90 Amendments of Aloyzas SAKALAS
Amendment 1 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part, which entered into force on 1 December 1997 and expired in 2007, and to the resumption of the negotiations on a renewed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in December 2008,
Amendment 2 #
2008/2236(INI)
Amendment 9 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the ENP remains one of the principal priorities of the European Union's foreign policy and the ENP offers all the States concerned the possibility of closer integration with the EU,
Amendment 11 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the rapid demographic growth of the countries neighbouring the EU, resulting in their populations becoming increasingly urbanised, represents a new challenge for the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument,
Amendment 12 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that, overall, the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 are adequate and valid for the purposes of cooperation with neighbouring countries and other multilateral organisations; underlines, however, the need to clearly specify objectives in all areas as these are a precondition for assessing effectiveness;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 17 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes the view that the visibility of the Community assistance should be increased through targeted communication with stakeholders and the general public and recommends that contacts be developed to this end with civil society and local authorities, as they are closer to the citizens and therefore represent a competent and effective level at which to act;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the annual action programmes in the fields of democracy, the rule of law and human rights to be pursued more ambitiously, in order to avoid a significant allocations gap between the Eastern and the Mediterranean partners; believes that more should be done to persuade the partner governments to commit themselves to action in those fields;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Finds that, despite the increased flexibility and simplicity of the Community assistance instruments, as evidenced in particular by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the procedures and timeframes under the ENPI remain burdensome for civil society organisations and local authorities; calls on the Commission to conduct a comparative analysis of the procedures applied by other major donors and to present the results thereof to Parliament;
Amendment 25 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that sectoral and general budget support under the ENPI should be made available only to countries which are able to implement it in a transparent, effective and accountable manner and where it constitutes a real incentive; calls on the Commission to review the appropriateness of budget support in countries which have problems with budgetary management and control procedures and high levels of corruption;
Amendment 30 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of enhancclarifying the coordination and complementarity of therelationship between the ENP as a framework policy and the regional ENP initiatives, such as the Black Sea Synergy, the UfM and the future Eastern Partnership, and of enhancing the coordination and complementarity of these initiatives and of the different Community assistance instruments; calls for improved synchronisation between ENPI programmes and the financial cooperation provided by the Member States;
Amendment 35 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. stresses the need for payments under the ENP to be transparent as regards country, region and priority field;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Takes the view that the recent geopolitical developments in the EU's Eastern neighbourhood underscore the importance of developing the ENP further by adapting it better to the needs of the partners, including an enhanced EU involvement in the Black Sea region and an ambitious Eastern Partnership, this partnership being one that should aim to achieve concrete results in certain top priority fields such as energy, transport, immigration and combating organised crime; stresses the need to speed up, in relation to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in particular, the establishment of a free trade zone as soon as partner countries are ready and the need to finalise as soon as possible steps towards visa freedom with the EU;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Welcomes the new Eastern Partnership taking into account that effectiveness of the ENPI depends on the attractiveness of incentives and that the Eastern Partnership offers a more considerable incentive to ambitious partner countries like Ukraine; welcomes in particular the new Comprehensive Institution-Building programme for improving administrative capacity in the relevant sectors of cooperation;
Amendment 64 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the financial envelope for Belarus needs to be increased and cooperation broadened to cover areas beyond energy, the environment and migration, with a view to pursuing the policy of re-engagement initiated by the Council in September 2008; underlines the need for effective political conditionality and for guarantees that the assistance will have an immediatestresses that the EU should give civil society and poslitive impact on citizens and will not be misused by the authorities against their political opponentscal parties defending democracy more effective support;
Amendment 67 #
2008/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19, indent 2
Paragraph 19, indent 2
– guarantees that any financial assistance granted to the Russian authorities takes into considerationcontributes to the strengthening of democratic standards in the Russian Federation;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2203(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that half of the world's population are children; stresses in this respect the need to consider children's rights as a priority of EU development policy; recalls that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child made them an inalienable part of human rights in general, and therefore calls on the Council and the Commission to include this issue in all bilateral and multilateral human rights and political dialogues, and to include children's rights in its social, educational and economical policies;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recalls that, pursuant to Article 5, paragraph 5, of Directive 2001/29/EC, the exceptions provided for by the directive are only applicable in certain special cases which do not conflict with a normal exploitation of the work and do not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the rightholder (‘three-step test’ clause); also maintains that the exceptions must go hand in hand with the legal source principle;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Takes the viewPoints out that the activity of websites offering downloading of works and services that are protected by copyright and neighbouring rights is illegal, as isand, secondly, peer-to- peer exchange of works or services made without the consent of the rightholders are illegal;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Supports the setting-up in the individual Member States of administrative authorities responsible,machinery, to be employed on instruction from rightholders and using a graduated approach, for the enforcement of copyright on the Internet;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas EU relations with Russia remain very important for the purposes of pragmatic cooperation, and whereas the EU shares with Russia not only economic and trade interests but also an objective to act in the international arena, as well as responsibility for global issues and issues concerning the European neighbourhood; whereas enhanced cooperation and good- neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia should bare of key importance to the stability, security and prosperity of the whole of Europe,
Amendment 39 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Russia should havehas a responsibility to contribute to financial and political stability and sense of security in Europe and in the world, in particular in the shared neighbourhood but also as regards issues such as nuclear proliferation, the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime, as well as climate change,
Amendment 95 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point a
Paragraph 1 - point a
a) continue to insist on a broad and wide- ranging agreement based on a shared commitment to human rights, covering the whole range of cooperation between the parties and representing a step up from the current PCA;
Amendment 136 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point f
Paragraph 1 - point f
f) call on the Russian Government to demonstrate its commitment to resolvinge, together with Georgia and the EU, in a constructive manner the ‘modalities of security and stability in Abkhazia and South Ossetia’, as it was agreed in the agreement of 8 August 2008;
Amendment 150 #
2008/2104(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 - point g
Paragraph 1 - point g
g) raise concerns with the Russian government decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia, since these steps undermine the territorial integrity of Georgia, as insisted upon by the relevant UN resolutions, and call into question Russia’s role as an impartialontradict Russia’s claim to be a moderator in the peace process;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the Commission highlights a range of significant factors involved in improving Union regulation, such as impact assessment, and reducing administrative costs and simplifying, improving and updating existing regulations,
Amendment 5 #
2008/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas at present Community law making is subject to the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, which require the establishment of procedures for coordination with the national legislative and, executive and judicial authorities in order to guarantee both legal security and the effectiveness of European Union action,
Amendment 7 #
2008/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recommends that the Commission take steps to obtain feedback from the Member States regarding the impact of Parliament's resolutions;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the fact that despite having improved its procedures, the Commission continues to draw up separate documents relating to simplification and ‘better lawmaking’ which contain non-identical lists of simplification strategies, which makes it difficult to get a complete overview of the strategy; stresses that the proliferation of such documents must be avoided; calls on the Commission to draw up a single annual document; emphasises that political assessments and good cooperation must take place at European Union level, especially through efforts by the Commission, the Council and the Parliament;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the European Union’s formal regulatory system needs to be strengthened, in the terms set out in the Treaties, and that shortcuts, even by means of informal legislation which has no binding force, should be avoided; emphasises that the principle of subsidiarity must be in line with the regulatory system;
Amendment 38 #
2008/0224(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) This has been confirmed, moreover, by the Court of First Instance of the European Communities which has recognised thatAccredited parliamentary assistants may in certain respects be considered for the purposes of the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and the Conditions of Employment of other servants to be performing duties for the Parliament, in so far as, by directly assisting the Members of the European Parliament, they contribute to the smooth functioning of the bodies of the European Parliament.
Amendment 87 #
2008/0224(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Annex – point 3
Annex – point 3
Regulation No 31 (EEC), 11 (EAEC)
Chapter 5 – Article 133 a (new)
Chapter 5 – Article 133 a (new)
Article 133a Accredited parliamentary assistants are entitled to receive mission expenses for working time in Strasbourg during the plenary sessions of the European Parliament.
Amendment 95 #
2008/0224(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Annex – point 3
Annex – point 3
Regulation No 31 (EEC), 11 (EAEC)
Chapter 6 – Article 136 a (new)
Chapter 6 – Article 136 a (new)
Article 136a Accredited parliamentary assistants are entitled to receive the pension allowance based on the pension scheme notwithstanding the duration of the employment contract.
Amendment 73 #
2008/0130(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) it shall have a European status and shall indicate the cross-border nature of its activities, and some of its components shall be based in more than one Member State.
Amendment 142 #
2008/0130(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 - paragraph 4
Article 19 - paragraph 4
4. The capital of the SPE shall be at least EUR 1500.
Amendment 166 #
2008/0130(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1
Article 34 – paragraph 1
1. The SPE shall be subject to the rules on employee participation, if any, applicable in the Member State in which it has its registered office, subject to the provisions of this Article. Where more than 1 000 employees of the SPE, corresponding to at least three-quarters of its employees, work in a Member State which provides for a greater degree of employee participation than the Member State in which the SPE has its registered office, the SPE shall be required to comply with those rules providing for a greater degree of employee participation.
Amendment 18 #
2008/0122(COD)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Contact points must process requests for cooperation fast enoughas efficiently and rapidly as possible so as to be compatible with the Decision’s general objectives.
Amendment 19 #
2008/0122(COD)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) To further develop the Network’s functions regarding access to justice, the contact points in the Member States should also gradually be made more accessible to the public by means of modern communications facilities; as an initial step, the Internet sites of the national Ministries of Justice and judicial institutions should include a link to the site of the European Judicial Network.
Amendment 23 #
2008/0122(COD)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Decision 2001/470/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Amendment 24 #
2008/0122(COD)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 1 – point 3 – point b – point ii
Article 1 – point 3 – point b – point ii
Decision 2001/470/EC
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c a
Amendment 10 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas according to Article 49 of the EU Treaty, all European neighbours have the right to apply for EU membership,
Amendment 29 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas this strategy cannot therefore be reduced tois more than a simple negotiating methodology butand should involve a thorough debate on the Union's objectives, covering both the Union's own future and its role in the neighbourhood and on the international scene,
Amendment 44 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Union's Enlargement Strategy should be part ofcomplemented by a more diversified array of external relations policies, reconciling the Union's geo- strategic interests with our neighbours' diverse expectations,
Amendment 47 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the process of enlargement is distinct from the European Neighbourhood policy (ENP), although in some cases countries within the framework of the ENP may prepare for membership of the EU at a later stage,
Amendment 67 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas these policies EU Enlargement Strategy needs also to be effectively explained and communicated to othe current EU citizens as well as to all future citizens so as to ensure public support for the Union's commitments towards its neighbours, thus guaranteeing the Union's credibility as partner,
Amendment 73 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph –1 b (new)
Paragraph –1 b (new)
–1b. Agrees with the Commission's judgment that past enlargements have been a great success, benefiting the European Union as well as the new Member States, and points out that past enlargements were the fulfilment of the initial mission of European integration, which was to reunite the European continent after the political divisions of the 20th century;
Amendment 117 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Endorses the emphasis on consolidation, conditionality and communication as guiding principles of the EU Enlargement Strategy and recommends that the strategy be combined with efforts to secure the EU's integration capacity, in the interests of both current and future Member States;
Amendment 143 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 174 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes, moreover, that further enlargements should be accompanied by a concerted communication policy involving all EU Institutions and Member States' Governments as well as representatives of civil society, designed to explain to our citizens the political, economic and social benefits of enlargement, social and cultural benefits of enlargement; therefore reminds the governments and parliaments of the Member States that it is their responsibility adequately to inform public opinion about the positive achievements of former enlargements, the status quo of the ongoing negotiations and the matters at stake in further enlargements;
Amendment 183 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 192 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that the gap existing between the Union's Enlargement Strategy and itshas to be distinguished from the European Neighbourhood Policy needs to be filled in order to respond to the expectations of our eastern neighbours; is convinced that the Commission's strengthened n should maximise its efforts to further strengthen the European Neighbourhood pPolicy is not sufficient in this respect, althoughas it represents an already positive step in the right direction, andbut that a more substantive qualitative change is required;
Amendment 198 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Suggests, therefore, that, as regBelieves that the policies already existing within the framework of the ENP towards 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 assistanceshould be shaped jointly with the participating countries on the basis of specific decision-making mechanisms, and should be underpinned by adequate financial assistance; underlines that the policies of the ENP involve common policies concerning economic and financial issues, trade, energy, transport, environmental issues, the rule of law, justice, security, migration and education;
Amendment 215 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes in this respect the re-launch, within the framework of the EU, of the "Barcelona Process: A Union for the Mediterranean" as a further positive step in our relations with theour southern neighbours; believes that this new development strengthens the argument in favour of specific contractual multilateral relations with our eastern neighbours, which, compared to their southern partners, have clear European ambitions and perspectives; recalls that, as a first step,recalls that the re-launch of these relations shcould translate themselves into tha future 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 orand of specific regional cooperation frameworks, for example in the Black Sea area;
Amendment 235 #
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 Agreement with Serbia and calls on all Member States to overcome their reservations in this respect;
Amendment 246 #
2007/2271(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Furthermore, urges the Commission to come up with concrete proposals for a more diversified external relations policy towards our neighbours, along the lines outlined in the present resolution, and to reconsider its own administrative structures in order to establish a structural lRecalls the administrative structures of the Commission, differentiatinkg between the activities carried out by the Enlargement and the RELEX Directorates- General;
Amendment 4 #
2007/2261(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 9 #
2007/2261(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 9 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas it is recognised that alternative investment vehicles such as hedge funds and private equity funds can offer new diversification benefits for asset managers, increase market liquidity and the prospects of high returns for investors, and improve market efficiency; whereas it is also recognised that they take advantage to a large extent of asymmetry of information on financial markets and that the aggregated activities of hedge funds and private equity may create systemic risks and constraints for the real economy and international financial stability,
Amendment 10 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas EU-based hedge funds and private equity funds require an regulated environment which will respect their innovative strategies in order to enable them to remain internationally competitive while mitigating the effects of potential adverse market dynamics,
Amendment 12 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas hedge funds and private equity funds which have their management company domiciled in the EU have to comply with existing and future Community legislation; whereas non-EU-based entities also have to comply with this legislation in the context of certain activity,
Amendment 13 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas in some Member States hedge funds and private equity funds are subject to national regulatory regimes; whereas such divergent national rules give rise to the risk of regulatory fragmentation and arbitrage in the internal market, which may have the effect of impeding the cross- border development of this business in Europe, and also, and more importantly, may cause a race to the bottom resulting in weakening of the regulatory and supervisory regime necessary to prevent companies, employees and the real economy from being negatively affected,
Amendment 20 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas it is recognised that one of the main issues is the need for transparencythe current financial crisis has highlighted a lack of transparency and a need to enhance it at different levels is recognised; whereas transparency has several facets, such as the transparency of hedge funds and private equity funds vis- à-vis the companies whose shares they acquire or own, as well as vis-à-vis prime brokers, institutional investors such as pension funds or banks, retail investors, business partners, regulators and authorities; whereas one of the main transparency deficits lies in the relationship between a hedge fund or private equity fund and the companies whose shares it acquires or owns,
Amendment 23 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas transparency is an essential condition for investor confidence and the understanding of complex financial products, and thus favours the optimum functioning and stability of the financial markets,
Amendment 28 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the primary reason for the current sub-prime crisis is not the lack of regulation of investors butlies in several elements such as the lack of regulation of American investment banks, the excesses of the originate-and-distribute model and the securitisation process, failure to comply with the due diligence process, the inadequate valuation of risks as well as the failure of rating agencies; whereas the rating agencies should therefore be made subject in principle to the same compliance rules as those applying to auditors,
Amendment 33 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas numerous different business initiatives have established their own codes of best practice which may serve as a model for EU legislation; whereas, in addition to complying with EU legislation, companies and business associations should be encouraged to establish their own codes of best practice; whereas those codes should be accompanied by the 'comply or explain' principle and should be properly assessed in a transparent way,
Amendment 35 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas there seems to be no need for product-related legislationproduct-related legislation does not seem to be the appropriate type of regulation to deal with this innovative sector,
Amendment 37 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas securities lending with the purpose of voting on borrowed shares is a bad practice and shareholders with a long-term horizon are preferable to those with a short-term orientation,
Amendment 39 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas the current structure of corporate governance includes imbalances in terms of ownership, control, transparency, supervision, accountability and information; whereas hedge funds and private equity potentially affect the transparency of the operational management of companies in a negative way,
Amendment 54 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Annex – on hedge funds and private equity funds – subparagraph 1
Annex – on hedge funds and private equity funds – subparagraph 1
The European Parliament asks the Commission to submit the appropriate legislative proposals by way of review of the existing acquis communautaire affecting the various types of investors and counterparties, and to adapt or establish rules providing for the clear disclosure and timely communication of relevant and material information so as to facilitate high-quality decision-making and transparent communication between investors and the company management, as well as between investors and other counterparties;
Amendment 56 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Annex – on hedge funds and private equity funds – subparagraph 4
Annex – on hedge funds and private equity funds – subparagraph 4
With a view to the above-mentioned legislative proposals, the Commission should in particular: – explore the possibility of contract terms, to be applied to alternative investments, that provide for an unambiguous limitation of risk, for measures to be taken in the event of thresholds being exceeded, for adequate disclosure, for a clear description of lock-up periods, and for explicit conditions governing cancellation and termination of the contract; – investigate the issue of money laundering in the context of hedge funds and private equity funds; – harmonise rules and recommendations for registering and identifying shareholders beyond a certain proportion, as well as for disclosure of their strategies and intentions; – propose rules and recommendations to prevent abuse of securities lending for the purpose of exercising voting rights linked to borrowed shares in shareholder meetings; – propose rules and recommendations to oblige intermediaries to enable the original shareholders to participate actively in voting at general meetings of shareholders and to make sure that their voting instructions are respected by proxy- holders, as well as to ensure that voting policies of identified shareholders are disclosed; – establish, together with the industry, a code of best practice on how to rebalance the current structure of corporate governance with a view to reinforcing long-term orientation and discouraging financial and other incentives for short- term excessive risk-taking and irresponsible behaviour;
Amendment 65 #
2007/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Annex – on private equity funds specifically – subparagraph 2
Annex – on private equity funds specifically – subparagraph 2
With a view to the above-mentioned legislative proposal(s), the Commission should examine ways of addressing the issues arising when banks lend huge amounts of money to private equity funds and then disclaim any responsibility whatsoever as to the purpose for which that money is used or the provenance of the money used to repay the loan; the Commission should also examine ways to set an upper limit to the total leverage linked to a single buy-out with a view to the viability of the company.
Amendment 16 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that this success has made the EU a leading organisation in the field of international election observation and that the focus on professionalism of EU EOMs is significantly contributing to the emergence of a significant number of highly qualified and experienced electoral experts; stresses furthermore that the professionalism of EU EOMs enhances the EU's contribution to entrenching a sustainable awareness of the various elements that constitute a democratic election process;
Amendment 25 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the positive experience of its election observation delegations in the framework of EU EOMs, to which they provide an important added value giving political weight to their conclusions and reinforcing their visibility and acceptance, but stresses that the credibility of those conclusions depends on the rigorous application of the methodology throughout the whole observation process;
Amendment 45 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the main problem facing the country is restoring security; notes that Afghanistan’s security problems are more complex than just a war on terror and therefore they require more than a military solution; points out that stable security is a prerequisite forbuilds on the rule of law, which in turn creates an atmosphere conducive to human development, and that strengthening the rule of law can serve as an important means to advance the freedom of people to exercise choices and enhance their capacityis a necessary means to enable the citizens to make economic and social choices that will allow them to live meaningful and healthy lives;
Amendment 72 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Points out that the main challenge lying ahead is the building of democratic institutions that are owned by the Afghan citizens, that are accountable to them and that deliver adequate services; stresses the need to further entrench the re- established Afghan state institutions throughout the country; adds that restoring public confidence in the state institutions should be an important goal and notes in that respect the importance of successfully fighting corruption;
Amendment 75 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly supports the urgent need to develop and strengthen the nascent civil society in Afghanistan, which requires a lot of time and effort to develop gradually a broad awareness of the importance of human rights and democracy, and in particular gender equality and education; stresses that a strong civil society can only develop in a political environment that is characterised by stable and efficient institutions and well-organised political parties; in order to overcome the prevailing ‘culture of violence’ the international donor community should lend financial and technical support to local projects aimed at reconciliation;
Amendment 111 #
2007/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Afghanistan is at a crossroads, as evidenced by the rise in the violent insurgency, increased opium production, and growing popular discontent over corruption and government failures; whereas despite the efforts of the international community and the partial success as regards civil reconstruction, the living conditions of considerable sections of the Afghan population have not improved; whereas the current threat Afghanistan is facing requires short-term action but long-term solutions will only come about through comprehensive improvements in governance and the emergence of a stronger state that is delivering to its citizens,
Amendment 1 #
2007/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Community law must not be perceived as an area reserved for an elite body of specialists, and whereas training opportunities in this area must be provided in strict rotation and must not be confined to judges of the higher courts,
Amendment 5 #
2007/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that it is in the public interest to enhance the language skills of the judiciary in the Member States; calls on the Member States, therefore, to ensure that such training is free of charge and easily accessible and that judges are given the opportunity to study the language in question abroad;
Amendment 7 #
2007/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that complete and up-to-date information on Community law is not available in a systematic and proper manner to many national judges, and that Community law is sometimes poorly represented in domestic official journals, codes, commentaries, periodicals and textbooks; calls on the Member States to renew effortsimprove urgently the quality of the translation of information on Community law into this areae mother tongue;
Amendment 26 #
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, including limitations, relating to the export of the defence-related products.
Amendment 27 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 - point e
Article 8 – paragraph 3 - point e
(e) proof that the information on an export limitation attached to a transfer licence has been transmitted to athe recipient of defence- related products.
Amendment 28 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 8 - subparagraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 8 - subparagraph 2
The Commission shall make publicly available this information on its Web-site, whilst taking into account the sensitivity of information and observing applicable legislation related to security of information.
Amendment 29 #
2007/0279(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that the competent authorities check whether recipients of defence-related products, when applying for an export licence, confirm to the competent authorities, in cases where such products received under a transfer licence from another Member State have export limitations attached to them, that they have respected the terms of those limitations.
Amendment 40 #
2007/0022(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point a
Article 2 – point a
(a) “unlawful” means infringing Community legislation or a law, an administrative regulation or a decision taken by a competent authority in a Member State aiming at the protection of the environment and public health.
Amendment 43 #
2007/0022(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point a a (new)
Article 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) “protected wild fauna and flora species” means (i) for the offence relating to possession/taking/killing/destruction, those listed in: – Annex IV to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora1; – Annex 1 to, and referred to in Article 4(2) of, Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds2 and (ii) for the trade-related offence, those listed in: – Annexes A or B to Council Regulation 338/97/EC of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein3; ________________________________ 1 OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/105/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 368. 2 OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/105/EC. 3 OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1332/2005 (OJ L 215, 19.8.2005, p. 1).
Amendment 44 #
2007/0022(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point a b (new)
Article 2 – point a b (new)
(ab) “habitat within a protected site”, means any habitat of species for which an area is classified as a special protection area pursuant to Article 4(1) or (2) of Directive 79/409/EEC, or any natural habitat or a habitat of species for which a site is designated as a special area of conservation pursuant to Article 4(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC.
Amendment 58 #
2007/0022(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – point g
Article 3 – point g
(g) the unlawful possession, taking, damaging, processing, killing or trading of or in specimens of protected wild fauna and flora species or parts or derivatives thereof;
Amendment 60 #
2007/0022(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – point h
Article 3 – point h
(h) the unlawful significant deterioration of a protected habitat within a protected site;
Amendment 64 #
2007/0022(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – point i
Article 3 – point i
(i) the unlawful trade in, or the manufacture, placing on the market, distribution or use of ozone -depleting substances;