Activities of Bas BELDER related to 2014/2229(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa and prospects for political stability (debate) NL
Amendments (18)
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21
Citation 21
– whereas the conflicts in Syria, the conflict in Iraq, the crisis in Yemen and the situation inIraq, Yemen and Libya are a major potential sources of destabilisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); having regard to the junction between the Sahel and Middle Eastern fronts in the fight against terrorism; having regard to the disastrous consequences of such a situation for the security of the whole region and of Europe; having regard to the number of civilian victims and the acts of terror committed against them; having regard to the serious humanitarian crisis caused by these conflicts, causing massive population displacements and creating enormous difficulties for refugees and their host communities; having regard to the difficulties in discerning a political approach and establishing a legitimate and reliable basis for inclusive dialogue with the various parties concerned; having regard to the resulting long-term damage to political and economic development, durable infrastructures and demographic cohesion in the region;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22
Citation 22
– whereas it is necessary to review EU action in the MENA area in the light of the implications of the Arab uprisings for the countries concerned, the new and complex situation thus created and the imperative need to combat the ISIS; whereas stabilisation in the region is not a security issue alone but also has economic, political and social implications, requiring the Union to develop strategic global and multifaceted cooperation with all partiesEU and Member States to develop a co-ordinated approach to the situation, working with all countries of the region, in the medium and long term;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23
Citation 23
– having regard to the escalating crises and conflicts, their ethnic and sectarian dimension, the rise of paramilitary groups and the weakness or collapse of certain states in the region; whereas the MENA countries and international community have shared security interests in connection with the fight against ISIS and affiliated groups;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24
Citation 24
– whereas the conflicts in Iraq and, Syria is, Yemen and Libya are exacerbating regional tensions, with the risk of political confrontation between Sunni and Shia extending beyond their immediate borders and jeopardising other countries in the region;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
Citation 25
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the action taken by the Member States against ISIS in Iraq; notes that this type of operation should be carried out under the auspices of the European Union; to this end, calls on the EU to develop sufficient operational capacity to achieve CSDP targets; stresses however that a long-term response must be found at political anda regional level to the challenge presented by ISIS; calls on the EU to facilitate regional dialogue involving all stakeholders, in particular Saudi Arabia and Iran; notes the recent announcement by the Arab League to form a standing, rapid-response unit, with a particular emphasis on fighting ISIS and other emerging terrorist groups;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. RecallNotes that the emergence of ISIS is a symptom ofcan be partly attributed to the economic, political, social and cultural crisis afflicting the region; calls on the EU, together with the Arab world, to assess the root causes and adopt a global approach through an approach based on security, political, economic, social and cultural considerations;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the allocation of EUR one billion under the EU strategy entitled 'Elements of an EU Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat' , under which EUR 400 million has been earmarked for humanitarian aid; calls for special attention to be given to Jordan and Lebanon, Lebanon and the Kurdistan Regional Government; is concerned that, as a result of extreme poverty and deprivation, refugee camps may become a hotbed of radicalisation; welcomes the funds for host populations under the new strategy and under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP);
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of long-term strategic dialogue with the LAS; welcomes in this regard the declaration adopted in Athens on 11 June 2014 and the memorandum of understanding of January 2015 and calls for their full implementation; stresses the crucial importance of the regular organisation of summits between the EU and LAS; stresses the central role to be played by the LAS in terms of crisis resolution; is convinced that these crises highlight the need for the LAS to be transformed by its members into a fully-fledged executive body genuinely capable of taking binding decisions;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses also the importance of regional dialogue with Turkey and Iran; stresses the need to reintegrate Iran into the international community once it has provided definitive assurances and cast- iron guarantees of its intention to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes only; Notes Iran's role in the current conflict in Yemen; reminds Turkey of the important and strategic role it has to play in preventing the movement of ISIS recruits across its south-eastern border;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines that any nuclear deal between the E3+3 and the Islamic Republic of Iran not taking into account the geopolitical context of the Middle East will only promote further destabilisation of the region;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls the need to put in place the conditions for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority for a lasting settlement of the conflict based on a solution enabling both countries to live side by side in peace and security; welcomes the 2002 peace initiatives and calls on the LAS countries to put them into effect; calls on international donors to honour the commitments made by them at the Cairo Conference of October 2014; takes note of the fact that the Palestinian Authority must put in place the political framework it has agreed of "one authority, one law, one security service" in order to engage as a partner in peace talks with Israel; calls on international donors to honour the commitments made by them at the Cairo Conference of October 2014 and at the same time calls on the Palestinian Authority to keep its promises made to the international community and fully cooperate in the reconstruction efforts of the Gaza Strip;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Expresses its concern and condemns the fact that terrorist groups in Gaza have re-engaged in smuggling weapons, manufacturing rockets and building tunnels, undermining the region's stability and the prospect of peace;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need for the Iraqi Government to continue to promote the sharing of political responsibilities, power and oil profits, encompassing all religious and ethnic communities in that country; calls for this to be made an essential condition for implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Iraq; calls for the Government of Iraq to fully respect the financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Regional Government as provided for in the constitution; calls on the EU to contribute to capacity building by the Iraqi Government;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to develop an effective common European response by all Member States to jihadist propaganda; underlines the need to send a positive message regarding relations between the European Union and the MENA countries and cooperation between them; stresses the need to ensure much greater visibility for EU and Member States initiatives in the region than is now the case;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses that enhanced dialogue on energy related issues in the Mediterranean could help spur regional cooperation, promote regional stability and ensure environmental integrity; suggests therefore that the EU engages more strongly in energy diplomacy in the MENA region as outlined in the Energy Union;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Welcomes the setting up of the EuroMediterranean gas platform; highlights the role this initiative can play in fostering regional cooperation and bringing North African and European countries closer together through cooperation on energy related matters;