227 Amendments of Anna IBRISAGIC
Amendment 12 #
2013/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty the EU’s industrial, space and research policies extend to the defence remit; pPoints out that Union programmes in other areas such as internal and border security, disaster management and development offer a significant prospect of jointly developing capabilities relevant to those policies and to the conduct of CSDP missions;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it regrettable that past efforts to consolidate demand have not improved the fragmentation of demand in the EU, with 28 national defence customers and an even higher number of customers of products for civilian and military use; regrets the limited results of the EDA’s Capability Development Plan; calls, therefore, on the European Council to launch a European defence review process and make the coordination of national defence planning processes at EU level a reality; based on this assessment, calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to initiate a wide-ranging process to develop a White Paper on Security and Defence in order to streamline the EU’s strategic ambitions and capability development processes;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that there is a proliferation of competing industrial standards for civilian and military products; calls on the Commission to develop promorte industrialcommon standards with the early integration of military aspects provided by the EDA; calls on the Member States to ensure that their future steps to set defence standards are based on the civilian suggestions made by the Commission and European standardisation organisations;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2125(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the European Council to enable the EDA fully to assume its institutional role; reiterates the urgent need for Member States to provide the EDA with adequate funding for the full range of its missions and tasks; takes the view that this would best be done by financing the Agency’s staffing and running costs from the Union budget, starting with the forthcoming multiannual financial framework;
Amendment 71 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In its policy orientations on road safety 2011-20207 , the Commission set out measures to make vehicles safer and better protect vulnerable road users. The importance of visibility for vehicle drivers was also underlined in the Commission’s report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Directive 2007/38/EC on the retrofitting of mirrors to heavy goods vehicles registered in the Community8 . A new cab profile wiHowever, safety improvements will not come automatically also contribute to improving road safety byfter the re-design and the extension of the cab. Safety has to be addressed by the General Safety regulation (EC 661/2009) and under the corresponding UNECE legislation. In these legislations, additional safety measures may be introduced to reducinge the blind spot in the driver’s' vision, including under the windscreen, which should and to avoid potential collisions so as to help save the lives of many vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists. This new profile could also incorporate energy absorption structures in the event of a collision. The potential gain in the volume of the cab would also improve the driver'’s comfort and safety. __________________ 7 COM(2010) 389 8 COM (2012) 258
Amendment 82 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Longer, higher and/or heavier vehicles may be used in cross- border transport if the two Member States concerned already allow itor wish to allow such vehicles on a permanent basis since Directive 96/53/EC came into force and if the conditions for derogation under Article 4(3), (4) or (5 (4) of the Directive are met. The European Commission has already provided guidance on the application of Article 4 of the Directive. The transport operations referred to in Article 4(4) do not have a significant impact on international competition if the cross- border use remains limited to two Member States where the existing infrastructure and the road safety requirements allSuch vehicles may also be used in cross border transport between Member States and neighbouring Member States where they are already allowed on provisional basis. Provisions to this effect are laid down itn a new Article 4 (7). This balances the Member States’ right under the principle of subsidiarity to decide on transport solutions suited to their specific circumstances with the need to prevent such policies from distorting the internal market. The provisions of Article 4 (4) are clarified in this respect.
Amendment 100 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Using alternative engines that no longer rely only on fossil fuels and are therefore non-polluting or less polluting, such as electric or hybrid engines for heavy-duty vehicles or buses (mainly in urban or suburban environments) generates extra weight which should not be counted at the expense of the effective load of the vehicle so that the road transport sector is not penalised in economic terms. The solutions should also maintain the principle of technological neutrality.
Amendment 147 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
(a) The word ‘national’ is deleted from points (a) and (b) of paragraph 12.
Amendment 163 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Transport operations shall be considered to not significantly affect international competition in the transport sector if they take place on the territory of a Member State or, for a cross-border operation, between only two neighbouring Member States who have both adopted measures taken in application of this paragraph, and ifunder this, and if , as regards dimensions, one of the conditions under (a) and (b) is fulfilled:
Amendment 183 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 7 a (new)
(5a) The following paragraph 7a. is added to Article 4: 7a. Neighbouring Member States that on a permanent basis since Directive 96/53/EC entered into force allow road transport of goods with vehicles or vehicle combinations with weights and/or dimensions deviating from Annex 1 as provided in Article 4.1 a) and 4.2 a) and, as regards dimensions, in compliance with Article 4 (4) with the addition, as regards cross boarder operations, of deviations from Annex 1 point 1.3, may allow cross boarder operations between them with such vehicles and combinations. Such Member States and neighbouring Member States where longer, heavier or higher vehicles are provisionally allowed may likewise allow cross boarder operations between them on mutual agreement. The Member States will notify the Commission on this procedure.
Amendment 228 #
2013/0105(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
In the aim of improving the aerodynamic performance and road safetfuel efficiency of vehicles or combinations of vehicles, vehicles or combinations of vehicles that meet the criteria set out in paragraph 2 below may exceed the maximum lengths provided for in point 1.1 of Annex I. The main purpose of these exceedances is to allow the construction of tractor cabs improving the aerodynamic characteristic could be extended within the limits set by the European type approval legislation (Directive 2007/46) and by the requirements set by this Directive, which will be need to be further developed, according to the procedures as stated in article 16(3). The main purpose of these exceedances is to allow improvements of vehicles or vehicle combinations of vehicles, anddesign in order to improvinge road safety. Regulation (EC) N 661/2009 should be amended correspondingly.
Amendment 15 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the policy of integration over the past decade has shown that enlargement benefits the EU as a whole and allows it to be better positioned to address global challenges;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas enlargement has been a success storyful process for the EU and Europe as a whole, in helping to overcome the division of the Cold War, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity throughout Europe, stimulating reforms and consolidating liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, as well as the market economy;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas 20 years after the Copenhagen summit the moment has come for a general re-evaluation of the accession criteria, ofthe Copenhagen criteria, which define the eligibility of a country for EU membership, lie in the centre of the EU enlargement policy; whereas the established procedures and of enlargement policy as a wholestrategy should be regularly reviewed; whereas Parliament contributes to improving the transparency and accountability of enlargement and thereby increasing public support for this process;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the prospect of accession has a significant transformative impact on the socio-political, socio-economic and cultural landscape of the countries wishing to join, and acts as a powerful incentive for pursuing the necessary political, economic and legislative reforms and the strengthening of peace, stability and, reconciliation based onand good neighbourly relations; whereas this makes enlargement the essence of the EU's soft power and an important element of its external action;
Amendment 44 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas, commitment, conditionality and credibility have been situated at the core of the accession process;
Amendment 47 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas each country aspiring to EU membership has to be judged on its own merits in fulfilling the same set of criteria; whereas the pace of the accession process should be dictated by effective compliance with the accession criteria, as well as fulfilment of the priorities of the Accession Partnership and the negotiating framework; whereas the degree of compliance with the requirements for membership has to be assessed in the most fair and transparent fashion;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly believes that enlargement needs to continue to beremain a credible policy; considers it,underlines therefore, the important for the EUce to fulfil the promisecommitments already made towards candidate and potential candidate countries and to create the conditions for ensuring that future enlargements are successful;
Amendment 74 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. ConsiderStresses that the Copenhagen criteria continue to represent a valuable basis and should remain at the heart of enlargement policy; underlines, however, the need to keep the economic subcriteria up to date in line with recent developments in the sphere of economic governance, while taking due account of their social implications for the candidate and potential candidate countriesneed to be at the heart of the enlargement policy;
Amendment 84 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 106 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. TBelieves that the pace at which each country advances towards membership depends mainly on its performance in meeting the established criteria and conditions; takes the view that the principle of strict conditionality requires that the progress of a countryin adopting and implementing the criteria is effectively assessed at every stage of the process, and that countries wishing to join the EU should proceed from one stage to the next only once all the conditions have been met at each stage; notes, however, certain tendencies to exaggeration, and recommends avoiding requiring of candidate and potential candidate countries higher standards than those applying in the EU; stresses the importance of setting transparent and fair benchmarks throughout the process; furthermore stresses the importance of setting transparent and fair benchmarks throughout the process, which should translate the general membership criteria into concrete steps towards the accession, while not creating additional conditions for the candidate and potential candidate countries;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to maintain and further develop a toolbox that draws on conditionality and experience from previous enlargements, and to intensify its monitoring of progress in the accession process, so as to ensure that candidate and potential candidate countries achieve a high degree of preparedness which will benefit both them and the EU;
Amendment 171 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Encourages greater and meaningful participation by civil society and non-state actors in the accession process; stresses that civil society can work as an important engine of approximation with the EU and create bottom-up pressure for the implementation of the European agenda; calls for additional financial support, inter alia via the Civil Society Facility;
Amendment 196 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its position that bilateral issues should not represent or be used as an obstacle in the accession process, but should be addressed in a constructive spirit and as early as possibleas early as possible in the accession process in a constructive and good neighbourly spirit, taking account of the EU's overall interests and its values; stresses that the accession negotiations should not be used to pre-empt the final settlement of such issues, notwithstanding the obligation to fully comply with the acquis and respect the principles on which the EU itself is founded;
Amendment 241 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Supports the Commission's commitment to improving the quality of the accession process by making it more merit based, benchmark-driven and transparent; takes the view that this will make the process fairer and more objectively measurable, thus further enhancing its credibility; in this context, recommends that the progress reports should be more assertive and clearer in their demands; stresses that the benchmarks should not set additional conditions for the candidate and potential candidate countries, but should translate the general membership criteria into concrete steps towards accession;
Amendment 250 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is of the opinion that, in order to maintain the support of the EU's citizens for further enlargement and the commitment of the citizens of the candidate and potential candidate countries to continue with reforms, it is crucial to present them with clear and comprehensive information on the political, socio- economic and cultural benefits of enlargement; considers it essential, in particular, to explain to the public how the pursuing of enlargement policy has brought in its wake new investment and export opportunities for the older Member States, and how it can help attain the EU's objectives in terms of tackling the economic crisis, creating jobs, protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change, and enhancing security and safety, while at the same time accelerating the reform agenda and improving living conditions in the enlargement countries for the benefit of all European citizens; stresses the need to target, as a priority in this regard, young people and trade union all parts of societies, as well as key opinion-formers such as journalists, representatives of civil society and socio- economic actors;
Amendment 259 #
2012/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Strongly believes that the EU can still attain great strategic benefits through enlargement policy; emphasises that EU membership represents a stable anchor in the swiftly changing international environment, and that ‘belonging to the club’ continues to offer hope for stability and prosperity, despite the ongoing economic crisis; is of the opinion that enlargement is a long-term strategic concept, which cannot necessarily be measured in terms of short-term balance sheets; considers it important to take due account of its value as representing soft but nevertheless essential power for the EU;
Amendment 4 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Exemption from the visa requirement for nationals of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu should not come into force until bilateral agreements on visa waiver between the Union and the countries concerned have been concluded in order to ensure full reciprocity.
Amendment 6 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) in point 1, the references to Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu are deleted and a reference to South-Sudan is inserted;
Amendment 7 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
"Tuvalu*", "United Arab Emirates*" and "Vanuatu*"
Amendment 64 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Vehicles of hHistoric intervehiclest are supposed to conserve heritage of the époque they have been built and considered to be hardly used on public roads, it should be left to Member States to extend the period of periodic roadworthiness testing for such vehicles. It should also be for Member States to regulate roadworthiness testing of other types of specialised vehicles.
Amendment 111 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – indent 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – indent 7
Amendment 124 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– vehicles of historic interest,historic vehicles.
Amendment 133 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Amendment 135 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
(7) vehicles of– historic interest,vehicles means any vehicle which fulfils all the following conditions :
Amendment 143 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – indent 3
Amendment 150 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – indent 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – indent 4
Amendment 154 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Amendment 189 #
2012/0184(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
Amendment 2 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
Amendment 11 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
– having regard to the Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union of 3 May 2012 on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day,
Amendment 35 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas new digital and online media platforms have contributed to increased diversity and pluralism, but also to the attempts to restrict them;
Amendment 44 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that governments have the primary responsibility for hampering freedom of the press and media, and are increasingly resorting to legal pressure, e.g. through the abuse of anti-terrorism legislation and laws on national security, treason or subversion, in order to restrictguaranteeing and protecting freedom of the press and media freedom;
Amendment 55 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the fact that journalists are frequently wounded or murdered throughout the world, often with impunity; calls on all states to guarantee the safety of journalists;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that certain laws, statutory regulation, intimidation, fines, highly concentrated ownership by politicians or others with conflicting interests can all limit the freedom to acquire and access information or lead to threats to freedom after expression;
Amendment 61 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact that criminalisation of expression is on the rise; recalls that journalists are frequently imprisoned worldwide because of their work; is aware that defamation, blasphemy and libel laws are used to imprison or censor journalists and block free expression; regrets that censorship fosters self-censorship; calls for an end to the harassment of journalists, who should be able to carry out their work in an independent manner without fear of violence and recrimination, and the immediate release of all journalists imprisoned because of their work;
Amendment 68 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 74 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 80 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses that free and independent public media always play a crucial role in deepening democracy, in maximising the involvement of civil society in public affairs and in empowering citizens on the path to democracy;
Amendment 86 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the potential impact of today's ever more digitised media and their empowering effects on individuals, phenomena which create anxiety for authose in powerritarian regimes;
Amendment 100 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 103 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 105 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 116 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that the EU should lead the way in ensuring that the media remain independent, plural and diverse, and in defending the situation, freedom and security of journalists and bloggers; stresses that, to this end, the EU should not interfere with content but should, rather, support an enabling environment and limit restrictions toadvocate freedom of expression globally,
Amendment 120 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 137 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for a shift from ad hoc funding of projects to a more sustainable approach, also involving private donors and interlocutors; recognises the need for a country-by-country and tailored approach to programming, both at national and regional level;
Amendment 141 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that the EU should educate and train policymakers, regulators and media alike in third countries, with the goal of fostering press and media freedom and appropriate and technology-neutral forms of market regulation, especially recalling that in periods of transition it occurs that freedoms are often restricted in the name of stability and security;
Amendment 147 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that media development and enabling freedom of expression should be at the hepart of the EU's dialogue at country level, as well as of its trade and partnership agreements and aid programmes, in compliance with Article 21 TEU;
Amendment 158 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Considers that press and media programmes should also focus on improving the (state and legal) structures and supporting local media companies and businesses, in order to improve their transparency, independence, sustainability and openness;
Amendment 161 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
Amendment 165 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the EEAS to make optimal use of the EU's engagement in multilateral forums which focus on press, media and digital freedoms, such as the Council of Europe, UNESCO, and the OSCE, and in the context of the UN;
Amendment 166 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls on the Commission and Council and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to adopt a Press and Media Freedom Strategy underin EU foreign policy, as soon as possible;
Amendment 169 #
2011/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, the European External Action Service, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Amendment 477 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) Roads correspond to the provisions of Article 20(3). At the request of a Member State, exemptions from the provisions of Article 20(3) may be granted by the Commission in duly justified cases, including cases where certain infrastructure investments could not be justified in economic cost- benefit terms, as long as an appropriate level of safety is ensured.
Amendment 28 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas political and economic instability is the major driving force behind migration, particularly irregular migration, depriving affected communities of viable local prospects and, hence, of the right to choose whether to migrate or not and leaving them with migration, often irregular migration, as their only option,
Amendment 64 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas irregular migration has an impact on the migration-management and integration capacity of both receiving and transit countries, worsening, in thsome case ofs as regards transit countries, the sustainability and development prospects of local job markets and thus fuelling more instability,
Amendment 69 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the expected sharp demographic growth both in countries of origin and transit, particularly in the Maghreb, will seriously undermineput at risk the prospects for economic growth and job creation in those countries - thereby nullifying all efforts in this regard andif the necessary political and economical decisions are not made. Whereas the lack of freedom and democracy leadings to internal tensions and instability, as shown by the recent demonstrations in Tunisia and Algeria - and will put further strain on the integration capacity of receiving countries,
Amendment 72 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the EU urgently needs to reflect on how much it wants to open up its borders toshould reflect on how to handle migratory flows from countries of origin and transit in order to offset their internal demographic and social tensions, thus helping them maintain their internal stability, and how much it needs to invest in a renewed economic agenda for such countries, including an agenda focused on job creation,
Amendment 83 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas tensions between countries of origin and transit and between receiving and transit countries concerning the management of migratory flows cshould become a source of potential conflict in the future decreased through a more harmonised migration policy,
Amendment 93 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas EU foreign policy can positively complement and strengthen EU policies on migration, and must address all sources of instability in countries of origin and pursue an active dialogue with transit countries on uniform, human rights-based standards for their national laws on migration, thereby creating a level playing field where both receiving and transit countries follow the same rules and offer migrants the same level of protection; whereas the different level of development of transit countries calls for the provision of ad hoc EU financial assistance to help them reach standards comparable to those of the EU,
Amendment 110 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that support for politically and economically fragile states, as a source of irregular migration and security and stability tensions, should alwaysin general include, in addition to strategies to consolidate stability and ensure safety as well budgetary relief and support, direct investment and EU market-access strategies, rural development and food security strategies, job-creation policies, infrastructure development, and strategies geared to promoting democratisation and good governance, social inclusion and religious tolerance, thereby maximising local prospects and alternatives for potential migrants; firmly believes that such strategies must be based on active partnerships which draw on the principles of ownership and empowerment of the beneficiary countries, but also on targets, clear roadmaps and conditions for their achievement co-defined with donor countries, and on benchmarks and strict accountability standards;
Amendment 123 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that in its resolution of 21 September 2010 on poverty reduction and job creation in developing countries: the way forward*1 Parliament emphasised that the EU should not hesitate to apply sanctions when developing countries fail to respect their governance obligations under trade agreements, asked the EU authorities to ensure scrupulous respect for the principle of conditionality, as stipulated in the Cotonou Agreement, and emphasised that the same conditionality criteria should apply to the provision of support under both the European Development Fund (EDF) and the Financing Instrument for Development Cooperation (DCI); stresses 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA-PROV(2010)0327. that similar conditionality criteria also should apply to EU assistance other than development assistance and humanitarian aid, and that such assistance should be based on partnership, shared objectives and values and allegiance and should be able to fulfil the expectations of both the donor and the beneficiary and that it should not be ‘cost-free’ for beneficiary countries to receive active support from the EU and then disregard with no consequences EU core valuesthe active support from the EU to the beneficiary countries should be effective and results- oriented and that the EU core values should be respected; asks the VP/HR and the Commission to pursue the objective of allegiance to the EU and its core values when shaping the architecture of EU financial assistance and in bilateral relations with countries which are beneficiaries of such assistance; believes that a reflection should be started at EU level on the bases of and scope of application of conditionality criteria to EU financial assistance;
Amendment 126 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that policies similar to those for countries of origin should also be applied to transit countries, with particular reference tofor example regarding direct investment and market access and an emphasis on an employment agenda which can ensure effective long- term social inclusion prospects, stabilise the internal job market and enhance the long-term potential of transit countries as receiving countries;
Amendment 136 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the value of EU election observation missions as the first important step in any process of democratisation and good governance, and believes that such missions should be part of a broader framework of support for a long-term democratisation process; highlights the importance of mediation and conflict- prevention and resolution strategies and of institution- and capacity-building for regional organisations, such as the African Union (AU), which plays an important role in peace-keeping and peace-building operations; believes that the support for the AU should include the development of an effectivthe border-control capacity and support for its capacity to fight the exploitation of irregular migration and to provide relief for irregularall migrants in situations of distress; considers that the effective strengthening of regional organisations as multipliers of regional peace and stability will foster regional integration and the emergence of cross- border economic areas;
Amendment 146 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the recent agreement on an EU-Libya cooperation agenda on migration, particularly as regards joint efforts to provide financial support for African countries in order to create viable alternatives to migration and the development in Libya of a more efficient system to manage labour migration, by allowing the maximisation of the skills of the migrants already present in the country; believes that agreements on a cooperation agenda on migration should be reached with other countries in geographic proximity to the EU which can be valuable partners in providing support to fragile States in their neighbourhood and in offering migrants the skills required to access their job-market;
Amendment 43 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that coherence will need to be sought between the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the Commission, synergies improved between the EU and the national level and coordination enhanced between institutional actors, with a view to better integrating all relevant instruments and policies and delivering a single EU message on key political issues; considers cooperation at all levels between the EEAS and the relevant services in the Commission to be essential with a view to shaping a strategic approach to our neighbourhood and to candidate and partners countries with membership prospects, as well as to policy areas such as trade, development, energy security and justice and home affairs and human rights;
Amendment 155 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Draws attention toConfirms the EU membership prospects of all the Western Balkan countries and underlines the importance of a continuous commitment to the process from both the countries of the region and the EU;
Amendment 157 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Recognizes progress achieved by all countries of the region on their path towards the EU, notes however that political instability and institutional weaknesses, together with unresolved bilateral issues are hampering further progress of some countries in the EU integration; stresses that the Union needs a clear and common vision towards the region, calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to actively engage in solving the persistent problems;
Amendment 168 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. WelcomNotes the fact that the situation in Kosovo remains stable and peaceful, but is concerned at the serious problems and breaches of electoral law which occurred in several municipalities during the recent elections; stresses the importance of fair elections as part of Kosovo's ongoing democratic transition; urges the Government of Kosovo to improve future electoral processes in order to secure the democratic rights of Kosovo citizens and to strengthen the country's European perspectivfragile; calls for the planned talks between Kosovo and Serbia to start without delay, under the sponsorship of the EU, and stresses that they have vast potential to contribute to stability in Kosovo and to improving the situation for local people, including as regards upholdnot only in Kosovo but ing the rule of law in the north of the country;whole region, reiterates the need for the EULEX Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo to ensure that it can function effectively throughout the entire territory of Kosovo, by stepping up its activities in the north of the country, and to enjoy the trust and support of the entire population;
Amendment 203 #
2010/2124(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the VP/HR to intensify talks with Russia to assure the unconditional fulfilment of all the provisions of the agreement of 2008 between Russia, the European Union and Georgia; takes the view Russia that should, in particular, guarantee full unlimited access of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Abkhazia and South Ossetia; underlines the necessity to provide stability in aforementioned Georgian regions;
Amendment 21 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the international community has implicitly recognised that nine years of war and international involvement haves not yet succeeded in eliminating the Taliban insurgency and bringing peace and stability to the country,
Amendment 24 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas an impasse has been reached in Afghanistan: a coalition of occupying powers in place but unable to defeat the Talibanit is difficult to see an obvious end in sight, with an international coalition unable to defeat the Taliban through military means only, and an insurgency movement unable to prevail against these military forces; and whereas there is no obvious end in sight,
Amendment 47 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 114 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Strongly believes that women's rights are part of the security solution – it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan without women enjoying their full rights in political, social and economic life; calls on the Afghan authorities to include women in every stage of the peace talks and reconciliation/reintegration efforts;
Amendment 138 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 147 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 182 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recognises the potential for local corruption but believes that this will be outweighed by the strengthened legitimacyand affirms that one of the goals of the international involvement is that the Afghan State will gain by beingbe responsible for implementing aid and by ensuring that aide effectiveness indicators andof the aid; notes that this is to take place through effective monitoring mechanisms, agreed upon by both donors and the Afghan Government, are in place;
Amendment 191 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that, as widely reported in the press and in the US House of Representatives report "Warlord, Inc.", the US military in Afghanistan has outsourced most of its logistics to private contractors, who in turn subcontract the protection of military convoys to local Afghan security providers, with disastrous consequences;
Amendment 198 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
Amendment 202 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
Amendment 222 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Fears that these errors have fuelled the resurgence of the Taliban in over halcertain parts of the country, exacerbating the deterioration in security;
Amendment 224 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 252 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Believes, too, that all other that when the Afghan State has shown capacity to take responsibility for the entire country and when stability and prosperity have been consolidated, more and more issues should be left to the will and capacity of the Afghan people themselves;
Amendment 279 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Calls on the EU to support the peace process unreservedly, allowing the Karzai Government full autonomenough flexibility in its choice of dialogue partners, but insisting that the Afghan Constitution and respect for fundamental human rights form the overall legal and political framework for the peace process;
Amendment 303 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
Amendment 317 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Draws attention to the many different police training missions present on the ground, and to the funding being invested in police training, with little to show for it; ; calls on all relevant actors to closely coordinate in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to fulfill complementary tasks at strategic and operational levels;
Amendment 321 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
Amendment 331 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
Amendment 336 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
Amendment 342 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
Amendment 346 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
Amendment 354 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55 a. Commends EUPOL's initiative to cooperate closely with NATO in areas where EUPOL has specific expertise, for example in the setting-up of a Staff College to train the leadership of the ANP, in starting a Female Training Centre in Bamiyan, and in developing the Afghan Police Training Teams (APTTs);
Amendment 366 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Notes, however, that the opium problem was not considered a priority by the Bush Administration, which preferred to cooperate with the warlords in the name of the war on terrorduction is still a major problem, and calls on the EU to assist in making the Afghan economy less dependent on the production of opium, for example by abolishing EU export subsidies, which have led to the dumping of EU products on other non-EU countries' markets by making local agricultural products uncompetitive and manufactured industrial goods uneconomical;
Amendment 2 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
Amendment 6 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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 #
2009/2216(INI)
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;
Amendment 81 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Acknowledges that the best protection for the Arctic is a long term and ambitious global climate agreement, but realizes that the rapid warming of the Arctic makes it necessary to, in addition, work on possible further short term means to limit Arctic warming;
Amendment 92 #
2009/2214(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recognizes that black carbon emissions from the EU and other regions in the northern hemisphere contributes to Arctic warming, and stresses the need for inclusion of black carbon emissions in the relevant UNECE and EU regulatory framework, such as the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the National Emissions Ceilings directive;
Amendment 40 #
2009/2198(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Council to enter into a debate with the European Parliament and the national parliaments in 2010 on the implementation of the new provisions in the Lisbon Treaty concerning the CSDP, including: a. the clause on assistance in the event of armed aggression on the territory of a Member State, b. the clause on solidarity in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster; c. the creation of the post of Vice- President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, coupled with the establishment of a European external action service (EEAS) incorporating the crisis management units, bd. a broader remit for the CSDP, ce. permanent structured cooperation for those Member States that meet higher standards in terms of military capability and have made more binding commitments in this area in preparation for the most demanding missions, together with enhanced cooperation procedures, df. the establishment of a start-up fund for preparatory activities in the lead-up to operations, e. the clause on assistance in the event of armed aggression on the territory of a Member State, f. the clause on solidarity in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster;Points a, b, c, d, e and f have become points c, d, e, f, a and b.
Amendment 36 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that, while the EU delegations in third countries will complement existing diplomatic representations of the Member States, there will be possibilities for long- term gains in efficiency, as the future EU delegation could in many cases take over consular services and deal with Schengen visa issugradually, where necessary, take over consular services;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, although subcontracting has many positive aspects and has allowed for increased productive capacity, it is also generating some economic and social imbalances among workers and might foster a race to the bottom in working conditions, which is a matter of concern,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, subcontracting may also be carried out by pure manpower firms that sometimes operate as so-called letterbox companies, which highlights the nature of the construction industry as a sector of rapidly changing, often fixed term employment relationships where the position of workers is often precarious,
Amendment 14 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 16 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas employment relations in thethe externalisation of activities and/or labour forces through sub- construaction sector have been redefined and, at the same time, haveng or employment agencies may reduced the direct social responsibility of the 'principal contractor', as labour has been externalised by the use of subcontractors and employment agencies, making the supply of cheap, often unskilled labour an integral part of lower level subcontractingcompanies, when used extensively,
Amendment 20 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas, the constructionsome sectors hasve been especially vulnerable to abuses in itstheir often complicated subcontracting chains,
Amendment 23 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 31 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on public aBelieves that past non-compliance with statuthorities to adopty labour law or furother develop legal provisions which exclude from public procurement undertakings found to have infringed labour law, collective agreements or codes of conducapplicable regulations and legislation should be taken into account as part of the selection process in public procurement;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the fact that eight Member States (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) have respondedtried to solve to the problems connected with the duties of subcontractors as employers by establishing national liability schemes; encourages other Member States to consider similar schemecommends the introduction of voluntary codes of practice developed in some Member States by the relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 44 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Emphasises the particular challenges faced by small businesses, calls on policymakers to develop appropriate tools to raise awareness in this sector;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reminds all stakeholders that, in its aforementioned resolution on the posting of workers, Parliament called on the Commission to regulate the joint and several liability of general or principal undertakings, in order to deal withconsider abuses in the subcontracting and outsourcing of cross- border workers, and to set up a transparent and competitive internal market for all companies;
Amendment 47 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates its message by calling on the Commission to establish a clear-cut Community legal instrument introducing joint and several liability at European level whilst respecting the different legal systems in place in the Member States and the principles of subsidiarity and proportionalityCalls on the Commission to report on joint and several liability at European level;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that such an instrumentinformation and exchange of best practices would benefit not only employees, but also Member State authorities, employers and especially SMEs in their fight against the grey economy, as clear, transparent Community rules would drive dubious operators out of the market, thus improving the functioning of the single market;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 64 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the fight against the potential negative social consequences of subcontracting can be tacklstrengthened by enhanced social dialogue between employers' organisations and trade unions, also with the participation of socially active NGOs and civil society organisations.
Amendment 24 #
2008/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that Member States must not unduly delay the preparation of the Commission's opinion in respect of potential candidate countries that have submitted an application for membership, and urges the Council and the Commission to deal with recent and forthcoming applications for membership with all due speed;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Fully supports the efforts aimed at establishing by 2010 a Western Balkans Investment Framework for the coordination of grants and loans offered by the Commission, by international financial institutions and by individual country donors; welcomes the Infrastructure Project Facility (IPF) and points out that IPF projects should clearly aim to improve intra-regional communication and tradin the fields of transport, the environment, energy and the social sector should be developed and carried out with a clear regional perspective; believes that these coordinated loan/grant facilities should be directed in particular towards the potential candidate countries which do not have access to funds from all five components of the Instrument for Pre- Accession (IPA);
Amendment 75 #
2008/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Expresses its criticism of the constitutional and/or legal provisions in force in all countries of the former Yugoslavia, which prohibit the extradition of citizens who aretheir own nationals facing indictedment in other states of the region, and of the legal obstacles which hamper the transfer of serious criminal proceedings between courts in different countries of the region; calls on the Council and the Commission to urge the countries of the region to take steps towards a coordinated abolition of all such prohibitions and legal obstacles;
Amendment 88 #
2008/2200(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out that the teaching of history in schools and universities in the Western Balkans must be based on documented research and must reflect the different perspectives of the various national and ethnic groups in the region if lasting results are to be achieved in promoting reconciliation and improving inter-ethnic relations; fully supports initiatives, such as the Joint History Project of the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in South East Europe, aimed at writing and disseminating joint history-teaching materials that provide a multi-perspective account of Balkan history, and calls on the competent ministries, educational authorities and educational establishments in the region to endorse the use of joint history teaching materials; calls on the Commission to support such initiatives financially and politically;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2149(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the region has seen an increase in investment from international players, particularly in the fields of energy, tourism and natural resources; stresses the beneficial influence of foreign investment on the economies of countries in that region; underlines, however, that such investment should be fully transparent, with the same rules for all the investors, and that it should not be linked to any political pressure from the governments of the investing entities.
Amendment 6 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that peace and stability are beneficial forthe essential preconditions for any post- conflict development progress; notes that the absence of hostilities that marks post- conflict situations does not automatically lead to entrenched and lasting stability;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that, for every peace-building and nation-building process, democratisation, demilitarisation and disarmament of the factions engaged in the conflict are of key importance and should be key priorities;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers it vitally important that causes of instability only be tackled by development measures that are in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals and otherand the problems of post- conflict societies are tackled by a combination of civil and military measures; points out that without the security guarantees of peacekeeping forces on the ground the essential precondition for stability in conflict-torn societies (i.e. the security of individuals and their property) cannot generally be fulfilled; also points out the need to employ social and economic measures aimed at eliminating poverty and fostering economic and social development that can create the environment required to prevent the resurgence of conflict;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that many African countries have the basic natural resources required for their development; highlights the need for the proper mHighlights the need for the proper management and settlement of questions of ownership, and possible re-distribution of the proceeds, of natural resources as a part of post-conflict power-sharing arranagement and redistribution of these resourcess between factions previously engaged in conflict; deplores the implication of various (local, regional, international and trans-national) actors in the misappropriation and exploitation of these resources (e.g. diamonds in Angola and Sierra Leone, and coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo); draws attention to the need for transparency in the extractive industries and welcomes initiatives such as the Kimberley process in avoiding major conflict potential;
Amendment 26 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the essential need to continue to develop the military capacity of the ESDP in order for the European Union and its Member States to be better able to contribute to the stabilisation and development of post-conflict societies;
Amendment 32 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that the establishment of the rule of law is an essential precondition of lasting stability and economic development; supports the deployment of ESDP operations focussed on fostering the rule of law in post-conflict societies (e.g. EUPOL Afghanistan, EULEX Kosovo and EUJUST LEX in Iraq); points to the importance of the establishment of independent war crimes tribunals to avoid impunity for war criminals and to further the post-conflict reconciliation process;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the importance of addressing questions concerning the political structure of post-conflict societies, in particular the power-sharing arrangements between the various factions previously engaged in conflict; supports the office of EU Special Representatives as the EU’s principal tool to help mediate political settlements and to foster lasting political stability in post- conflict societies;
Amendment 41 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the European Union's approach to immigration makes the situation worse inIs of the opinion that Member States have a moral obligation to shelter refugees fleeing from conflict areas; believes that this obligation can only be fulfilled on the basis of burden-sharing between Member States; further believes that Member States should actively assist refugees wishing to return to their countries of origin by closing European bordersafter the end of violent conflict to do so;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that there should be no military component to development aid and that the aid should always be in accordance with international law and in line with the United Nations; notes with interest the experience of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission; expresses its concern at the current approach adopted by donors who do not take local views into account but work on the basis of Western models; considaid to post-conflict societies is generally only effective when delivered alongside military support that, in addition to creating the basic precondition for post-conflict economic development, prevents aid from being usurped by warlords and criminal gangs; is of the opinion that local conditions and views must be taken into account by foreign aid donors in their development efforts; notes, howevers, that African solutions should be applied to African problemsuch aid must also be based on international best practice in promoting economic development in post-conflict societies.
Amendment 6 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas self-employed drivers have been excluded from the scope of Directive 2002/15/EC on a temporary basis until 23 March 2009,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas it is important to eliminate disparities between the Member States and help to ensure fair competition in the road transport sector by including self- employed drivers,
Amendment 11 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas, since self-employed drivers are already covered by national health and safety regulation, additional Community legislation will merely lead to an increase in red tape and impose another regulatory burden on the self- employed, without offering any particular advantage in terms of the health of workers or road safety,
Amendment 12 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 14 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 16 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
Amendment 18 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 20 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 27 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Member States to show the utmost diligence in transposing social legislation in the road transport sector into national law and implement it, so as to properly comply with the general interests of road safety and the health and safety of drivers and provide a clear framework of fair competition in national legislation;
Amendment 35 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission, when drawing up its official impact assessment, to give proper consideration to the position expressed by Parliament and its arguments for the full in to swiftly complete its impact assessment, which should serve as the basis for decisions as to what action; if any, is to be taken regarding the exclusion of self- employed drivers withinfrom the scope of the Directive after the transitional period2002/15/E;
Amendment 39 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 17 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, whilst previous enlargements have undoubtedly been a success both for the European Union and for the Member States which joined it, this is no guarantee that such accelerated pace can be sustained furtherand have contributed to the stability, development and prosperity of Europe as a whole,
Amendment 27 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas this strategy cannot therefore be reduced to a simple negotiating methodology but should involve ais much more than a negotiating methodology, reflecting as it does the core belief that the European Union should remain a community of shared values and is intricately linked to the debate on the Union's objectives, covering both the Union's ownits future and its role in the neighbourhood and the world,
Amendment 57 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas these policies should be complementary and mutually permeable, that is to say, should allow a given country to movadvance from one type of contractual relationship with the EU to another, if the necessary internal and external conditions are fulfilled,
Amendment 84 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms its firm commitment to all of the countries with which it has started membership negotiations and to the countries which have been given clear membership prospects, with the understanding that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and compatibility with the Union's integration capacity must be fulfilled before these countries can join the Union;
Amendment 95 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that the Union's Enlargement Strategy should strike a balance between the Union's geo-strategic interests, and the impact of political developments outside its borders together with the resulting expectations of its neighbouring countries, and the Union's integration capacity, including its ability to cope with future internal and external challenges and to realise its political integration project;
Amendment 105 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that integration capacity reflects the Union's ability at a given point in time to decide and thus to achieve its political objectives, in particular the aim of promoting economic and social progress and a high level of employment in its Member States, of asserting its identity and its ability to act on the international scene, of promoting the rights and interests of Member States' nationals, of developing an area of freedom, security and justice, of fully maintaining and building on its acquis communautaire and of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms, as laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; recalls, in this connection, that previous enlargements have proven to be beneficial for economic growth and employment in the old Member States, and have also served to bolster the strength and position of the EU on the international scene;
Amendment 121 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that this ability not only has institutional and financial implications but also involves sufficient political, social and economic cohesion within the Union; points out the economic and social achievements of previous enlargements and their contribution to the prosperity of the Union;
Amendment 161 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 173 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Recalls that previous enlargements have contributed to increased prosperity and security for the whole of the Union, as well as improving its ability to act on the international scene; recalls in this regard that the apprehensions about the effects of previous enlargements have turned out to be unfounded;
Amendment 187 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is also convinced that the Enlargement Strategy should be flanked by a more diversified range of external contractual frameworks and that these frameworks could be structured as mutually permeablea set of concentric circles, with countries being offered the opportunity, under strict but clear internal and external conditions, to movadvance from one status to another if they so wish and if they fulfil the criteria pertaining to each specific framework;
Amendment 202 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Suggests, therefore, that, as regards those eastern neighbours which, in view of their political, economic and social situation and of the Union's current integration capacity, at present do not enjoy membership prospects but at the same time fulfil certain democratic and economic conditions, the Union should establish an area based on common policies covering, in particular, economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education; takes the view that these common policies, whilst striving gradually to achieve EU standards and opening the way for closer integration of these countries, should be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision- making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistance;
Amendment 216 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes in this respect the launch, within the framework of the EU, of the Union for the Mediterranean as a positive step in our relations with the southern neighbours; believes that this new development strengthens the argument in favour of specific con, however, that such alternative strauctual multilateral res should not be crelations withed for our eastern neighbours, which, compared to their southern partners, have clear European ambitions and perspectives; recalls that, as a first step, these relations should translate themselves into the establishment of a Free Trade Area, to be followed by closer relations along the lines of a European Economic Area Plus (EEA +), of a European Commonwealth or of specific regional cooperation frameworks, for example in the Black Sea area;
Amendment 237 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes in this context the Commission Communication on the Western Balkans of 5 March 2008 (COM(2008)0127), which outlines a range of measures for supporting the countries in the region in their efforts towards EU integration and for deepening our relations with them, whether in the areas of trade, energy, education and/or research; believes that such measures should include also the Stabilisation and Association Agreements with Serbiathe countries of the Western Balkans that have yet to sign such an agreement, and calls on all Member States to overcome their reservations in this respect;
Amendment 65 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Draws attention to the fact that the attitude towards the environment in general needs to be improved, and appeals to the authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to continue efforts to bring its environmental legislation into line with accepted EU standards;
Amendment 92 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that, in the years since independence, close economic relations have developed between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece, that Greece is now the largest investor and trading partner and that Greece can provide significant support for coping successfully with the process of accession to the European UnionWelcomes the increased bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and Greece; regrets however that since the adoption of its Resolution of 12 July 2007 no progress has been made in the bilateral talks held under the auspices of the United Nations and assisted by Special Envoy Matthew Nimitz to find mutually acceptable solutions to the differences that have arisen over the name of the country; calls on both sides to increase efforts to overcome the issue;
Amendment 101 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 119 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 132 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 147 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on all authorities and organisations within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to stop using symbols which its neighbour Greece regards as closely associated with the history of the area in the north of Greece which is also designated Macedonia, in particularNotes with satisfaction the adoption of amendments to the Criminal Code to address new crimes related to copyright and related rights and points out the importance of drafting a new law on CRR in 2008. At the same time, the protection of industrial property rights was strengthened with the name Alexander the Great or that of his father, Philip II, for inter alia the national airport at Petrovec, and erecting statues in the towns of Skopje, Prilep and Bitola;ndments in the Law of industrial property. Notes with satisfaction the Memorandum for cooperation between Macedonia and WIPO (World Intellectual property Organization);.
Amendment 152 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a (new). Commends the Government on the successful implementation of economic policy reforms and the progress made towards establishing a fully functional market economy; welcomes the continued macroeconomic stability, the tax policy and the enhanced fiscal discipline which have resulted in an increase of the state budget revenues; welcomes the improved business climate and the activities aimed at reducing the legal and administrative barriers for starting business; notes with satisfaction that the World Bank report "Doing business 2007" ranked the Republic of Macedonia fourth among the top ten reform countries worldwide; encourages the Government to continue with the implementation of the comprehensive structural reforms;
Amendment 153 #
2007/2268(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b (new). Welcomes the entry into force of the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Community; takes note of the country's progress on the introduction of passports with biometric security features, the establishment of the National visa information system and the Visa centre, the implementation of the Integrated Border Management system, the fight against organized crime and corruption and urges therefore the Commission and the Member States to launch visa liberalization negotiations with Republic of Macedonia as soon as possible;
Amendment 20 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall determine the terms and conditions of transfer licences, in particular any limitations on the export of defence-related products to recipients in third countries, having regard to the risks for preservation of human rights, peace, security and stability created by the transfer. Member States may avail themselves of end-user certificates. Member States may pursue and extend existing intergovernmental cooperation in order to achieve the objectives of this directive.
Amendment 23 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shallmay grant global transfer licences to an individual supplier on its request authorizing one or several transfers of one or several defence-related products to one or several recipients in another Member State.
Amendment 24 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – introductory wording
Article 7 – introductory wording
Member States shallmay grant individual transfer licences to an individual supplier on its request authorizing one transfer of defence-related products to one recipient only in either the following cases:
Amendment 25 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that suppliers of defence-related products inform recipients of the terms and conditions of the transfer licence relating to the end use, re-transfer or export of the defence-related products.
Amendment 61 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 - paragraph 4
Article 4 - paragraph 4
4. Member States shall determine the terms and conditions of transfer licences, in particular any limitations on the export of defence-related products to recipients in third countries, having regard to the risks for preservation of human rights, peace, security and stability created by the transfer. Member States may use the possibility to request end-user certificates. Member States may pursue and extend existing intergovernmental cooperation in order to achieve the objectives of this directive.