19 Amendments of Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ related to 2019/2200(INI)
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the continuous deepening of EU-Georgia relations and the firm support that Georgia’s chosen path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration enjoys across the political spectrum and in society; acknowledges the progress achieved by Georgia, which has made it a key partner of the EU in the region, and reiterates the need to continue implementing in implementing comprehensive reforms in the rule of law sector, which has made it a key partner of the EU in the region, and calls on further progress regarding constant implementation and monitoring of reforms under the Association Agreement (AA) and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and condemns the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation; emphasises that the AA covers the entire territory of Georgia, including its occupied regions, and aims to benefit its whole population; calls on the Russian Federation to unconditionally fulfil its obligations under the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, notably to withdraw all its military forces from Georgia’s occupied territories and allow the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) unhindered access to the whole territory of Georgia; asks the Commission and the EEAS to enhance their efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully, including through the EUMM and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Commends the Georgian authorities for completing the constitutional reform process and the major political parties for signing the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 March 2020, which established the key features of the electoral system to be used for the upcoming free, fair and transparent parliamentary elections; calls on all parties to ensure that the agreement is translated into law and fully implemented as soon as possible; calls on all the political parties to take the opportunity to start a cross-party dialogue facilitated by the EU, US and the Council of Europe;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Georgian authorities to implement swiftly and fully the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and review relevant legislation to address the identified shortcomings including to stop the misuse of administrative resources, campaign financing, negative campaigning, opposition representation in the election administration and pressure on voters;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern about recent court cases against opposition politicians, which contributed to a climate of increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and led to a polarisation of politics and society; calls for the release of the remaining political prisoners; calls on Georgia to respect the highest standards of judicial independence and fair trial as committed to under the AA;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern about recent court cases against opposition politicians, which contributed to a climate of increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and led to a polarisation of politics and society; calls on Georgia to respect the highest standards of judicial independence and fair trial and the rule of law as committed to under the AA;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for a revision of the selection procedures for judges to be carried out to ensure that the recommendations of the Venice Commission are fully implemented before any new appointments are made; regrets that the recent selection procedure of Supreme Court judges suffered from serious shortcomings, such as lack of accountability and transparency; underlines that the process of appointing judges should be based on clear, transparent and objective criteria;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines the importance of ensuring transparency, integrity, independence and efficiency of the judiciary; calls on the Georgian authorities to further implement judicial reforms; welcomes the progress that has been made, but notes that efforts are still needed to consolidate the results achieved so far, defend the rule of law and suppress political interference in the judiciary; believes that the support of all political actors and civil society is very much needed in order to achieve sustainable results;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly condemns the cyber- attacks against Georgian institutions and media outlets widely attributed to Russian actors; calls on all political actors in Georgia to refrain from using social media to attack people, organisations and institutions and spread deliberate misinformation; calls on the European Commission and the EEAS to further assist Georgia in increasing its cyber resilience;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly condemns the cyber- attacks against Georgian institutions and media outlets widely attributed to Russian actors and the intensifying disinformation campaigns; calls on all political actors in Georgia to refrain from using social media to attack people, organisations and institutions and spread deliberate misinformation;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines the importance of free and independent mass media, editorial independence, pluralism and transparency of ownership in the media environment as key democratic principles; notes that the Georgian media remain highly polarised and politicised and that interference of management in editorial policies is still commonplace; recalls that any political interference in media pluralism is not in line with the principles of democracy and rule of law; stresses the need for the national public broadcaster to fulfil its obligation of editorial independence, fairness and impartiality in the run-up and during the 2020 parliamentary elections; notes that Russian disinformation and propaganda still remain a crucial issue for Georgia;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underlines the important role played by the civil society regarding the implementation of the AA; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure the participation of non-governmental stakeholders at all stages of the decision making process, including policy formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; calls on the EU to further strengthen its support to civil society;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the constant violations by the Russian Federation, which exercises de facto control of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions, of the fundamental rights of the people in these occupied regions, who are being deprived of the freedom of movement and residence, the right to property and the right of access to education in the native language, and reiterates its full support for the right of return of internally displaced persons; is concerned that the restriction of the freedom of movement is depriving people of access to necessary medical services thereby endangering their lives;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that gender equality is a key precondition to sustainable and inclusive development; notes with concern that gender equality is still a major challenge in Georgia, especially regarding political representation; commends the work of the Georgian Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and its efforts to identify and raise awareness about sexual harassment as a form of discrimination;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the work of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and insists that the existing human rights and anti-discrimination legislation must be thoroughly and efficiently implemented; calls on the Georgian authorities to continue to take all the necessary measures to promote fundamental freedoms and human rights, especially for vulnerable groups, by tackling hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQI people, Roma people, people with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities and other minorities;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the importance of further strengthening the child protection system, including by preventing violence and sexual exploitation of minors; calls on raising awareness regarding digital risks and ensuring access to education for all, including children with disabilities; underlines the Government’s responsibility to monitor the situation of children in orphanages;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Calls on the Georgian Government to guarantee freedom of expression, assembly, and association, in line with the country’s commitments under the Association Agreement;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes with satisfaction that the EU is one of Georgia’s largestmain trading partners; welcomes the continued approximation of Georgia’s legislation in trade-related areas;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recommends that the Commission continues its efforts to enable the participation of Georgia in EU-supported programmes and agencies that are open to non-EU countries, under a legally appropriate status; welcomes the fact that under Erasmus+, almost 7,500 student and academic staff exchanges have taken place between Georgia and the EU;