Activities of Anna IBRISAGIC related to 2009/2216(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus PDF (284 KB) DOC (225 KB)
Amendments (55)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
– having regard to the ENP Action Plans adopted with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in November 2006 and to the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), closely linked to the implementation of the ENP Action Plans, 1 P7_TA(2009)0120Or. en
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
– having regard to the Country Strategy Papers 2007-2013 and the National Indicative Programmes 2007-2010 under ENPI agreed upon withfor Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas as a result of the August 2008 war in Georgia, of the EU’s successful intervention to achieve a Ceasefire Agreement and of the great need for further engagement that followed from these developments,in order to secure its full implementation the EU became a significant security actor in the region, through the deployment of the EU Monitoring Mission, the launch of a major post-war assistance programme and the start of a fact-finding mission on the causes and course of the war,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Armenia and Turkey’s signing in October 2009 of protocols on the establishment and development of diplomatic relations and on the opening of their shared border and cooperation was are promising steps, buyet ratification of the agreement has not yet followed,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas guaranteeing peace, security and stability in the region is essential fora peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and of Georgia's internal conflicts in Abkazia and South Ossetia is essential for the stability in the EU neighbourhood, as well as for the economic and social development of the South Caucasus region, the improvement of the standard of living, for the achievement of democratic standards and respect for human rights for all, and to maximise regional and macro- regional development opportunities,
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Eastern Partnership aims at accelerating reforms, legal approximation and economic integration, is based on the principles of conditionality, differentiation and joint ownership and envisages the negotiation of new Association Agreements, which will require the assent of the European Parliament,
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the challenges for the EUsituation in the South Caucasus and its engagement in this region are such that a ma-region calls for an increasingly repro-active and impromptu policy has become a non-optpolicy in the EU-engagement in this region and whereas the launch of the Eastern Partnership and the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty provide a good opportunity to devise an EU strategy towards the South Caucasus,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the EU needs to play a more active political role and develop a strategy to assist the transformation of the South Caucasus into a region of sustainable peace, stability and prosperity and to use fully use its potential to contribute to the prevention and peaceful resolution of the conflicts in the region by combining its soft power with a firm approachand to participate in post-conflict rehabilitation;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that for each of the conflicts in the region, the status quo is unacceptable and unsustainablethe conflicts in the region are completely unacceptable and unsustainable and finding a peaceful resolution is the key to achieving political stability and economic development in the South Caucasus, as well as in an extended regional context; underlines the fact that the EU has an important role to play in contributing to the culture of dialogue and understanding in the region; advocates the use of cross-border programmes and dialogue among civil societies as tools for conflict transformation and confidence-building across the division lines; fully supports the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Mr Peter Semneby;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that conflict management and conflict resolution necessitate inter alia the recognition of the rights and legitimate interests of all relevant parties and communities, openness to review perceptions of past events, serious willingness to overcome hatred and fear, preparedness to gihave up maximalistmore constructive ambitions, and interest in innovative approaches, including to the exercise of sovereign to be able to consolidate stability, and readiness to make real concessionsprosperity;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue to provide financial support for the efforts of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to deal with the situation of refugees and displaced persons, by helping to renovate buildings and build roads, water and electricity supply infrastructure, hospitals and schools, so as to enable these communities to be more effectively integrated;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the responsibility of external actors to use their power and influence in ways that are fully consistent with international law, including human rights law; believes that reduction of the competition between external actors in the region should be pursued, but cannot come at the price of effectively accepting any actor’s claim to have ‘privileged interests’; is of the opinion that introducing conditions for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the South Caucasus states is unacceptable;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is of the opinion that introducing conditions for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the South Caucasus states is unacceptable;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Fully supports the Minsk Group Co- chairs’ mediation efforts, the Madrid Principles and the Moscow Declaration; condemns the idea of a military solution and calls on both sides to avoid militant rhetoric; furthermore calls on both sides to show more constructive ambition in the peace talks and to abandon the tendency to prefer perpetuatinge the status quo created through military conquestsfrontation in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions; calls on the EU, FN and the rest of the international community likewiseto do their utmost to show courage and political will to overcome the remaining sticking points which hinder anassist the parties to reach a peace agreement;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. RecallsIs seriously concerned that hundreds of thousands of persons who fled their homes during or in connection with the Nagorno- Karabakh war remain displaced and denied their right to return; calls on all parties to unambiguously and unconditionally recognise this right and the need for its prompt realisation and requests that international forces shall be organized during a period of transition which can provide for the necessary security guarantees so that the internally displaced persons can return to their homes; calls on the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities and leaders of relevant communities to demonstrate their commitment to the creation of peaceful inter-ethnic relations through practical preparations for the return of displaced persons and other means; considers that the situation of the IDPs should be dealt with according to international standards, having regard inter alia to the recent PACE Recommendation 1877(2009), ‘Europe’s forgotten people: protecting the human rights of long-term displaced persons’;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that interim status for Nagorno- Karabakh could imply interim legitimisation of the de facto authorities there; believes that inter alia in order to raise their credibility with a view to such a prospect, these authorities should rapidly abandonoffer a solution until the final status will be determined; believes that the positions that Nagorno- Karabakh includes all Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani lands and that displaced persons’ right of return cannot even be discussed at the present stageshould rapidly be abandoned; calls on the Government of Armenia to exercise its influence in this respect and on the Council and Commission to join this call;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that security for all is an indispensable element of any settlement; recognises the importance of robust peace- keeping arrangements; welcomes the fact that six meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents took place in 2009; calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co- chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the coming months;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the protocols on the establishment and development of diplomatic relations, border opetween Armeninga and cooperationTurkey, which i.e. foresee the prospect for the opening of the joint border; calls on both sides to seize this opportunity to mend their relations through ratification and implementation without preconditions and in reasonable timeframe; does not support the introduction of conditions for ratification not mentioned in the protocols, but; notes that if implemented, they will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the region and that they can therefore not be seen in isolation; calls on Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan, to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co- chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflictwhole region of South Caucasus;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. WReiterates its unconditional support for the territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognised borders of Georgia, and supports the continuous efforts made by the Georgian authorities to achieve a settlement of its internal conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia; welcomes the Tagliavini Report and supports its main conclusions; supports the EU Monitoring Mission mandate; calls for its further extension and its full implementation of the part which is not blocked by; notes that Russia and the de facto authorities of the breakaway regions; occupied territories, which are under Russian effective control, block parts of its implementation;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is seriously concerned about the use of ethnic cleansing and occupation of Georgia's territories as a prelude to the Russian recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhazian statehood; notes with satisfaction that the EU, UN and the rest of the international community remains united in its rejection of the unilateral declaration of independence; calls onstrongly urges Russia to honour its commitment in the Ceasefire Agreement toand therefore immediate withdraw its troops to the positions held before the outbreak of the August 2008 war and to cease its blocking of EUMM access to South Ossetia and Abkhaziareduce its military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia to the Russian force deployed as peacekeepers in the two provinces before the conflict erupted, to cease its blocking of EUMM access to South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia and calls on Russia to allow back international missions with a mandate to establish new international security arrangements on the ground; also notes that Abkhazia and Russia signed a treaty on military cooperation in February 2010 and that this is a direct violation of the Ceasefire Agreement;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia and the inviolability of its internationally recognised borders, and therefore strongly condemns the recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as contrary to international law; notes with serious concern the agreement between the Russian federation and de facto authorities of Abkhazia on 17 February 2010 concerning the establishment of a Russian military base in the Abkhazia without the consent of the Government of Georgia and notes that such an agreement is in contradiction with the ceasefire agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the importance of protecting the safety and rights of the ethnic Georgians still living within the breakaway regionoccupied territories, promoting respect for internally displaced persons’ right of return under safe and dignified conditions, achieving a reduction in the Iron-Curtain character of the de facto closed borders and obtaining possibilities for the EU and other international actors to assist people within the two regions; underlines the need for more clearly identified short- and medium-term objectives in this respect;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. ConsidersStresses that respect for democratisation, good governance and respect for, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rights of minorities and the rule of law to be basic principles is of paramount importance for determining Armenia, Azerbaijans and Georgia's future relations with the EU; calls for renewed efforts by the countries to implement in full the ENP Action Plan and on the Commission to continue to assist them in such efforts and of peaceful and stable democratic stateCouncil of Europe recommendations in this regard; is concerned by the limited progress made by the countries in the South Caucasus- region on this area, as shown in the Commission 2009 progress reports;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the importance of engaging in democratic reforms and the essential role of political dialogue and cooperation as the key to developing national consensus; welcomstresses the adoption of significant legislation related to the judiciary in Armenia and calls on the authorities to ensure the effective implementation thereof; welcomes the progress in Azerbaijan in the field of reform of the judiciary and calls on the authorities to work on the independence of judges; welcomes the announcement by the Georgian President regarding a ‘new wave of democratic reforms’, calls for such reforms to be effectively adopted and implemented, such as strengthening parliamentary control over the executive and increasing independence of the judiciary, and considers that democratic reforms need to be pursued and democratic institutions consolidatedimportance of strengthening more independent, transparent and stronger democratic institutions, to support and empower civil society and developing people-to-people contacts in promoting democracy and the rule of law; encourages the Commission to make full use of the opportunities offered by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights for, inter alia , monitoring the implementation of the ENP closely;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the efforts of the authorities of Armenia to conduct judiciary reform and calls on the authorities to strengthen the independence of judiciary; notes that despite commitments, the dynamics of democratisation is hardly progressing, especially within the field of human rights, tortures, freedom of expression, NGO status and equality between men and women;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Welcomes the efforts of Azerbaijan in the field of reform of the judiciary and calls on the authorities to work on the independence of the judiciary and judges; notes the trend of growing centralization of power and calls for reforms in the area of elections;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Welcomes the announcement by the Georgian President regarding a ‘new wave of democratic reforms’, calls for such reforms to be effectively adopted and implemented, such as strengthening parliamentary control over the executive and increasing independence of the judiciary, and considers that democratic reforms need to be pursued and democratic institutions consolidated;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Points to the still widespread corruption in the region and calls on the authorities to step up the measures to fight it, as it threatens the economic growth and social and economic development of the countries concerned; greater attention should be paid to the fight against monopolies, the importance of the oligarchs and the relationship between politicians and major contractors, as well as to recruitment in public services, including the police and education;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underscorlines the importance of free and fair elections to be held in accordance with international commitments and standards; notes that the last presidential elections held in Armenia in February 2008 were once again violent and that repercussions of the internal crisis in their aftermath are still being felt; takes note of the municipal elections held in a peaceful manner in Azerbaijan on 23 December 2009 and awaits the report of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities observation delegation thereon; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the local elections scheduled for 30 May 2010 take place in accordance with international standards and that the electoral law is amended accordingly, and reaffirms that securing direct election of mayors is crucial; confirms its and the EU’s position that elections and referenda in breakaway regions are illegitimate; defends the political rights of displaced persstresses the essential role for the EU to help to support, organize and monitor elections;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes that the last presidential elections held in Armenia in February 2008, for which the OSCE estimated that if the election mostly met international standards, were followed by violence and that repercussions of the internal crisis in their aftermath are still being felt; is concerned about the lack of any serious investigation into the events following the presidential elections of February 2008 in Armenia when 10 people were killed and which led to the imposition of a state of emergency and restriction of a number of freedoms and rights;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Takes note of the municipal elections held in a peaceful manner in Azerbaijan on 23 December 2009 and awaits the report of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities observation delegation thereon; notes that the OSCE estimated the election mostly met international standards yet some violence has been reported after the election, but it is not certain that there is a clear connection to the election;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the local elections scheduled for 30 May 2010 take place in accordance with international standards and that the electoral law is amended accordingly, and reaffirms that securing direct election of mayors is crucial; requests the presence of organizations that monitor the election closely; confirms its own and the EU’s position that the EU does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework in which the elections in South Ossetia and Abkhazia have taken place and defends the political rights of displaced persons;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers freedom of expression to be a fundamental right and principle and, that the role of the media is essential, is disturbed by the limitations on freedom of expression and the lack of media pluralism in the countries of the South Caucasus and calls on the authorities to ensure both; is preoccupied about attacks on journalists in Armenia and in particular about the continued detention of opposition journalist Nikol Pashinian, despite the welcomed amnesty of 18 June 2009 leading to the release of a number of imprisoned opposition activists; is concerned about the deterioration of the media climate in Azerbaijan with cases of harassment and intimidation of media professionals and deplores the detention and sentencing of the two youth activists and bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade; accordingly calls for their release following the appeal procedure in accordance with international standards and with respect for the principles of a fair trial as set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rightsand that the media must be free and independent, is bothered by the restrictions on freedom of expression and the lack of media pluralism in the countries of the South Caucasus and calls on the authorities to ensure both;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Expresses its concern regarding the refusal of Eutelsat to broadcast the Russian language service of the Georgian public broadcaster as this refusal appears to be politically motivated;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Is preoccupied about harassment and attacks on journalists in Armenia and in particular about the continued detention of opposition journalist Nikol Pashinian, despite the welcomed amnesty of 18 June 2009 leading to the release of a number of imprisoned opposition activists involved in the events of 1-2 March 2008;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Is concerned about the deterioration of the media climate in Azerbaijan with cases of harassment and intimidation of media professionals and deplores the detention and sentencing of the two youth activists and bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade; accordingly, calls for their release following the appeal procedure in accordance with international standards and with respect for the principles of a fair trial as set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights; urges the Azerbaijani authorities to renew the FM radio licences of a number of international broadcasters, points out that the termination of these stations' broadcasting on FM frequencies removes important, objective and valuable independent sources of quality public- service information and restricts media plurality in Azerbaijan;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes the view that freedom of assembly must be guaranteed, as it is instrumessential to the development of a free, democratic and vibrant civil society; is worried about the difficulties, direct and indirect, which civil society faces in organising itself and disturbed by the adoption of laws and practices that might indirectly limit freedom of assembly, including through administrative harassment, such as the intensified checks by the fiscal authorities in Armenia; is concerned about the lack of any serious investigation into the events following the presidential elections of February 2008 when 10 people were killed and which led to the imposition of a state of emergency and restriction of a number of freedoms and rights; calls on the authorities in Azerbaijan, including the local authorities, to implement in a non-restrictive manner the legislation on freedom of assembly which, as amended, meets most international standards; is concerned that in Georgia the 2009 amendments to the Law on Assembly and Manifestations may limit freedom of assembly and curtail the ability of the opposition to mobilise; underlines the important role of civil society for the peace and reconciliation processes in the region;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Armenian authorities to investigate allegations of violence and ill- treatment in police custody and penitentiary institutions and corruption and breaches of freedom of expression;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Calls on the authorities in Azerbaijan, including the local authorities, to implement in a non- restrictive manner the legislation on freedom of assembly which, as amended, meets most international standards;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Is concerned that in Georgia the 2009 amendments to the Law on Assembly and Manifestations may limit freedom of assembly and curtail the ability of the opposition to mobilise; underlines the important role of civil society for the peace and reconciliation processes in the region;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underscores the importance of building a favourable business climate and the developConsiders that trade policy is a key component in ensuring political stability and economic development leading to a reduction in poverty in the South Caucasus, and that it is crucial for further integration between the EU and the South Caucasus; supports the Commission's initiative to undertake a feasibility study to evaluate the possibility of a free-trade agreement with Georgia and Armenia; believes that such an agreement will benefit all parties; in the meantime, calls ofn the private sector; commends Azerbaijan on its noteworthy economic growth and the reform proCommission and the Council to implement measures to ensure that Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan benefit as much as possible from the Generalized System of Preferencess, which makes the economy more attractive to foreign investors, and hople underlining the importance of Azerbaijani membership of the WTO for further enhancing bilateral trade relations; encourages thate Azerbaijan will continue and eventually complete its negotiationi authorities to accelerate its negotiations on accession to the WTO and calls on the Commission to further support Azerbaijan in its process onf accession to the WTO; commends Azerbaijan on its noteworthy economic growth and the economic reform; welcomes the progress made in implementing market-economy reforms aiming at liberalisation of the market in Armenia and Georgia; notes however that the economic development of Armenia and Georgia has been affected by the general economic crisis and welcomes the decision at the end of 2009 to provide macrofinancial assistance to the two countries;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes the strategic geopolitical location of the South Caucasus and its increasing importance as an energy, transport and communications corridor connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe; considers it of the utmost importance, therefore, that EU- cooperation with the South Caucasus be given the highest priority, not least in matters relating to energy;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises the significance of the region for the EU’s energy cooperation and energy security; notstresses the great value of importance of deepening the EU-Azerbaijan’si energy resources and the essential role thesepartnership as envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding of 7 November 2006 and welcomes the readiness of the Azerbaijani and Georgian Governments to further play ian its economic development; underscores the importance of ensuring that the benefits deriving from the exploitation of natural resources are evenly distributed and invested in thactive role in the promotion of market-based energy supply and transit diversification in the region; attaches great significance to the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi- Erzurum gas pipeline and the Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and stresses the importance of the Trans-Caspian energy corridor projects, which would contribute to economic and trade development ofin the country as a whole, permitting it to brace itself against the negative repercussions of an eventual decline in oil production; welcomes the intention of Azerbaijan to diversify its economyregion and would enhance the safety and security and diversification of energy supplies and transit systems from Azerbaijan and the Caspian basin to the EU market; however, strongly requests the countries involved and the Commission to include Armenia in the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline and in the Trans-Caspian energy corridor projects, in compliance with the regional cooperation objective promoted by the ENP;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underscorlines the importance of investing in renewable energy sources and ensuring that environmental concerns are catered for; welcomesrecognises that generating diversity of supply is vital and can only be attained through enhanced cooperation with neighbouring states, welcomes therefore the establishment of the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus; considers the plans proclaimed by Azerbaijan to make the development of alternative energy sources a government priority praiseworthy and encourages the pursuit of such objectives; is glad to take note ofwelcomes the decision of Armenia to decommission the nuclear plant in Medzamor, but regrets that a new nuclear plant will be built in the same seismic area and towards finding viable alternative solutions for energy supply, as requested by the EU;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that promoting social cohesion and social dialogue, investing in education and health and builddeveloping human capital, ensuring adequate standards of living, are essential in order to build vibrant democratic societies; takes positive note of the adoption by the three countries of their respective programmes on poverty reduction and encourages their thorough implementation;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes the Eastern Partnership and takes note of the related initiatives that have been activated and the meetings that have been held; intends to develop further the parliamentary dimension of the Partnership; welcomes the creation of the multilateral parliamentary assembly EURONEST - the parliamentary dimension of the Eastern Partnership - as the forum for parliamentarians of three countries to meet and cooperate; expects that the implementation of association agreements by all South Caucasus countries will accelerate the process of economic integration and political cooperation with the EU;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that the ENP Action Plans and the implementation thereof constitute an essential basis for evaluating respect for commitments, in accordance with the principle of conditionality, for evaluating and the progress of bilateral relationships with the EU and for considering upgrading of agreementcontractual relations with the countries concerned; takes the view that the European Parliament should be involved in this process; notes the differenat progress made bydiffers among the three countries in the implementation of the respective ENP Action Plans; believes that negotiations on the new association agreements should take into account this diversityese differences and the different objectives but at the same time that the process of negotiation should preferably move at the same pace for allas well as the regional dimension and that three countries, taking into account th must be tregional dimensionated equally;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Takes note of the current EU involvement in conflict resolution processes in the region and believes that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty justifies a more prominent role for the EU; welcomes the work of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and calls for increased EU action to persuade Russia and the relevant de facto authorities to stop blocking the EUMM from entering South Ossetia and Abkhazia; considers that the EU now has the opportunity to play a greater role insupport the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and could do so by participating in the negotiations through the establishment of an EU mandate for the French Co-chair of the Minsk Group, by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes and by supporting civil- society projects that aim to promote reconciliation and contacts between individuals in the region and by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes once a political solution is found;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission to grant substantial financial and technical support to measures building confidence and promoting trust between and among the populations and to participate in rehabilitation and reconstruction in the region, such as income-generating projeconflicts and projects on socio-economic integration of IDPs and returnees, on the rehabilitation of housing and aiming at dialogue and mediationffected regions once a political solution is found;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Supports EU funding and assistance to the region to promote these principles and processes and considers that such EU assistance should take place within the framework of political conditionality, such as reform of the judiciary and progress inprogress in political dialogue and reform and democratisation processes; warns against the misuse of conflicts by governmenpossibility for governments to misuse conflicts to distract the interest of the international community from domestic issues;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the work of the EU High Level EU Advisory Group to Armenia; bwelievcomes thate possibility of increased financial assistance within the framework of the Eastern Partnership and, including for the preparation for the negotiation of new association agreements with the EU has the opportunity to offer technical assistance and calls on the Commission to study the possibility of offering suchtailor-made assistance also to Azerbaijan and Georgia;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Recognises the potential role of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum as the spaceforum to foster the development of a genuine civil society and strengthen its entrenchment in the states of the region, and calls on the Commission to ensure that the Forum receives sufficient financial and technical support; draws attention to the importance of financing civil society projects and the role that the EU Delegations in the region play in selecting these, and the significance that the projects can have in promoting contacts at regional level;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Considers that the EU should continue to support economic development, trade and investment in the region, and believes that the negotiation and establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade AgreementsArea plays a very important role in this respect; calls on the Commission to consider possible ways to assist the countries in the region to prepare them and enable them toin their preparation, negotiateion and then implement andation in the future, including sustaining the commitments provided for in possiblderiving from the future DCFTAs;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Reiterates the significance of people- to-people contacts and mobility programmes, especially aimed at youth; calls on the Council and Commission to make progress towards visa facilitation with thewelcomes the conclusion of the visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Georgia and calls on three cCountries and welcomes the initialling of thecil and Commission to make progress towards visa facilitation and readmission agreements with GeorgiaArmenia and Azerbaijan;