Activities of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2019/2202(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU Association Agreement with Ukraine (continuation of debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Ukraine
Amendments (9)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) has contributed to the positive evolution of trade and to economic modernisation, has boosted foreign direct investments and has created new jobs on both sides; welcomes the continuous positive results achieved in bilateral trade and economic relations, with Ukrainian imports growing by 12.3 % and exports by 9.7 %, amounting to EUR 43.3 billion in 2019; notes that Ukraine’s trade deficit with the EU has increased to 5.1 billion Euro, with the largest imbalance occurring in trade with Germany and Poland;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Observes a lack of diversification in exports of Ukraine to the EU, with agricultural products and iron ore continuing to be by far the most important exports; notes however an increase in exports of certain steel products to the EU as a consequence of U.S. market distortions, and notes that this has raised concerns among EU steel producers;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that 50% of all eggs imported into the EU originate now from Ukraine, and deplores the fact that the chickens laying these eggs are living under most miserable conditions that would be highly illegal in the European Union; reiterates that welfare of animals is an issue of high importance to European citizens and has been recognised as such by Union law in Article 13 TFEU; recalls the obligation of the Ukraine to align its animal welfare legislation with the Union acqui; stresses that an extension of the transition period for boilers, laying hens and pigs until 2026 is absolutely unacceptable;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Is highly concerned by continuing threats against striking miners, the intimidating questioning of workers on strike by the Ukrainian Security Service SBU, with the application of Articles 293 and 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine further aggravating the situation; considers this a clear violation of core ILO conventions and thus the sustainability chapter of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement; calls on the Commission to act and to engage Ukraine in a respective dispute settlement procedure;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. WelcomesTakes note of the approval and disbursement in two parts of the fourth consecutive Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme of EUR 1 billion in support to Ukraine; recalls that the MFA has been an important tool in implementing Ukraine’s ambitious reform agenda and accelerating economic growth, notably through the ‘more for more’ approach and the conditionalities attached to it; encourages Ukraine to continue making progress in regulatory approximation;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Expresses, on the other hand, its deep concern following the judgment of the Constitutional Court of 16 September 2020 concerning the National Anti- Corruption Bureau, the organisation of which needs to be reviewed by the Rada and in which respect many civil society observers fear that the parliamentary review will result in more permissiveness and inaction in the face of the endemic corruption that eats away at the institutions;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers, following on from the G7 Ambassadors on 17 September 2020, that a deterioration in the conditions of the fight against corruption in Ukraine could lead the European Union to review its policy of economic support and macro- financial assistance, notes that the IMF, which has committed to a loan of USD 5 billion, does not confirm at this time, for the reasons mentioned above, that it will disburse to Kiev the forthcoming tranche of USD 1.2 billion;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Deplores the inactivity of Ukraine in preventing the practice of profit shifting by companies involved in Ukraine’s exports of agricultural commodities; points out the related high losses in tax income for the Ukraine; deplores the fact that tax legislation of Switzerland, the UK and Cyprus offers gateways for profit shifting and calls on the Commission to address this issue;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reminds of the importance of peace for the economic and social development of the Ukraine; deplores the fact that the ongoing conflict has led to a trade reorientation from Russia to the EU with exports to Russia being reduced from 25.7 % of Ukrainian exports in 2012 to 7.7% in 2018; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to increase efforts to mediate in this conflict in order to help the Ukrainian economy and the region to fully harvest the economic potential of cooperation in the region;