Activities of Adrian SEVERIN related to 2007/2271(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The Commission's 2007 enlargement strategy paper (debate)
Amendments (15)
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the internal dimension of the Enlargement Strategy directly affectinfluences the Union's ability to pursue its policy objectives and to achieve an ever closer Union, as laid down in the Treaties,
Amendment 21 #
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 further; whereas, nevertheless, enlargement will continue to be a relevant policy with regard to the European Union's need to maintain its capacity to respond to the global challenges, opportunities and dangers, as well as to develop its competitiveness in the world as a global actor,
Amendment 59 #
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 move from one type of contractual relationship with the EU to another, if the necessary internal and external conditions are fulfilled,
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms its firm commitment to 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; also reaffirms that the granting of membership to these countries must depend on the capacity of the European Union to integrate new Member States;
Amendment 127 #
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;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls, furthermore, that the economic structure and interests of each new Member State could have an impact on the direction which the Union's policies and budget take and could therefore affect the nature of the Union itself; at the same time takes the view that the old Member States, while welcoming new Member States into the Union, should cooperate in adapting the goals and policies of the European Union, in accordance with the need to create as soon as possible a cohesive Community of nations and citizens based on coherent policies and the solidarity of interests;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is also convinced that any newacceding Member State should try to resolve all its internal issues, particularly those concerning its territorial and constitutional set-up, before it can join the Union; however, takes the view that the European Union should assess whether the territorial and constitutional problems of an acceding state could be better solved through and after accession to the EU, and that it should adopt the appropriate policies in the light of that assessment;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Therefore takes the view that every enlargement must be followed by adequate consolidation of the institutional coherence and political concentintegration, that is to say, by a serious reassessment of the Union's institutions, policies and means in order to ensure consensus around such policies and to focus on objectives which respond to the expectations of our citizens and which guarantee the viability of the Union as a political project;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Warns, therefore, that further enlargement without adequate consolidation of institutional coherence could lead to a Union of multiple configurations, with core countries moving towards closer integration and others lying at its margins, and that this scenario would have seriously detrimental implications for the Union's capacity to act – since it would weaken its institutions, for the stability of some of its Member States – since it would make them more vulnerable to external pressure, for its capacity to ensure its internal social, economic and territorial cohesion – since it could lead to a certain degree of polarisation in the level of development of its Member States, and for its credibility as global actor – since it would undermine its already precarious unity in external affairs;
Amendment 189 #
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 and non-contractual frameworks and that these frameworks could be structured as mutually permeable concentric circles, with countries being offered the opportunity, under strict but clear internal and external conditions, to move from one status to another if they so wish and if they fulfil the criteria pertaining to each specific framework;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that the gap existing between the Union's Enlargement Strategy and its Neighbourhood Policy needs to be filled in order to respond to the expectations of our eastern neighbours; is convinced that the Commission's strengthened neighbourhood policy is not sufficient in this respect, although it represents an already positive step in the right direction, and that a more substantive qualitative change is required; strategic needs of the European Union and to the expectations of our eastern neighbours, taking into consideration the historical and cultural background and the current geopolitical realities, as well as the need to reconcile European history with European geography; is convinced that the Commission's strengthened neighbourhood policy is not sufficient in this respect, although it represents an already positive step in the right direction, and that a more substantive qualitative change is required; in this context, believes that the European Neighbourhood Policy should either motivate the neighbouring country to adopt a certain attitude towards the European Union and within the international order or should establish contractual bases for sharing with the neighbouring states resources and policies, but not institutions; considers that these common policies, established progressively, could be equivalent to a complete de facto European integration; on those bases, takes the view that the change from the status of neighbour to that of member could be decided upon whenever desired by all sides concerned and in accordance with the development of the European Union's integration capacity;
Amendment 208 #
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 and foreign policy, 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 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Considers that the Western Balkans countries should devise the appropriate structure for regional cooperation and integration, prior to their accession to the EU; also believes that the EU should define sui generis policies adapted to the specific cases of those Western Balkans countries which could resolve some of their internal or territorial disagreements within the EU, benefiting from the latter's internal organisation and modus operandi;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Takes the view that, in light of the new institutional developments proposed by the Treaty of Lisbon, in particular those concerning the distribution of seats in the European Parliament on the basis of the degressive proportionality principle, a special formula should be devised in respect of regional representation for Western Balkans countries in order to secure a reasonable balance between small and large EU Member States within the European institutions;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Is of the opinion that the EU should find, on the basis of the present political realities, appropriate ways of defining rules to integrate the sui generis legal solution regarding Kosovo within regular international law; is convinced that this process is a prerequisite for Kosovo's integration into the European Union, along with Kosovo's democratic, social and economic development, as a self- governing entity;