Activities of Henrik LAX
Plenary speeches (40)
Recommendation to the Council on the new EU-Russia agreement (debate)
Community Code on Visas (debate)
State of play of SIS II (debate)
Protection of minorities in Europe (debate)
Voting rights for non-citizens of Latvia in local elections (debate)
Gas supplies by Russia to Ukraine and the EU (debate)
EU-Russia relations (debate)
Migration to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) - Migration to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (debate)
Environmental impact of the planned gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea to link up Russia and Germany (debate)
Preparation of the EU/Russia summit (26-27 June 2008) (debate)
Debate on the future of Europe (debate)
A more effective EU policy for the South Caucasus - A Black Sea Regional Policy Approach (debate)
Application of the Schengen acquis - Application of the Schengen acquis in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia (debate)
Membership of Parliament
Towards a common European foreign policy on energy (debate)
Definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks (debate)
Estonia (debate)
Environmental quality standards in the field of water policy (debate)
Transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (debate)
EC-Russia short-stay visa agreement – EC-Russia readmission agreement (debate)
Climate change (continuation of debate)
Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2006-2007 – The institutional aspects of the European Union’s capacity to integrate the new Member States (debate)
Community Customs Code – Customs 2013 programme (debate)
A Baltic Sea Strategy for the Northern Dimension (debate)
Community action in the field of marine environmental policy – Thematic strategy on the marine environment (debate)
Results of the informal summit of heads of state and government (Lahti, 20 October 2006) (debate)
Establishment, operation and use of SIS II (regulation) – Establishment, operation and use of SIS II (decision) – Access to SIS II by the services responsible for issuing vehicle registration certificates (debate)
Passenger car related taxes (debate)
Visa policy with regard to western Balkan countries (debate)
17th EU-Russia Summit (26 May 2006) (debate)
Promoting multilingualism and language learning in the EU (debate)
Local border traffic (debate)
Northern Dimension
The Northern Dimension
Explanations of vote
Protection of minorities and anti-discrimination policies in an enlarged Europe
Reciprocity mechanism
Strategic political orientations
Financial perspective (continuation)
Turkey's progress towards accession
Reports (2)
REPORT Draft proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on Visas PDF (322 KB) DOC (337 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 as regards the reciprocity mechanism PDF (216 KB) DOC (139 KB)
Written declarations (1)
Amendments (53)
Amendment 86 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas close collaboration in the field of energy policy and definition of a long-term energy strategy is a precondition of balanced development of the EU and Russian economies alike,
Amendment 163 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point o a (new)
Paragraph 1 - point o a (new)
oa) continue to investigate the possibility of close cooperation with Russia in the elaboration of an energy policy and strategy abiding by the principles of equity, reciprocity of benefits and energy security of all EU Member States as well as other neighbouring countries; the PCA should ensure the EU the diversity of energy supply and secure against monopolistic dependence;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Members States to establish a common Schengen visa internet site in order to further support the application of the common visa policy; this internet site should also support the handling of the visa procedure;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Considers that the marine strategy framework directive should constitute the environmental cornerstone of the integrated maritime policy. That directive states that regions in which the state of the sea is critical should draw up and implement faster measures to achieve good environmental status. In such regions, it is particularly important that the Commission should coordinate different sectors, programmes and strategies and provide sufficient financial support. To achieve such an integrated maritime policy, it is necessary to include land-based activities such as agriculture, waste water management, transport and energy production. Such regions can constitute pilot areas for a genuine and fully integrated maritime policy;
Amendment 41 #
2008/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Welcomes the Commission's measures to strengthen an ecosystem- based procedure within the common fisheries policy and its efforts to promote environment-friendly use of water; stresses the importance of sufficiently far- reaching practical measures to achieve that aim; considers that it is important that the measures are based on scientific studies and that they are geared to local and regional conditions as far as possible;
Amendment 142 #
2008/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 4
Annex II – point 4
Bleeding-out of all animals is requiredhas to occur directly following adequate stunning, that is, before proceeding to stun another seal.
Amendment 145 #
2008/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 8 – title and paragraph
Annex II – point 8 – title and paragraph
8. Ability of third party to monitorobserve: Third party monitorobserving of the hunt is possible, with a minimum of administrative or logistic barriers. Such observing must be conducted without jeopardizing the safety of all relevant parties concerned.
Amendment 98 #
2008/0110(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f – introductory part
(f) catering as well as retail and wholesale waste, except if it
Amendment 132 #
2008/0110(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – point e
Article 13 – point e
(e) products of animal origin, other than catering and retail or wholesale waste, which, after having been placed on the market for human consumption or for feeding to animals, are no longer intended for such consumption or such feeding for commercial reasons or due to problems of manufacturing or packaging defects or other defects from which no risk to public or animal health arise;
Amendment 136 #
2008/0110(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – point m
Article 13 – point m
(m) catering waste as well as retail and wholesale waste other than as referred to in Article 11 (e)
Amendment 10 #
2008/0078(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11A a (new)
Article 11A a (new)
Amendment 11 #
2008/0078(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12
Article 12
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall expire on the date to be fixed by the Council, acting in accordance with Article 55(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006, and in any event no later than on 30 June 2010..
Amendment 10 #
2008/0077(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Article 11A a (new)
Article 11A a (new)
Amendment 11 #
2008/0077(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12
Article 12
This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall expire on the date to be fixed by the Council, acting in accordance with Article 71(2) of Council Decision 2007/533/JHA, and in any event no later than on 30 June 2010.
Amendment 151 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
3. Each Member State shall ensure that the share of energy from renewable and sustainable peat sources in transport in 2020 is at least 108% of final consumption of energy in transport in that Member State, but only on the condition that energy from renewable sources in transport fulfils the environmental sustainability criteria in Article 15. The target will be subject to regular reviews every three years starting in 2012 on the basis of Commission reporting as provided for in Article 20.
Amendment 304 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex VII a (new)
Annex VII a (new)
Annex VII a Take into account specific calculation methods for peat based biodiesel, such as the avoided emissions thanks to the use of drained peat lands and such as the sinks created by growing biomass on the cut away peat bogs after peat harvesting.
Amendment 368 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point f a (new)
Article 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) “wetland” means land that is covered with or saturated by water permanently;
Amendment 828 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) Wetlands, that is to say land that is covered with or saturated by water permanently or for a significant part of the year, including pristine peatland;
Amendment 18 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. In light of Russia's current political situation and geopolitical ambitions, considers that it is of great importance for Russia to show goodwill as regards cooperation in European energy policy; stresses the importance of Russia ratifying the Energy Charter Treaty and the Transit Protocol thereto, as such ratification will reduce the potential for conflict over projects such as Nord Stream;
Amendment 24 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Regrets the marginal role of the EU in this project, in particular that of the European Commission; points out that greater EU involvement would reduce the uncertainty felt by many Member States about the Nord Stream project;
Amendment 43 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Suggests, further, that the permission for the construction and maintenance of the pipeline should be managed by an Executive Board nominated by all the littoral states with the participation, where appropriate, of the Commission the establishment of a common supervision of the pipeline including all the countries in the Baltic Sea region; suggests further that responsibility for payment of compensation for environmental damage should rest solely with Nord Stream AG;
Amendment 57 #
2007/2118(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the lack of institutional structures capable of responding adequately to the environmental and geopolitical security issues associated with this project, and once again calls on the Council to consider the proposal ; suggests, therefore, the creation of the office of High Official for Foreign Energy Policy, who, wearing a "double hat", would act under the authority of the newly created strengthened High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a Vice- President of the Commissionat the Energy Commissioner, in cooperation with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, should be given extensive authority to act on issues concerning geopolitical security.
Amendment 81 #
2007/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 91 #
2007/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasises that the reciprocity principle must be fully respected as regards investment if the interdependence between the EU and Russia is to develop into a partnership; notes that third countries benefit to a great extent from Europe's open market, but also that European investors in Russia are not accorded similar advantages;
Amendment 135 #
2007/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the issue of economic compensation for any failures or damage must be perfectly clear before work can even begin. A major failure in the pipeline can lead to complications for the states bordering the Baltic Sea and would be devastating for the marine environment. Nord Stream AG should assume fill liability for compensation;
Amendment 13 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) First time applicants should not be allowed to submit applications via commercial intermediaries, such as travel agencies. The applicant should appear in person for the first enrolment of biometric identifiers. In order to facilitate the procedure of any subsequent application, it should be possible to copy the biometric data from the first application within a time frame of 4859 months taking into account the retention period laid down in the VIS. After this period the biometric identifiers should be captured again.
Amendment 14 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. A multiple-entry visa shall be issued only in the applicant's country of residence unless the applicant can demonstrate that an exception is necessary. In such exceptional cases, the visa may also be issued in another third country with the prior consent of the responsible diplomatic mission or consular post in the applicant's country of residence.
Amendment 15 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point (a)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point (a)
(a) the diplomatic mission or consular post of the sole Member State in whose territory the sole or main destination of the visit is located,of destination or, where several Member States are to be visited, the diplomatic mission or consular post of any of the Member States of destination. An airport transit shall not qualify as a visit or as a reason to submit a visa application at the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Member State in whose territory the transit is taking place; or
Amendment 16 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point (b)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point (b)
(b) if the Member State of main destination cannot be determined, the diplomatic mission or consular post of another Member State whose external border the applicant intends to cross in order to enter into the territory of the Member Statesrepresenting the Member State of destination or any of the Member States of destination under the terms of an arrangement pursuant to Article 7(2a) or (2b).
Amendment 17 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 18 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States lacking their own representation in a third country shall conclude arrangements on representation with other Member States that do have diplomatic missions or consular posts in that country.
Amendment 19 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. With a view to ensuring that poor transport infrastructure or long distances in a specific region or geographical area does not require a disproportionate effort on the part of visa applicants to have access to a diplomatic mission or consular post, Member States lacking their own representation in that region or area shall conclude arrangements on representation with other Member States that do have diplomatic missions or consular posts in that region or area. Guidelines as to whether a journey to a diplomatic mission or consular post would involve disproportionate effort shall be drawn up for each host country within the framework of local consular cooperation. Those guidelines shall take into account, inter alia, distances and transport infrastructure and shall be made public.
Amendment 20 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Such consultation shall be without prejudice to the time limit for examining visa applications, set out in Article 20(1). In exceptional cases this time limit may be extended in the light of information obtained from the consultation so that further enquiries can be made.
Amendment 21 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The central authorities consulted shall react within threfive working days of receiving the request. The absence of a reply from the consulted authorities within this deadline shall be deemed an authorisation for the consulting central authorities to allow their diplomatic mission or consular post to issue the visa.
Amendment 22 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment for the submission of an application. This appointment may be arranged directly with the diplomatic mission or consular post or where applicable, via an intermediary. The appointment shall, as a rule, take place within two weeks.
Amendment 23 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point (b)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point (b)
(b) present a valid travel document the expiry date of which mustshall be at least three months after the intended departure from the territory of the Member States, and which contains one or more free pages for affixing the visa;
Amendment 24 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point (b a) (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point (b a) (new)
(ba) participants in student exchange programmes;
Amendment 25 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point (c a) (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point (c a) (new)
(ca) participants aged 25 and under in not-for-profit sports, cultural or civil society events;
Amendment 26 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point (c b) (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point (c b) (new)
(cb) persons proving their need to travel on humanitarian grounds, inter alia when their life is at risk and their country of residence cannot provide the necessary medical treatment, and the persons accompanying them.
Amendment 27 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Without prejudice to paragraph 4(a), families travelling with more than two children shall not be required to pay the handling fee in respect of more than two children.
Amendment 28 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. The handling fee shall be half the normal fee in respect of subsequent applications within the period referred to in the first sentence of Article 11(2).
Amendment 29 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point (a) (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point (a) (new)
(a) When it is considered necessary to call an applicant for an interview, the decision on the application shall be based on a one-stop procedure where the journey to the diplomatic mission or consular post from the applicant’s ordinary place of residence would involve disproportionate effort in accordance with the guidelines referred to in Article 7(2b).
Amendment 30 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point (b) (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point (b) (new)
(b) Telephone interviews and video calls may be allowed in certain cases, inter alia, where the applicant has a positive visa history in accordance with Article 42c or where the journey to the diplomatic mission or consular post from the applicant’s ordinary place of residence would involve disproportionate effort in accordance with the guidelines referred to in Article 7(2b).
Amendment 31 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 and subparagraph 2, introductory part
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 and subparagraph 2, introductory part
3. MThe diplomatic missions or consular posts shall issue a multiple-entry visas, entitling the holder to several entries, three month stays or several transits during any half-year, may be issuedwith a period of validity of 12 months where the application is approved. In duly justified cases, a multiple-entry visa with a period of validity of more than 12 months up to a maximum of 5 years may be issued. In duly justified cases, where issuing a multiple-entry visa is not appropriate, a single-entry visa with a period of validity of 6 months may be issued. The following criteria are in particular relevant for taking the decision to issue such visamultiple-entry visas with a validity of more than 12 months:
Amendment 32 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 – point (a)
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 – point (a)
(a) the applicant's need to travel frequently and/or regularly due to his/her occupational or family status, such as businessmen and women, civil servants engaged in regular official contacts with Member States and the Community institutions, family members of citizens of the Union, members of the family of third country nationals residing in Member States, seafarers, professional drivers who regularly cross borders and participants in exchange programmes and in other regular civil society activities,
Amendment 33 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The central authorities of the Member State whose diplomatic mission or consular post has issued LTVs in the cases described in points (a) and (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall immediately circulate the relevant information to the central authorities of the other Member States. Where, in the case referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, the Member State consulted under the prior consultation procedure has raised objections, the central authorities of the consulted Member State shall be provided with the relevant information in sufficient time before the visa is issued.
Amendment 34 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 3
Article 23 – paragraph 3
3. Applicants refused visa shall have the rights to appeal. Where applicants exercise their right to appeal, an in-depth review of the decision and of the reasons for refusal shall be undertaken. The applicant shall be informed of the results of the review as well as be provided with more detailed reasons as to why the visa was refused. Appeals shall be conducted in accordance with national law. A written indication of contact points able to provide information on representatives competent to act on behalf of the applicants in accordance with national law shall be given to the applicants.
Amendment 35 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 32 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. The provisions on the collection of biometric data pursuant to Article 11 shall apply accordingly, except that the biometric data are to be collected and entered into the VIS by the authorities responsible for issuing visas at the border.
Amendment 36 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 2 – point (c)
Article 40 – paragraph 2 – point (c)
(c) contracts with airlines, which must include outward and guaranteed, fixeredible arrangements for the outward and return journeys.
Amendment 37 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 41 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. A common Schengen visa internet site shall be established in order to further support the application of the common visa policy. This internet site shall also support the handling of the visa procedure. Information to the general public in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 7 shall also be available through the common Schengen visa internet site.
Amendment 38 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 a (new)
Article 42 a (new)
Article 42a Evaluation The Commission shall, within two years of the entry into force of this Regulation, undertake an evaluation of its implementation and of local consular cooperation arrangements between Member States concerning visa procedures. Particular attention shall be paid to the special needs of passenger ferry companies and tourist companies performing and delivering services in the border regions of the Schengen area, the issues of biometrics and provisions aimed at facilitating and simplifying the visa procedure. Following that evaluation, the Commission shall, if necessary, propose amendments to this Regulation.
Amendment 39 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 c (new)
Article 42 c (new)
Article 42c Frequent travellers If the applicant has fully complied with the visa conditions during three consecutive visa periods in the Member States within a five year period (positive visa history), and if the applicant applies for a visa within five years of the expiry of the last of the three required visas, the applicant shall be entitled to benefit from a simplified procedure. The simplified procedure may include the granting of a multiple-entry visa with a longer period of validity, no requirement for an interview, fewer supporting documents and parts of the visa application procedure made possible through the internet. This simplified procedure shall be further outlined in the instructions on the practical application of the Visa Code referred to in Article 45.
Amendment 40 #
2006/0142(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 d (new)
Article 42 d (new)