 109 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to actively promote further reforms of the WTO in order to define and enforce multilateral rules for the sustainable managementto promote sustainability of GVCs;
Amendment 117 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the ongoing negotiations con a binding UN Treaty for Transnational Corporations and Human Rights;cerning the improvement of Human Rights at an UN level and calls for the EU to engage constructively in these negotiationdebates;
Amendment 129 #
2016/2301(INI)
5. Acknowledges the smart mix of regulatory and voluntary action, but recalls that voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) creates unfair competition for suppliers that have chosen to comply with international labour and environmental standards; reiterates its call for the systematic inclusion of binding and enforceable rules, associated sanctions, remediess and reiterates the call for the systematic inclusion of provisions on sustainable development supported by efficient and independent monitoring mechanisms;
Amendment 136 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Believes that an effective approach includes the active engagement with all stakeholders and with all parts of the supply chain. Furthermore, local governments should be encouraged to work with stakeholders and to arrive at viable solutions to mitigate the risk of human and labour rights violations; is convinced that the EU approach needs to build on, enhance, and bring together existing initiatives at both an EU and international level, as well as harnessing other policy tools in order to contribute to increasing efficiency over the long term;
Amendment 139 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Stresses the importance of implementation, enforcement or transposition of already existing legislation at regional, national and international levels;
Amendment 147 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the green card initiative launched by some national parliaments following the adoption of the French bill on MNCs’ duty of care; calls on the Commission to work on a legislative proposal for mandatory corporate due diligence for EU companies operating both in and outside the EU;
Amendment 170 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point a
Paragraph 9 – point a
a) implementing fully Parliament’s recommendations of 2010 and 2016 with respect to TSD chapters in FTAs, including by developing an upgraded TSD chapter model with binding and enforceable provisionss, more effective monitoring and implementation of these chapters is crucial;
Amendment 180 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point c
Paragraph 9 – point c
Amendment 204 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)
Subheading 4 a (new)
Creating more prominent role for private sector initiatives
Amendment 205 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Amendment 206 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Stresses the crucial role of consumer (and effects of bad publicity);no consumer wants continue buying products made by children, exploited men and women or products that caused major environmental damage;
Amendment 207 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Calls on the European Commission to find new ways how to support private sector efforts to make global value chains more sustainable, to develop inclusive business models and related private sector multi- stakeholder partnerships;
Amendment 208 #
Amendment 209 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Emphasises that smart mix between private and public funding is needed to promote sustainable global value chains: this should build on the existing structures and programmes that have proven successful in promoting responsible business conduct.
Amendment 217 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls the EU to work towards the introduction of a mandatory ‘social and environmental traceability’ labelling system along the entire production chain for products sold on the EU market, in compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement;
Amendment 246 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Deplores the fact that gender is not mentionedHighlights the necessity of introducing a gender perspective and focusing on women empowerment in particular in the Trade for All strategy; calls on the Commission to ensure that gender perspective is included and mainstreamed in trade policy, the Aid for Trade strategy, and all future FTAs and impact assessments; calls on the Commission to collect gender- disaggregated data and take gender into account in GVC analysis;
Amendment 266 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
Amendment 271 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that GVCs are an opportunity for firms in developing countries to develop a link withUnderlines the contribution of sustainable global value chains to the prosperity of developing countries and their integration in the global economy; stresses that complementary policies and accompanying measures are key to making this a reality;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that climate change is creating new opportunities for the economic development of the Arctic through the potential exploitation of energy resources such as oil andas the Arctic is reckoned to hold around 15 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil resources and 30 percent of those in natural gas, the creation of new shipping routes and infrastructure as well as the intensification of tourism activities, which would boost trade with, and investment in, the area over the long turn;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that any current and new economic activity should be carried out in a sustainable way in order not to undermine the Arctic’s natural heritage and ecosystems and with full respect for the Indigenous communities;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. TStresses the rising interest of China for Arctic region especially in the access to shipping routes and in its energy resources, takes note of the conclusion of a free trade agreement between Iceland and China, and will monitor closely the effects it may have on the sustainable economic development not only of the Icelandic side of the Arctic but also on the EU internal market;
Amendment 39 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 46 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Recalls the partial freeze in relations between the EU and Russia over the last two years; stresses however that the EU-Russia dialogue on the Arctic is still open in the areas of environmental management and scientific cooperation.
Amendment 8 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses the key role palm oil production plays in the economies of palm-oil producing developing countries, both as a valuable source of income and employment;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Calls for assisting palm-oil producing countries in the elaboration and enforcement of relevant domestic policies and regulations aiming at minimising the impact of the industry on deforestation, ecosystem and natural heritage;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Recalls that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil, with an estimated 85-90 % of global production and welcomes that Malaysian primary forest levels have increased since 1990, but remains concerned that current deforestation levels in Indonesia are running at a rate of -0.5% total loss every five years;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 24 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses the importance of improving production conditions of palm oil through supporting existing certification systems, ensuring that they are easily accessible for SMEs and understandable for consumers confirming that the palm oil in question has been produced in line with sustainability guideline, including the requirement that the product is effectively and transparently traceable throughout the entire supply chain;
Amendment 41 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 60 #
2016/2222(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned that many land deals breach the principle of local communities’ free, prior and informed consent; calls for the EU and its Member States to ensure that EU-based investors adhere fully to international standards on responsible investment in agriculture, and to take steps to ensure access to remedy for victims of corporate abuses.
Amendment 6 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 14 April 2016 of the European Parliament on 'The Private Sector and Development'15a , _________________ 15a Texts adopted, (P8_TA(2016)0137).
Amendment 8 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Directive 2014/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups,
Amendment 21 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas economic development should go hand-in-hand with social justiceis key to developing self-sustaining societies; whereas the complexity and fragmentation of global value chains (GVCs) underline the need for complementary policies and flanking measures to avoid, address and mitigate their potential adverse impacts and to ensure victims of human rights violations have an effective access to remedydoes not facilitate effective access to justice and compensation for potential victims of corporate abuse;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas economic development should go hand-in-hand with social justiceprogress; whereas the complexity and fragmentation of global value chains (GVCs) underline the need for complementary policies and flanking measures to avoid, address and mitigate their potential adverse impacts and to ensure victims of human rights violations have an effective access to remedy;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. highlights the important role of garment sector as a driver of labour- intensive development for emerging economies, especially Asia's emerging markets;
Amendment 36 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas strong performance of garment exports, especially in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia is set to continue;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas most human rights violations in the garment sector are labour- rights related and include the denial of workers fundamental right to joirelated to the lack or absence of knowledge of their rights by workers; whereas women wor form a union of their choosing and bargain collectively in good faithkers are predominant in low-skilled positions and underrepresented in middle- management positions; whereas this has led to widespread labour rights violations ranging from poverty wages, wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and sexual harassment, to precarious work;
Amendment 39 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas most human labour-rights violations in the garment sector are labour-rights related and include the denial of workers fundamental right to join or form a union of their choosing and bargain collectively in good faith; whereas this has led to widespreaseveral tragic events and labour rights violations ranging from poverty wages, wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and sexual harassment, to precarious work;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas a number of promising initiatives led by the private sector, such as codes of conduct, labels, self-assessments and social audits, have not proven to be at all effectivecontributed positively to improving supply chain standards over the last 20 years in terms of increasing workers’ rights in the garment supply chain;
Amendment 57 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the specific characteristics of the garment sector value chains, such as geographically dispersed stages of the production process, low prices, short lead times, subcontracting and short-term buyer-supplier relationships are conducive to reducing visibility and transparency over an enterprise’'s supply chain and to inc; whereas ing the risks of human rights and labour abusesternational companies should positively contribute to the social and of environmental damagewell-being of developing countries; whereas transparency is a prerequisite for a company’'s accountability and responsible consumption; whereas the consumer has the right to know where a piece of clothing was produced, and in which social and environmental conditionsshould have access to information regarding the social and environmental conditions involving the production of a piece of clothing;
Amendment 65 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas women’s rights are a constitutive part of human rights; whereas gender equality falls within the scope of the chapters of trade agreements on sustainable development; whereas the specific impact of trade and investment agreements affects women and men differently owing to structural gender inequalities, and whereas sustainable and inclusive development, growth and trade agreements must includeshould respect human rights, including from a gender perspective;
Amendment 70 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas an estimated 60-70 % of employees in the ready-made garment sector are young, mostly low-skilled female workers; many are just children, whereas low wages, coupled with low if any social protection make these women particularly vulnerable to exploitation; whereas a gender perspective and specific measures on women's empowerment is largely missing in the ongoing sustainability initiatives;
Amendment 72 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas the private sector plays an essential role in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in developing countries; whereas the economy of some developing countries depends on the garment industry; whereas the expansion of this industry has allowed many workers to move from informal economy to the formal sector;
Amendment 74 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas employment of women in the garment sector in developing countries contributes significantly to the household income and poverty reduction;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the garment sector is the sector which has the most sustainability initiatives in progress; whereas few existing initiatives reach the scale needed to make a significant impact;
Amendment 93 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the Commission to be committed to promoting binding and non- negotiable human rights and social and environmental clauses in the negotiation of international agreements; regrets that current human rights clauses in free trade agreements and other economic partnership agreements are usually not respected;
Amendment 99 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. AcknowledgWelcomes the increasing attention given to promoting good working conditions through global supply chains following the Rana Plaza factory collapse, the introduction of the draft French law on mandatory due diligence, the UK anti- slavery bill, and the statement made by President Juncker at the G7 Summit in favour of ‘urgent action’ to improve responsibility in global supply chains; acknowledges the Commission’s commitment towards responsible management of supply chains, including in the garment sector, as outlined in the Communication entitled ‘Trade for All’; welcomes the green card initiative in which eight Member States have called for a duty of care by EU-based companies towards individuals and communities whose human rights and local environment are affected by the companies’ activities;
Amendment 106 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposals on bindingoosting industry capacity to implement due diligence obligations for supply chains in the garment sector aligned with OECD guidelines and internationally agreed standards on human rights and social and environmental standards; this proposal should focus on the core problems garment workers face (occupational health and safety, a living wage, child labor, freedom of association, sexual harassment and violence) and should address the following matters: key criteria for sustainable production, transparency and traceability, including collection of data and tools for consumer information, due diligence checks and auditing, access to remedy; gender equality, supply-chain due diligence reporting; awareness raising; notes, however, with concern that a lot more needs to be done and urges the Commission to take further actions which have a direct impact on workers’ lives;
Amendment 107 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal on bidemanding due diligence obligations for supply chains in the garment sector alignedthat all enterprises which operate in developing countries through supply chains in the garment sector provide a level of transparency in accordance with OECD gGuidelines and internationally agreed standards on human rights andfor Multinational Enterprises in terms of respecting human rights, positively contributing to the social and environmental well-being of developing countries and abiding by social and environmental standards; this proposal should focus on the core problems garment workers face (occupational health and safety, a living wage, freedom of association, sexual harassment and violence) and should address the following matters: key criteria for sustainable production, transparency and traceability, including collection of data and tools for consumer information, due diligence checks and auditing, access to remedy; gender equality, supply-chain due diligence reporting;, awareness raising; notes, however, with concern that a lot more needs to be done and urgesthat the Commission toshould take further actions which havto encourage a dfairect impact on workers’ livr, more ethical garment industry recognising the essential growth opportunity it provides;
Amendment 117 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 123 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls on the Commission to reinforce corporate social responsibility initiatives and due diligence across the production chain with a focus on upholding human rights and their social, labour and environmental aspects;
Amendment 131 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Reiterates its commitment to gender equality and women empowerment; underlines the need to promote access to leadership positions of women by supporting training of female workers about their rights, labour legislation and safety and health issues, as well as training of male managers on gender equality and discrimination;
Amendment 132 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses the importance of implementation, enforcement or transposition of already existing legislation at regional, national and international levels;
Amendment 133 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Points out that coordination, sharing information and exchange of best practices may contribute to increasing efficiency of private and public value chain initiatives and achieve positive results on sustainable development;
Amendment 136 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Commission to deliver on its objective to foster improvements in the ready-made garment sector, including through a strong gender focus; calls on the Commission to make gender equalitywomen empowerment a central focus of its flagship legislative initiative;
Amendment 147 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises the need to enhance codes of conduct, labels and fair trade schemes, and of ensuring alignment with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the upcoming OECD due diligence guidance for the garment and footwear sector;
Amendment 162 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a mandatoryn effective reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countries; believes that responsibility should extend throughout the entire supply chain, including sub- contractors in the formal and informal economy, and commends existing efforts to this effect; believes, however, that the EU is best placed to develop a common framework through legislation on mandatory transnational due diligence and supply chain transparency and traceability;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2140(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a mandatory reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countries; believes that responsibility should extend throughout the entire supply chain, including sub- contractors in the formal and informal economy, and commends existing efforts to this effect; believes, however, that the EU is best placedshould cooperate with the private sector to develop a common framework through legislation on mandatoryon transnational due diligence and supply chain transparency and traceability consistent with the EU directive on non-financial reporting;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Official Development Assistance (ODA) can play a crucial role in delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular in low-income countries and in fighting extreme poverty and inequality, if it is better targeted and if it respects the principles of effective development cooperation, namely country ownership, strengthening local capacity, transparency and accountability, focus on results, and inclusiveness;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the private sector is becoming, alongside other traditional governmental and non-governmental development organisations, a true partner in our development strategies-in achieving inclusive and sustainable development;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas it is essential for aid effectiveness that recipient countries apply in parallel pro-growth economic policies introducing market economy mechanisms, mobilisation of private capital, land reforms and open progressively their markets to global competition;
Amendment 22 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas countries such as China, Brazil, Turkey and India play an increasingly important role as emerging donors and for the transfer of development expertise and technology, not least thanks to their own recent and current development experience; whereas their engagement with more traditional donors in the promotion of global public goods and their participation in the GPEDC can be enhanced;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas-donor driven aid agendas risk undermining the ownership and sustainability of development assistance, burden ineffective institutions, distort markets, increase dependency and past progress on alignment;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas there is an increased use of results frameworks for measuring the achievements of development cooperation programmes, but the full ownership and use of those frameworkstransparency on use of aid by developing countries remains a persistent challenge;
Amendment 40 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas development effectiveness, understood as the effective use of all means and resources geared towards development, depends not only on aid donors but alsoespecially on recipient countries, on the existence of effective and responsive institutions, sound policies, the rule of law, inclusive democratic governance, and safeguards against corruption within developing countries and illicit financial flows at international level; whereas the GPEDC should play an increased role in facilitating and promoting progress on the above determinants for development;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas fragmentation of aid remains a persistent challenge due to proliferation of donors and aid agencies and lack of coordination of their activities and projects;
Amendment 44 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M b (new)
Recital M b (new)
Mb. whereas the development landscape is increasingly heterogeneous, with more poor people living in middle- income countries than in low income countries and whereas at the same time, development challenges have changed in nature, with the emergence of new global challenges such as migration, food security, peace and stability and climate change;
Amendment 91 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the role in development of citizens, local communities, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs) and elected representatives, and stresses that all these actors need to be involved in furthering and implementing the effectiveness agenda at various levels; believes that their effective contribution requires their participatory involvement in planning, mutual accountability and transparency, monitoring and evaluation and that donors should improve predictability and speediness when working with these actors as implementing partners;
Amendment 97 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls its request29 to codify and strengthen the mechanisms and practices for ensuring better complementarity and effective coordination of development aid among EU Member States and institutions, while ensuring policy coherence for development, providing clear and enforceable rules for ensuring democratic domestic ownership, harmonisation, alignment with country strategies and systems, predictability of funds, reducing management costs, better distribution of aid among and within partner countries, transparency and mutual accountability; asks the Commission to provide information on the absence of follow-up on this request and to state what alternative measures it has taken or intends to take in this regard; __________________ 29 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0558 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0558
Amendment 103 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop new initiatives to explore triangular cooperation flagship projects, involving new emerging donors and other middle-income countries, based on tackling global challenges of mutual interest, without losing the perspective of eradicating poverty;
Amendment 109 #
2016/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that it is essential to mobilize further resources for development and partner with the -private sector in particular, as such loan blending facilities and public private partnerships offer new opportunities for EU development policy and its effectiveness;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 9 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Strongly supports the ambition of the Commission to overcome the investment gap and strengthen the incentives in the private sector to invest in and boost the sustainable growth of the European economies; for this reason, however, firmly opposes the activities of the EFSI that undermine these goals and are not a solution but rather part of the problem;1a __________________ 1a As of July 2016, the EFSI approvals ensured 37% of its original goal of €315 billion in the new investments (289 approved transactions in total). Some say the existence of these investments is a success of its own, as they would not have existed without the fund. This statement is a mistake that indicates lack of economic understanding.
Amendment 10 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Amendment 11 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Reminds that in principle, there are little differences between the EFSI and standard European funds; believes that the main difference is in the extent of support - while standard European funds finance most of the costs of the supported projects, the EFSI provides a loan for the part of the project; thus, EFSI can support more projects for less taxpayers' money but only in the cost of dead-weight loss, shifting of resources and moral hazard;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Acknowledges the dead-weight loss; reminds that EFSI supported financing of Normandy Dairy Production Facility and Polish milk powder factory while there is a general excess capacity in the diary production; reminds also that the same applies for the EFSI support of the wind farms while there are excess capacities for the electricity production in Europe; believes that EFSI must stop financing ordinary projects which deforms standard market competition; 1c __________________ 1cThe EIB declares that the EFSI “remains focused on the specific objective of addressing the market failure in risk- taking, which hinders the investment in Europe. In doing so, the EFSI will also increase the volume of high risk projects supported by the EIB Group.” The EFSI also finances a Slovak PPP project; a construction of approximately 27 km of the D4 motorway around Bratislava, which is to connect to the R7 expressway (outside the scope of EIB financing). Paradoxically, while the contribution to the transport capacity of the D4 remains controversial, the more necessary R7 will not receive an EFSI funding. Moreover, there is no reason to assume this D4 PPP project would not find sufficient funding without a help from the EFSI.
Amendment 13 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 19 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with interestWelcomes the proposal Commission President Juncker made during his 2016 State of the Union address to give the EFSI an external element in order to mobilise between EUR 44 and 88 billion in investments in Africa and the Neighbourhood acknowledging so the private sector as a true partner in our development strategies; stresses that these investments should not take the place of existing investments, must comply with the additionality principle in respect to projects that are already being financed and should be targeted towards risky and, where possible, small-scale projects; emphasizes the necessary connection that must be introduced between development and migration, including the link with areas such as return and readmission support;
Amendment 20 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 28 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes the view that tools of that kind should be compatible with the principles and objectives of EU external action as set out under Article 21 TEU and Article 208 TFEU, and that compliance with those principles should be one oftogether with achieved results among the most important criteria in the assessment of the efficiency of the EFSI in reports on its implementation; stresses that the future exterior EFSI should tackle the underlying causes of migrationencourage private investment in Africa and Neighbourhood countries in order to contribute to tackle the root causes of fragility and migration - deteriorating economic situation and extreme poverty.
Amendment 32 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges that moral hazard shall not be overlooked; stresses that even partial loses of the investments supported by EFSI can cause 100% loss of the European taxpayers money due to high level of leverage the EFSI uses; stresses also that taxpayers unwillingly bear the risks of the failed investments;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 40 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that profitability of projects cannot be counted simply by looking at the cash flows; stresses that, in addition to adjustments for lost income from alternative use of the resources (e.g. what would happen if the resources were never taken from the hands of the taxpayers), the investment risk calculation must be considered as well; believes that, since risk is what seems to be one the main reasons for the lack of private investments in the EU, its inclusion can throw many EFSI projects into red numbers;4a __________________ 4a The profitability of the investments approved by the EFSI should not be compared to the situation where no other investments are made by the private sector. Instead, the profitability of the EFSI should be compared to an alternative scenario in which the public sector eliminates the investment uncertainty it created and which caused the investment gap in the first place: deficit public spending; failure of the regulatory role of the banking system; and bureaucratic, regulatory and tax burden it forced on private investors. These are the key issues that have not yet been addressed.
Amendment 41 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 45 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Acknowledges that the most important effect of EFSI activities is shifting of resources as every euro the EFSI lends for the investments it supports is a euro that was taken from the hands of a private lender; stresses that, if a private entrepreneur makes an investment that EFSI is willing to support, he will not realize an investment that he could otherwise accomplish without the help from EFSI;5a __________________ 5aEvery investment inevitably carries a level of risk and therefore investing is a natural role for the private sector. When people invest their own capital, they carefully consider potential profits and losses of their investments as well as the credibility of the borrower. Risks (and thus both profits and losses) stay in private hands. If the EFSI applies high standards set by professional investors from the private sector, there will be no reason for its existence, as its role will already be fulfilled by the private sector. The very existence of the EFSI is therefore problematic: the EFSI uses public resources to incite investments that are too risky for private lenders to take, while the private sector and taxpayers bear the risks of failing EFSI investments.
Amendment 47 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 52 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines that the EFSI shifts the capital from the market-driven projects where they would be most effective to the projects driven by the EFSI bureaucrats where they are less effective; underlines that economy as a whole therefore loses;6a __________________ 6aThe EFSI is an entity that does not solve the causes of the investment gap, but rather shifts the risks that private lenders are not willing to take to all European taxpayers. The resources of the Public sector are solely those it has obtained in taxes from the Private sector. Every public euro used for the activities of the EFSI is therefore missed in the private sector, which makes the situation for the future of private investments even worse.
Amendment 53 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Acknowledges that EFSI enables avoiding fiscal rules; stresses that national contributions to EFSI are considered one-off measures, respectively a "relevant factor" in terms of assessing the deficit; as a result, stresses that several countries struggling with fiscal problems including the ones with public debt exceeding 60% GDP cap rule or 3% GDP deficit rule pledged billions of euros in contributions on EFSI projects;
Amendment 57 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 63 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recommends to reject the Commission proposal to extend the EFSI beyond 2018 and to stop providing any further loans from the EFSI.
Amendment 4 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that energy is a basic human good and that the EU must combatessential for economic activity and industrial competitiveness and that any EU energy policy secure as first principles the need to ensure stable, secure and predictable access to energy povertyfor all;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that trade plays a key role in energy security, and that strong energy partnerships, reinforced by the inclusion of energy chapters in the EU’s trade agreements, are essential tools; considers it to be of key importance that the EU’s trade agreements enhance the EU’s energy diversification and reduce its dependence on imported energy from too few suppliers by creating new market access opportunities in energy resources and products both via established long term partners and with new and prospective countries in areas such as, but not limited to, Central Asia, North Africa and the Americas; calls for greater coherence between the EU’s trade and energy policies;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that trade plays a key role in energy security, and that strong energy partnerships, reinforced by the inclusion of energy chapters in the EU’s trade agreements, are essential tools; considers it to be of key importance that the EU’s trade agreements enhance the EU Member States’s energy diversification and reduce itstheir dependence on imported energy from too few suppliers;
Amendment 28 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need to ensure the highest environmental standards in the planning, construction and use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as in the exploitation of indigenous reserves and sources;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that in order to promote the transition towards a low-carbon society, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but underlines that in the short to medium term citizens and businesses of EU Member States will continue largely to rely on traditional elements in the energy mix;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that in order to promote the transition towards a low-carbon society, weEU Member States’ need to reduce outheir dependence on fossil fuels;
Amendment 41 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that it is estimated that gas imports to the EUEU Member States will rise until 2030, even if gas demand within the EUEU Member States simultaneously stays stagnant or declines; stresses that moderating energy demand and promoting renewable and local energy sources are among the most effective tools for reducing dependence on external energy; recalls that the EUEU Member States hasve significant LNG import excess capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that it is estimated that gas imports to the EU will rise until 2030, even if gas demand within the EU simultaneously stays stagnant or declines; stresses that moderating energy demand and, promoting renewable and local energy sources and energy efficiency are among the most effective tools for reducing dependence on external energy; recalls that the EU has significant LNG import excess capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers that trade policy generating significant opportunities for EU Member States’ private and public companies in clean, secure and efficient energy technologies is particularly important, especially in light of the growing global energy demand, calls for significant tariffs reductions on clean technologies within the Green Goods initiative and also within EU FTAs, which must tackle non-tariff barriers to trade in energy sources;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for an effective post-Cotonou framework adapted to global challenges, based on ownership by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals; stresses that a revised general framework agreement, together with the regional Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and other trade instruments, must support fair and sustainable trade and, ultimately, wealth creation, sustainable development and poverty reduction; emphasises that EPAs will also be essential in promoting regional economic integration;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are a key development instrument for helping alleviate poverty in the long run; stresses however that trade liberalisation must be accompanied by effective measures and development support in terms of capacity building, production, infrastructure and export capacity and domestic private sector development especially for the least developed countries- in order to help take advantage of the opportunities offered by trade;
Amendment 26 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the post-Cotonou process should offer a framework within which to discuss trade issues with all the ACP countries; calls for a strengthening of trade cooperation and encouraging systemic economic reforms, with a values and results -driven approach and improved Policy Coherence for Development; believes that inclusive growth, job creation, the development involvement of the private sector, development of public-private partnerships and regional integration must be central in a future economic partnership;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for strong, legally binding sustainable development provisions; asks for the human rights 'essential elements' clause to remain in the future agreement so that the linkage clauses in the EPAs continue to function after 2020;
Amendment 57 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the Financing for Development commitments; calls for the EU to ensure more and effective funding for Aid for Trade to support the ACP countries’' efforts to move up the global value chain and progressively integrate into the world economy, notes, however, that without serious efforts by the countries directly concerned and improvements in good governance, transparency and fight against corruption, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constraints.
Amendment 191 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)
Paragraph 60 b (new)
60 b. stresses that the Parliament and the Council, in order to create long term savings in the Union budget, must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as requested by the large majority of this Parliament in several resolutions;
Amendment 25 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to clarify the circumstances in which significant distortions affecting to a considerable extent free market forces may be deemed to exist. In particular, it is appropriate to clarify that this situation may be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported prices or costs, including the costs of raw materials and other factors of production, are not the result of free market forces because they are affected by government intervention. It is further appropriate to clarify that in considering whether or not such a situation exists regard may be had, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms or other circumstances allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs;, including through the allocation of resources and decisions taken by enterprises, public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives. It is further appropriate to provide that the Commission services may issue a report describing the specific situation concerning these criteria in a certain country or a certain sector; that such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector; and that interested parties should have ample opportunity to comment on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used.
Amendment 32 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) It is further appropriate to recall that costs should normally be calculated on the basis of records kept by the exporter or producer under investigation. However, where there are significant distortions in the exporting country with the consequence that costs reflected in the records of the party concerned are artificially low, such costs may be adjusted or established on any reasonable basis, including information from other representative markets or from international prices or benchmarks. In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to further clarify that, for the purposes of applying the provisions introduced by this regulation, due account should be taken of all relevant evidence, including relevant assessment reports regarding the circumstances prevailing on the domestic market of the exporting producers and the evidence on which they are based, which has been placed on the file, and upon which interested parties have had an opportunity to comment. Indications as to the existence of significant distortions may also be proffered by Union industry. Such indications should be considered when deciding on producing or updating the relevant reports.
Amendment 47 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point a
(a) In case it is determined, when applying this provision or any other relevant provision of this Regulation, that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the exporting country due to the existence of significant distortions in the economy as a whole or in sectors of the economy, the normal value shall be constructed on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks. For this purpose, the sources that may be used include undistorted international prices, costs, or benchmarks, or corresponding costs of production and sale in an appropriate representative country with a similar level of economic development as the exporting country, provided the relevant cost data are readily available. T, including those of a Member State, provided the relevant data are readily available. The constructed normal value shall include an undistorted and a reasonable amount for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits. The existence of significant distortions in the economy as a whole or in a sector of the economy of the exporting country shall lead automatically to the use of undistorted international, third country or Union prices, costs or benchmark for each and every factor of production in the construction of the normal value. If exporting producers from a country or a sector in which there exist significant distortions conclusively demonstrate that the costs of one or more individual factors of production are not distorted for the industry as a whole, those costs shall be used in the construction of thed normal value shall include a reasonable amount for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits. The absence of distortions of the exporting producers' costs of a given factor and the reliability thereof shall be assessed, inter alia, by reference to the quantities involved, their proportion in relation to the total costs of that factor, and actual use in production. In order to allow the Commission to respect the overall procedural deadlines, and to respect the rights of defence of all stakeholders, the Commission shall set deadlines for the submission of evidence with regard to the various elements described above. In particular, further evidence can be accepted by the Commission after those deadlines only when it is possible to be properly and adequately verified by the Commission, and other parties would be able to have sufficient time to comment.
Amendment 72 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point b
(b) Significant distortions for the product concerned within the meaning of point (a) mayshall be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported prices or costs, including the costs of raw materials and other factors of production, are not the result of free market forces as they are affected by government intervention. In considering whether or not significant distortions exist regard mayshall be had, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms or other circumstances allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs, including through the allocation of resources and decisions taken by enterprises; public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives.
Amendment 94 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point c
(c) When appropriate, tThe Commission services mayshall issue a detailed report describing the specific situation concerning the criteria listed inmarket circumstances as per point (b) in a certain country or a certain sector. Such report and the evidence on which it is based mayshall be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector. Interested parties shall have ample opportunity to supplement, comment or rely on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. The determinations made shall take into account all of the relevant evidence on the fileas to the existence of significant distortions for a country or a sector shall take into account all of the relevant evidence on the file and shall be made definitely by the Commission no later than three months following the initiation of investigation.
Amendment 109 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point d
(d) The Union industry may rely on evidence in the report referred to in point (c) for the calculation of normal value when filing a complaint in accordance with Article 5 or a request for a review in accordance with Article 11 or in a request for an investigation in accordance with Article 12.
Amendment 148 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 23 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(5a) In Article 23, a new paragraph is inserted: 1a. The Commission shall include reporting on the implementation of the provisions of Article 2 and Article 11 in its annual report to the Parliament on its activities with regard to trade defence investigations and measures. Five years after the entry into force of the above provisions, the Commission shall review and report to the Parliament in detail specifically on the experience of implementation during that period.
Amendment 12 #
2016/0275(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) A new results-oriented partnership framework with third countries which takes account of all Union policies and instruments should be developed. As part of that new partnership framework, the External Investment Plan should be established in order to support investments in regions outside the Union, while contributing to inclusive and sustainable development, wealth creation and to the achievement of the sSustainable dDevelopment gGoals (SDGs). It should also fulfil the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the objectives pursued by the other financing instruments for external action.
Amendment 19 #
2016/0275(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The EIB should develop and implement a set of indicators in its Results Measurement framework for projects in the public sector and in the private sector directed to refugees and host communities. Therefore, an assessment of the contribution of EIB financing operations addressing root causes of migration should be included in the Commission's annual reporting to the European Parliament and to the Council on EIB financing operations; ensuring full accountability and transparency.
Amendment 21 #
2016/0275(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The list of eligible regions and countries and potentially eligible regions and countries should be designed in order to achieve the greatest development impact and modified in order to exclude high income countries with high credit rating (Brunei, Iceland, Israel, Singapore, Chile and South Korea). In addition, Iran is to be added to the list of potentially eligible regions and countries.
Amendment 25 #
2016/0275(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Decision No 466/2014/EU
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
To ensure that private sector investments have the greatest development impact, the EIB shall endeavour to strengthen the local private sector and contribute to creating favourable conditions for private enterprise and investment in beneficiary countries through support to local investment as provided for in point (a) of paragraph 1. EIB financing operations supporting the general objectives set out in paragraph 1 shall endeavour to also enhance its support to investment projects run by SMEs from the Union. EIB financing operations shall contribute to improving market access for SMEs in Union third country partner countries and their integration into global value chains and shall further contribute to enhancing Union companies’ internationalisation and competitiveness. In order to effectively monitor the use of funds for the benefit of the SMEs concerned, the EIB shall establish and maintain adequate contractual provisions imposing standard reporting obligations on both the financial intermediaries and the beneficiaries;
Amendment 31 #
2016/0275(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
Decision No 466/2014/EU
Article 5 – paragraph 8
Article 5 – paragraph 8
EIB financing operations supporting the general objectives set out in point (d) of paragraph 1 shall back investment projects that address root causes of the migration and contribute to long-term economic resilience and safeguard sustainable development in beneficiary countries. EIB financing operations shall, in particular, address increased needs for infrastructure and related services to cater for the migrants influx, and, energy and access to energy and telecommunications, but also tap the potential in sectors such as agriculture, green technologies, research and innovation and property rights. EIB shall provide support mechanisms for businesses, technical assistance and related services to boost employment opportunities for host and refugee communities to foster economic integration and enable refugees to become self-reliant.
Amendment 6 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that NGOs are vital change agents and human rights defenders with a central role in implementing Agenda 2030; given current humanitarian crises, underlines NGOs’ importance to humanitarian aid; condemns efforts to control NGOs through public funds;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that funding for NGOs must be dedicated to their diverse development and humanitarian projects, and that financial resources in bureaucratic and administrative processes should be significantly reduced;
Amendment 23 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. UStresses the vital importance of openness and transparency in the way NGOs use aid money and resources; urges the Commission to build a central database outlining NGO funding and results, in particular through real-time information on the internet, and to make any data secure that might endanger NGO actors secure;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for better coordination of NGOs’ activities in order to increase effectiveness of the response to humanitarian crises, to limit duplications of efforts and competition for resources;
Amendment 33 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Advises against the politicisation of NGOs and funding being diverted towards political campaigns, resulting in the prioritisation of public advocacy over the delivery of aid;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises that working with multiple donors increases administrative burdens; asks the Commission, therefore, to limit minimum percentage requirements in co-funding agreements, ensure that in-kind contributions are considered eligible, harmonise external evaluation requirements and make better use of existing evaluations;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that trade liberalisation is not positive, per se, in terms of reducing poverty and could have negative effects on sustainable development if it is not accompanied by re-distribution through fair and progressive tax systemsan efficient use of resources for development based on an honest regulatory environment and the protection of private property;
Amendment 22 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to take measures to prevent the potential negativmonitor the effects of mega trade dealand investments agreements, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), on developing countries;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission toStresses the importance of safeguarding the right of countries to regulate and preserve policy space in order to develop infant industries; urges the Commission to ensure that trade agreements and policies do not underminfurther encourage developing countries’ efforts to increase the domestic value added in order to upgrade along the global value chains;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 24 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctionsbureaucracy, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption andfor increased transparency, and for a truly private sector to develop in Iran;
Amendment 28 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU Member States and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran,; and that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverageconsiders rapid evidence of improvements to human rights and fundamental freedoms to be of upmost importance for a renewal of commercial and investment ties to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;
Amendment 35 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that some sectorsup to 70% of the Iranian economy are heavily controlled by the regimeis state controlled, potentially creating problems for EU Member State companies in Iran, and that increased trade could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals, on the condition of evidence of improvements to human rights, could enhance of the role of the private sector;
Amendment 39 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 50 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. RegretNotes that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commissionimportantly some US sanctions are not affected by the nuclear deal and will remain in place, in particular sanctions related to human rights abuses, support for terrorism and testing of ballistic missiles, and asks EU Member States to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;
Amendment 23 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that the Court of Auditors report adopted on 11.07.2014 states that the potential saving for the EU budget would be about 114 million EUR per year if the European Parliament centralised its activities; reiterates the call on Parliament and the Council to address, in order to create long term savings, the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as stated by Parliament in several previous resolutions;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the European Council Conclusions of 7/8th February 2013, its Conclusions on Trade of 21st November 2014 and the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 27th November 2015,
Amendment 12 #
2015/2105(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the importance of the potential contribution of trade policy to sustainable development was recently reaffirmed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;, recalls that the Sustainable Development Goals include several trade-related targets across a number of policy areas, one of the most concrete targets being aimed at increasing exports from developing countries with a view to doubling the least developed countries' (LCD) share of global exports by 2020;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas trade plays a powerful role in promoting business opportunities, creating prosperity and increasing employment as well as in driving economic development and social progress;
Amendment 27 #
2015/2105(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the advances made at the World Trade Organisation’s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade-distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs)), emphasises the need for a renewed commitment to inclusive multilateralism and to advancing the WTO's negotiating agenda, keeping development together with special and differential treatment at its core;
Amendment 27 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas new-generation trade policy needs to respond to people’s concernsaddress modern day trade issues, such as digital trade and the key role of SMEs; whereas new trade agreements should be open and transparent and respond to the needs of citizens, consumers and businesses; welcomes the European Commission's transparency initiative in this regard;
Amendment 31 #
2015/2105(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the rise of emerging economies which have become the main drivers of global economic growth; for the first time in history, developing countries as a whole account for more than half of world trade, which has contributed significantly to lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty;
Amendment 35 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas trade negotiations such as ACTA, TTIP, CETA and TiSA have brought European trade policy to the public’'s attention, and whereas more and more citizens are worried that European regulation and standards could be undermined by the CCP;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the EU’'s trade and investment policy must be bolstered not only by ensuring beneficial outcomes in terms of employment and wealth creation for citizens and businesses, but also by guaranteeing the highest level of transparency, engagement and accountability, by maintaining constant dialogue with businesses, consumers, social partners, stakeholders and local and regional authorities, and by setting clear guidelines in the negotiations;
Amendment 46 #
2015/2105(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are a key development instrument for helping to alleviate poverty in the long run; stresses, however, that their scope is still mainly limited to goods, and that expanding them to services and investment would considerably increase potential for growth, emphasizes that EPAs are equally essential in promoting regional economic integration;
Amendment 50 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas by 2050 the EU-28 willis projected to account for only 15 % of the world’'s GDP, down from 23.7 % in 2013, and whereas bysince 2015 90 % of world growth will beis generated outside Europe;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU is currently the largest trading bloc in the world, controlling a third of world trade, and whereas by 2020 this willis projected to decrease to about 26 %;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2105(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls that recent EU Free Trade Agreements systematically include provisions on trade and sustainable development in order to maximize the potential of increased trade and investment; welcomes in this respect the conclusion of the EU-Vietnam FTA which is the most ambitious and comprehensive FTA that the EU has ever concluded with a developing country;
Amendment 57 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas other variables such as demographic changes will also have a negative impact on the EU’'s position on the world trade scene; whereas the EU’'s share of the world’'s population is expected to decrease from 7.1 % in 2013 to 5.3 % in 2060; whereas increasing life expectancy coupled to increasing dependency ratios (estimated to increase from 28.8 per 100 people to 49.4 per 100 people in 2050) will present new challenges in maintaining economic growth and social expenditures;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the percentage of world trade made up of intermediate goods is nearly 60% of the share of world imports and close to 75% of the imports of large developing countries, such as Brazil and China;
Amendment 60 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas it has been estimated that cross border flows of capital, goods, services and data added an extra $7.8tn to the global economy in 2014, with the added value of data flows alone covering $2.8tn of that total, more than the $2.7tn estimated for trade in goods;
Amendment 61 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Adapting faster to quickly changing trends in global trade patterns
Amendment 67 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) Believes firmly that any future trade policy must, as core principles, fight all forms of protectionism, notably the reduction of unnecessary non-tariff barriers to trade, ensure new market access for goods, services and procurement, especially for SMEs, promote investment as well as ensuring suitable investment protection provisions, promote high standards of IPR protections, secure new access to raw materials and energy resources , promote regulatory cooperation and raise global standards;
Amendment 72 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the fact that the new strategy is not sufficiently focused on the rolBelieves strongly that while services account for 70% of European economic activity, and will provide 90% of future jobs, that the importance of the EU manufacturing sector in the CCP, which is vital for the reindustrialismust in no way be overlooked in the formulation of Europethe CCP;
Amendment 80 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to regularly update its trade and investment strategy and to publicly present a detailed annual implementation report to Parliament by 31st March of each calendar year;
Amendment 89 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission’'s attempts to increase transparency and openness at all stages of trade negotiations, such as the Commission’'s TTIP transparency initiative; acknowledges that, after a number of requests from Parliament, the Commission enhanced the transparency of negotiations by providing all Members of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments access to classified negotiating documents and providing more information to stakeholders; recalls that enlarged access to classified information by Members of Parliament in the TTIP negotiations has strengthened parliamentary scrutiny, thereby allowing Parliament to assume its responsibility under the CCP even better; callasks therefore for a wid Commission to consider extending of the Commission’its transparency initiative to extend its key elements to all ongoing trade negotiationsall ongoing and future trade negotiations, and to consult with partner countries with a view to encouraging the highest standards of transparency;
Amendment 93 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Council to publish all existing and future negotiating mandates as soon as they are adoptedis feasibly possible;
Amendment 101 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the CCP is to be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union’'s external action as set out in Article 21 TEU; recalls that the EU’'s trade and investment policy must be consistent with other external policies; stresses that the EU has a legal obligation to respect human rights, and should foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of trading countries; points out that in some cases trade and investment agreements may have negative effects contrary to the EU’s external objectives as enshrined in the Treaties; is of the opinion that the EU has a responsibility to help tackle any negative impact caused by its CCP;
Amendment 109 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 7 – point 1 (new)
(1) Welcomes the large decrease in the number of people living in absolute poverty since 1990, as defined by the World Bank, notes however, that more needs to be done to catalyse both private and public investment in LDCs to provide the institutional and infrastructural frameworks that will allow LDCs to take better advantage of the benefits offered by trade by helping diversify their economies and integrate into global value chains, permitting them to specialise in higher value added products;
Amendment 118 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers migration to be one of the main challenges the EU is facing in the 21st century; emphasises that the EU’s trade and investment policy choices are fundamental in order to tackle migration; regrets that this has not been sufficiently reflected in the ‘Trade for All’ strategy;
Amendment 120 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)
(1) Stresses that open trade contributes to wealth creation in developing countries; recalls that there is an evident connection between wealth creation and prosperity and improvement in human rights, social rights and environmental protection over the long run;
Amendment 124 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that provisions on human rights and social and environmental standards, and a binding chapter on labour rights based on the ILO’'s core labour rights and corporate social responsibility (CSR), must form an essential part of EU trade agreements9 [1]; calls on the Commission to include sustainable development chapters that are not only legally binding but also enforceable in all EU trade and investment agreements; __________________ 9in EU trade and investment agreements; believes that these chapters must progressively reflect the levels of development of trading partners as requested by them while taking into account the specific capacity limitations of the least developed countries; [1] OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. __________________ 9 OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31.
Amendment 133 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of effective safeguard mechanisms in trade agreements; calls at the same timeCalls for the inclusion of an effective enforcement mechanisms for labourthe trade and einvironmental rights to which the human rights clause does not apply; calls for a mechanism according to which civil society representatives, as well as Members of the European Parliament, are able to request that the Commission commence an investigation into violations by a third party of its obligations under an essential elements clauseestment provisions of agreements, as well as, where appropriate, certain safeguard mechanisms to prevent sudden surges in imports from causing undue harm to industry;
Amendment 139 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the importance of Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) and the involvement of civil society in free trade agreements (FTAs); calls for the further strengthening of the work of DAGs; stresses that they should be fully independent; calls on the Commission to take measures to improve the work of DAGs such as providing financial resources, prior informationcivil society in the process of monitoring the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) and the possibility of using more advanced media in order to facilitate civil society participation;
Amendment 158 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. AcknowledgWelcomes that the internationalisation of the world’'s production system has resulted in new openings for economic development and an employment-based path out of poverty for hundreds of millions of people; recalls that, while economic growth pulled 669m people out of poverty between 2001 to 2011 and the percentage of the global population living on $2 or less per day was cut in half from 29% to 15%, that according to the ILO, around 780 million active women and men are notmain unable to earning enough to be lifted out of poverty; underlines that the expansion of GVCs has created job opportunities but that the weak enforcement of existing labour laws and occupational safety standards in sourcing countries remains a pressing issue to protect workers from exhaustive working hours and unacceptable conditions; notes that it has also propelled some supplier firms to ignore labour laws, engage workers in unsafe and unacceptable conditions, demand exhaustive working hours and deny workers their fundamental rights; recalls that these practices create unfair competition for suppliers that are compliant with labour laws and international labour standards and for governments that want to improve wages and living standards; calls on the Commission topromote the improvement of conditions in GVCs; emphasises that the EU’'s further integration into GVCs must be driven by the dual principles of safeguarding the European social and regulatory model and securing and creating sustainable growth and jobs in the EU and for its partners without misusing the legitimate demand for responsibility measures in international commerce for protectionist means to shield the European market from imports;
Amendment 163 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 14 – point 1 (new)
(1) Recognises that given the global nature of supply chains, the multilateral level is the optimal platform from which to increase standards directed at promoting an effective implementation of existing international guidelines and initiatives, involving all stakeholders; notes the non-mandatory industry approaches that are already contributing positively to improving supply chain standards that should also be considered within this context;
Amendment 168 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that trade policy must ensure a transparent production process throughout the value chain, as well as compliance with fundamental environment, social, and safety standards; stresses the need for mandatory due diligence throughout the supply chain; welcomes the Commission’'s desire to work closely with the ILO and the OECD to develop a global approach to improving working conditions in the garment sector; underlines the importance of identifying and assessing new sectoral or geographic opportunities for additional responsible supply chain partnerships; looks forward to the Commission’'s upcoming communication on CSR;
Amendment 171 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 15 – point 1 (new)
(1) Stresses the importance of high animal welfare standards to EU citizens; calls on the Commission to ensure that live farm animals that are exported to third countries are transported in accordance with EU law on animal welfare;
Amendment 197 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to improve the quality of both ex-ante and ex- post assessments; stresses the need to always submit a deep sustainability impact assessment, including on human, social and environmental rights, for anymajor trade policy initiative; expresses its concern at the lack of interim and ex-post assessments and that the quality of the existing ones is very low, as demonstrated in the European Court of Auditors Special Report 02/2014s; insists that high-quality interim and ex- post evaluations be carried out in respect of all trade agreements in order to allow policymakers, stakeholders and European taxpayers to assess whether trade agreements have achieved the intended results; asks the Commission to provide data on the impact of the trade agreements which have been concluded with special regard to SMEs and the creation of jobs;
Amendment 205 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 21 – point 1 (new)
(1) Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Trade Facilitation Agreement which will contribute to simplifying and modernising customs procedures in many countries, making it easier in turn for developing countries to integrate into the global trading system; calls for the swift and correct implementation of the agreement by all parties.
Amendment 210 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that improvements were achieved at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in 2015; recognises the differences among WTO members on how to proceed as regards the Doha Round, including the need to consider new approaches to solve outstanding issues; welcomes the interest of some WTO members in starting to address new negotiating areas such as, but not limited to, investment, digital trade, state owned enterprises and competition; believes that the outcome of the Nairobi Ministerial Conference provides an opportunity to give new life to the WTO’'s negotiating function; urges the Commission to take the initiative in reforming and strengthening the WTO in order to ensure greater effectiveness, transparency and accountability;
Amendment 214 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. ConsidersWelcomes ongoing plurilateral negotiations within the WTO such as the Information Technology Agreement and, the Environmental Goods Agreements to be the second-best optionand the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA); believes firmly that where possible, these agreements must be of sufficient ambition to be applied on a most favoured nation basis among all WTO Members and should act as building blocks for future multilateral agreements; emphasises that trade policy should also be used as a tool for increasing the competiveness of environmentally beneficial products; stresses the importance of multilateralising the ‘'green goods’' initiative and of considering whether bilateral or unilateral trade agreements could provide premium preferences for environmental goods;
Amendment 231 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to focus in a balanced way on the conclusion of the ongoing trade negotiations, and to show the potential benefits of the concluded trade agreements before launching new FTA negotiations; reminds the Commission to carry out a thorough, impartial and unprejudiced ex-ante evaluation of scoping exercises and impact assessments, taking into account European interests, before deciding on future FTA partners and negotiation mandateadopting draft negotiation mandates with future FTA partners;
Amendment 233 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 25 – point 1 (new)
(1) Believes that it is essential first and foremost to ensure that trade negotiations that have been successfully concluded are ratified as swiftly as possible. Calls in particular for the conclusion of deals with Canada and Singapore to ensure the opening up of two large markets that will be vital for the future interests of EU businesses. Calls for an informed debate across Europe during political discussions as votes take place in the European Parliament and in national legislatures;
Amendment 249 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines, in the context of the current talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the EU- Japan FTA, the high importance of focusing on core soffensitive issues such as the protection of geographical indications (GIs)that go beyond tariff elimination such as regulatory cooperation and good regulatory practices, the protection of geographical indications (GIs), the integration of SMEs in global value chains and public procurement when negotiating FTAs;
Amendment 259 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Insists that trade negotiations follow a tailor-made regional trade strategy, in particular vis-à-vis Asia, Africa and Latin America, which have been identified by the Commission as crucial regions for European economic interests; recalls that Europe and Latin America are natural allies with a combined population of one billion people generating a quarter of global GNP; points out that the potential of this partnership has been insufficiently exploited; welcomes the fact that the Commission’'s new trade and investment strategy puts a key focus on Latin America and calls on the European Commission to take advantage of the current momentum in Mercosur countries, notably in Argentina, so as to unblock the EU- MERCOSUR trade negotiations in order to reach a comprehensive and ambitious agreement; supports the modernisation of the agreements with Mexico and Chile and to consider the possibility in the medium term of a region to region deal between the EU and the Pacific Alliance;
Amendment 266 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 27 – point 1 (new)
(1) Calls on the Commission to deepen the trade and economic integration of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, while taking into account the specific ambition of partner countries, supports in this regard all measures to support the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia, including the Tunisian request to conclude an economic integration agreement;
Amendment 267 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission to start negotiations as early as possible for an investment agreement with Taiwan in parallel with the one with China; underlines that, in the context of the migration challenges, special focus should be put on the post-Cotonou framework; asks for further impetus to be given to negotiating FTAs with both Australia and New Zealand in parallel; urges the Commission to re-energise negotiations with Malaysia and to start negotiations with Indonesia as soon as possible following the conclusion of preparatory discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership;
Amendment 311 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10
Subheading 10
Opening up of new market opportunities for EU service providers and recognition of professional qualifications as an essential element of the EU trade strategy
Amendment 316 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Recalls that the EU plays a leading role in the services sector, which accounts not only for over 70% of economic activity in the EU but also 90% of new job creation, and that the EU is the largest exporter of services worldwide; stresses that the opening up of new market opportunities must be an essential element of the EU’'s international trade strategy; stresses and that including services in as many sectors as possible in trade agreements is of the utmost importance, as it gives opportunities to European companies and domestic employees;
Amendment 317 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 34 – point 1 (new)
(1) Requests that the Commission promote and include the recognition of professional qualifications in trade agreements, which will open up new opportunities to European companies and employees, calls specifically for the consideration of incorporating certain benefits of the ICT Directive in to trade and investment agreements in exchange for such recognitions;
Amendment 323 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Shares the Commission’'s view that the temporary movement of professionals has become essential to increasing business internationally and remains an offensive interest of the EU, especially where it underpins the establishment of EU businesses in trade partners; stresses that a labour mobility chapter should be included in all EU trade and investment agreements; recalls however that Mode 4 commitments must only apply to the movement of highly skilled professionals, such as persons holding a university or equivalent Master's degree or employed in a senior managerial role, for a specific purpose, for a limited period of time and under precise conditions stipulated by the domestic legislation of the country where the service is performed and by a contract respecting such domestic legislation;
Amendment 332 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 36 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The essential nature of the digital economy to future global trade
Amendment 333 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 36 – point 1 (new)
(1) Notes the growing and future importance of the digital economy, not only in Europe, but worldwide, with an estimated 3.3 billion internet users globally, making up 40% of the world's population, believes that trends such as cloud computing, mobile web services, smart grids and social media are leading to a radically transformed businesses landscape; underlines that EU trade policy must keep up with digital and technological trends;
Amendment 334 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 2 (new)
Paragraph 36 – point 2 (new)
(2) Welcomes the Commission's intention to use trade policy to tackle new forms of digital protectionism and to set rules for e-commerce and cross-border data flows in compliance with EU data protection and privacy law and to continue to engage internationally to promote and develop international privacy and personal data protection standards; believes that much more needs to be done to create a climate favourable to e- commerce and entrepreneurship within the EU; stresses that ensuring regulatory cooperation, mutual recognition and harmonisation of standards in the digital trade sector is vital, in order to ensure coherence and certainty for market operators and consumers;
Amendment 335 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 3 (new)
Paragraph 36 – point 3 (new)
(3) Requests that the Commission together with WTO partners not only establish a working group on digital trade at the WTO, which should examine in detail the current framework's suitability for electronic commerce, looking at specific recommendations, clarifications and adjustments but also look at establishing a new framework for the trade facilitation in services, building on best practice stemming from the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement;
Amendment 337 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Is aware that the inclusion of provisions relating to financial services in trade agreements has raised concerns regarding their potential negative effects where money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance are concerned; supports the Commission in its fight against corruption; insists that clauses on as a major non-tariff barrier in developed and developing countries; believes that this underlines the importance of ensuring that trading partners work together to ensure compatibility not only of primary prudential regulation through regulatory dialogue and cooperation, but also rules aimed at combatting corruption, money laundering and tax fraud, ambitious provisions for which should be included in all trade and investment agreements;
Amendment 349 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Asks the Commission to horizontally address SMEs’' needs in all chapters of trade agreements including, but not limited to, the creation of online single points of entry for SMEs to learn about relevant regulation, something of particularly crucial relevance to cross border service providers in terms of licencing and other administrative requirements; in addition, and where appropriate, these tools should cover new market access opportunities for SMEs, particularly for low value tenders; stresses the need to cut trading costs for SMEs through streamlining customs procedures, reducing non-tariff barriers and regulatory burdens and simplifying rules of origin; believes that there is a role to be played by SMEs in helping the Commission to shape these tools to ensure that trade agreements meet their needs; encourages the Commission to maintain close dialogue with SME representatives at all stages of trade negotiations;
Amendment 353 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 362 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Stresses the importance of further debate with stakeholders and Parliament on the Commission’s proposal for the Investment Court System in order to better clarify its impact on the ‘right to regulate’, the annual costs for the EU budget and its compliance withUnderlines that continued investment, both inward and outward, remains of crucial important to Europe's economy and stresses the need to promote and protect investment; notes the adoption of a new approach on investment, as called for by the European Parliament, and its inclusion in the agreements with Canada and Vietnam, and its inclusion in the EU legal order, the powproposal for an investment chapter ofin the EU courts in particular, and more specifically the EU competition rules-US free trade agreement;
Amendment 369 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. RegretNotes that the European Fund for Strategic Investments lacks an external dimension; invites, asks that the Commission tonly consider the creation of a European fund for external strategic investments aimed at reviving investments in strategic projectsn external arm after careful analysis of the performance of the Fund and an examination of its utility, given the existence of lending by the European Investment Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the action of the European Development Fund; emphasises that such a fund couldthese funds must contribute to sustainable development and decent jobs, tackle poverty and abate the root causes of migration;
Amendment 380 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
Amendment 387 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 46 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The fight against illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products
Amendment 388 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 46 – point 1 (new)
(1) Remains deeply concerned by the recent surge in wildlife crime and its attendant illegal trade, which is not only having a devastating impact on biodiversity and species numbers but also presents a clear and present danger to livelihoods and local economies, notably in developing countries; welcomes the EU's commitment to eliminate the illegal wildlife trade as part of the EU's response to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 15, which notes not only the need to ensure the end of poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna but also to address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products; expects, in this regard, the Commission, after a period of reflection including the European Parliament and the Member States to consider how best to include provisions on the illegal wildlife trade in all future EU trade agreements;
Amendment 391 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Believes that better and more efficient customs procedures in Europe and abroad could help to facilitate trade, meet respective trade facilitation requirements, and fight against counterfeiting of goods entering the single market, which distorts EU economic growth and seriously exposes EU consumers; welcomes the Commission’'s intention to enhance cooperation between customs authorities; calls once more on the Commission and the Members States to set up a unified EU customs service for a more effective application of customs rules and procedures throughout the customs territory of the EU;
Amendment 393 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 47 – point 1 (new)
(1) Underlines that the Commission should be seeking in trade agreements the adoption by trading partners of single windows for customs and border compliance, if necessary accompanied by capacity building aid for trade funds, as appropriate;
Amendment 395 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. UnderlinEmphasises that trade agreements and the decline iquate communication and strong coordination tariff rates that follows expose customs to greater security and protection concerns; emphasises that adequate communication and strong coordination is essential;e required in order to ensure that tariff elimination is accompanied by appropriate technical, institutional and policy measures to ensure continued security of trade
Amendment 411 #
2015/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to find more sophisticated ways of introducing mitigating measures to redevelop industries and regions that lose out; emphasises that in this respect the European Structural and Investment Funds, and in particular both the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, can play an outstanding role; points out that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund could also be an important instrument if reformed and shaped in a way that it is adequately funded;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 47
Citation 47
— having regard to the work and reports of the International Organization for Migration, including the key finding in one of the reports that over half of the European population believes immigration levels in their countries should be decreased,
Amendment 42 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 47 a (new)
Citation 47 a (new)
- having regard to the work and reports of the International Monetary Fund,
Amendment 43 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 47 b (new)
Citation 47 b (new)
- having regard to the work and report of the OECD, especially their finding about the migration's impact on GDP and other economic aspects,
Amendment 68 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas, according to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, around 70% of immigrants are irregular migrants and not refugees; whereas there have been a number of reported cases where irregular migrants are pretending to be refugees from war torn countries;
Amendment 80 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Amendment 82 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Article 80 TFEU puts the principles of 'solidarity' and fair sharing of responsibility at the heart of the whole of the Union system, providing a legal basis for the implementation of these principles in'responsibility' go hand in hand and the former cannot be deemed more important at the expense of the latter, especially in relation to the Union policies on asylum, migration and border control;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas solidarity can take themany forms of internal and external solidarity; and whereas relocation, mutual recognition of asylum decisions, operational support measures, a pro-active interpretation of the current Dublin Regulation and the Temporary Protection Directive are all tools for internal solidarity, whileand the interpretation of the word should not be used in benefit of certain interests; whereas resettlement, humanitarian admission and search and rescue at sea promote external solidarity;
Amendment 101 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas migrant smuggling, trafficking and labour exploitation are distinct legal phenomena requiring properly targeted responses, while often overlapping in practice is a significant push factor that has noticeably exacerbated the European migration crisis; whereas migrant smuggling, trafficking and labour exploitation are all aspects that require immediate properly targeted responses; and whereas criminal smuggling and trafficking networks can change their modus operandi very quickly, thus requiring rapidly adapted responses based on the most recent and accurate data;
Amendment 111 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the fight against migrant smuggling, trafficking and labour exploitation necessitates both short, medium and long-term responses, including measures to disrupt criminal networks and to bring criminals to justice, the gathering and analysis of data, measures to protect victims and to swiftly and effectively return irregularly staying migrants, as well as cooperation with third countries and longer-term strategies to address the demand for trafficked and smuggled persons and the root causes of migration which, some of which often force people into the hands of criminal smugglers;
Amendment 114 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the overwhelming majority of people using the services of the smugglers to reach Europe via Mediterranean do so voluntarily and have a choice to avoid people smugglers;
Amendment 135 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas 86 % of the world’s refugee population is hosted by non-industricriminal networks and smugglers facilitate the illegali seda countrierossings; and whereas criminal networks andthe smugglers also exploit the desperationwillingness of people trying to enter the EU whil, many of which are fleeing persecution or war;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas safe and legal routes for refugeemigrants to access the EU are limited, andavailable, yet many continue to take the risk of embarking on dangerous routes facilitated by smugglers, often being a part of wider criminal networks; and whereas the creation of new safe and lawful routes for asylum seekers andgenuine refugees to enter the EU, building on existing legislation and practices, would allow the EU and the Member States to have a better overview of the protection needs and of the inflow into the EU and to undermine the business model of the smugglers;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas the EU has intensified its external cooperation with third countries in migration and asylum to respond adequatelyin attempt to respond to the current refugeemigration crisis, and has launched new cooperation initiatives such as the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan, the commitments taken on the Western Balkans Routes and the Aaction Plan adopted at the Valetta sSummit;
Amendment 177 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6
Subheading 6
Amendment 180 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas the working-age populinflow of migrants is already unmanageable and unsustainable but the recent immigration wave will not significantly improve the demographic situation inof the EU as the working-age population is projected to decline by 7.5 million by 2020; whereas projections on the development of labour market needs in the EU points to emerging and future shortages in specific fields; and whereas third-country nationals face many difficulties in obtaining recognition of their foreign qualifications, and therefore tend to be over-qualified for their jobcannot offset these future shortages;
Amendment 184 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas the current EU approach to labour migration is fragmented, with numerous directives focusing on specific categories of workers and of third-country nationals who are, under certain conditions, allowed to work; and whereas this approach can only serve to meet short-term, specific needvarious studies have shown that mass immigration has at least a short term negative impact on natives workers' wages, especially in the lower income wage earner groups;
Amendment 196 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas the CEAS includes a set of common rules for a common asylum policy, a uniform asylum status and common asylum procedures valid throughout the Union; whereas, however, many alerts, including the infringement decisions adopted by the Commission, show that the CEAS has not been fully implemented in many Member States; whereas implementation is essentialnecessary in order to harmonise national laws and promote solidarity among Member States, and whereas Member States can seek supporting assistance from EASO to meet the standards required by the CEAS; whereas, however, harmonisation of reception conditions and asylum procedures can avoid stress on countries offering better conditions and are key to responsibility sharingare unlikely to change the migrants' perception of certain Member States and their willingness to seek asylum in specific countries;
Amendment 215 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that solidarity must be the principle upon which Union action on migration is based; notes that the principle of solidarity, as set out in Article 80 TFEU, covers asylum, immigration and border control policies; takes the view that Article 80 provides a legal basis ‘jointly’ with Articles 77-79 TFEU to implement the principle of solidarity in those areais a two-way process and the Member States' diverging views on the issue of the European migration crisis have to be respected; takes the view that the word 'solidarity' has been misused within the context of the European migration crisis;
Amendment 221 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that solidarity cannot be deemed more important and be at the expense of responsibility;
Amendment 231 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Starts from the premise that people smugglers have exacerbated the European migration crisis and have been responsible for countless deaths at sea, however, saving lives must be a firstmong the top priorityies and that proper funding, at Union and Member State level, for search and rescue operations is essential; notes that there has been an increase in the number of irregular arrivals by sea and an alarming increase in the number of deaths at sea throughout 2015, and that a better European response to the migration crisis is still required;
Amendment 245 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that a permanent, robust and effective Union response in search and rescue operations at sea is crucialwill not stop the flow of immigrants, but is nevertheless one of the steps that needs to be taken to preventing an escalating death toll of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea;
Amendment 255 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Suggests, iIn that respect, suggests that search and rescue capacities must be strengthened, and that Member States’' governments must deploy more resources –within their means – both, in terms of financial assistance and assets –- in the context of a Union- wide humanitarian operation, dedicated to finding, rescuing and assisting migrants in peril and bringing them to the closest place of safety;
Amendment 275 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for a clear distinction to be made between those persons who are smuggled into the Union and those who are trafficked into the Union because, while the policy response must be properly integratedst both activities are criminal, they must also be properly targeted; states that, in general terms, the criminal smuggling of migrants involves facilitating the irregular entry of a person to a Member State, whereas human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation or reception of a person through the use of violent, deceptive or abusive means, for the purpose of exploitation;
Amendment 282 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Holds that any holistic approach to migration must necessarily contain measures aimed at disrupting the activities of criminal networks involved in the trafficking and smuggling of people has to be among the top priorities in the context of the European migration crisis;
Amendment 300 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. WelcomNotes the positivelimited role played by navy vessels in saving lives at sea and in disrupting criminal networks to date; supports the aims oftresses that navy operations such as Operation Sophia, and have been unsuccessful in reducing the number of people being smuggled to Europe via Mediterranean Sea; further stresses the need to protect life, emphasising that all aspects of the operation should ensure that migrant lives are protected;
Amendment 312 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that military operations should not be the predominate aspect of any holistic approach to migration and reiterates that Operation Sophia must not distract assets already deployed in the Mediterranean from saving lives at seaPoints out that seizing of vessels used by smugglers has a potential to exacerbate the numbers of deaths at sea as they are adapting their modus operandi accordingly and opting instead for more disposable, often sea unworthy boats that further endanger the lives of migrants;
Amendment 331 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that, since criminals can and do change their modus operandi very quickly, policy responses must adapt to the most recent and accurate data; notes, as a positive step forward, that the Commission adopted a Union Action Plan against Migrant Smuggling on 27 May 2015 (‘'the Action Plan on Smuggling’),') under which it, among other initiatives, provides for the setting up of a Contact Group of Union Agencies on migrant smuggling, to strengthen their operational cooperation and information exchange; notes, however, that other initiatives included in the Action Plan, such as the development of counter narrative in the media to uncover the smugglers' lies have limited added value;
Amendment 352 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that the process of relocation – that is to say, transferring an applicant for international protection, or a beneficiary of international protection, from one Member State to another – is a practical example of solidarity within the Union; recalls, in addition, that, since 2009, Parliament has been calling for a binding mechanism for the distribution of asylum seekers among all the Member Staten unhelpful way to tackle the problem of mass immigration of people and is in contradiction to an idea of holistic approach in solving the migration crisis;
Amendment 357 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that, within the last year, the Council has adopted two decisions on temporary relocation measures in the Union (‘Relocation Decisions’)9 , and that theydespite clear concerns and opposition expressed by some Member States. Further notes that as in the case of the latter of the two Relocation Decisions there was no consensus amongst the Member States, majority voting was used instead and four Member States voted against the relevant Relocation Decision that involves the transfer of applicants of international protection from Greece and Italy to other Member States; observes that, although the Relocation Decisions do not end the current Dublin rules on allocation of responsibility, they do constitute a ‘temporary derogation’ from the Dublin rulesare effectively putting the Dublin rules on hold in the foreseeable future; __________________ 9 Council Decision (EU) 2015/1523 and Council Decision (EU) 2015/1601.
Amendment 375 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that the establishment of urgent relocation measures is not a move in the right direction, ands calls onn be witnessed by the Member States to' slow fulfilment of their obligations with regard to those measures as soon as possible;
Amendment 385 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls that, for the purposes of the Relocation Decisions, relocation will cover only those nationalities for which the proportion of positive decisions granting international protection in the Union has been 75 % or more for the preceding three months, on the basis of Eurostat data; notes that the Relocation Decisions will affect a relatively small number of people, and will leave out the large numbers of applicants originating from other third countries who cannot be relocated under those decisionso date the Member States’ implementation of Relocation Decisions have been slow;
Amendment 392 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes, in addition, that Member States of first arrival will therefore have to handle the more complicated asylum claims (and appeals), wilhave to handle most asylum claims (and appeals) and to date have been often doing so in a very lax manner, with cases reported of migrants pretending to be from refugee producing countries and being registered accordingly; further notes that Member States of first arrival have to organise longer periods of reception, and will, in theory, have to organise and coordinate returns for those ultimately not entitled to international protection;
Amendment 411 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the opinion that, in addition to the Relocation Decisions is an unconstructive approach to help solve the migration crisis at the Union level and at the very least the weighting of the criteria contained in the Relocation Decisions, namely the GDP of the Member State, the population of the Member State, the unemployment rate in the Member State, and the past numbers of asylum seekers in the Member State, should be reconsidered in future; notes that consideration should be given to two other criteria, namely, the size of the territory of the Member State and the population density of the Member Stateincluding but not exclusively, the Member States' willingness to accept the relocated migrants, the Member States' readiness to process the relocated asylum applicants as well as the readiness of the Member States to physically settle and house the arriving migrants;
Amendment 427 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that the preferences of the applicant should, as much as practically possible, be taken into account when carrying out be determined before the decision of relocation is taken; recognises that this is one way of discouraging secondary movements and encouraging applicants themselves to accept rsecondary movement of migrants within the Union cannot be effectively discouraged and is a further proof that the Relocation dDecisions, but that it should not stop the relocation proces adopted are unhelpful in solving the migration crisis;
Amendment 436 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Further believes that the societies of the host Member States, in the context of migrant relocation scheme, need to be adequately informed about the potential costs of receiving and settling of migrants which, among other aspects, can result in deficit spending; notes, at the same time, that, as found by a number of studies, the economic benefits of immigration are marginal whilst the impact on such values as social capital are more noticeable;
Amendment 442 #
Amendment 445 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Takes the view that resettlement is one of the preferred options for granting safe and lawful access to the Union for true refugees and those in need of international protection, where the refugees can neither return to their home countries nor receive effective protection or be integrated into the host country;
Amendment 459 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that, given the unprecedented flows of migrants that have reached and continue to reach the Union’'s external borders, and the steady increase in the number of people asking for international protection, the Union needs a binding and mandatory legislative approach to resettlement, as set out in the Commission’'s agenda for mMigration; recommends that, to have an impact, such an approach must provide for resettlement of a meaningful number of refugees, with regard to the overall numbers of refugees seeking international protection in the Union;
Amendment 472 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines that there is a need for a permanent Union-wide resettlement programme, with mandatory participation by Member States, providing resettlement for a meaningful number of refugees, having regard to the overall number of refugees seeking protection in the Union;
Amendment 478 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Understands that all refugees seeking asylum in Europe cannot be resettled in a short timeframe and therefore more work needs to be done on establishment of safe refugee camps in third countries;
Amendment 545 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Observes that the operation of the Dublin III Regulation10 has raised many questions linked to fairness and solidarity in the allocation of the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protectioneffectiveness of the Regulation, including the responsibility for Member States to uphold the commonly agreed rules; notes that the current system does not take into sufficient consideration the particular migratory pressure faced by Member States situated at the Union’'s external borders; believes that the European Union needs to accept the on-going difficulties with the Dublin logic, and to develop options for solidarity both among its Member States and the migrants concerned; that are in line with the objective of tackling the European migration crisis; __________________ 10 Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast) (OJ L 180, 29.6.2013, p. 31).
Amendment 553 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Points out that the pressure placed on the system – as established by the Dublin Regulation – by the rising number of migrants arriving in the Union has shown that, as implemented, the system, among other aspects, has largely failed to achieve its two primary goals of establishing objective and fair criteria for allocation of responsibility and of providing swift access to international protectiondeterring multiple asylum claims (so-called 'asylum shopping');
Amendment 559 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Further points out that, at the same time, the incidence of secondary movements across the Union remains high; views it as self-evident that, since its creation, the Dublin system was not designed to share responsibility among Member States, but that it within the context of the European migration crisis the first Member State legally responsible for processing of the asylum claims under the Dublin system is rarely the country of choice for arriving irregular migrants; notes that since its creation, the Dublin system's main purpose was to assign swiftly assign responsibility for processing an asylum application to a single Member State;
Amendment 570 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. RecommendNotes that the criteria on which the Relocation Decisions are based are largely unhelpful and therefore should not be built directly into the Union’'s standard rules for allocating responsibility; further recommends that the concerns of the Member States, especially those with little experience of immigration, should be taken into account; emphasises that, in reviewing the Dublin Regulation, it is important to reflect on the value of describing certain asylum seekers as ‘'applicants in clear need of international protection’', since those migrants and refugees who do not fall into that category would still – at least under the current system – have to be dealt with by the Member State of first arrival;
Amendment 593 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Points out that one option for a fundamental overhaul of the Dublin system would be to establish a central collection of applications at Union level – viewing each asylum seeker as someone seeking asylum in the Union as a whole and not in an individual Member State – and to establish a; understands, however, that most migrants within the ceontral system for the allocation of responsibility for any persons seeking asylum in the Union; suggests that such a system could provide for certain relative thresholds perext of the European migration crisis want to make their asylum claims and settle in just some Member State,s above which no further allocation of responsibility could be made until all other Member States have met their own thresholds, which could conceivably help in deterring secondary movements, as all Member States would be fully involved in the centralised system and no longer have individual responsibility for allocation of applicants to other Member States; believes that such a system could function on the basis of a number of Union ‘hotspots’ from where Union distribution should take place; underlines that any new system for allocation of responsibility must incorporate the key concepts of family unity and the best interests of the childnd no amending of existing rules is going to change that in near future; regrets that certain Member States have knowingly suspended the application of Dublin system in order to welcome migrants, thus also worsening the uncontrolled influx of people in the Union;
Amendment 631 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Believes that the asylum systems of some frontline Member States are already clearly overburdened and that the Temporary Protection Directive shcould – under its own logic – have been triggered; calls, in any case, for a clear definition of ‘'mass influx’' to be established upon revision of this dDirective; understands that such a revision of the Temporary Protection Directive can form part of the review of the Dublin system;
Amendment 647 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Emphasises that hosting Member States must within their means offer refugees support and opportunities to integrate and build a life in their new society and – as provided for in the Qualifications Directive12 – this should also include effective access to democratic structures in society; emphasises that integration is a two-way process and that respect for the values upon which the EU is built must be an integral part of the integration process; understands that there can be no forced integration of people unwilling to accept the way of life of certain Member States; further understands that within the context of the Relocation Decisions, relocated migrants cannot effectively be integrated in a way to discourage secondary movement within the Union; __________________ 12 Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted (OJ L 337, 20.12.2011, p. 9).
Amendment 715 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Underlines that Member States should overcome any legal and practical obstacles to arrive at swifter decisions on family reunification; notes, however, that this should not come at the expense of other relevant aspects such as thorough background checks to insure safety and security of the relevant societies;
Amendment 741 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. UnderstandStresses that the safe and swift return of those people who, following an individual assessment of their asylum application, are determined not to be eligible for protection in the Union is something that must be carried out as part of the proper implementation of the CEAS;
Amendment 755 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Acknowledges that, in the light of the fact that, in 2014, only 36 % of third country nationals who were ordered to leave the Union were effectively returned, there is a need to improve the effectiveness of the Union’s return system;
Amendment 770 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Believes that the return of migrants should only be carried out safely, in full compliance with the fundamental and procedural rights of the migrants in question, and where the country to which they are being returned is safe for them;, reiterates, in that regard, that voluntary return should be prioritised over forced returns, but cannot alone insure that a meaningful number of migrants physically leave the Union;
Amendment 787 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Suggests that any attempt, however rare, by Member States to ‘'push -back’' migrants who have not been given the opportunity to present asylum claims runs contrary to Union and iInternational lLaw, and that the Commission should take appropriate action against any Member State that attempts such ‘'push -backs’';
Amendment 813 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Regrespects the current situation in which Member States apply different lists, containing different safe countries, hampering uniform application and incentivising secondary movementfact that Member States are free to create their own lists, containing different safe countries;
Amendment 873 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Understands that the recently proposed European Border and Coast Guard is intended to effectively replace Frontex and is meant to ensure a European integrated border management at the external borders with a view to managing migration effectively and ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, while safeguarding the free movement of persons therein;
Amendment 974 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76
Paragraph 76
76. Believes that such a revision is necessary and should consider introducing a system allowing for victims of trafficking and criminal smuggling to come forward and aid in the effective prosecution of a trafficker or criminal smuggler without fear of being prosecuted themselves;
Amendment 985 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Underlines that another crucial step in dismantlstep in weakening criminal smuggling and trafficking networks is to prioritisestep up financial investigations, as: tracking and confiscating the profits of those criminal networks is essential if they areone way to be weakened and eventually dismantled; calls, in this regard, them; understands, however, that effective dismantling of criminal networks facilitating people smuggling will not be possible for as long as there is a constant demand to use the services of the smugglers; calls for the Member States to transpose swiftly and effectively the fFourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive;
Amendment 996 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Points out that the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) pillar on asylum and international protection should be developed further, with greater involvement of third countries; notes that current actions in this field, under Regional Protection Programmes (RPPs) or Regional Development and Protection Programmes (RDPPs), focus on capacity building to tackle criminal smuggling and human trafficking networks within third countries of origin and transit; notes, at the same time, that the resettlement component of these programmes continues to be weak; believes that capacity-building efforts and resettlement activities should be stepped up and carried out together with third countries hosting large refugee populations that are unable to cope with the numbers;
Amendment 1013 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Understands that the external dimension should focus on cooperation with third countries in tackling the root causes of, and addressworking towards stopping, irregular flows to Europe; understands that partnerships and cooperation with key countries of origin, transit and destination should continue to be a focus, for example through the Khartoum and Rabat processes, the Africa-EU migration and mobility dialogue, the Budapest Process and the Prague Process;
Amendment 1052 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87
Paragraph 87
87. Points out that many smuggled persons have some level of awareness of the risks they will face on a potentially hazardous trip to Europe, but choose to embark on the journey regardless, as they assess those risks to be lower than those they would face if they were not to migrate;
Amendment 1057 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
Paragraph 88
88. WelcomNotes the fact that the Action Plan on Smuggling links the launching of new awareness-raising campaigns to the assessment of existing ones; recommends that any such campaigns should contain information on the criteria to be used to determine protection status in the Union, since such information may convince some migrants – who risk embarking on a perilous journey only to be returned if they are not granted protection – not to make the journey;
Amendment 1060 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88 a (new)
Paragraph 88 a (new)
88a. Is of the view that awareness-raising campaigns need to be implemented across the Member States as well in order to inform the citizens about the relevant aspects of mass migration, including its impact on the Member States' economies;
Amendment 1067 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89
Paragraph 89
89. Reaffirms that the Union must adopt a long-term strategy to help counteract the ‘'push factors’' in third countries (persecution, conflict, generalised violence or extreme poverty), which force people into the hands of criminal smuggling networks, which they see as their only chance to reach the Union as well as the 'pull factors' (among them, the role of people smugglers in facilitating illegal sea crossings as well as the unilateral welcoming of migrants by some Member States, in some cases ignoring the common rules);
Amendment 1082 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 91
Paragraph 91
91. Highlights that the recent increase ind arrivals of refugees into the Union has shown that, on their own, the extent of preventive measures are to date have not been sufficient for managand need to be stepped up; stresses that the measures already taken and any future initiatives in regards to strengthening of the current migration phenomenaUnion's external borders will not be effective if, among other factors, some Member States encourage mass immigration in the meantime;
Amendment 1087 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
Paragraph 92
92. Understands that, in the long -term, greater impetus is needed in helping to solvinge the geo-political and other issues that affect the root causes of migration, as – war, poverty, corruption, hunger, and a lack of opportunities meand the role played by people smugglers; realises that people will still feel forced to fleecontinue migrating to Europe unless Europe looks at how to help re-build those countries; points out that this meanshelps overcome some of the above problems; understands, however, that it is beyond the reach and is not the Union's unilateral responsibility to solve the above problems; notes that most problems related to root causes of migration cannot be overcome quickly and easily; Points out that the Commission and the Member States, where appropriate, must put up the money to help build capacity in third countries,; such as by facilitating investment and education,; strengthening and enforcing asylum systems,; helping to manage borders better, and reinforcing legal and judicial systems there;
Amendment 1137 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 100
Paragraph 100
100. EncouragNotes theat Member States to take full, if necessary and where appropriate, can take advantage of the possibilities offered by funds which are not directly related to migration policy, but which can be used to fund actions in that area (e.g. integration actions), such as those available under the European Social Fund, the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, Horizon 2020, the European Regional Development Fund and the Rights and Citizenship Programme;
Amendment 1140 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 101
Paragraph 101
101. Recommends that, under the MFF review scheduled for the end of 2016, substantial additional resources be provided under the Union budget, Heading 3, on Citizenship, Freedom, Security and Justice, so that adequate funding is made available on the basis of migration trends and the attendant financial requirements for the Union’s and the Member States’ asylum, migration and integration policies; stresses, however, that without a proper framework to tackle the European migration crisis, increase in funding alone will not help solve the wider problem of large scale immigration;
Amendment 1151 #
Amendment 1157 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 104
Paragraph 104
104. Notes that, prior the increased migratory flows into the Union in 2015, according to an OECD and Commission study of 2014, the working-age population (15-64) in the Union will decline by 2.2% (7.5 million) between 2013 and 2020, and that if net migration were to be excluded from their projections, the decline would be even more pronounced, as it would amount to a reduction of the working age population by 11.7 million; stresses that, according to the same report, European labour force, despite declining population, is actually projected to increase by 1.2% between 2010 and 2020; further stresses that whilst the current levels of mass immigration to Europe are unsustainable for extended periods for socio-economic and other reasons, the inflow of people, however large, is not going to noticeably rejuvenate the European population; stresses, therefore, that the demographic arguments cannot be used in support of large scale immigration, especially if the demographic benefits are singled out at the expense of other aspects that contain significant risks which are deliberately overlooked;
Amendment 1163 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105
Paragraph 105
105. Points out, nevertheless, that, as of NovDecember 2015, the youth unemployment rate across all the Member States stood at 20 % the unemployment rates in the European Union and the Euro Area stood at 9% and 10.4% respectively, whilst the youth unemployment rate across all the Member States stood at 19.7%; stresses that such levels are still too high, whilst at the same time a number of studies have found a short-term negative link between immigration and the native workers' unemployment levels; further stresses that current studies about the impact on unemployment levels caused by immigration may be too optimistic as they rely on a small sample whereas the current levels of immigration to the EU are unprecedented;
Amendment 1168 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106
Paragraph 106
106. Further nNotes that, according to recent Eurostat projections, the ratio of pean Commission report, using data from Eurostat, the demographic old-age dependency ratio (people aged 65 or older,above relative to those aged 15 to 64, will) is projected to increase from 27.5 8% at the beginning of 2013 to almost 50 % by 2050; notes that thisat would mean a change from the present ratio of four4 working-age persons for every person aged 65 or oldver at present to only two2 working- age persons for everyone aged 65 or older; notes, however, that the particular report does already project significant net migration and therefore the current inflow of migrants, however large, will not significantly reduce the worsening old-age dependency ratio;
Amendment 1176 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107 a (new)
Paragraph 107 a (new)
107a. Notes that short-term economic rationale in the context of labour migration should not be prioritised over other aspects, including those related to the immigration's impact on local workers' displacement and wage depression risks, the impact to the social capital as well as the potential security risks;
Amendment 1192 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111
Paragraph 111
111. Takes the view that, in the long run, the Union will need to establish mor, if necessary, can propose general rules governing the entry and residence for those third-country nationals seeking employment in the Union to fill the potential gaps identified inby the UnionMember States in their labour markets;
Amendment 1211 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113
Paragraph 113
113. Believes that better data and improved tools for analysing such data can only help policy-makers determine future labour migration policies, and that the Union and the Member States should identify potential gaps in their labour markets that could help them fill jobs that would otherwise remain vacant;
Amendment 1235 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 120
Paragraph 120
120. Reiterates that the Commission’s Implementation Report on the current Blue Card Directive underlines its flawshortcomings, including the very limited level of harmonisation brought about by the wide discretion in implementation it gives the Member States, in particular the right for Member States to maintain parallel national schemes;
Amendment 1242 #
2015/2095(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 121
Paragraph 121
121. Believes, moreover, that it is clear that the directive should focus not just on the highly-qualified, but also on targeted high- qualification occupations where there are proven labour shortages; believes, in addition, that the revision of the Blue Card should be both ambitious and targeted, and should seek to remove the inconsistencies of the existing directive, particularly as regards parallel national schemes; recommends that thought be given to revising the scope to include those third- country nationals who could help tackle the potential gaps identified in EU labour markets;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement is the first FTA conducted by the EU with an Asian partner, supporting EU efforts to secure a footstep in the rapidly growing Asian market and the aim to agree a EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in the long run;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas since the provisional application of the Agreement in 2011 the Euro has lost 20% of its value, which has substantially favoured EU exports to Korea and meant important slowdown of Korean imports. Thus, there is the possibility, that Korean economists and politicians see the monetary policy in the Eurozone as a "beggar-thy-neighbour- policy". It favours the Eurozone exporters, but reduces the consumers purchasing power in the Eurozone;
Amendment 35 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. Acknowledges that, while the Agreement meets the expectations of the parties, the following issues should be analysed and verifirevised under the Agreement:
Amendment 37 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 7 – point a a (new)
(aa) direct transport clause which prevents companies maximising their containers shipments through better management of the hubs in Singapore or Hong-Kong; calls for introduction of a non-alteration clause;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 7 – point d a (new)
(da) relevant tariff schedule annex of products;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the further deepening of trade and investment relations between the EU and Korea - the Investment Chapter in the free trade agreement in particular - and the involvement of the parties to the Agreement in creating further economic growth, welfare gains and development for the benefit of EU and Korean citizens;
Amendment 54 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses further enhancing of international cooperation in the multilateral, plurilateral and regional international framework, in the context of the WTO, such as in relation to negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA);
Amendment 55 #
2015/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Stresses that strategic values of the EU-Korea FTA extend beyond the sphere of trade as it lays a solid foundation for a deeper relationship with long-term engagement and it contributes to the establishment of a strategic partnership between the EU and South Korea;
Amendment 59 #
2015/2051(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the EU to place protection at the heart of humanitarian action by creating a compliance system and by mainstreaming it into programming; stresses the need for the institutionalisation of the role of protection officers and for the development of strategic and integrated approaches with sufficient funds for protection activities in the first phase of emergencies; urges the EUand to commit more strongly to a human rights- based approach in humanitarian action to ensure that both the needs and rights of specific vulnerable groups are respected;
Amendment 88 #
2015/2051(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Highlights the important role that the EU Aid Volunteers scheme can play in putting into practice the decisions taken at the future WHS and a revised EU Humanitarian Consensus; stresses that their experience, alongside other humanitarian activists can play a vital role in establishing best practices and implementation tools;
Amendment 118 #
2015/2051(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Emphasises the role of new technologies and innovative digital tools in the organisation and delivery of the humanitarian aid, especially with regards to aid delivery and tracking, disaster surveillance, information sharing, coordination between donors and facilitating relations between aid agencies and local governments, particularly in remote areas and disaster zones; highlights that Africa, and especially Sub- Saharan Africa, is currently undergoing a mobile digital revolution with a surge in mobile subscriptions ( and Internet use on mobile), makings such tools and services crucial for putting in place early warning systems and for providing speedy information on health matters, danger areas and aid contacts;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas trade plays a powerful role in promoting business opportunities, creating prosperity and increasing employment as well as in driving economic development, social progress, living standards, quality of life and improvement of human rights standards in the long-term;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas Governments that encourage open markets have the best chance of generating inclusive and sustainable economic growth;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas the EU underlines its firm commitment to promote sustainable development as reaffirmed in its ‘Trade for All’ strategy , human rights and good governance through incentive based means - GSP+ and the preferential market access provisions in countries committed to implementing core international conventions in those areas;
Amendment 15 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas EU trade policies could contribute positively to the harmonisation process in the direction of implementation and development of human rights (HR), social and environmental sustainability; whereas it must be ensured that trade and investment agreements not reduce their ability to meet their HR obligations, which must prevail over investors and profits interests; whereas there is public concern about the detrimental impact on the concrete enjoyment of HR and labour standards of non-tariff barrier reduction; whereas the new generation of trade agreements risks acting as a back-door deregulation instrument;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Stresses that the EU’s long-term record in accounting for social and environmental issues within the context of its trade diplomacy is already ahead of other major global trade players; underlines that the human rights engagements of our trading partners provide a solid basis for ongoing dialogue, cooperative process and progressive improvement in the long-term; warns against politicizing international trade by making it an arena for human rights issues;
Amendment 67 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to incorporate a gender- sensitiverease their efforts to promote the economic empowerment of women; recommends including a gender mainstreaming approach into all their policies, as well as into EU trade strategy, guaranteeing inter alia effective compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); calls on the Commission to draw up an in-depth, binding impact assessment of the EU trade strategy from the perspective of women, HR and gender;
Amendment 93 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. Remains concerned about the too limited effects of traditional HR clauses in ensuring that the EU fulfils its HR obligations and commitments; cCalls on the Commission and the Council to comprehensively rethink the protection and guarantees offered to HR in FTAs and IPAs and to propose a new model for a set of binding HR clauses, in particular through:
Amendment 101 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b
Paragraph 5 – point b
(b) introduction of mechanisms for mandatory periodic HR impact assessments, including through the establishment of an interinstitutional committee,
Amendment 119 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
Paragraph 6 – point a
(a) a preliminary commitment by each of the parties to ratify and transpose into national law and to implement the eight core and four priority ILO Conventions,
Amendment 122 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point b
Paragraph 6 – point b
Amendment 130 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c
Paragraph 6 – point c
(c) more than a merely incentives-based approach: sanctions must cause an effective suspension of trade benefits in the form of countervailing duties. In addition to sanctions, a decision may requirhowever, warns against counterproductive effects of these san action plan that could include legislative and/or regulatory reformss to the cause of open societies, human rights and international cooperation;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 151 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Firmly demands that HRIAs and sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) become binding and begin at an early stage in order to inform negotiating positions even before they are formulated;
Amendment 170 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges the Commission’s efforts to negotiate a plurilateral agreement on green goods; calls on the Commission to focus on a diversified strategy that can also address anti-dumping policies in the renewable energy sector, intellectual property regimes, tight financing programmes and the lack of national environmental policies that create the demand for such goods;
Amendment 177 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the EU to reconsider itsRecognises the importance of intellectual property rights (IPRs) policy with a view to a less stringent interpretation of property rights and a clear recognition of governments’ power to apply additional requirements in drawing up domestic legislation and to adopt and use intellectual property flexibilities in order to realise HR, including those covering geographical indications for both agricultural and processed agricultural products, requests that the Commission continue to ensure respect for GIs in trade agreements in addition to ensuring sufficient protection for intellectual property so that innovators are encouraged to invest in research and development in new technologies;
Amendment 192 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the EU is the World’s leading actor in terms of National Action Plans for CSR; calls on the Commission to actively promote responsible business conduct amongst EU companies operating abroad with a special focus on ensuring strict compliance with all their legal obligations stemming from either domestic laws or any bilateral or international legal obligations that their business operations are subject to therein, not least, compliance with international standards and rules in the areas of human rights, labour and environment; to achieve this aim, further suggests that the Commission actively engages with its partner countries to exchange best practices and know-how on ways and means to improve the business environment and awareness concerning responsible business conduct;
Amendment 194 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regards as insufficient theNotes continuous efforts towards the inclusion of CSR clauses in the TSD chapters and asks the Commission to step up its efforts towards achieving compliance by companies, throughout their supply chains, and full respect for ILO core labour standards and internationally recognised CSR standards;
Amendment 208 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a mandatory reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countries;
Amendment 213 #
2015/2038(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the EU and the Member States to promote binding measures to ensure that companies pay taxes where economic activities take place and value is created, and to promote compulsory country-by- country repvide good governance in tax matters and effective tax collection and ensuring it is given priority on the agenda in its policy dialogue (political, development and trade) and to support the role of civil society in ensuring public scrutiny of tax governance and monitorting by the private sectorof cases concerning tax fraud;
Amendment 112 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) It should be specified in this Directive that the activities of a dealer include not only the manufacturing but also the modification or conversion a firearm, such as the shortening of a complete firearm, and in addition the commercial modification or conversion of parts of firearms and of ammunition, and that, therefore, only authorised dealers should be permitted to engage in those activities. This Directive should not apply to reloading of ammunition for personal use or making legal modifications and conversions to a firearm for which a person has an authorization.
Amendment 126 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) It should be specified that the activities of a dealer include not only the manufacturing but also the modification or conversion a firearm, such as the shortening of a complete firearm, and in addition the modification or conversion of parts of firearms and of ammunition, provided that it affects the category of such a firearm or ammunition, and that, therefore, only authorised dealers should be permitted to engage in those activities.
Amendment 152 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) BCollectors and bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established and shoulding in their possession firearms classified in category A acquired before the date of entry into force of this Directive should be able to keep those firearms in their possession subject to authorisation by the Member State concerned and provided that those firearms have been deactivat be able to keep and acquire firearms classified in category A subject to authorisation by the Member State concerned.
Amendment 172 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
Amendment 220 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
Amendment 279 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Furthermore, the risk of alarm weapons and other types of blank firing weapons being converted to real firearms is high, and in some of the terrorist acts converted arms were used. It is therefore essential to address the problem of converted firearms being used in criminal offences, notably by including them in the scope of the Directive. Technical specifications for alarm and signal weapons as well as for salute and acoustic weapons should be adopted in order to ensure that they cannot be converted into firearms.
Amendment 316 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 1b
Article 1 – paragraph 1b
1b. For the purposes of this Directive, "essential component" shall mean the barrel, frame, receiver, slide or cylinder, bolt or breaech block and any device designed or adapted to diminish the sound caused by firing a firearm which, being separate objects, are included in the category of the firearms on which they are or are intended to be mounted.
Amendment 330 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 1 – point 1 – point b
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 –paragraph 1e
Article 1 –paragraph 1e
1e. For the purposes of this Directive, "broker" shall mean any natural or legal person, other than a dealer whose trade or business consists wholly or partly in buying, selling or arranging the transfer within a Member State, from one Member State to another Member State or exporting to a third country or importing into a Member State from a third country fully assembled firearms, their parts and ammunition.
Amendment 361 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 – point c
Article 1 – point 1 – point c
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 1 – paragraph 1h
Article 1 – paragraph 1h
Amendment 406 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2
Article 1 – point 2
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. This Directive shall not apply to the acquisition or possession of weapons and ammunition, in accordance with national law, by the armed forces, the police, the public authorities or by collectors and bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established. Nor shall it apply to commercial transfers of weapons and ammunition of warproducts of the defence industry.
Amendment 434 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that any firearm or parand any essential component placed on the market has been marked and registered in compliance with this Directive.
Amendment 452 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
For the purposes of identifying and tracing each assembled firearm, Member States shall, at the time of manufacture of each firearm or at the time of import into the Union or as soon as possible thereafter, require a unique marking including the name of the manufacturer, the country or place of manufacture, the serial number and the year of manufacture, if not already part of the serial number. This shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer's trademark.
Amendment 460 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 519 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 536 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The acquisition and possession of firearms shall only be permitted if, inter alia, there is good cause. Member States, whilst not being under any obligation in that regard, may decide that the acquisition and possession of firearms for the purpose of, for example, hunting, target shooting, self-defence, reservist training, various scientific, technical and testing activities and re-enactment of historical events, filmmaking or historical study constitutes good cause.
Amendment 549 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall provide for standard medical tests for issuing or renewing authorisations as referred to in paragraph 1 and shall withdraw authorisations if any of the conditions on the basis of which it wasthey were granted is no longer met.
Amendment 578 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. This Directive is without prejudice to the ownership of firearms and ammunition acquired through inheritance. Member States shall prohibit the possession of such firearms by owners who are not duly authorised.
Amendment 590 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take all appropriate steps to prohibit the acquisition and the possession of the firearms and ammunition classified in category A and to destroy those. In exceptional and duly reasoned cases, the competent authorities may grant authorisations for the acquisition and possession of such firearms and ammunition wheld in violation of this provison and seizedre this is not contrary to public security or public order.
Amendment 620 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Member States may authorise persons or bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established to keep in theiracquire and possession firearms classified in category A acquired before [the date of entry into force of this Directive] provided they have been deactivated in accordance with the provisions that implement Article 10(b)when this is not contrary to public security or public order.
Amendment 660 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 7
Article 1 – point 7
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 (new)
Amendment 731 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 12
Article 1 – point 12
Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall submit every five years submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Directive, including a fitness check of the new provisions, accompanied, if appropriate, by proposals in particular as regards the categories of firearms of Annex I and the issues related to new technologies such as 3D printing. The first report shall be submitted by ... [two years after the date of entry into force of this Amending Directive].
Amendment 748 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 6
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 6
Amendment 751 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 6
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 6
6. Automatic firearms which have been converted into semi-automatic firearms; which have not been authorised in accordance with Article 10ba, with the exception of firearms converted prior to ... [the date of entry into force of this Amending Directive1a]; __________________ 1a In this case, Article 10ba shall be amended as follows: "Member States shall take measures to ensure that long semi-automatic firearms which have been converted from originally automatic firearms cannot be reconverted into automatic firearms. Mechanical design of any particular type of long semi- automatic firearms including conversions of any particular type of originally automatic firearms into semi-automatic firearms must be authorised for civilian use by a competent public authority before being placed on the market."
Amendment 755 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 6
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 6
6. AComponents with which a semi- automatic firearms which have can been converted into semi-an automatic firearm without sophisticated skills and tools;
Amendment 762 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 7
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 7
Amendment 778 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point i
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 8
Annex I – part II – point A – category A – point 8
Amendment 811 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point iii
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point iii
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category C – point 5
Annex I – part II – point A – category C – point 5
5. Alarm and signal weaponsFirearms under categories A, B and points 1 to 4 of category C, after having been converted to alarm, signal, salute and, acoustic weapons as well as replicas;, gas, paintball or airsoft, Flobert, or percussion lock weapons.
Amendment 822 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point iii
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point iii
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category C – point 6
Annex I – part II – point A – category C – point 6
Amendment 830 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 14 – point a
Article 1 – point 14 – point a
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part III – point a
Annex I – part III – point a
Amendment 838 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 14 – point c
Article 1 – point 14 – point c
Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part III – paragraph 2
Annex I – part III – paragraph 2
Amendment 843 #
2015/0269(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive [36 months after publication toin the OJ]. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions.
Amendment 5 #
2014/2817(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Moldova represents one of the most significant mutual benefits of the agreement, bearing incontrovertible importance for trade and economic growth, jobs creation, prosperity and stability in Moldova;
Amendment 8 #
2014/2817(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the DCFTA includes several provisions aimed at reforming Moldova’s trade legislation and trade-related policies in line with, and on the basis of, the EU acquis, which will provide for the modernisation of the country’s economy and an improved and more predictable business environment, including for SMEs;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2817(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that parliamentary scrutiny is a fundamental condition for democratic support for EU policies; calls, therefore, on the Commission to facilitate the regular and detailed monitoring of the implementation of the DCFTA by the European Parliament.
Amendment 2 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Georgia represents one of the most significant mutual benefits of the agreement; whereas the importance of trade for growth, jobs creation, prosperity and stability is indisputable;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, by establishing a DCFTA with the EU, Georgia should enhance its access to the EU market by making binding commitments on adapting its laws and standards in order to respect the common norms and values;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the DCFTA includes several provisions aimed at reforming Georgia’s trade legislation and trade-related policies in line with, and on the basis of, the EU acquis, which will provide for the modernisation of the country’s economy and an improved and more predictable business environment, including for SMEs;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Congratulates Georgia on having been able to sustain external pressure, amongst other from Russia, and re- direct its exports towards new markets;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that the success of the DCFTA is subject to the thorough implementation by both parties of the commitments set out in the agreement; calls, in this respect, for the EU to provide Georgia with all necessary technical assistance;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that parliamentary scrutiny is a fundamental condition for democratic support for EU policies; calls, therefore, on the Commission to facilitate the regular and detailed monitoring of the implementation of the DCFTA by the European Parliament.
Amendment 891 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Reiterates its commitment to initiating an ordinary treaty revision procedure under Article 48 TEU with a view to proposing the changes to Article 341 TEU and Protocol 6 necessary to allow Parliament to decide on the location of its seat and its internal organisation;
Amendment 901 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Reiterates its call for a single seat for the European Parliament; proposes that Parliament and the Council each decide the location of their own seat after having obtained the consent of the other; further proposes that the seats of all the other EU institutions, agencies and bodies be determined by Parliament and the Council on a proposal by the European executive, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecognisUnderlines that private investments and finance are most likely to be the key engine for growth, which is projected to be approximately 5 % in developing countries in the coming years; emphasises that the future public-private partnerships (PPPs) within the post-2015 development agenda must have a greater focus on poverty reductionshall pursue development cooperation objectives; special attention in this sense shall be attributed to projects on access to drinking water, energy supply, infrastructure - especially optic fibre cables, roads and ports- and waste management;
Amendment 8 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a vehicle for economic growth, competitiveness and job creation both in the single market and abroad; notes that European companies are well equipped to compete for and operate such arrangements;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that positive experiences of PPPs derive from improved delivery of projects, good quality ratio or value for cost, possibility for long-term financing of the costs, the stimulus provided for innovation and research, but also as regards more flexible and skilled management environment;
Amendment 12 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls that in the building, infrastructures, environment, telecommunications or energy networks - there are number of risks inherent and that the government, through PPPs, transfers part of risk to the private contractor so that both can reap the benefits but also share the risks and responsibilities of projects; stresses furthermore that adequate risk sharing is essential to reduce the costs of a project and ensure its successful implementation and viability;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 h (new)
Paragraph 2 h (new)
2h. Recalls that the delivery of high quality, cost-effective products and services to the public is essential to ensure successful implementation, viability and social benefits of PPPs projects;
Amendment 29 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that EU markets are opefor public procurement are largely open to international competition, with rules aimed at enhancing fair and effective competition within the single market and providing a level playing field for international investors; recalls that there is no discrimination on the basis of foreign ownership or control, and that companies from abroad may establish themselves locally in order to participate in PPPs;
Amendment 36 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. StressesUnderlines that, in order to attract private sector to PPPs, especially cross- border, it is paramount to provide the investors with enough assurances that their long term investment will benefit from secure environment, legal certainty and good governance; stresses therefore the need to ensure effective protection of investments and economic assets held by European companies as part of PPP arrangements outside the EU;
Amendment 40 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission, following the principle of reciprocity, to explore further opportunities to open up market access for European companies in the context of PPP arrangements outside the EU.
Amendment 47 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Stresses that key factors to promote PPPs in our partner third countries are good governance, rule of law, property rights, independence of the judiciary, control of corruption, transparency and accountability and a regulatory framework that facilitates a thriving private sector;
Amendment 49 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned that certain safeguards to guarantee the purposeful use of public finance are not always in place; points out that a pro-poor development-oriented ex-ante impact assessment is needed for each PPP project that benefits from official development aid; stresses that measurable output indicators and monitoring as well as evaluation mechanisms need to be agreed upon during the preparatory phase of the projects; highlights the importance of the formal consultative and scrutiny role for parliaments and civil society in order to ensure full transparency and accountability;
Amendment 65 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers it indispensable to increasingly engage with both local and European SMEs in PPPsprivate sector- essential for domestic resource mobilisation and job creation- and European SMEs in PPPs in order to mobilize long term finance, generate innovation in technologies and business models and build mechanisms holding the private sector accountable;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -A (new)
Paragraph -A (new)
-A. Notes open and fair trade coupled to well-designed domestic policies, has been a generator for growth, employment and prosperity globally, allowing, particularly in recent years, assisting many countries in raising living standards, wealth creation and finding their way out of poverty;
Amendment 27 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C
Paragraph C
C. Is of the opinion that the effect of the TTIP on developing countries will vary depending on their economic structure and current trade relations; sees, however, the potential serious risk of diminished market access and resultingrisk of trade diversion for some countries;
Amendment 29 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C
Paragraph C
C. Is of the opinion that the effect of the TTIP on developing countries will vary depending on their economic structure and current trade relations; sees, however, the potential serious risk of diminished market access and resulting trade diversion for some countries, while simultaneously noting that the removal of non-tariff barriers within the transatlantic area offers significant growth opportunities for export-oriented companies in third countries as well as providing a clearer and more predictable export environment to the US and EU;
Amendment 47 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph D a (new)
Paragraph D a (new)
Da. Believes that in order to alleviate the export problems of developing countries, EU policy needs to be orientated towards further tariff reductions in key export sectors for LDCs, coupled to political and technical support, not only to export to the EU but to create regional trading areas and integrate into global supply chains;
Amendment 47 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas an ambitious agreement with the US maywill support the reindustrialisation of Europe and help achieve the 2020 target for an increase of the EU’'s GDP generated by industry from 15 % to 20 %; whereas it has the potential to create opportunities especially for SMEs, which suffer more from non-tariff barriers (NTBs) than larger companies; whereas an agreement between the two biggest economic blocs in the world has the potential to create standards, norms and rules which will be adopted at a global level, which would serve to the advantage of third countries as well;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas an agreement between the two biggest economic blocs in the world has the potential to create standards, norms and rules which could be adopted at a global level, which would serve to the advantage of third countries as well, especially developing countries; whereas failure to negotiate an agreement will allow other third countries with different standards and values to assume this role instead;
Amendment 71 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph F
Paragraph F
F. Sees, however, the potential of the TTIP to promote the highest global standards of this century on decent work, environmental protection, and food and product safety.
Amendment 74 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, given the growing interconnectedness of global markets – up to 40 % of European industrial products are manufactured from imported upstream products – it is crucial that policymakers shape the way these markets interact; whereas proper trade rules are fundamental to creating added value in Europe, since industrial production will increasingly takes place in global value chains;
Amendment 92 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas we arethe EU is faced with an unregulated rapidly evolving picture of globalisation and a well-designed trade agreement could contribute to harnessingensuring positive spill over effects of liberalisation; whereas such an agreement should not only focus on reducing tariffs and NTBs but should also be a tool to protect workers, consumers and the environment; whereas a strong and ambitious trade agreement is an opportunity to create a framework by strengthening regulation to the highest standards at a global level in order to prevent social and environmental dumpinglight of the shared objective of ensuring free and open competition on a level playing field;
Amendment 101 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas even though common high standards are in the interest of the consumers, it should be noted that theyconvergence also makes sense from an economic perspective, as the higher costs stemming from higher standards armay be compensated by increased economies of scale in a market of 850 million consumers;
Amendment 121 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas many ex-ante economic impact studies on TTIP should be taken with cautionas illustrative as they are built on computable general equilibrium economic models with very optimistic predictions abhich are unable take sufficient account of the capacity of the EU and the US to reducedynamic nature of future economic opportunities and their positive spill over effects as a regsulatory barriers to tradet of an ambitious agreement; whereas the TTIP alone will not resolve economic problems in the EU and no false hopes and expectations should be raised in that respectlong standing structural economic problems and their underlying causes in the EU;
Amendment 147 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the wellbeing of ordinary citizens, workers and consumers has to be the benchmark for a trade agreement; whereas TTIP should be a model for a good trade agreement responding to these requirementsprimary objective of a high quality trade agreement is to enhance trade and investment by establishing improved conditions for the free flow of goods, services and capital across borders leading to the creation of jobs and growth;
Amendment 169 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the secret character of negotiations as they have been conducted in the past has led to deficiencies in terms of democratic control of the negotiation proceslegal framework governing the negotiation of EU trade agreements is laid down in Article 207 TFEU, which establishes that the Commission negotiates agreements in consultation with a special committee established by the Member States;
Amendment 186 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas President Juncker has clearly reiterated in his Political Guidelines that – while the EU and the US can go a significant step further in recognising each other’'s product standards and working towards transatlantic standards – the EU will not sacrifice its safety, health, social and data protection standards or our cultural diversity, recalling that the safety of the food we eat and the protection of Europeans’' personal data are non- negotiable and that the rule of law should also apply in this context;
Amendment 197 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 220 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas many critical voices in the public debate have shown the need for the TTIP negotiations to be conductrade agreements should be negotiated in athe morest transparent and inclusive manner, taking into account the concerns voiced by European citizens possible, while respecting the need for a necessary element of confidentiality to ensure that negotiators can reach a high quality final deal; whereas Parliament fully supports both the decision of the Council to declassify the negotiating directives and the Commission’'s transparency initiative;
Amendment 230 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas since July 2013 talks between the US and the EU have been going onEU began in July 2013, but up to now no common text has been agreed and it is now exactly the right time to undertake a reflection on the state of play; whereas political stocktaking is a useful exercise in influencing the direction of negotiations;
Amendment 234 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the EU in particular faces growing concerns over its energy security and its need to diversify its energy supplies and transit routes in the face of political and geopolitical developments;
Amendment 247 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) to ensure that TTIP negotiations lead to a deep, comprehensive, ambitious, balanced and high-standard trade and investment agreement, based on a single undertaking that wouldill promote trade and investment, sustainable growth, support the creation of high-quality jobs for European workercitizens, directly benefit European consumers, increase international competitiveness, and open up new opportunities for EU companies, in particular SMEs; the content of the agreement is more important than the speed of the negotiations;
Amendment 266 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) to emphasise that while the TTIP negotiations consist of negotiations on three main areas – ambitiously improving reciprocal market access (for goods, services, investment and public procurement at all levels of government), reducing NTBs and enhancing the compatibility of regulatory regimes, and developing common rules to address shared global trade challenges and opportunities – all these areas are equally important to be included in a comprehensive package; TTIP should be ambitious and binding on all levels of government on both sides of the Atlantic, the agreementand should lead to lasting genuine market openness on a reciprocal basis and trade facilitation on the ground, and should pay particular attention to structural means of achieving greater transatlantic cooperation while upholding regulatory standards and preventing social and environmental dumping;
Amendment 276 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) to keep in mind the strategic importance of the EU-US economic relationship in general and of TTIP in particular, inter alia as an opportunity to promote the principles and values anchored in a liberal, rules based framework that the EU and the US share and cherish and towhile designing common approaches to global trade, investment and trade-related issues such as high standards, norms and regulations, in order to develop a broader transatlantic vision and a common set of strategic goals;
Amendment 288 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
(iv) to ensure, especially given the recent positive developments in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), that an open and accessible agreement with the US serves as a stepping-stone for broader trade negotiations and is not seen as an alternative to the WTO process; bilateral trade agreements are always the second-best option and must not prevent improvements on the multilateral level;
Amendment 301 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) regarding market access: for goods, services and procurement;
Amendment 311 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) to ensure that the market access offers in the differentall areas are equally ambitious and reflect both parties’ expectations, as market access for industrial goods, agricultural products, services and public procurement isare equally important in all cases and a balance is needed between the different proposals for these areas;
Amendment 327 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) to aim at the elimination of all duty tariffs, while respecting sensitive products on both sides;
Amendment 344 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) to keep in mind that there are important offensive interests for the EU in the services sector, which will generate 85% of future jobs in the EU, demands an ambitious outcome for instance in the areas of engineering, finance, telecommunications, health, professional and transport services;
Amendment 369 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) to increase market access for services according to the ‘positive list approach’ whereby services that are to be opened up to foreign companies are explicitly mentioned and new services are excluded while ensuring that possible standstill and ratchet clauses only apply to non- discrimination provisions and allow for enough flexibility to bring services back into public controlby tackling long standing market access barriers while granting EU firms no less favourable treatment in the US than US firms according to a negative list whereby services that are to be excluded from the agreement are explicitly mentioned, believes that such an approach allows not only for increased certainty and transparency for operators but will allow for a flexible "living agreement" with the possibility of including future services in the Agreement;
Amendment 372 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv a (new)
(iva) to ensure mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Parties, notably via the creation of a legal framework with federal States which have regulatory powers in this domain, and to promote mobility across the Atlantic through visa facilitation for professionals;
Amendment 406 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
(vi) to ensure an adequate carve-out of sensitive services such asthe inclusion of reservations for public services and public utilities (including water, health, social security systems and education), in line with existing and recently concluded EU trade agreements, allowing national and local authorities enough room for manoeuvre to legislate in the public interest; ain this regard welcomes the joint declaration reflecting negotiators’' clear commitment to exclude these sectors from the negotiations would be very helpful in this regard; ;
Amendment 433 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
(vii) to combine market access negotiations on financial services with convergence in financial regulation on the highest level, in order to support the introduction and compatibility of necessary regulation to prevent financial crises and in order to support ongoing cooperation efforts in other international forums, such as the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision;
Amendment 450 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point viii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point viii
(viii) to ensure that the EU’'s acquis on data privacy is not compromised through the liberalisation of data flowsfully respected in any final Agreement, in particular in the area of e- commerce and financial services; to ensure that no commitments on data flows are taken up before European data protection legislation is in place; , while a stable and predictable legal environment ensuring and facilitating the continued ability of firms, especially in the service sector, to transfer data across the Atlantic, is assured; stresses that the EU should cooperate with the United States in order to encourage third countries to adopt similar high data protection standards in the area of trade around the world; further notes that such provisions must be consistent with the provisions set forth in Article 14 of the GATS and that restrictions on data flows and associated infrastructure may create risks that must be recognised;
Amendment 462 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point ix
Paragraph 1 – point b – point ix
(ix) to include am ambitious chapter on competition ensureing that European competition law is properly respected particularly in the digital world while establishing new standards, in particular regarding state owned enterprises, that could form the basis for improved global rules and common approaches with third countries;
Amendment 479 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point x
Paragraph 1 – point b – point x
(x) to keep in mind that the agreement should not risk prejudicing the Union’'s cultural and linguistic diversity, in line the relevant Articles as established in the Treaties, including in the audiovisual and cultural services sector, and that existing and future provisions and policies in support of the cultural sector, in particular in the digital world, are kept out of the scope of the negotiationsare augmented and complemented;
Amendment 494 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
(xi) to ensure that account is taken of the discrepancies in the openness of public procurement markets on both sides of the Atlantic and the huge interest on the part of European companies in obtaining access to public contracts in the US both at federal and state level, for example for construction services, traffic infrastructure and goods and services while respecting suexistainability criteriag legal frameworks for procurement on both sides, inter alia the new EU procurement and concession package entering into force in 2016; to ensure that that neither party will adopt new measures restricting market access in procurement beyond measures already in place;
Amendment 511 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xii
(xii) to promote EU-US cooperation at the international level in order to promote sustainability standards for public procurement, inter alia in the implementation of the recently revised Government Procurement Agrefurther international agreements in the field of public procurement;
Amendment 531 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xiv
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xiv
(xiv) to ensure withat the negotiations on rules of origin aim at reconciling the EU and US approaches; given the conclusion of the negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between EU and Canada and the potential upgrade of the EU-Mexico free trade agreement, that the possibility and scope of cumulation will need to be consideis considered, in view of a possible future transatlantic free trade areda;
Amendment 540 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
Paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
(c) regarding regulatory cooperation and coherence pillar and NTBs:
Amendment 555 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point i
Paragraph 1 – point c – point i
(i) to ensure that the regulatory cooperation chapterand coherence promotes an effective, transparent, pro- competitive economic environment through the facilitation of trade and investment while developing and securing high levels of protection of health and safety, consumer, labour and environmental legislation and of the cultural diversity that exists within the EU; negotiators on both sides; need to identify and to be very clear about which regulatory measures and standardsotes that some areas may prove challenging in terms of finding an agre fundamental and cannot be compromised,ement, however, insists that negotiators determine, where possible and which ones can be the subject of a common approach, which are the areas where mutual recognition based on a common high standard and a strong system of market surveillance is desirable and which are those where simply an improved exchange of information is possible, based on the experience of one and a half years of ongoing talks;
Amendment 577 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) to baseensure that negotiations on SPS and TBT measures go beyond the key principles of the multilateralWTO Agreements on SPS and TBT agreements; to aim in the first place at increasing transparency coherence and openness, mutual recognition, exchanges of best practices, strengthening dialogue between regulators and strengthening cooperation in international standards-setting bodies while removing all unnecessary obstacles to trade and investment and ensuring that regulators create proportionate measures based on scientific evidence and international standards; to recognise, in negotiations on SPS and TBT measures, the right of both parties to manage risk in accordance with the level either deems appropriate in order to protect human, animal or plant life or health; to in full respect and uphold the sensitivities and fundamental values of either side, such as the EU’s precautionary principleof legal frameworks on both sides;
Amendment 598 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
(iii) with regard to the horizontal regulatory cooperation chapter, to give priority to fostering bilateral cooperation between regulatory bodies through enhanced information exchange and to promote the adoption, strengthening and timely implementation of international instruments, on the basis of successful international expe whilst fully respecting the priences such as, for instance, ISO standards or under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29); to establish that the prior impact assessment for the regulatory act, as defined in the horizontal provisions on regiple subsidiarity, on the basis of a specific and permanent regulatory and consultatoryion cooperation, should also measure the impact on consumers and the environment next to its impact on trade and investment; to handle the possibility of promoting regulatory compatibility with great care and only without compromising legitimate regulatory and policy objectives mechanism, ensuring the creation of a living agreement;
Amendment 603 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iv
Amendment 614 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point v
Paragraph 1 – point c – point v
(v) to fully respect the established regulatory systems on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the European Parliament’'s role within the EU’'s decision-making process and its democratic scrutiny over EU regulatory processes when creating the framework for future cooperation while at the same time being vigilant about a balanced involvement of stakeholders within the consultations included in the developensuring the utmost transparency and the involvement of all regulatory proposallevant stakeholders;
Amendment 621 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – introductory part
Paragraph 1 – point d – introductory part
(d) regarding the rules pillar:
Amendment 626 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i
(i) to combine negotiations on market access and regulatory cooperation with the establishment of ambitious rules and disciplines, inter alia on on issues such as, but not limited to, sustainable development, energy, SMEs, investment and intellectual property;
Amendment 639 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
(ii) to ensure that the sustainable development chapter aims at the full and effective ratification, implementation and enforcement of the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and their content, the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and the core international environmental agreements; provisions should be aimed at improv's provisions should be aimed at safeguarding and promoting levels of protection of labour and environmental standards; asks, therefore, that negotiators include an ambitious trade and sustainable development chapter which should also include rules on corporim ate social responsibility based on the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a clearly structured civil society involvetting new global benchmarks for a trade agreement;
Amendment 642 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
Amendment 651 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point iv
(iv) to ensure that labour and environmental standards are made enforceableincluded, by building on the goodprevious experience of the EU-Korea free trade agreementexisting EU FTAs and good and effective practices in the US’'s free trade agreements and national legislation;
Amendment 660 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point v
Paragraph 1 – point d – point v
Amendment 676 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vi
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vi
(vi) to ensure that the economic, social and environmental impact of TTIP is examined through a thorough trade sustainability impact assessment with clear involvement of relevant stakeholders and civil society;
Amendment 691 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vii
(vii) to ensure that in course of the negotiations the two sides examine ways to facilitate natural gas and oil exports, so that TTIP would abolish any existing export restrictions on energy between the two trading partners, thereby supporting a diversification of energy sources; and reducing EU Member States' reliance on single points of supply and transit;
Amendment 707 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ix
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ix
(ix) to ensure that TTIP supports the use and promotion of green goods and services, thereby tapping into the considerable potential for environmental and economic gains offered by the transatlantic economy complementing on-going negotiations on the Green Goods Agreement;
Amendment 710 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point x
Paragraph 1 – point d – point x
Amendment 726 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xi
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xi
(xi) to ensure that TTIP includes a specific chapter on SME’'s and aims at creating new opportunities in the US for European SMEs, for instance by eliminating double certification requirements, by establishing a web-based information system about the different regulations and best practices, by introducing ‘'fast- track’' procedures at the border or by eliminating specific tariff peaks that continue to exist; it should establish mechanisms for both sides to work together to facilitate SMEs’' participation in transatlantic trade, for instance through a common SME ’'one-stop shop’' with SME stakeholders playing a key role in the establishment of such a system;
Amendment 740 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xii
(xii) to ensure that TTIP contains a comprehensive chapter on investment which should look not only to enhance Europe as a destination for investment, but should also increase confidence for EU investment in the US, including provisions on both market access and investment protection; the investment chapter should aim at ensuring non- discriminatory treatment for the establishment of European and US companies in each other’'s territory, while taking account of the sensitive nature of some specific sectorsthese provisions should further look to form a new "gold standard" for investment protection in existing and future international investment for a such a "gold standard" should guarantee the maximum level of transparency possible, look at establishing an appellate mechanism as well as making explicit the right to regulate;
Amendment 747 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiii
(xiii) to ensure that investment protection provisions are limited to post- establishment provisions and focus on non-discrimination andfocus on non-discrimination, direct and indirect expropriation as well as fair and equitable treatment; standards of protection and definitions of investor and investment should be drawn up in a precise legal manner; free transfer of capital should be in line with the EU treaty provisions and should include a prudential carve-out in the case of financial crises;
Amendment 773 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
(xiv) to ensure that foreign investors are treated in a non-discriminatory fashion and have a fair opportunity to seek and achieve redress of grievances, which can be achieved without the inclusion of an ISDS mechanism; such a mechanism is not necessary in TTIP given the EU’s and the US’ developed legal systems; a state-to- state dispute settlement system and the use of national courts are the most appropriate tools to address investment disputesmedy and redress independent of any possible political interference; supports therefore, the inclusion of investment protection mechanisms, including a reformed and improved ISDS and supports DG Trade's on-going efforts in this area;
Amendment 801 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
(xv) to ensure that TTIP includes an ambitious Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) chapter that includes strong protection of precisely and clearly defined areas of IPR, including enhanced protection and recognition of European Geographical Indications (GIs), and reflects a fair and efficient level of protection such as laid out in the EU’'s and the US’'s free trade agreement provisions in this area, while continuing to confirm the existing flexibilities in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), notably in the area of public health thus ensuring that those who create high quality innovate products can continue to do so;
Amendment 813 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi
(xvi) to ensure that the IPR chapter does not include provisions on criminal sanctions as a tool for enforcement, as having been previouslyincludes appropriate enforcement mechanisms, allowing for remedies and redress in case of failure a to rejspected by Parlia mutually agreed commitments;
Amendment 817 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi a (new)
(xvia) to facilitate the short term mobility of skilled labour between the EU and US and establish a fast track approach for expeditious processing of visa/work permit applications;
Amendment 820 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi b (new)
(xvib) to create common frameworks between the US and EU for programmes to encourage both basic research and development, as the commercialisation of new technologies, and to consider horizontal as well as sector and technology-specific aspects for improved cooperation to enhance R&D and innovation;
Amendment 823 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – introductory part
Paragraph 1 – point e – introductory part
(e) regarding transparency, civil society involvement and public, public and political outreach:
Amendment 827 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point i
Paragraph 1 – point e – point i
(i) to continue ongoing efforts to increase transparency in the negotiations by making , where appropriate, more negotiation proposals available to the general public;
Amendment 838 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
(ii) to translate these transparency efforts into meaningful practical results, inter alia by reaching meaningful arrangements with the US side to improve transparency, including access to all negotiating documents, in order to allow Members of Parliament and the Member States to develop constructive discussions with stakeholders and the public;
Amendment 849 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
(iii) to promote an even closer engagement with the Member States and National Parliaments with the aim of forging their active involvement in better communicating the scope and the possible benefits of the agreement for European citizens and in order to ensure a broad, fact-based public debate on TTIP in Europe with the aim of exploring the genuine concerns surrounding the agreement;
Amendment 858 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iv
(iv) to reinforce its continuous and transparent engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, business, environmental, agricultural, consumer, labour and other representatives, throughout the negotiation process; encourages all stakeholders to participate actively and to put forward initiatives and information relevant to the negotiations;
Amendment 873 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) to ensure that TTIP is accompanied by a deepening of transatlantic parliamentary cooperation leading in future to a broader and enhanced political framework to improve global cooperation between the EU and the US. This framework should ensure sustained cooperation not only in the implementation of the deal, but in establishing further cooperation on bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral trade and investment issues of shared interest and importance;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Stresses that massive investments are required in developing countries in terms of infrastructure, water supply and energy - estimates of the incremental spending needed in developing countries is $ 1 trillion/year more than what is currently spent, with the majority of this funding needing to come from the private sector;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that current EU practices to leverage private finance with official development assistance (ODA) have proved ineffective owing to a lack of clarity as regards additionality, transparency, accountability, ownership, alignment with country priorities, debt sustainability and, consequently, development impactby diversifying and sharing risk are effective in meeting current challenges and mobilising more resources;
Amendment 31 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need for EU trade policy to respect the policy space of developing countries - in particular least developed countries - so as to maintain robust import tariffs that facilitate the creation of skilled and decent jobs within local manufacturing and agro-processing industries as possible enablers of higher domestic value-added, industrial growth and diversification, which are a key component in economic and social upgrading;
Amendment 32 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need for EU trade policy to respect the policy space of developing countries so as to maintain robustprovide specific import tariffs that facilitate the creation of skilled and decent jobs within local manufacturing and agro-processing industries as possible enablers of higher domestic value-added, industrial growth and diversification, which are a key component in economic and social upgrading;
Amendment 33 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need for EU trade policy to respect the policy space of developing countries so as to maintain robust import tariffs that facilitate the creation of skilled and decent jobs within local manufacturing and agro-processing industries as possible enablers of higher domestic value-added, competitiveness, industrial growth and diversification, which are a key component in economic and social upgrading;
Amendment 34 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need for EU trade policy to respect the policy space of developing countries so as to maintain robust import tariffs that facilitate the creation of skilled and decent jobs within local manufacturing and agro-processing industries as possible enablers of higher domestic value-added, industrial growth and diversification, which are a key component in economic and social upgrading; and precursors to future export drives within global trade systems;
Amendment 41 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for measures to promote nationally owned development strategies that shape private- sector contribution to development by enhancing local micro, small and medium- sized enterprises and local procurement, which are essential for endogenous development and can strengthen the capacity of developing countries for mobilising domestic revenue, fighting tax fraud and tax evasion, and mitigating currency and commodity price volatility, which endanger access to value chains;
Amendment 46 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the EU is the main provider of the Aid for Trade programme in the world, where main priorities are encouraging business-to business relations, supporting productive capacity and capacity to trade in developing countries;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the review of existing trade and investment agreements in order to identify any areas, especially provisions on intellectual property rights, that may negatively affect developmentUnderlines that reinforced intellectual property protection and enforcement helps developing countries to build and develop necessary frameworks to encourage and protect innovation and research, an issue of increasing relevance as they move up international trading value chains;
Amendment 70 #
2014/2205(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights the need for EU trade policy to promote good governance via a bindingvoluntary framework which ensures that EU companies are accountable for their actions in developing countries as regards standards in respect of human rights, gender equality, decent work, union rights, environmental protection, universal access to quality public services, social protection, public and universal health coverage, universal access to medicines, and food and product safety.
Amendment 4 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that in order to meet global energy challenges and implement its energy and climate change objectives, the EU must also take common actionMember States must cooperate with one another on the international stage;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates that energy is a basic human needessential for human economic activity and industrial competitiveness; insists, therefore, that the EU’'s energy security strategy should ensure affordstable, secure and predictable access to energy for all and should strengthen public control and regulationreduce as much as possible reliance on a single supply route or point of transit;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for greater coherence between the EU’s trade and energy policies, considers that EU FTAs should lead to increased market access in energy resources and products both with established long term partners and with new and prospective partner countries in areas such as, but not limited to, Central Asia, North Africa and the Americas;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that trade plays a key role in energy security, and that strong energy partnerships, reinforced by the inclusion of energy chapters included in the EU’s free trade agreements, are essential tools; considers it of key importance tohese chapters not only reduce dependency on imported energy; from a single source but encourage both diversification of supply routes and indigenous production, especially from less conventional energy sources and renewables;
Amendment 42 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Member States to increase their cooperation on the information exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with third countries in the field of energy, in order to increase transparency and bundleleverage, where appropriate, their negotiating power vis-à-vis third countries;
Amendment 52 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that the energy security strategy should strive to alleviate tensions between countries and reduce market inefficiencies, both of which factors counteract the benefits of trade; stresses the need to promote democratic global governance structures for energy and raw materialsand international rules for trade in energy in order to decrease international tensions and improve legal stability in this area, welcomes the work done by the International Energy Forum but believes that a more prominent long term role should be played by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) with a view to ensuring increased market transparency, and reducing abuse and manipulation of the market;
Amendment 59 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that the EU should help assist the most vulnerable countriesEU Member States in diversifying their sources and supply routes, including reverse flows, with an emphasis on regional strategies that focus on renewable energies and related storage facilities, in order to increase energy efficiency worldwide, and should help eradicate energy poverty, contribute to global sustainable development and support the global effort to tackle climate change and also diversification of suppliers;
Amendment 70 #
2014/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers exporttrade opportunities for EU private and public companies in clean, secure and efficient energy technologies particularly important, especially in the light of the growing global energy demand; calls not only for significant tariff reductions on these technologies within the Green Goods initiative. but also within all EU FTAs, which must also tackle non- tariff barriers in energy resources, products and technologies, allowing for stable, transparent and predictable trade;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the Court of Auditors Report adopted on 11.07.2014 states that the potential saving for the EU Budget would be about 114 million euro a year if the European Parliament centralised its activities;
Amendment 48 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 c (new)
Paragraph 33 c (new)
33c. Stresses that the Parliament and the Council, in order to create long term savings in the Union budget, must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as stated by the Parliament in several previous resolutions;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on both negotiating parties to fully respect their WTO commitments, eliminating any WTO-incompatible measures, and to build further on those commitments so as to achieve an ambitious agreement;
Amendment 73 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes theTakes into account the unilateral publication of Commission's guidelines in July 2013 on the eligibility of Israeli entities for Union's grants, prizes and financial instruments; clarifying the Union's position on this matter; urges the Commission to come forward with guidelines on the correct labelling of settlement products as a onsiders that to facilitate legitimatter of urgency; calls on Ministers and the Commission to build on and strengthen the 2010 action plan aimed at facilitating trade of trade of both Israeli and Palestinian products with other Euro- Mediterranean partners on a bilateral and regional basis, the EU should engage constructively with all parties involved in order to work out an efficient labelling scheme;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Is concerned with the extremely low tax revenue, which amounted to only 9.1% of GDP in 2011 - one of the lowest ratios in the world; is of the view that fundamental tax reform is required in order to boost public finances, especially spending on health, education and welfare;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages Pakistan to play a constructive role in a region facing serious geopolitical challenges; welcomes the improvement of India-Pakistan relations over the past 12 months, the new VISA agreement which represents an important step in growing interaction between the two countries and calls for continued efforts on both sides at rapprochement;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2168(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses the regional importance of stable Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and calls on Pakistan to normalise its relations with Afghanistan; calls on Pakistan to withdraw its patronage of the Afghan Taliban, to stop giving sanctuary and sustenance to Afghan insurgents and to re-establish control in the region bordering Afghanistan as its long-term national security interests are best served by a peaceful, moderate and prosperous Afghanistan;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2133(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) to insist that the EU-Canada partnership is not longer undermined by persisting asymmetric visa regimes and that a solution based on full and unconditional visa reciprocity is found before the SPA ratification process is completed;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is legally binding on the EU institutions and EU Member States with the exception of those that have an opt- out when they implement EU law and whereas the Commission's Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter explicitly acknowledges that the Charter applies to the EU's external action;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises the efforts undertaken by the CommissionWelcomes the Commission's efforts in establishing a framework for the annual reporting of Member States on their export credit activities in accordance with Regulation 1233/2011, in order to step up transparency at the EU level; stresses that one of the key objectives of this reporting is to monitor compliance of Member States' Export Credit Agencies with the international disciplines applicable to export credits;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges informal receipt of the first annual report on the export credit activities of Member States by the Commission on 14 December 2012, evaluating the responses of 20 out of 27 Member States maintaining active export credit programmes, as well as receipt of these Member States' reports in the form of annexes; calls on the Commission to consult with Member States on the possibility to approve these documents or a summary of them for public release in order to fulfil the goal of the basic Regulation to increase transparency;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recognises that EU Member States in their Annual Activity Reports have made available to the Commission the financial and operational information on export credits, as requested in the first paragraph of Annexe I of Regulation 1233/2011;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. RecommendSuggests that the Council Working Group on Export Credits and the Commission cooperatensult with the European External Action Service (EEAS) on developing a methodology for meaningful reporting on Article 21 compliance before the next annual report is duethe application in the EU of certain OECD guidelines in the field of officially supported export credits;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes thatEncourages Member State ECAs currentlyto continue reporting on their evaluation of environmental risks but not on how these are included in the calculation of ECA premiums; considers such reporting; considers such reporting by all OECD and non-OECD ECAs to be essential to ensuring a level playing field;
Amendment 53 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. RecommendsSuggests exploring the relevance of a sectoral approach in developing the IWG, in order possibly to build the base for horizontal provisions in a second phase that will ensure the common adoption of effective environmental, social and human rights standards by all OECD and non- OECD ECAs to ensuring a level playing field;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Encourages the Commission to continue pursuing an ambitious but also structured and forward-looking approach to renewables that includes support mechanisms, measures to boost technological innovation and the identification of new strategic areas for the use of renewables as trade commodities;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that measures to boost technological innovation should provide, amongst other, sufficient funding for research and development of renewable sources or energy for a sustainable EU energy mix;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the leadership of the EU in renewable energy technology is currently being eroded, including through the use of unfair trade practices by some emerging economies; urges therefore the Commission to make pro-activeactively monitor the use of unjustified non-tariff barriers (NTBs), subsidies and dumping measures by EU trade partners in this area and make strategic and efficient use of trade defence instruments in order to counter such illegal practices;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that trade has an important role in making sure that renewable energy is sustainable; recalls that imported bioenergy and agrofuels shall be in compliance with EU's sustainability criteria, and encourages the Commission to introduce indirect land use as an additional criterion; recommends that trade agreements should contain provisions to address the issues of deforestation and forest degradation that should be clearly defined and regularly updated; recommends that to address the issues of deforestation and resulting forest and land degradation, the Commission actively promotes the conclusion of FLEGT agreements with third countries;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes and encourages the conclusion of Voluntary Partnership Agreements between the EU and developing and emerging countries on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the European Union (FLEGT) and reminds that a carefully managed, sustainable timber harvest is also a renewable source of energy;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2259(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Opposes subsidies to fossil fuels and rRecalls the G20 agreement gradually to phase out suchfossil fuel subsidies; calls on the Commission swiftly to put forward proposals for a timetable to phase outin this regard for all fossil fuel subsidies granted by institutions, such as export credit agencies, that receive public support from the EU or from Member Statesthe EU, while taking into account the need to preserve economic and social cohesion.
Amendment 2 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and , (Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union,207 of Title II, Part V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides the legal basis for the common commercial policy of the European Union which shall be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action.)
Amendment 3 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union, (Article 3 of Title I of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) refers to some of the 'Common Provisions' guiding the action of the European Union.)
Amendment 9 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament legislative resolution of 11 December 2012 on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing transitional arrangements for bilateral investment agreements between Member States and third countries (11917/1/2012 – C7–0328/2012 – 2010/0197(COD)), (Texts adopted P7_TA(2012)0471)
Amendment 12 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU's trade and investment policy should be guided by the general principle of its external action and should contribute to ‘the sustainable development of the Earth (…), free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protcommon commercial policy shall be based on uniform principles, particularly with regard to changes in tariff rates, the conclusion of tariff and trade agreements relating to trade in goods and services, and the commercial aspects of intellectual property, foreign direct investment, the achievement of uniformity in measures of liberalisation, export policy and measures to protect trade such as those to be taken in the event of dumping or subsidies, and whereas the common commercial policy shall be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action. (It is sensible to underline in the context of this report the objectionves of human rights’;11 the EU's common commercial policy as enshrined in Article 207(1) TFEU.)
Amendment 16 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas trade and investment between the EU and developing countries (DCs) can be a means of achieving those objectives by stimulating the sustainable growth of developing countries (DCs)all parties, enabling the transfer of technologies and skills and helping to create jobs and increase competitiveness and productivity;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas trade and investment cannot in themselves have a decisive impact on growth or on the structural weaknesses (shortfalls in human capital, governance and infrastructure, weak private sector, heavy reliance on exports of raw materials, poor export diversification, high trade costs, etc.) from which DCs suffer and which hamper their full access to world trade;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU's trade and investment policy in respect of developing countries should be supplemented by technical and financial assistance coupled with parallel national measurefrom amongst other the European Development Fund coupled with parallel national support and job creation measures and where appropriate development of north-south, cross-border and south-south public-private partnerships;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas trade and investment measures to promote sustainable development can have very varied origins and forms; whereas several different programmes and actions may be run within the same country without any real coordination, which can reduce their effectiveness and relevance, and ultimately contribute to lower citizens' confidence in such endeavours;
Amendment 34 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Supports the Commission's aim of enhancing synergies between trade and development policies; recommends that it awardgives priority, in these policies, to measures aimed at creating jobs, improving the trade and investment climate, resistance to economic shocks, fiscal governancefostering the development of the private sector, including micro and small and medium- sized enterprises, resistance to economic shocks and illegal trade practices, fiscal governance and fight against tax fraud and evasion and diversification of trade and investment flows, and promoting sustainable development;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers the ownership by beneficiary countries of programmes for developing trade and investment to be aone of the decisive factors in their success, and that national, regional and local authorities and civil society must systematically be involved in accordance with the rule of law in the framing and monitoring of national programmes;
Amendment 48 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Views as decisive investment aimed at creating, developing and strengthening key port, transport, energy and telecommunications infrastructure, and in particular cross- border infrastructure and intermodal hubs;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 1 – indent 1
Paragraph 5 – point 1 – indent 1
– support for smallelf-employed farmers, and producers and small cooperatives and for the development of sustainable agricultural, piscicultural and breeding practices which enable supply chains to be established, consolidated and diversified;
Amendment 78 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 2 – indent 2
Paragraph 5 – point 2 – indent 2
– improving the investment climate in order to facilitate private sector participation and where appropriate the development of public-private- partnerships;
Amendment 96 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – indent 1
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – indent 1
– helping national governments to decide theiimprove governance and public and private accountability in view of better national trade policies and development strategies;
Amendment 99 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – indent 2 a (new)
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – indent 2 a (new)
- support for the development of the private sector, including micro and small and medium-sized enterprises, to foster its participation in trade and investment at the local, regional, cross-border, bilateral and multilateral level;
Amendment 101 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – indent 4
Paragraph 5 – point 4 – indent 4
– establishing of institutions that facilitate trade and investment and the creation of guarantee funds and risk capital funds, including seed capital and business angels.
Amendment 106 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Supports the Commission proposal concerning the differentiation of EU aid for trade and the focusing of efforts on those countries in most need of this, and particularly the less developed countries (LDCs) and low-income countries; calls on the Commission, nevertheless, not to take revenuto supplement the (gross national product) as its sole criterion, but also criterion with other relevant indexes to take into account a country's general level of development and its needs, capacities and internal development inequalities; urges the Commission to take into account the principles of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for the LDCs;
Amendment 112 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses concern at the proliferation of tied aid practices; urges the developed countries and the major emerging countries not toto gradually no longer resort to such practices, but rather to make efforts to harness regional and local resources, including human capital, in their economic development projects centring on trade and investment;
Amendment 117 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Deplores the lack of international coordination of investment policies, including at the international level; welcomes the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on transitional arrangements for bilateral investment agreements between Member States and third countries; encourages the Commission to develop an EU policy on international investment which reflects the capacity of states to generate their own rules, andensures proper investment protection, enhances legal certainty, reflects the capacity of states to generate common rules and standards, while taking into account particularly social, economic and environmental standardneeds in drafting own legislations;
Amendment 121 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the WTO's decision to facilitate accession for LDCs; calls on the developed countries and the major emerging countries which are WTO members to uincrease the derogation applicable to services in the case of LDCs and to apply preferential treatment to services and service providers from LDCs;participation of developing countries in world trade in services through negotiated specific commitments in accordance with Articles IV, XIV and XIV a of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). (The abovementioned articles of GATS refer to the following topics: Article IV: Increasing Participation of Developing Countries; Article XIV: General Exceptions; Article XIV a: Security Exceptions.)
Amendment 125 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges the Commission to propose tangible ways of bolstering its support for swifter and deeper regional integration amongst DCs, with a view to developing regional markets and creating regional value chains; urges it also to foster conclusion of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the EU and interested DCs in order to gradually integrate their markets in the multilateral trade framework; calls on the Commission to consider simplifying and harmonising rules of origin and the means of facilitating their use by small- volume exporters; calls on the Commission to strengthen its partnerships with existing regional institutions, and particularly the African Development Bank; points to the vital role played by the local private sector in terms of trade integration and economic development;
Amendment 130 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the conclusion of a first economic partnership agreement (EPA) and calls on the Commission to harness this momentum to relaunch the negotiations on EPAs not yet concluded; points to the importance of establishing a firm legal and commercial framework for promoting EU investment in ACP countries, including in cooperation with other European and international institutions such as the EIB, the World Bank/IFC and the EBRD, and the private sector; calls on the Commission to take into account the European Parliament's recommendations concerning preference erosion and the flexibility and scope of tariff dismantling, and to award special attention to implementing the EPAs;
Amendment 134 #
2012/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that the EU has developed effective tools in the field of development assistance through trade and investment, with these including the GSP and EPAs; urges the Commission, nonetheless, to combine all the existing instruments in a genuine overarching strategy that also comprises measures in the fields of technical assistance for trade, capacity building and trade-related adjustment; considers that the Commission and the European External Action Service should develop synergies in order to further enhance the Union's commercial diplomacy worldwide;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers ownership of aid programmes by the beneficiary countries as a crucial factor; hopes to see national, regional and local institutionstogether with transparency, accountability and sufficient resources as one of the crucial factors contributing to their effectiveness; calls for systematic parliamentary oversight of aid programmes both on the side of the donors and the recipients with active and direct involvement of national, regional and local institutions in accordance with each country's respective institutional framework, as well as civil society, systematically involved in preparing and monitoring national aid programmes;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Encourages developing countries to incorporate the goal of economic development into all their national policies, strategies and initiatives with a view to diversifying their economy; asks the Commission to work on building up governments' capacity to incorporate issues linked to sustainable economic development into their national trade strategies and programmes;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers that sustainable economic development strategies should, amongst other, provide for: - participation of the private sector in the real economy; - regional cohesion and integration of markets through cross-border cooperation; - development of open and fair trade, embedded in a rules-based multilateral trade framework;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges countries in receipt of trade development aid to also mobilise their own domestic resources, including budgetary revenue through proper collection of taxes and human capital, al; congside this; hopers that in cases where these countries derive part or most of their income from the exploitation of natural resources, the Commission will target its actiony should implement measures, including with the technical assistance of the Commission, aimed at supporting transparent access to and sustainable exploitation of said resources;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Asks the Commission and all donors to seek out innovative types of development funding and partnerships and to promote them; supportsreminds, in this regard, that public- private partnerships, microcredit and peer-to-peer lending can also contribute to advancing development through trade; supports, amongst other things, the establishment of south- south and three-way partnerships; recommends better coordinating development projects funded by regional development banks and the World Bank/International Finance Corporation, and making more widespread use of interregional funding schemes such as the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund.
Amendment 2 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that the Commission has not yet drawn upNotes with interest the Commission's concrete proposals on the implementation of CSR principles in EU trade policy;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Commands all members of the OECD for their comprehensive work on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises as published as of 25 May 2011 that are far reaching recommendations for responsible business conduct that 44 adhering governments – representing all regions of the world and accounting for 85% of foreign direct investment – encourage their enterprises to observe wherever they operate;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to include a CSR claudraw on CSR principles as defined in the latest OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in allrelevant chapters of bilateral trade and investment agreements signed by the EU, on the basis of principles of CSR as; stresses that these OECD guidelines have been defined and acknowledged at the international level; suggests that this clause contain measures for in order to set and maintain a level playing field, while fostering open, fair, and responsible business practices worldwide; suggests to the Commission to report annually to both the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of these principlOECD guidelines;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that all companies operating in the Single market, including transnational corporations whose subsidiaries or supply chains are located in the EU, comply with all their legal obligations at both the national and EU level in order to ensure fair competition and maximise the benefits for EU consumers; calls also on the Commission to actively promote responsible business conduct amongst EU companies operating abroad with a special focus on ensuring strict compliance with all their legal obligations stemming from either domestic laws or any bilateral or international legal obligations their business operations are subject to therein, none the least compliance with international standards and rules in the areas of human rights, labour and the environment; to this aim, suggests to the Commission to actively engage with its partners in developing and emerging countries to exchange best practices and know-how on ways and means to improve the business environment and awareness about responsible business conduct;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 31 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Reminds that for settling commercial disputes and/or seeking compensation for negative externalities of irresponsible or illegal business activity both court litigations and alternatives to court litigations already exist; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to further enhance awareness of both amongst the businesses community and the public at large; recalls that the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) provides dispute resolution services for individuals, businesses, states, state entities, and international organizations seeking alternatives to court litigation that can contribute to improve effective access to justice for victims in the event of breaches of responsible business practices causing economic, social and environmental damages in the EU and/or abroad;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 45 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 49 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets thatWelcomes the current reform of the Transparency Directive (2004/109/EG) and of the Accounting Directive (2003/51/EG) does notthat do address the issue of corporate social responsibility sufficiently; calls on the Commission to ensure that companies falling under these directives are obliged to report regularly on theirby rightly balancing both the legitimate quest for transparency in business operations and the burden of reporting for companies concerned, especially SMEs; considers, in this regard, country-by-country reporting as a feasible and viable standard for company reporting, including on CSR activities, particularly in non-EU states.
Amendment 2 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that the Commission has not yet drawn upNotes with interest the Commission's concrete proposals on the implementation of CSR principles in EU trade policy;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Commands all members of the OECD for their comprehensive work on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises as published as of 25 May 2011 that are far reaching recommendations for responsible business conduct that 44 adhering governments – representing all regions of the world and accounting for 85% of foreign direct investment – encourage their enterprises to observe wherever they operate;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to include a CSR claudraw on CSR principles as defined in the latest OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in allrelevant chapters of bilateral trade and investment agreements signed by the EU, on the basis of principles of CSR as; stresses that these OECD guidelines have been defined and acknowledged at the international level; suggests that this clause contain measures for in order to set and maintain a level playing field, while fostering open, fair, and responsible business practices worldwide; suggests to the Commission to report annually to both the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of these principlOECD guidelines;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that all companies operating in the Single market, including transnational corporations whose subsidiaries or supply chains are located in the EU, comply with all their legal obligations at both the national and EU level in order to ensure fair competition and maximise the benefits for EU consumers; calls also on the Commission to actively promote responsible business conduct amongst EU companies operating abroad with a special focus on ensuring strict compliance with all their legal obligations stemming from either domestic laws or any bilateral or international legal obligations their business operations are subject to therein, none the least compliance with international standards and rules in the areas of human rights, labour and the environment; to this aim, suggests to the Commission to actively engage with its partners in developing and emerging countries to exchange best practices and know-how on ways and means to improve the business environment and awareness about responsible business conduct;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 31 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Reminds that for settling commercial disputes and/or seeking compensation for negative externalities of irresponsible or illegal business activity both court litigations and alternatives to court litigations already exist; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to further enhance awareness of both amongst the businesses community and the public at large; recalls that the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) provides dispute resolution services for individuals, businesses, states, state entities, and international organizations seeking alternatives to court litigation that can contribute to improve effective access to justice for victims in the event of breaches of responsible business practices causing economic, social and environmental damages in the EU and/or abroad;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 45 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 49 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets thatWelcomes the current reform of the Transparency Directive (2004/109/EG) and of the Accounting Directive (2003/51/EG) does notthat do address the issue of corporate social responsibility sufficiently; calls on the Commission to ensure that companies falling under these directives are obliged to report regularly on theirby rightly balancing both the legitimate quest for transparency in business operations and the burden of reporting for companies concerned, especially SMEs; considers, in this regard, country-by-country reporting as a feasible and viable standard for company reporting, including on CSR activities, particularly in non-EU states.
Amendment 6 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the support to SMEs to be tailored to suit the individualparticular needs of each company, as SMEsindustrial sector, as SMEs in each sector of the EU industry display a very wide range of profiles and needbusiness necessities reflecting their respective size, sectorarea of activity and geographic location;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to draft a legislative proposal laying down binding commitments on the part of the Member States to simplify all national procedures pertaining to policies in support ofMember States and the Commission to use their best endeavours to simplify the business environment for SMEs in close consultation with European small business associations, chambers of commerce and industry, and other relevant stakeholders in support of both the cutting of red tape and the internationalisation of SMEs;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets that the Communication does not address enough the difficulties that SMEs face in identifying foreign business opportunities, and that it does not propose providing SMEs identified by governments with suggestions on internationalisation; considers that a holistic strategy with concrete suggestions on ways and means to foster the internationalisation of SMEs is urgently needed; believes that the EU should promote and support incentives to develop SMEs in strategic sectors in a proactive fashion, especially when it concerns high- value- added manufacturing activities offering a competitive edge over emerging economies as well as high-quality jobs for European citizens; stresses the need, therefore, to identify promising niche- markets and foster their development;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Member States to adopt single export helpdesks at a local level, run in cooperation with businesses, so that SMEs can receive, in their own language and for immediate use, information regarding export opportunities, barriersexisting barriers to trade (both tariffs and non-tariffs), investment protection and dispute settlement provisions in force and competitors in third markets;
Amendment 31 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets that the Communication does not foresee EU-leConsiders that practical and cost- effectivel solutions to help SMEs in overcoming the shortage of working capital, especially capital to make the initial investment required and to start financing exports should be designed and implemented through the EU common commercial policy;
Amendment 34 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) The Commission should without delay launch a pilot project on the functioning of this Regulation in the sectors of services and intellectual property rights taking into account the specificities of each area and present to the European Parliament and Council in due time a report on the outcome.
Amendment 37 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The Commission should regularly inform the European Parliament of its intention to implement commercial policy measures pursuant to this Regulation. That information should entail a detailed description of the specific case and of the envisaged measures, of the damage incurred by Union industry, the justification for and the possible impact of the envisaged measures. After the measures have been taken, the Commission should inform the European Parliament and Council of the actual impact of the measures.
Amendment 41 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) In order to ensure full and timely information of the European Parliament, the Commission should, at the request of the Parliament's competent committee, regularly participate in an in camera exchange of views on the managing of trade disputes and on the implementation of commercial policy measures pursuant to this Regulation;
Amendment 45 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Where action is necessary to safeguard the interests of the Union in the cases referred to in Article 3(1), the Commission shall adopt an implementing act determining the appropriate commercial policy measures. Such implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 8(2). The Commission shall duly inform the European Parliament and Council of the choice of commercial policy measures as laid down in Article 5.
Amendment 51 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission should justify to the European Parliament and to the Council the choice of the specific commercial policy measures adopted pursuant to this Article.
Amendment 59 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Commission shall duly inform the European Parliament and Council where it envisages suspending, modifying or terminating a measure provided for in Article 5.
Amendment 64 #
2012/0359(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. Information received pursuant to this Regulation shall be used only for the purpose for which it was requested. The Commission shall duly inform the European Parliament and Council of the outcome of such information gathering.
Amendment 24 #
2012/0250(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Member States' competent authorities should be given the powers to stop or seize those products when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that they are intended for the illicit drug manufacture, when they are exported, imported or in transit. Member States' competent authorities should share between themselves and with the Commission through a European Database information on seizures and stopped shipments to improve the overall level of information on trade in drug precursors and medicinal products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
Amendment 25 #
2012/0250(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
Amendment 29 #
2012/0250(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 13
Article 1 – point 13
Regulation (EC) No 111/2005
Article 30b – paragraph 2
Article 30b – paragraph 2
The delegation of powerpower to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 6(3) third subparagraph, 7(2), 8(2), 9(2), 11(1) and (3), 12(1), 19, 28 and 30a shall be conferred for an indeterminate period of timefive years from [OPOCE insert date of entry into force of this amending Regulation] with provision for a review as to whether or not to extend the delegation of power at the end of the period.
Amendment 30 #
2012/0250(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 14 a (new)
Article 1 – point 14 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 111/2005
Article 32 – subparagraph 4 (new)
Article 32 – subparagraph 4 (new)
In Article 32, the following subparagraph is added: By 1 July 2015, the Commission shall evaluate the functioning of this Regulation. The Commission shall present its conclusions in a report to the European Parliament and to the Council. Where appropriate, that report shall be accompanied by a legislative proposal to amend this Regulation.
Amendment 16 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Title
Title
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for managing financial responsibility linked to investor-to-state dispute settlement tribunals established by international agreements to which the European Union is party
Amendment 17 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1
Citation 1
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 64(2) and 207(2) thereof,
Amendment 18 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the Union has acquired exclusive competence for the conclusion of international agreements on investment protectionthe protection of foreign direct investment according to Article 207 TFEU. The Union is already party to the Energy Charter Treaty which provides for investment protection.
Amendment 22 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) Claims brought by an investor from a third country against either the Union itself or a Member State and that are resolved through alternative means to investor-to-state dispute settlement tribunals established by international agreements to which the Union is party, should be excluded from the scope of this Regulation.
Amendment 24 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In accordance with the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, international responsibility for treatment subject to dispute settlement should follow the division of competence between the European Union and Member States. As a consequence, the Union will in principle be responsible for defending any claims alleging a violation of rules included in an agreement which falls within the Union's exclusive competence, irrespective of whether the treatment at issue is afforded by the Union itself or by a Member State. Likewise, Member States will in principle be responsible for defending any claims alleging a violation of rules included in an agreement which falls within Member States' exclusive competence, irrespective of whether the treatment at issue is afforded by the Union itself or by a Member State.
Amendment 29 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Where the Union, as an entity having legal personality, has international responsibility for the treatment afforded, it will be expected, as a matter of international law, to pay any adverse award and bear the costs of any dispute. However, an adverse award may potentially flow either from treatment afforded by the Union itself or from treatment afforded by a Member State. It would as a consequence be inequitable if awards and the costs of arbitration were to be paid from the Union budget of the European Union where the treatment was afforded by a Member State. It is therefore necessary that financial responsibility be allocated, as a matter of Union law, and without prejudice to the international responsibility of the Union, between the Union itself and the Member State responsible for the treatment afforded on the basis of criteria established by this Regulation.
Amendment 31 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Financial responsibility should be allocated to the entity responsible for the treatment found to be inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the agreement. This means that the Union itself should bear the financial responsibility where the treatment concerned is afforded by an institution, body or agency of the Union or any other legal entity acting on behalf of the Union. The Member State concerned should bear the financial responsibility where the treatment concerned is afforded by athat Member State. However, where the Member State acts in a manner required by the law of the Union and fully complies with its obligations under the Union law, for example in transposing a directive adopted by the Union, the Union itself should bear financial responsibility in so far as the treatment concerned is required by Union law. The regulation also needs to foresee the possibility that an individual case could concern both treatment afforded by a Member State and treatment required by Union law. It will cover all actions taken by Member States and by the European Union. In such a case, the Member States and the Union should bear financial responsibility for the specific treatment afforded by either of them.
Amendment 33 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) When the Member State acts in a manner inconsistent with that required by the Union law, for example when the Member State fails to transpose a directive adopted by the Union or exceeds the terms of a directive adopted by the Union when implementing it into the national law , the Member State should consequently bear financial responsibility for the treatment concerned.
Amendment 34 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The Union, represented by the Commission should always act as the respondent where a dispute concerns exclusively treatment afforded by the institutions, bodies or agencies of the Union or any other legal entity acting on behalf of the Union, so that the Union bears the potential financial responsibility arising from the dispute in accordance with the above criteria.
Amendment 35 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) On the other hand, where a Member State would bear the potential financial responsibility arising from a dispute, it is equitable and appropriate, as a matter of principle, to permit such Member State to act as respondent in order to defend the treatment which it has afforded to the investor. The arrangements set down in this Regulation provide for that. This has the significant advantage that the Union budget and Unionof the European Union and Union non-financial resources would not be burdened, even temporarily, by either the costs of litigation or any eventual award made against the Member State concerned.
Amendment 36 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In certain circumstances, it is essential, in order to ensure that the interests of the Union can be appropriately safeguarded, that the Union itself acts as a respondent in disputes involving treatment afforded by a Member State. This may be so in particular in the following cases: where the dispute also involves partially treatment afforded by the Union,; where it appears that the treatment afforded by a Member State is required by Union law,; where a similar claim has been lodged, and where it is likely that other similar claims may be brought, against other Member States; or where the case involves unsettled issues of law, the resolution of which may have an impact on ongoing or possible future cases against other Member States and/or the Union. Where a dispute concerns partially treatment afforded by the Union, or required by Union law, the Union should act as a respondent, unless the claims concerning such treatment are of minor importance, having regard to the potential financial responsibility involved and the legal issues raised, in relation to the claims concerning treatment afforded by the Member State.
Amendment 37 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) It is appropriate thatn order to create a workable system, the Commission should decide, within the framework set down in this regulation, whether the Union should be the respondent or whether a Member State should act as respondent and inform the European Parliament and the Council of any such decision as part of its annual reporting on the implementation of this Regulation.
Amendment 40 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Equally, when a Member State acts as respondent it is appropriate that it keeps the Commission informed of developments in the case and that the Commission can, where appropriate, require that the Member State acting as respondent takes a specific position on matters having a Union interestn impact on the overriding interests of the Union.
Amendment 42 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) AWithout prejudice to the outcome of the arbitration proceedings, a Member State may at any time accept that it would be financially responsible in the event that compensation is to be paid. In such a case the Member State and the Commission may enter into arrangements for the periodic payment of costs and for the payment of any compensation. Such acceptance does not imply in any legal manner that the Member State accepts that the claim under dispute is well founded. The Commission should be able tomay in such a case adopt a decision requiring the Member State to make provision for such costs. In the event that the tribunal awards costs to the Union, the Commission should ensure that any advance payment of costs is immediately reimbursed to the Member State concerned.
Amendment 43 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In some cases, it may be appropriate to reach a settlement in order to avoid costly and unnecessary arbitration. It is necessary to lay down an effective and swift procedure for making such settlements. Such a procedure should permit the Commission, acting in accordance with the examination procedure, to settle a case where this would be in the interests of the Union. Where the case concerns treatment afforded by a Member State, it is appropriate that there should be close co-operation and consultations between the Commission and the Member State concerned, including on the proceedings of the settlement procedure and on the amount of the monetary compensation. The Member State should remain free to settle the case at all times, provided that it accepts full financial responsibility and that any such settlement is consistent with Union law and not against the interests of the Union as a whole.
Amendment 44 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Where an award has been rendered against the European Union, that award should be paid without delay. The Commission should make arrangements for the payment of such awards, unless a Member State has already accepted financial responsibility and paid the award.
Amendment 46 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The Commission should consult closely with the Member State concerned in order to reach agreement on the apportionment of financial responsibility. Where the Commission determines that a Member State is responsible, and the Member State does not accept that determination, the Commission should pay the award, but should address a decision to the Member State requesting it to provide the amounts concerned to the budget of the European Union, together with applicable interest. The interest payable should be that set down pursuant to [Article 718(4) of Council Regulation (ECU, Euratom) No 1605966/20012 of 25 June 200the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2012 on the Ffinancial Regulationrules applicable to the general budget of the European Communities as amended]Union. Article 263 of the Treaty is available in cases where a Member State considers that theany decision taken by the Commission pursuant to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council falls short of the criteria set out in this Regulation.
Amendment 47 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The Union budget of the European Union should provide coverage of the expenditure resulting from agreements concluded pursuant to Article 218 of the Treaty providing for investor- state dispute settlement. Where Member States have financial responsibility pursuant to this Regulation, the Union should be able to either accumulate the contributions of the Member State concerned first before implementing the relevant expenditure or implement the relevant expenditure first and be reimbursed by the Member States concerned after. Use of both of these mechanisms of budgetary treatment should be possible, depending on what is feasible, in particular in terms of timing. For both mechanisms, the contributions or reimbursements paid by the Member States should be treated as internal assigned revenue of the Union budget of the European Union. The appropriations arising from this internal assigned revenue should not only cover the relevant expenditure but they should also be eligible for replenishment of other parts of the Union budget of the European Union which provided the initial appropriations to implement the relevant expenditure under the second mechanism.
Amendment 48 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The advisory procedure should be used for the adoption of decisions on settlement of disputes pursuant to Article 14(3) given that those decisions will have at most a merely temporary impact on the Union budget of the European Union, since the Member State concerned will be required to assume any financial responsibility arising from the dispute, and because of the detailed criteria set down in the regulation for acceptability of such settlements,
Amendment 49 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. TWithout prejudice to the division of competence established by the Treaties, this Regulation applies to investor-to- state dispute settlement conducted pursuant to an agreement to which the Union is aor the Union and its Member States are partyies and initiated by a claimant of a third country.
Amendment 52 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point a
Article 2 – point a
(a) ‘agreement’ means any international agreement to which the Union is aor the Union and its Member States are partyies and which provides for investor-to- state dispute settlement;
Amendment 54 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point c
Article 2 – point c
(c) ‘dispute’ means a claim brought by a claimant against the Union or a Member State pursuant to an agreement and on which an arbitration tribunal will rule;
Amendment 55 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point d
Article 2 – point d
(d) ‘investor-to-state dispute settlement’ means a mechanism provided for by an agreement by which a claimant may initiate claims against the Union or a Member State;
Amendment 62 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point j a (new)
Article 2 – point j a (new)
(ja) "overriding interests of the Union" means either or both of the following situations: (i) there is a serious threat to the consistent or uniform application or implementation of investment provisions of the agreement subject to the investor- to-state dispute to which the Union is a party, or (ii) the dispute implies a possible significant financial impact on the budget of the European Union in a given year or as part of the multiannual financial framework, or
Amendment 63 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the Union shall bear the financial responsibility arising from treatment afforded by the institutions, bodies or agencies of the Union or any other legal entity acting on behalf of the Union;
Amendment 67 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. Where provided for in this Regulation, the Commission shall adopt a decision determining the financial responsibility of the Member State concerned in accordance with the criteria laid down in paragraph 1. The European Parliament and Council shall be informed about such decision.
Amendment 69 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4
Article 4
The Union shall act as respondent where the dispute concerns treatment afforded by the institutions, bodies or agencies of the Union or any other legal entity acting on behalf of the Union.
Amendment 72 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Representatives of the Member State concerned shall form integral part of the Union's delegation to the consultations.
Amendment 74 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
As soon as the Commission receives notice by which a claimant states its intention to initiate arbitration proceedings, in accordance with the provisions of an agreement, it shall notify the Member State concerned and inform the European Parliament and the Council.
Amendment 77 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Provided the agreement provides for the possibility, the Member State concerned shall always act as respondent except where any of the following two situations arise:
Amendment 78 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) the Member State has not confirmed to the Commission in writing that it does not intends to act as respondent within 30 days of receiving notice or notification referred to in Article 7.
Amendment 79 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Commission may decide, within 30 days of receiving notice or notification referred to in Article 7, and in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 20(3), that the Union shall act as respondent where one or more of the following circumstances arise:
Amendment 82 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) it is likely that the Union would bear at least part of the potential financial responsibility arising from the dispute in accordance with the criteria laid down in Article 3 and the amount of money the Union would have to pay would pose a serious threat to the budget of the European Union;
Amendment 84 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the dispute also concerns treatment afforded by the institutions, bodies or agencies of the Union or any other legal entity acting on behalf of the Union;
Amendment 86 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) a similar claim has been lodged, and it is likely that other similar claims willmay be brought, under the same agreement against treatment afforded by other Member States and the Commission is best placed to ensure an effective and consistent defence; or,
Amendment 89 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. If the Commission decides that the overriding interest of the Union requires that the Commission act on behalf of the Member State concerned, it shall do so without delay and inform the European Parliament and Council of such decision. In such case, the Commission shall require the Member State concerned to make advance payments of arbitration costs pursuant to Article 18. The financial responsibility shall remain with the Member State concerned.
Amendment 92 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall inform the other Member States and the European Parliament and the Council of any dispute in which this Article is applied and the manner in which it has been applied.
Amendment 96 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may,Where overriding interests of the Union so require, the Commission may, after consultations at any time, require the Member State concerned to take a particular position as regards any point of law raised by the dispute or any, the resolution of which may affect the future interpretation of the agreement in question or other agrelement having a Union interests. Such a position shall not unduly compromise the effective defence of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 97 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. If the Member State concerned considers the request of the Commission as unduly compromising its effective defence, it shall enter into consultations with a view to finding an acceptable solution. Where an acceptable solution cannot be found, the Commission may take a decision requiring the Member State concerned to take a particular legal position. Such a decision shall be taken without delay in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 20(3).
Amendment 99 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. When an agreement, or the rules referred to therein, provide for the possibility of annulment, appeal or review of a point of law included in an arbitration award, the Commission may where it considers that the consistency or correctnit to be in the overriding interests of the interpretation of the agreement so warrantUnion to do so and after consultations with the Member State concerned, require the Member State to lodge an application for such annulment, appeal or review. In such circumstances, representatives of the Commission shall form part of the delegation and may express the views of the Union as regards the point of law in question.
Amendment 102 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. If the Member State concerned refuses to lodge an application for annulment, appeal or review, it shall inform the Commission within 30 days. In this case the Commission may take a decision requiring the Member State concerned to lodge an application for annulment, appeal or review. Such a decision shall be taken in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 20(3). If the decision obliges the Member State concerned to lodge an application for annulment, appeal or review, the procedures set out in paragraph 3 of this Article shall apply.
Amendment 105 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10– point d
Article 10– point d
(d) the Commission and the Member State concerned shall prepare the defence in close co-operation with the representatives of the Member State concerned who shall be entitled to form integral part of the Union delegation in the proceedings.
Amendment 106 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments in the arbitration proceedings referred to in the first paragraph.
Amendment 110 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. In the event that the Member State does not consent to settle the dispute, the Commission may settle the dispute where overriding interests of the Union so require. The European Parliament and the Council shall be informed without delay about the Commission's decision to settle the dispute and the justification underpinning it.
Amendment 113 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. A claimant having obtained a final award pursuant to an agreement may present a request to the Commission for payment of that award. The Commission shall pay any such award within the relevant time periods set down in the agreement and in the currency provided for in the agreement, except where the Member State concerned has accepted financial responsibility pursuant to Article 11 in which case the Member State shall pay the award.
Amendment 114 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Where a settlement approved by the Union pursuant to aArticle 12 or 13 is not recorded in an award, a claimant may present a request to the Commission for payment of the settlement. The Commission shall pay any such settlement within any relevant time periods set down in the settlement agreement and in the currency provided for in the settlement agreement.
Amendment 115 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3
Article 17 – paragraph 3
3. Within three months of receipt of the request for payment of the final award or settlement, the Commission shall adopt, in accordance with the advisory procedure set out in Article 20(2), a decision addressed to the Member State concerned, determining the amount to be paid by that Member State. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and Council about such decision and its financial reasoning.
Amendment 116 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4
Article 17 – paragraph 4
4. Unless the Member State concerned objects to the Commission's determination within one month, the Member State concerned shall compensate with the equivalent amount the budget of the European Union for the payment of the award or the settlement no later than three months after the Commission's decision. The Member State concerned shall be liable for any interest due at the rate applying to other monies owed to the budget of the Union.
Amendment 120 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may adopt a decision requiring the Member State concerned to make financial contributions to the budget of the European Union in respect of any costs arising from the arbitration where it considers that the Member State will be liable to pay any award pursuant to the criteria set down in Article 3.
Amendment 122 #
2012/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall submit a report on the operation of this Regulation to the European Parliament and the Council at regular intervals. The first report shall be submitted no later than three years after the entry into force of this Regulation. Subsequent reports shall be submitted every three years thereafter. and include a detailed overview of awards paid by the European Union and beneficiaries to whom the awards were paid. Subsequent reports shall be submitted every three years thereafter unless the budgetary authority, comprised of the European Parliament and the Council, decides otherwise.
Amendment 145 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
Amendment 153 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) In the light of the overall policy objective of the Union to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), this Regulation should also not apply to tenders submitted by autonomous SMEs manufacturing the goods or providing services subject to the procurement covered by IPI measures.
Amendment 165 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) In order to determine whether an investigation is in the interest of the Union, the Commission should consider a wide variety of aspects of political, economic or any other nature, in relation to the investigation and its potential consequences. The Commission should weigh up effects of starting the investigation against the impact of the investigation (and potential measures under this Regulation) on the EU's broader interest. The general objective of opening third country markets and improving market access opportunities for EU economic operators should be taken into account. The objective of limiting any unnecessary administrative burden for contracting authorities and contracting entities as well as economic operators should be taken into account. Member States and interested parties should have the possibility to present their views with regard to the interest of the Union.
Amendment 191 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) If the consultations with the country concerned do not lead to sufficient improvements to the tendering opportunities for Union economic operators, goods and services within a reasonable timeframe, the Commission should be able to adopt, where appropriate, price adjustmentIPI measure applying to tenders submitted by economic operators originating in that country and/or including goods and services originating in that country.
Amendment 210 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Price adjustmentIPI measures should not have a negative impact on on-going trade negotiations with the country concerned. Therefore, where a country is engaging in substantive negotiations with the Union concerning market access in the field of public procurement, the Commission may suspend the measures during the negotiations.
Amendment 215 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In order to simplify the application of a price adjustmentIPI measures by contracting authorities or contracting entities, there should be a presumption that all economic operators originating in a targeted third country with which there is no agreement on procurement will be subject to the measure, unless they can demonstrate that less than 50% of the total value of their tender is made up of goods or services originating in the third country concerned.
Amendment 221 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) It is imperative that contracting authorities and contracting entities have access to a range of high-quality products meeting their purchasing requirements at a competitive price. Therefore contracting authorities and contracting entities should be able not to apply price adjustmentIPI measures limiting access of non-covered goods and services in case there are no Union and/or covered goods or services available which meet the requirements of the contracting authority or contracting entity to safeguard essential public needs, for example in the fieldsregarding public security ofr health and public safetyemergencies, or where the application of the measure would lead to a disproportionate increase in the price or costs of the contract. The disproportionate increase in price or costs should be assessed by comparing the remaining offers with the estimated value of the contract notice. The exception should only apply in cases where the estimated value is significantly lower than the value in the remaining offers, rendering the execution of the contract economically unviable. When contracting authorities or contracting entities apply these exceptions, the Commission should be informed in a timely and comprehensive manner to allow for appropriate monitoring of the implementation of this Regulation.
Amendment 231 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) In case of misapplication by contracting authorities or contracting entities of exceptions to price adjustmentIPI measures limiting access of non-covered goods and services, the Commission should be able to apply the corrective mechanism of Article 3 of Council Directive 89/665/EEC20 or Article 8 of Council Directive 92/13/EEC21 . In addition, contracts concluded with an economic operator by contracting authorities or contracting entities in violation of price adjustmentIPI measures limiting access of non-covered goods and services should be ineffective. _________________ 20Council Directive 89/665/EEC on the coordination of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of review procedures to the award of public supply and public works contracts (OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 33). 21Council Directive 92/13/EEC coordinating the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of Community rules on the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors (OJ L 76, 23.3.1992, p. 14).
Amendment 232 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) The examination procedure should be used for the adoption of implementing acts regarding the adoption, withdrawal, or suspension or reinstatement of a the price adjustment measureIPI measures and the Commission should be assisted by the Committee set up under the Trade Barriers Regulation. If necessary and for matters affecting the Union’s legal framework on public procurement, the Commission may also seek the advice of the Advisory Committee on Public Procurement established by Council Decision 71/306/EEC.
Amendment 240 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
Amendment 249 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
It provides for the possibility of applying price adjustmentIPI measures to certain tenders for contracts for the execution of works or a work, for the supply of goods and/or the provision of services and for concessions, on the basis of the origin of the economic operators, goods or services concerned. .
Amendment 380 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 - point ii
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 - point ii
ii) decide, by implementing act, to impose a price adjustmentn IPI measure pursuant to Article 8.
Amendment 385 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. In the event that consultations with a third country do not lead to satisfactory results within 15 months from the day those consultations started, the Commission shall terminate the consultations and shall take appropriate action. In particular, the Commission may decide, by means of an implementing act, to impose a price adjustmentn IPI measure, pursuant to Article 8. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 14(2).
Amendment 390 #
Amendment 392 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
-1. Where the Commission finds, following an investigation and consultations pursuant to Article 4, that a third country measure or practice exists, it may, if it considers it to be in the interest of the Union, adopt an implementing act to impose an IPI measure as provided in paragraph 5 of this article. An IPI measure shall only apply if the main subject of the procurement procedure falls within the scope of the implementing act as defined in accordance with paragraph 7(a). The design of the procurement procedure shall not be made with the intention of excluding it from the scope of this Regulation.
Amendment 393 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 398 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 402 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The IPI measure shall be determined on the basis of the following criteria, in light of available information and the Union’s interest:
Amendment 403 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Amendment 412 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) availability of alternative sources of supply for the goods and services concerned, in order to avoid or minimise a significant negative impact on contracting authorities or contracting entities;
Amendment 413 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) proportionality of the IPI measure with regard to the third country measure or practice;
Amendment 414 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Amendment 418 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The IPI measure shall only apply to procurement procedures with an estimated value above a threshold to be determined by the Commission following the investigation and consultations, taking into consideration the criteria laid down in the previous paragraph. That estimated value should be equal to or above EUR 17 000 000 net of value-added tax for works and concessions, and equal to or above EUR 6 000 000 net of value-added tax for goods and services.
Amendment 420 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. The IPI measure shall also apply in the case of specific contracts awarded under a dynamic purchasing system, when those dynamic purchasing systems were subject to the IPI measure, with the exception of specific contracts the estimated value of which is below the respective values set out in Article 8 of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 4 of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 15 of Directive 2014/25/EU. The IPI measure shall not apply to procedures for the award of contracts based on a framework agreement. The IPI measure shall also not apply to individual lots to be awarded according to Article 5 (10) of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 16 (10) of Directive 2014/25/EU.
Amendment 421 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. In its implementing act, the Commission may decide, within the scope defined in paragraph 6 of this Article, to restrict the access of operators, goods or services from third countries to procurement procedures by requiring contracting authorities or contracting entities to: (a) impose a score adjustment measure on tenders submitted by economic operators originating in that third country; or (b) exclude tenders submitted by economic operators originating in that third country; or (c) impose a combination of (a) and (b), if different sectors or categories of goods and services are subject to IPI measures.
Amendment 422 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 d (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. The score adjustment measure referred to in paragraph 5(a) shall apply only for the purpose of the evaluation and ranking of the tenders. It shall not affect the price due to be paid under the contract to be concluded with the successful tenderer.
Amendment 423 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 e (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. The implementing act, adopted in accordance with Article 10(2), shall specify the scope of application of the IPI measure, including: (a) the sectors or the categories of goods, services and concessions based on the Common Procurement Vocabulary as well as any applicable exceptions, (b) specific categories of contracting authorities or contracting entities; (c) specific categories of economic operators; (d) specific thresholds equal or above those set out in paragraph 3; (e) as regards the score adjustment measure referred to in paragraph 5(a), the percentage value of the adjustment shall be set up to 40% of the evaluation score of the tender depending on the third country and sector of goods, services, works or concessions envisaged.
Amendment 424 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 f (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 f (new)
3f. When determining the proportionality of the IPI measure according to paragraph 2(a), the Commission shall in particular consider the percentage value according to paragraph 7(e). The Commission shall impose an IPI measure in the form of exclusion according to paragraph 5(b) only when the third country measure or practice is sufficiently severe and the potential negative impact according to paragraph 2(b) due to the limited availability of alternative sources is comparatively small.
Amendment 425 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 g (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 g (new)
3g. The Commission may withdraw the IPI measure or suspend its application if the third country takes satisfactory corrective actions or undertakes commitments to end the measure or practice in question. If the Commission considers that the corrective actions or commitments undertaken have been rescinded, suspended or improperly implemented, it shall make publicly available its findings and may reinstate the application of the IPI measure at any time. The Commission may withdraw, suspend or reinstate an IPI measure in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10(2) and followed by the publication of a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Amendment 426 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 h (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 h (new)
3h. An IPI measure shall expire five years from its entry into force or its extension, unless a review shows a need for continued application of an IPI measure. Such a review shall be initiated, by a publication of a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, on the initiative of the Commission nine months before the date of the expiry, and shall be concluded within six months. Following the review, the Commission may extend the duration of an IPI measure for a period of another five years in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10(2).
Amendment 444 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10
Article 10
Amendment 450 #
Amendment 468 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Contracting authorities and contracting entities may decide not to apply the price adjustmentIPI measure with respect to a procurement or a concession procedure if:
Amendment 474 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) there are no Union and/or covered goods or services available which meet the requirements ofonly tenders from economic operators originating in the countracting authorityy subject to IPI measure, or contracting entityly such tenders meet tender requirements; or
Amendment 478 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) this is justified for overriding reasons relating to the public interest; or
Amendment 485 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) without prejudice to Article 69 of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 84 of Directive 2014/25/EU, based on objective criteria taking into account, among others, the estimated value of the contract, the application of the measure would lead to a disproportionate increase in the price or costs of the contract, that would render its execution economically unviable.
Amendment 488 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Where a contracting authority or contracting entity intenddecides not to apply a price adjustmentn IPI measure , it shall indicate its intentform the Commission, in the contract notice that it publishes pursuant to Article 49 of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 69 of Directive 2014/25/EU or in the concession notice pursuant to Article 31 of Directive 2014/23/EU. It shall notify the Commissiona manner to be decided by the respective Member State, no later than tenhirty calendar days after the publicationaward of the contract notice.
Amendment 505 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
In the event that a contracting authority or contracting entity conducts a negotiated procedure without prior publication, under Article 2 of Directive 2014/24/EU or under Article 50 of Directive 2014/25/EU and decides not to apply a price adjustmentn IPI measure , it shall indicate this in the contract award notice it publishes pursuant to Article 50 of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 70 of Directive 2014/25/EU or in the concession award notice it publishes pursuant to Article 32 of Directive 2014/23/EU and notify the Commission no later than ten calendar days after the publication of the contract award notice.
Amendment 517 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. Contracts concluded with an economic operator in violation of price adjustmentIPI measures adopted or reinstated by the Commission pursuant to this Regulation shall be ineffective.
Amendment 528 #
Amendment 529 #
2012/0060(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Articles 858 and 8659 of Directive 20104/2517/EUC shall be deleted with effect from the entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 73 #
2012/0000(RSP)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses that the right to property is also one of the fundamental human rights and that all Parties to the TA shall protect it; warns, therefore, all Parties to the TA against unilateral actions that would endanger investment protection and highlights in this regard the need to effectively enforce proper dispute settlement;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas 4 out of the 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership are already members of the WTO, with the Governments of Azerbaijan and Belarus having only observer status;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas all EU Eastern Partners, being the ex-USSR states, share the same historical and institutional background and have faced similar challenges in their political and socioeconomic transition over the past two decades;
Amendment 24 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers the creation of DCFTAs to be one of the most ambitious tools of EU bilateral trade policy, providing not only for greater economic integration by a gradual dismantling of trade barriers but also for regulatory convergence in areas that have an impact on trade, in particular sanitary and phytosanitary rules, investment protection, animal welfare, customs and border procedures, competition and public procurementcustoms and border procedures, investment protection, competition, public procurement, animal welfare and sanitary and phytosanitary rules; takes the view that concluding DCFTAs is fundamental in fighting tendencies towards protectionism at global level;
Amendment 30 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises the short-term sacrifices that need to be made by the Eastern Partners in order to enhance their trade relations with the EU; emphasises that the support and involvement of local civil society in promoting the long-term benefits is key for the success of their reform processes;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is convinced that the economic integration of the Eastern Partners with the EU cannot be efficiently carried out without economic integration among the Eastern Partners themselves; regrets in this regard that regional frozen conflicts have for many years causedharmed the effectiveness and development of cross-border trade and continue to cause enormous economic losses to some of the Eastern Partners;
Amendment 45 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, which proposes a 40% rise in funding of the European Neighbourhood Policy; emphasises its view that the Eastern Partners cannot themselves carrycarry alone the burden of costs of legal approximation and the necessary institutional and structural reforms and that the EU financial support is, which should complement their own reform efforts, is also instrumental for the success of their reform efforts; calls in this regard on the Council to maintain the funding proposed by the Commission;
Amendment 46 #
2011/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the role of the national parliaments of the EU’s Eastern Partners in approximation of trade legislation with the EU acquis, which is a prerequisite for conclusion and proper implementation of the future DCFTAs; calls in this regard on the EU and its Member States to provide them with greater technical assistance; and invites especially the new EU Member States to share with them the expertise and best practices they have acquired in their own process of alignment of national legislation with the trade-related acquis communautaire;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that customs are of vital importance to international trade; andppreciates, in this regard, the regulatory role of the WTO agreement on customs valuation that aims for a fair, uniform and neutral system for the valuation of goods for customs purposes, outlawing the use of arbitrary or fictitious customs values that can constitute a barrier to open and fair trade; and stresses also that well functioning customs are essential to the competitiveness of the European Union as they a play a unique role in combating the illegal entry of goods and counterfeitinged products in the Union's Single market;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Identifies the need, for in a functional European Union of 27 Member States, to reduce differences in the frequency and nature ofdefine a common set of mandatory physical checks on goods and betweenpplicable to all the different points of entry (ports, airports, roads), in how VAT is collected to the Union's Single market; calls also for increased cooperation and exchange of best practices with respect to the collection of VAT on imported goods, in the opening hours of customs services, and in fees and penalties, as these for non compliance with the Union's custom code, as existing differences can result in trade distortions;
Amendment 21 #
2011/2083(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the activation of the cooperation agreement on the mutual recognition of AEO between the European Union and Japan; encourages the Commission to be fully attentive to the role of Parliament when negotiating similar agreements with other major partners, such as the USA, Canada, China and Russia; emphasises the value of stepping up customs cooperation with Russia and the Eastern Partnership and Mediterranean Partnership countries in order to facilitate international trade and combat fraudcustoms fraud and counterfeiting.
Amendment 1 #
2011/2050(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. ConsiderEmphasises that the EU and Russia share mutually dependent andcommon borders and are strategic trading partners, especially with respect to raw materials and vital energy sources such as oil and gas; considers therefore that they would both benefit from greater economic cooperation and energy market integration;
Amendment 26 #
2011/2050(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Russian Government to ratify the Anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA) to contribute to a more efficient fight against counterfeiting and piracy;
Amendment 35 #
2011/2050(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls therefore on the Russian Government to remove all barriers to open and fair trade and access to markets for European businesses, as identified in the Commission's Trade and Investment Barriers Report 2011; invites, in this regard, the EU and Russia to jointly develop energy-related trade transaction modelling (TTM) on the basis of clear rules and enhanced transparency in the spirit of Articles VIII and X of the GATT 1994;
Amendment 1 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
Amendment 2 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
Amendment 2 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
Amendment 3 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 4 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 4 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 5 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 5 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 6 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
Amendment 6 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 7 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 8 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 9 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 9 #
2011/0817(NLE)
paragraph 120.
Amendment 10 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
Amendment 11 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Amendment 12 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. Parliament, in a spirit of sincere cooperation, is duty bound to give its opinion to the European Council on all Treaty changes proposed, irrespective of their significance, but is in no way bound to agree with the European Council,
Amendment 13 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
Amendment 13 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 14 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges its consultation by the European CounciCalls on the European Council to examine the proposed amendment of the Treaties in order to annex to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union a Protocol on the examinapplication of the proposed ameCharter of Fundament of the Treatiesal Rights of the European Union to the Czech Republic;
Amendment 17 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 20 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 21 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
Amendment 22 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Amendment 25 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
Amendment 27 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital T
Recital T
Amendment 28 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. Parliament, in a spirit of sincere cooperation, is duty bound to give its opinion to the European Council on all Treaty changes proposed, irrespective of their significance, but is in no way bound to agree with the European Council,
Amendment 29 #
2011/0817(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the European Council to decide not to examine the proposed amendment of the Treaties in order to annex to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union a Protocol on the application of the Charter of Fundament of the Treatiesal Rights of the European Union to the Czech Republic;
Amendment 9 #
2011/0465(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The SAA and the Interim Agreement stipulate that certain agricultural and fishery products originating in Serbia may be imported into the Union at a reduced customs duty, within the limits of tariff quotas. It is therefore necessary to lay down provisions regulating the management and review of these tariff quotas in order to allow for their thorough assessment.
Amendment 10 #
2011/0465(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Where trade defence measures become necessary in order to protect the internal market against unlawful imports from Serbia, they should be adopted in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 260/2009 of 26 February 2009 on the common rules for imports, Council Regulation (EC) No 1061/2009 of 19 October 2009 establishing common rules for exports, Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 November 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community or, as the case may be, Council Regulation (EC) No 597/2009 of 11 June 2009 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Community.
Amendment 11 #
2011/0465(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Notwithstanding the procedures provided for in Articles 5 and 6, where the Union needs to take a safeguard measure as provided in Article 17(2) or Article 26 of the Interim Agreement and thereafter Article 32(2) or Article 41 of the SAA concerning agricultural and fishery products, the Commission shall, at the request of a Member State or of any legal person or any association not having legal personality, acting on behalf of the Union industry, or on its own initiative, decide upon the necessary measures after, where applicable, having had recourse to the referral procedure provided for in Article 26 of the Interim Agreement and thereafter Article 41 of the SAA.
Amendment 12 #
2011/0465(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
If the Commission receives a request from a Member State or any legal person or any association not having legal personality, acting on behalf of the Union industry, it shall take a decision thereon:
Amendment 13 #
2011/0465(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
In the event of a practice which the Commission considers not to be compatible with Article 38 of the Interim Agreement and thereafter Article 73 of the SAA, the Commission shall, after examining the case on its own initiative or on the request of a Member State or of any legal person or any association not having legal personality, acting on behalf of the Union industry, decide upon the appropriate measure provided for in Article 38 of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter in Article 73 of the SAA.
Amendment 14 #
2011/0465(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Where the Commission, on the basis of information provided by a Member State or any legal person or any association not having legal personality, acting on behalf of the Union industry, or on its own initiative, finds that the conditions laid down in Article 31 of the Interim Agreement and thereafter in Article 46 of the SAA are fulfilled, it shall, without undue delay:
Amendment 56 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The Union also aims to ensure coherence with other areas of its external action, including open and fair trade. This should be ensured when formulating the Union's development cooperation policy and its strategic planning programming and implementation of measures.
Amendment 59 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Union assistance should focus where it has more impact, having regard to its capacity to act on a global scale and respond to global challenges such as poverty eradication, sustainable and inclusive development through open and fair trade and worldwide promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law, its long-term and predictable commitment to development assistance and its role in coordinating with its Member States. To ensure such impact, the principle of differentiation should be applied not only at the level of funds allocation, but also at the level of programming, to ensure that bilateral development cooperation targets partner countries most in need, including fragile states and states with high vulnerability, and with limited capacity to have access to other sources of financing for supporting their own development, having regard to the potential impact of the Union assistance in partner countries. As a consequence, bilateral programming would target such countries, pursuant to the application of objective criteria based on the needs and capacities of these countries, as well as the impact of EU assistance.
Amendment 61 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In a globalised world, different internal EU policies such as environment, climate change, employment (including decent work for all), gender equality, energy, water, transport, health, education, justice and security, research and innovation, information society, legal migration, agriculture and fisheries, are increasingly becoming part of the EU's external action. Commission Communication ‘Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’19 underlines the commitment of the Union to promote in its internal and external policies smart, inclusive and sustainable growth bringing together three pillars: economic, social and environmental.
Amendment 64 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) promoting democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rincluding through fair and transparent elections, the rule of law, good governance in both the public and private sector, and respect for human rights, as enshrined in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Amendment 66 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) needs in terms of sustainable development, as identified in close cooperation with the partner countries' parliaments and socio-economic stakeholders, and civil society;
Amendment 67 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) capacities to generate and access financial resources and absorption and audit capacities; and
Amendment 70 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. Particular attention shall be given to strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice and supporting civil society, open and fair trade and sustainable development, access to ICTs, health and food security, as well as promoting dialogue, participation and reconciliation, and institution-building.
Amendment 75 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 10 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Union financing under this Regulation shall not be used to finance or co-finance the procurement of armament (arms and ammunition) and military operations in the beneficiary countries, with the exception of dual use items as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items1. _____________ 1 OJ L 134, 29.5.2009, p. 1.
Amendment 77 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The objective of Union assistance under the programme ‘Global public goods and challenges’ shall be to support actions in areas such as the environment and climate change, sustainable energy, human development, food security, and legal migration and asylum.
Amendment 79 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. Strategy papers may be reviewed at their mid-term, or ad hoc if necessary, in accordance, as appropriate, with the principles and procedures laid down in the partnership and cooperation agreements concluded with the partner countries and regions. The review process shall be conducted in consultation with the responsible committees of the European Parliament and its delegations to the beneficiary countries, such as the ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
Amendment 80 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. All financial allocations to be disbursed under this Regulation shall be audited by the European Court of Auditors (hereinafter referred to as the ECA). The ECA may consult with relevant institutions of the beneficiary countries to protect the financial interests of the citizens of the Union against fraud and abuse and ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Union financing under this Regulation.
Amendment 81 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part A – point I – heading
Annex IV – part A – point I – heading
I. Human rights, democracy and other key elements of good governance in the public and private sectors
Amendment 82 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part A – point I – point a
Annex IV – part A – point I – point a
(a) Democracy, human rincluding fair and transparent elections, the respect for human rights as enshrined in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 84 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part A – point I – point c
Annex IV – part A – point I – point c
(c) Public sector management, including financial management, transparency and accountability;
Amendment 87 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part A – point I – point f
Annex IV – part A – point I – point f
(f) Civil society and local authoritiesElected local authorities, including, where appropriate, traditional and customary authorities, and civil society;
Amendment 93 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part A – point III – point b
Annex IV – part A – point III – point b
(b) MLegal migration and asylum; and
Amendment 94 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 1
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 1
European Union assistance shall support actions and sectoral dialogues consistent with Article 5 and with the overall purpose and scope, objective and general principles of this Regulation. Appropriate consideration shall be given to the areas described below, reflecting jointly-agreed strategies, partnership, cooperation and trade agreements contributing to open and fair trade. Priorities will be established in accordance with the Communication ‘An Agenda for Change’ and with the subsequent conclusions of the Council.
Amendment 96 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 2 – point f
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) addressing economic vulnerability and contributing to structural transformation by establishing a strong partnerships around open and fair trade, investments, know- how and research, innovation and technology, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in all its dimensions, with particular attention to the challenges of migratory flows, food security (including sustainable agriculture and fisheries), climate change, sustainable energies and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including water and forests, as well as on productive investment for more and better jobs in the green economy;
Amendment 98 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 3 – point b
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) establishing inclusive partnerships around open and fair trade, investment, aid, legal migration, research, innovation and technology;
Amendment 99 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 4 – point b
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, addressing social and regional inequalities, and supporting policies in areas such as education, research, innovation and technology, health, decent work, sustainable energy, agriculture and rural development, fostering SMEs, while stimulating the development of a market economy, open and fair trade and investment, including regulatory reforms and the support for integration into the WTO;
Amendment 101 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 5 – point c
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 5 – point c
(c) promoting sustainable economic reform and diversification, open and fair trade, the development of a market economy, productive and sustainable investment in the main sectors (such as energy, including renewable energy), public private partnerships, and partner countries' integration in the WTO;
Amendment 103 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 5 – point e
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 5 – point e
(e) complementing resources deployed under this instrument by coherent work and support through other EU instruments, which may focus on wider regional integration, promoting the EU's interests in fields such as economy, energy, research, innovation and technology, fighting against production, consumption and trafficking of drugs in the context of the security and development nexus, as well as managing migrationorganising legal migration and fostering well- managed mobility and helping displaced persons and refugees with practical solutions in the context of the development and migration nexus.
Amendment 104 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 6 – point b
Annex IV – part B – paragraph 6 – point b
(b) providing support to the adjustment efforts triggered by the establishment of various free-trade areaseconomic partnerships contributing to the regional integration of South Africa and its SADC partners through open and fair trade with a view to possible future free-trade areas between them and with the EU;
Amendment 106 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – part A – paragraph 3 – point c
Annex V – part A – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) promoting energy security through e.g. diversification of sources and routes, considering price volatility issues, emission reduction potential, improving markets and fostering energy interconnections and open and fair trade.
Amendment 108 #
Amendment 109 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – part A – paragraph 6 – point a
Annex V – part A – paragraph 6 – point a
(a) Promoting legal migration governancethrough the governance of migratory flows at all levels;
Amendment 111 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – part A – paragraph 6 – point c
Annex V – part A – paragraph 6 – point c
(c) maximising the development impact of the increased regional and global mobility of people, while promoting legal migration and asylum and protecting the rights of legal migrants, through support to the formulation and implementation of sound regional and national migration and asylum policies and through integration of the migration dimension into other regional and national policies;
Amendment 112 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – part A – paragraph 6 – point d
Annex V – part A – paragraph 6 – point d
(d) improving a common understanding of the migration and development nexus, including social and economic consequences of government policies be they in fostering legal migration/asylum or in other sectors.
Amendment 114 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – paragraph 1 – point a
Annex VI – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) provide support for the objectives, initiatives and activities agreed in the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and its successive action plans, which cover inter alia the areas of: peace and security, democratic governance and human rights, open and fair trade, regional integration and infrastructure (including transport), MDGs, energy, climate change and environment, legal migration, mobility and employment, science, information society and space, as well as its cross-cutting issues.
Amendment 116 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VII – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Annex VII – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The abovementioned percentage allocation for "Migration and asylum" shall be exclusively used to fund measures fostering legal migration and asylum.
Amendment 31 #
2011/0262(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) "serious deterioration" means disturbances in a sector of the economy, particularly where these disturbances produce major social problems, or difficulties which bring or could bring about serious injury to the economic situation of the importing party;
Amendment 33 #
2011/0262(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. An investigation shall be initiated upon request by a Member State, by any legal person or any association not having legal personality, acting on behalf of the Union industry, by the European Parliament or on the Commission's own initiative if it is apparent to the Commission that there is sufficient prima facie evidence, as determined on the basis of factors referred to in Article 4(5), to justify such initiation.
Amendment 34 #
2011/0262(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. Any extension pursuant to paragraph 3 shall be preceded by an investigation upon a request by a Member State, by any legal person or any association not having legal personality, acting on behalf of the Union industry, by the European Parliament or on the Commission's own initiative if there is sufficient prima facie evidence that the conditions laid down in paragraph 3 are met, on the basis of factors referred to in Article 4(5).
Amendment 15 #
2011/0137(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) In line with the Union's goal of strengthening international cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting, piracy and illicit parallel trade in goods infringing on the intellectual property of registered right-holders, the new European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy has a key role to play by providing all customs authorities of Member States with relevant and timely information to conduct appropriate controls of authorised importers and distributors thereof in the Single market as well as exporters thereof to foreign markets. This role could be further enhanced by the creation of a database of genuine Union products and services protected by registered trademarks, designs and patents and which could also be made available to foreign customs authorities cooperating with the Union on better intellectual property rights protection and enforcement;
Amendment 13 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph C a (new)
Paragraph C a (new)
Ca. China has reached in recent decades important social progress; such as an improvement in the quality of life for such a huge population in such a short period of time is unique in history; reducing poverty for over 350 million people;
Amendment 47 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to phase out development aid to China which represents €128m for the period 2007- 2010, as China is an emerging market economy and a major economic and political player at world scale;
Amendment 49 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Points out that China is emerging as a major aid donor in its own right, despite around 16% of its 1.3 billion people still living below the poverty line;
Amendment 56 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Warns against the creation of a protectionist climate, as thisparticularly in the current economic context, it would be harmful to the EU and Chinese economies in the long run and would go against EU development goals as defined in the EU 2020 strategy;
Amendment 52 #
2010/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the same high level of protection should not be granted to all kinds of investments and that, for example, portfolio investment and intellectual property rights should be exincluded fromin the scope of future international investment agreements signed by the EU;
Amendment 68 #
2010/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need for a stricter definition of ‘foreign investor’, drawing on the latest OECD benchmark definition of foreign direct investment, considering that broad definitions have led to abusive practices, which should not be permitted;
Amendment 102 #
2010/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 107 #
2010/2203(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to ensure reciprocity and proportionality when negotiating market access with its main developed trading partners, while bearing in mind the need to exclude sensitive sectorsput in place appropriate safeguard measures to avoid injury or threat of injury to sensitive sectors of Union’s industry and to maintain asymmetry in the EU’s trading relations with developing countries;
Amendment 5 #
2010/2108(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Encourages EU Member States to demonstrate solidarity in facing energy challenges of the 21st century, thus fuelling the Union’s actions based on Article 194 TFEU with positive energy;
Amendment 11 #
2010/2103(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas combating climate change is a factor in competitiveness, with Europe'’s priorities being energy savings and renewable energies that help improve EU energy security andto develop its internal energy market based on a common position on energy policy between the Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States respecting the right of Member States to implement their specific energy mix in compliance with the EU imperatives of sustainability, competitiveness, energy efficiency and climate protection with energy savings and the use of renewable energy sources, and above all security of supply through enhanced cooperation with neighbouring countries, which offer major potential in terms of industrial development, innovation, regional development and job creation,
Amendment 27 #
2010/2103(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises the importance of innovation in green technologies and recognises the role that trade can play in the mutual selling and transfer of these technologies between countries;
Amendment 2 #
2010/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the EU’s trade policy, set against the multilateral background of the WTO and a transparent and effectively regulated market, needs an effective production base that is supported by appropriate sectoral policies and targeted at growth and sustainable development;
Amendment 4 #
2010/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that innovative, good- quality industrial production is vital to the EU’s trade policy and its competitiveness, in line with the EU 2020 Strategy and as a response to the economic and financial crisis, the aim being to cut Member State debt and unemployment figures, redistribute wealth more equally and protect the European social modelaccording to merit and the principle of solidarity and protect the European social model in line with the principle of subsidiarity;
Amendment 8 #
2010/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that in its industrial policies the EU must pay particular attention to supporting eco-compatiblenergy saving and low-carbon production, protecting intellectual property, building up SME capital, to making SMEs internationally active, liberalising protected markets, stabilising exchange rates, to foster the legal protection of European companies abroad, and to combating unfair competition and counterfeiting;
Amendment 10 #
2010/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the economic recovery, spurred on by decisions taken by the EU and the Member States in conjunction with the Member States,'green-shoots' in the world economy will favour new opportunities for European firms as they find themselves increasingly competing in open, transparent global markets;
Amendment 2 #
2010/2087(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that the global financial crisis has hit the Black Sea region hard, sharply halting a period of growth averaging 6% per annum as well as the inflow of foreign capital, and has put the region’s financial system under extreme stress; emphasises that this needs to be addressed by strengthening financial and banking regulations, improving fiscal credibility and transparency, fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and corruption, intensifying regional cooperation and enhancing coordination among regional organisations such as the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC);
Amendment 4 #
2010/2087(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the Black Sea Synergy (BSS) initiative, presented in 2007, did provide new impetus to regional cooperation in the Black Sea region, but deplores the fact thatlack of clarity as regards the administrative and fiscal resources allocated for its implementation have been insufficient, particularly as regards allocations to individual BSEC member countries, their purpose, and the EU fund(s) these allocations originate from; considers that EU regional initiatives should not be duplicated or conducted with overlapping objectives, and that the strategy for the Black Sea should not be overshadowed by similar regional initiatives; recommends that all partners in the Black Sea region should be included in a future Black Sea Strategy;
Amendment 10 #
2010/2087(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the BSEC needs to be reformed in order to meet new challenges efficiently, and considers that the 20th anniversary in 2012 would be a good occasion for proposals to that end, including for revision of the BSEC Economic Agenda, adopted indating back to 2001, organisational reform and increased operational efficiency, as well as an upgrade of related bodies, such as the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and the BSEC Business Council;, and recommends to relevant BSEC member countries to step up their efforts in acquiring membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Amendment 11 #
2010/2087(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the project-based approach under the BSS, notably the Environment Partnership, andongoing formal negotiations with some BSEC member countries to join the Energy Community Treaty, which provides for the implementation of the Community acquis in the electricity and gas sectors, and the Environment Partnership; considers that the planned partnerships on developing transport and energy infrastructure are crucial for sustainable development in the region; considers that and its further cooperation with the EU in those key areas; stresses that long- term energy contracts between BSEC member countries and the EU, joint undertakings such as the Trans-Caspian- Black Sea Gas Corridor as well as green development and energy efficiency projects, which can drive market incentives and long-term investment, should be further prioritised; takes the view that the Black Sea Ring Highway and the Motorways of the Sea would considerably increase the opportunities for trade and development in the region; underlines, however, the need for thorough environmental impact assessments and improved marine safety;
Amendment 121 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. All appoinRecruitments in the EEAS shall be based on merit and on the broadest possible geographical basiswhilst ensuring adequate geographical and gender balance. The staff of the EEAS shall comprise a meaningfuln adequate presence of nationals from all the Member States. Concrete measures analogous to the Council regulation 401/2004 should be taken to ensure adequate geographical representativity in all grades within the EEAS, both in Headquarters and in Delegations. These measures should apply to nationals from under-represented Member States.
Amendment 15 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (i)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (i)
(i) Strongly condemn the use of forced child labour in Uzbekistan;
Amendment 16 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (ii)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (ii)
(ii) Strongly support the ILO’s call on the Government of Uzbekistan to accept a high-level tripartite observer mission that would have full freedom of movement and timely access to all situlocations and relevant parties, including in the cotton fields, in order to assess the implementation of the Convention;
Amendment 20 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (v)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (v)
(v) Ensure that pursuing of an end to the practice of forced child labour in the cotton production will be a priority of the EU human rights strategy in the EU Delegation in Tashkent; insists this should be reflected in policy, monitoring, reporting, staffing and financial assistance;
Amendment 22 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (vi)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (vi)
(vi) Develop an effective tracingeability mechanism for the productgoods being produced through the worst forms of child labour and consider imposing a ban on the import of these goods to the Union’s Single market;
Amendment 25 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (vii)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (vii)
(vii) Support the Parliament’s call to cotton traders and retailers to desist from buying cotton produced by forced child labour from Uzbekistan and to notify consumers and all of their suppliers of this commitment;
Amendment 28 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (ix)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (ix)
(ix) Provide the Parliament regularly with substantial information on the situation in Uzbekistan, especially with regard to the eradication of forced child labour;
Amendment 13 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Humanitarian aid is of course the primary instrument in this kind of situation and the Union has been at the forefront in this field since the beginning of the emergency pledging in excess of EUR 415 million in emergency aid to Pakistan.
Amendment 17 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) It will be important to use all available means to support Pakistan's recovery from this emergency and progress towards future, including the proposed exceptional trade measures to boost Pakistan's exports in order to contribute to its future economic development.
Amendment 19 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The severity of this natural disaster demands an immediate and substantial response, which would take into account the geostrategic importance of Pakistan’s partnership with the Union, mainly through Pakistan's key role in the fight against terrorism, while contributing to the overall development, security and stability of the region.
Amendment 22 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In particular, the European Council underlined its firm commitment to grant exclusively to Pakistan increased market access to the Union through the exceptional, immediate and time limited reduction of duties on key imports from Pakistan. On receipt of this mandate, the Commission proposed a package identifying 75 tariff lines specific to Pakistan's core export sectors in those areas worst hit by the floods, asserting that an increase in Pakistani exports to the EU of no less than EUR 100 million a year would provide real, substantial and worthwhile assistance to the region.
Amendment 25 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
Amendment 28 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) The textiles sector is of key importance to the Pakistani economy, accounting for 8.5% of GDP and employing 38% of the labour force about half of whom are women.
Amendment 31 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) It is therefore appropriate to extend exceptional autonomous trade preferences to Pakistan by suspending for a limited period of time all tariffs for certain products of export interest to Pakistan. The provision of these trade preferences would not cause any meaningful adverse effects on the domestic market of the Union and would not affect negatively least developed Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Amendment 57 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to ensure an immediate and sustainable impact on the economic recovery of Pakistan in the aftermath of the floods it is recommended to limit the duration of the trade preferences unfor an initial 31 December 2013two years from the entry into force of this Regulation, with the possibility of a one-year extension, should the need for exceptional assistance remain.
Amendment 74 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
(cc) Pakistan’s abstention from maintaining, introducing or increasing duties or charges having equivalent effect on the export or sale for export of any materials primarily used in the production of any of the products covered by this Regulation destined for the territory of the Union.
Amendment 79 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 5 for the purpose of amending the Annexes in order to introduce amendments and technical adjustments necessary following amendments to the Combined Nomenclature codes and to the TARIC subdivisionshall present by 31 October 2011 a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the evolution of imports between 1 January and 30 June 2011 of products covered by this Regulation. 2. Where the Commission concludes, in its report, that the volume of imports of one of the products included in Annex I originating from Pakistan exceeds the volume of such imports in the corresponding period of 2010 by twenty percentage points, the Commission may adopt a delegated act, in accordance with Article 9, to subject the imports of that product to tariff rate quotas for imports of that product in the year 2012 by amending Annex II. 3. The tariff rate quota provided for under paragraph 2 shall take the form of a duty free quota limited to the level of imports of that product in 2010 increased by 20%. By way of derogation from Article 1(1), upon the entry into force of the delegated act, imports in excess of that tariff rate quota shall be subject to most-favoured nation or other applicable duties.
Amendment 103 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. No later than 24 months after the entry into the force, the Commission shall present a detailed impact assessment of the direct effects of these trade concessions for Pakistan on Union industry, mainly on the textile and ethanol sectors as well on the economy of Pakistan, and in particular, the areas most affected by the floods.
Amendment 108 #
2010/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. This Regulation shall apply until 31 December 2013for two years from the date of entry into force with the possibility of a one-year extension.
Amendment 49 #
2010/0101(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to enhance the coherence of the mandate, strengthen the focus of the EIB external financing activity on supporting EU policies, and for the maximum benefit of beneficiaries, this decision should set out horizontal high- level objectives in the mandate for EIB financing operations across all eligible countries, building on the comparative strengths of the EIB in areas where it has a well-proven track record. In all regions covered by this decision, the EIB should thus finance projects in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, social and economic infrastructure (notably in transport, energy including renewable energy, research and development (R&D) in new energy sources, energy security, environmental infrastructure including water and sanitation, as well as information and communication technology (ICT)), and local private sector development, in particular in support of small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) to boost sustainable economic growth and jobs creation. Within these areas, regional integration among partner countries, including economic integration between pre-accession countries, neighbouring countries and the EU, should be an underlying objective for EIB financing operations. The EIB should contribute to European foreign direct investment in partner countries, including as part of mutually beneficial public private partnerships, with the objective to promote innovation and development in the aforementioned project areas.
Amendment 53 #
2010/0101(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) EIB activity in Neighbourhood countries should take place in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, under which the EU aims to develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries with a view to establishing an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the EU and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on co-operation. To achieve these objectives the EU and its partners implement jointly agreed bilateral Action Plans defining a set of priorities including on political and security issues, trade and economic matters, environmental concerns and integration of transport and energy networks such as the Nabucco gas pipeline project, which is of particular interest to the EU. The Union for the Mediterranean, the Eastern Partnership, and the Black Sea Synergy are multilateral and regional initiatives complementary to the European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at fostering co-operation between the EU and the respective group of neighbouring partner countries facing common challenges and/or sharing a common geographical environment. The Union for the Mediterranean supports improved socio-economic, solidarity, regional integration, sustainable development and knowledge building, underlining the need to increase financial co-operation to support regional and trans-national projects. The Eastern Partnership aims to create the necessary conditions to accelerate political association and further economic integration between the EU and Eastern Partner countries. The Russian Federation and the EU have a wide-ranging Strategic Partnership, distinct from the European Neighbourhood Policy and expressed through the Common Spaces and Roadmaps. This is complemented at multilateral level by the Northern Dimension which provides a framework for co-operation between the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland.
Amendment 68 #
2010/0101(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 - paragraph 2
Article 10 - paragraph 2
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the EIB shall provide the Commission with yearly reports on EIB financing operations carried out under this decision at project, sector, country and regional level and on the fulfilment of the external policy and strategic objectives of the EU, including cooperation with the Commission, other international financial institutions and bilateral institutions. Any agreement between the EIB and other IFIs or bilateral institutions related to financial operations under this Decision should be notified to the European Parliament and the Council as part of the Commission's annual reporting referred to in Article 10 of this Decision.
Amendment 69 #
2010/0101(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 14
Article 14
The Commission shall present to the European Parliament and the Council a final report on the application of this decision by 31 October 2014.
Amendment 42 #
2009/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Firmly supports the practice of including human rights clauses in the EU’s international agreements but points out that major challenges persist with regard toand monitoring andof the implementingation of these clauses; reiterates the fact that these clauses must also be included in all trade and sectoral agreements, with a clear and precise consultation mechanism modelled on Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement; in this respect welcomes the inclusion of such a clause in the free tMulti-Party Trade aAgreement with Colombiabetween the EU, Colombia and Peru;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 3 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises the importance of coherence between trade and development policies for better development and tangible implementation, and welcomes in this respect the EU 2009 Report on Policy Coherence for Development (COM(2009)0461) and the balanced approach taken by DG Trade in implementing trade agreements that not only promote the strategic economic interests of the EU but also underline the need for good governance and the implementation of fundamental European values;
Amendment 5 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 6 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that the European Union is by far the biggest aid donor in the world (EU aid rose to €49 billion in 2008, representing 0.40% of GNI), and that aid volumes are expected to increase to €69 billion in 2010 to meet the collective promise of 0.56% of EU GNI made at the G8 Gleneagles Summit in 2005; points out that this would release an additional €20 billion for development objectives;
Amendment 11 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 12 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes, in this connection, all the existing initiatives in the area of trade with developing countries at EU and WTO levels, in particular the Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative, GSP and GSP+ , the asymmetry and transitional periods in all existing European Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the Aid-for-Trade Work Programme 2010- 2011, and calls for the revision of the last of these, with a view to giving it greater leverage to foster sustainable growth;
Amendment 14 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 15 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the need to take relevant aspects of Policy Coherence for Development into account in bilateral and regional trade agreements and multilateral trade agreements firmly anchored in the rules-based WTO system, and in this connection urges the Commission and the Member States to actively engage with all other relevant WTO partners that can contribute to bringing about a balanced, ambitious and development-oriented outcome to the Doha Round in the very near future;
Amendment 17 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 19 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the developing countries, especially those that benefit most from EU aid, to ensure good governance in all public matters, and especially in the management of aid received, and urges the Commission to take all necessary steps to ensure transparent and efficient aid implementation;
Amendment 21 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 22 #
2009/2218(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission, in order to ensure that DG Trade has a coherent mandate for trade negotiations, to take due account of Parliament's preconditions for giving its consent to the conclusion of trade agreements.
Amendment 10 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas multinational corporations and their subsidiaries are one of the key players in economic globalisation and international trade,
Amendment 12 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. having regard to the 2000 OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the 2010 update of these recommendations, which governments address to corporations setting out voluntary standards for responsible behaviour consistent with the applicable laws, in particular in the areas of employment, relations with the social partners, human rights, the environment, consumer interests, the fight against corruption and tax evasion,
Amendment 19 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. having regard to the United Nations Global Compact, which incorporates of 10 principles, which multinational corporations must undertake to observeare asked to embrace, support, and enact, within their sphere of influence, as a set of core values in the areas of human rights, basic labour standards, a precautionary approach tothe environmental problems and the fight against corruption,
Amendment 27 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas non-compliance with CSR principlthe legislation in force in any third country, where an EU company of any size operates, constitutes a form of social and environmental dumping which works to the detriment, in particular, of undertakings and workers in Europe, who are required to comply with moren infraction or a criminal offence in view of the legislation in place and works to the detriment, in particular, of undertakings and workers in the given third country, and, in case such non-compliance is persistent and goes unpunished, may lead to a spread of less stringent labour, environmental and fiscal standards, thus negatively impacting even workers in the EU,
Amendment 31 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas it would be normal if European companies, including multinationals, which transferoperate in their production to low-wage countries where less stringent environmental standards apply were to be held accountable, including before European courtsd countries were to be held accountable before the local courts in the same way as any local or foreign company operating in that same business and legal environment, for any environmental and social damage caused by them or their subsidiaries and their supply chains in those countries,
Amendment 46 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that, following on from the climate, energy and food crises, the global financial crisis has engendered a worldwide social crisis which has increased the need for new, strongmore efficient and better enforced rules which make for more effective supervision of the world economy and ensure that it does not develop in a manner detrimental to human needs and to the needs of society; takes the view that that requirement applies equally to international trade, which is at the heart of globalisationby national, or where applicable supranational, regulators; considers that the exit strategies that are currently being implemented throughout the world should not develop in a manner detrimental to human needs and to the needs of society; takes the view that intensification of open, and fair, international trade, which is one of the engines of globalisation, can contribute to this aim;
Amendment 62 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 70 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Proposes, in more general terms, that all, where relevant, future trade agreements negotiated by the Union, including investment and public procurement agreements, should incorporate a chapter on sustainable development which includdrawing on the principles aof CSR clauas defined by the 2010 update of OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
Amendment 71 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 98 #
2009/2201(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13