Activities of Eduard KUKAN related to 2015/2220(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Implementation and review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on implementation and review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy PDF (582 KB) DOC (227 KB)
Amendments (52)
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 27 a (new)
Citation 27 a (new)
– having regard to Council conclusions on the EU Strategy for Central Asia of 22 June 2015,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-Central Asia Strategy was adopted in a context of growing importance of the region and increased EU engagement in neighbouring Afghanistan, the extension of the European Neighbourhood Policy to the Caspian region, ongoing EU support for reform and modernisation of post-Soviet societies, and EU energy security interests; whereas it also recognised the security threats and challenges that require cooperation between Central Asia and the EU as well as its Member States;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas reaching a common understanding of democracy, the rule of law and human rights is a basic prerequisite for deeper cooperation between the EU and the five countries of Central Asia in areas of mutual interest, in the very meaning of the term ‘partnership’ as vested in the Partnership Cooperation Agreements; whereas the reforms to prevent torture and steps towards eradication of the child labour were launched, the overall situation of democracy and human rights in the region remains to various degrees poor and deeply worrying;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the level of development aid was increased from EUR 750 million in 2007-2013 to EUR 1 028 mbillion in 2014- 2020, i.e. by 56 % compared to programming period 2007- 2013;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas trade and energy links enhance the EU – Central Asia relations and promote common values such as rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights; whereas GSP system aims at the diversification of the Central Asian economies;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas education plays a crucial role in fostering the stable, secure and sustainable development of the region;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) represents an important financing tool aiming to support civil society organisations and democratisation;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the strong political and economic interest of the EU in strengthening its bilateral and multilateral relations with all the Central Asian countries, on the basis of common shared values as stated in the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and in the agreement not yet in force with Turkmenistan; welcomes, on the other hand, the initialisation of the EU- Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Review of the EU-Central Asia strategy conducted by the EEAS, the Commission and the Council in 2015; takes the view, nevertheless, that the priorities, objectives and targets should be better defined and accompanied by benchmarks and indicators in a credible timeframe, in order to identify and correct eventual shortfallstaking into account the differences between and uniqueness of the countries in the region;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Review of the EU-Central Asia strategy conducted by the EEAS, the Commission and the Council in 2015; takes the view, nevertheless, that the priorities, objectives and targets should be better defined through individual country tailor-made action plans and accompanied by benchmarks and indicators in a credible timeframe, in order to identify and correct eventual shortfalls;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees that the Strategy adopted in 2007 and the long-term priority areas defined therein (human rights and the rule of law; youth and education; trade and investment; energy and transport; the environment and water; common security threats and challenges; and intercultural dialogue) remain relevant and provide the basis for a concrete and potentially fruitful European engagement in the region, in line with the objectives set in the EU strategy;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the review is rather ambitious given that the region is not a geopolitical priority for the EU and its Member States, butTakes positive note of rather ambitious Strategy review and concurs with the Council’'s designation of the region as strategically important, with the condition provided that democratic transformation should lead to improved and stronger political, diplomatic and trade relations; in this context, welcomes the 56 % increase in and more specific focusing of EU development assistance to the region in period 2014- 2020 as compared with the previous period;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the enhanced regional cooperation would improve both economic and security situation in the region; given the fact that the Central Asia has weak interregional links, invites the EEAS and the European Commission to develop projects that would foster such cooperation for those countries interested in enhancing these links;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that the disbursement of EU funds should be conditionality- and incentives- based, along the lines of the principles agreed for the European Neighbourhood Policy, rewarding performanceincentive and performance based, observing achievements on a number of benchmarks to be established for each country, and depending on measurable progress with regard, in particular, to the fields of democratisation, corruption prevention, free and fair elections, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, development, human security and good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. UReiterates the need for a higher political EU visibility in the Central Asian region; urges the EU and its Member States to speak with one voice fostering foreign policy coherence and coordination in this region, and to introduce joint programming of aid and projects with Member States in order to achieve a full impact and synergy; welcomes closer involvement and ownership on the part of Member States in terms of implementing the strategy;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note ofWelcomes the re-establishment of the post of EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia after a year-long gap, and expects the newly appointed EUSR to make an important contribution to the implementation of the strategy for Central Asian countries by ensuring consistency of the external actions of the Union in the region and communicating the EU positions to the political leaders in Central Asia;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to ensure synergies, coherence and consistency among the different EU external financing instruments used in the region, such as the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (ISP), the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and the Partnership Instrument (PI), as well as to step up coordination with the EBRD and the EIB; in this regard highlights the importance of enhanced partnerships notably with the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Urges the Council, the EEAS and the Commission to prioritise the promotion of democratic transformation, thereby providing a stronger bulwark againstthe best practices to face internal political, security and economic pressures and challenges;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets that the legal obligations vested in the PCAs to uphold democracy and the rule of law have not been observed in most casesproperly implemented, with the exception of limited and fragilsome progress made in Kyrgyzstan;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Deeply rRegrets that overall respect for democratic standards, human rights and fundamental freedoms has further deteriorated during the reporting period; regrets that the human rights situation overall remains worrying, despite limited positive developments in some countries of the region, including legislative reforms, increased efforts to prevent torture, and steps towards the eradication of the use of child labour and forced labour;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the added value and further potential of the Rule of Law Platform, coordinated by Germany and France with active support from Finland and Latvia;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its deep concern at the growing trend towards clampdown on civil society on the pretext of security and stabiand opposition parties on the pretext of stability; reminds the partner countries that a fully functioning parliamentary democracy must observe freedom of expression and media plurality;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned at the waveincreasing number of legislation in the region restricting freedom of the media, expression, assembly and association, aimed against civil society funding (the ‘'foreign agents laws’'), and the LGBTI community (the so- called ‘'LGBTI propaganda laws’'); welcomes the fact that Kyrgyzstan withdrew the restrictive draft legislation on foreign agents and LGBTI;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the establishment of Human Rights Dialogues with all five countries of Central Asia; points out, however, the lack of transparency of the process, and calls on the VP/HR to review the role, mandate, objectives and follow-up of the Human Rights Dialogues with the countries of the region, and in particular to involve all stakeholders and introduce systematic human rights monitoring mechanisms in countries with which the EU has entered into legally binding agreementsorder to improve their effectiveness; notes that the Human Rights Dialogues are important EU's tools of engagement with the Central Asian countries enabling to implement smart strategies and therefore should be adequately taken use of;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the commitment of Latvia, with the help ofLatvia's initiative to organise the 1st EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting on education and the commitment of Latvia and Poland, to lead the regional programme on education; regards investment in education as the best way to gradually improve the socio- economic situation of the region; calls on all relevant stakeholders on the EU level as well as the EU Member States to evaluate and develop further the existing mechanisms of the study/scholarships programs between the EU and the Central Asian region;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that EU's positive role in the region should be advanced via education and people-to-people contacts; commends that the EU has budgeted EUR 115 million for the Erasmus+ educational cooperation programme in the region;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Welcomes that all five Central Asian countries have been closely following the Bologna Process driving many national reforms in recent years;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the opinion that economic and trade relations with the countries of Central Asia must in no way develop at the expense of the rule of law, democracy, and human rights and fundamdemocracy, rule of law, governance and anti-corruption measures could also be addressed through economic cooperation with Central freedomsAsia;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Is of the opinion that development aid should be disbursed only in countries with a genuine interest ingo hand in hand with the alleviation of poverty and equal and sustainable socio- economic progress, and that those countries must demonstrate efficient anti- corruption policies and allow the EU to monitor implementation; questions, in this respect, the rationale fhighlights the impor tand cost- effectiveness of the aid to Turkmenistan which will graduate from bilateral aid in 2017, and of that to Uzbekistan; requests that the policy be reviewed should improvements occurce of development aid as a mean of engagement and effective best practice sharing; encourages the VP/HR to help foster progress in this field;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Encourages the mainstreaming of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the EU's development agenda in the region; reiterates that including the SDGs will result in a more comprehensive sustainable development in the Central Asian region;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Recognises the possible positive impact of a new impulse in economic cooperation between the EU and Central Asia on modernisation and democratisation in the region;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes with concern that in addition to increasing climate change impacts, multiple alarming environmental challenges inherited from the Soviet period persist, such as those relating to cleaning up nuclear testing sites, industrial and mining activities, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, land degradation, air pollution, desertification, and, above all, continued catastrophic water mismanagement; urges the Commission, in this respect, to step up technical assistance, re-cultivation investments, and provide European know- how and best practice as to how to deal with these problems;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Reiterates the EU readiness to offer its experience and know-how to promote the adoption of safety, security and environmental standards in all transport modes and to facilitate links along the Europe – Caucasus – Central Asia transport corridor;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recognises that the main threats and challenges identified in the Strategy for Central Asia remain relevant; is, however, acutely aware of the additional external pressures stemming from the current security challenges in Afghanistan, as well as the opaque foreign policy of Russia aimed at reintegration of former Soviet space, triggered by the crisis in Ukraine;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Supports the EU’'s long-term goal of transforming the nascent EU-Central Asia High Level Security Dialogue into a genuine cooperative forum aimed at cooperation in addressing common security challenges in the region and beyond its borders;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Welcomes the project "Cross-border Cooperation for Sustainable Peace and Development" sponsored by Switzerland and UNDP aiming to create a more conductive environment of sustainable peace and development in cross-border areas between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Is seriously concerned about the increasing radicalisation of young population, including the emergence of "foreign fighters" joining ISIL, resulting in border security threats in the region; calls on the EU and UN to provide all necessary tools to ensure peace and sustainable development in the region;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Asks the Member States to refrain from arms deliveries to Central Asia, in line with the eight criteria laid down in the 2008 EU common position on arms export controls; in this respect, raises concern over the export of 300 US armoured vehicles to Uzbekistan in 2014-2015Highlights the eight criteria laid down in the 2008 EU common position on arms export controls and calls on the Member States for a more uniform interpretation and implementation of the common position;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that despite the urgent need for Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Central Asian countries, the EU has not been able to integrate it in its strategy; reiterates the EU´s determination to further develop both regional and bilateral security dialogues with Central Asian countries ensuring stronger involvement of Afghanistan in cooperation with regional partners involved, in particular UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Emphasises that deeper political and economic relations must be based on shared values and correspond to an active and concrete engagement by Kazakhstan on political and democratic reforms, stemming from its international obligations and commitments; recognizes the '100- step programme' as an attempt to address urgent reforms in the country;
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Regrets, in this regard,Is concerned with the increasing deterioration in the fields of freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and freedom of association and assembly;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Welcomes that Kazakhstan has reached the final stage of its WTO accession process by 2014;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. PCommends Kyrgyzstan on the progress which was demonstrated by the recent parliamentary elections; recognizes the peaceful conduct and significant improvements of transparency at the parliamentary elections on 4 October 2015 as confirmed by OSCE/ODIHR in its final report; points out that further efforts are needed to develop a fully functioning parliamentary democracy, despite the initial encouraging signs shown by Kyrgyzstan regarding pursuing democratic reforms and shifting towards a genuine multi-party system, as one of the pilot countries for EU democracy support;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Welcomes Kyrgyzstan's successful election into the UN Human Rights Council during 2016-2018 and invites Kyrgyzstan to constructively use its upcoming membership to address human rights issues;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Regrets the lack of genuine internal reconciliation in Tajikistan following the civil war of 1992-1997; expresses, in this regard, its deepestExpresses, its concern at the decision to ban the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, following a worrying trend aimed at suppressing legitimate political forces and silencing critical voices; calls on the Tajik authorities to follow the commitments of the 1997 Peace Agreement and to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee freedom of expression, pluralism and a free and open political environment;
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Welcomes the Tajikistan accession to WTO in March 2013;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses that the main international indexes give Turkmenistan a very low ranking as regards respect for human rights and fundamental freedomsTurkmenistan is a party to most major international agreements and therefore under the obligation to respect and protect human rights under all circumstances; expresses its readiness to increase EU support in the field of democratic principles and human rights, in particular by making full use of the European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights and other means to support the reform process in the country; in this context, calls on the VP/HR to honour the agreement reached with her predecessor regarding a monitoring mechanism, allowing Parliament to be properly informed by the EEAS about the implementation of the PCA, once it enters into force;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Welcomes the recently strengthened engagement of Turkmenistan with the EU in areas of mutual concerns; took note of the country's presence at the 2015 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting and the high-level presence on the Turkmen side at the 15th annual Joint Committee meeting under the Interim Trade Agreement in October 2015;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Urges the VP/HR and the Commission to makengage wit clear toh the Turkmen authorities that EU engagement is conditional onin terms of EU approach requiring concrete steps aimed at improving the human rights situation and the rule of law, and firmly to as stipulated in Article 21 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU); further calls to continue raiseing human rights concerns at all levels in addition to the on-going human rights dialogue; points out, in this regard, the importance of setting up an EU Delegation in Turkmenistan, in particular forregrets that Turkmenistan remains the only country in Central Asia where the European Union does not have a full-fledged European Delegation; in this regard reiterates its call on the EEAS to upgrade the Liaison Office in Ashgabat into a full – fledged EU Delegation in Turkmenistan as quickly as possible to, inter-alia, interaction with civil society and monitoring of the human rights situation;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Recognises that the entry into force of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Turkmenistan would help to develop the full potential of established relationship;
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Regrets the EU’'s lack of effective pursuit of democratisation in Uzbekistan, as proven by the government’s refusal to engage in any meaningful reform, and reiterates its expectation that the VP/HR should develop a policy of criticalonstructive, conditional and coherent EuropeanU engagement with non-aligned Uzbekistan;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Notes that the country has achieved progress in eliminating child labour and recognises the need to eliminate use of forced labour during the annual cotton harvest; while encouraging further commitment by the government to continue concrete efforts, e.g. action plan, to eradicate forced labour along with the recommendations from ILO and the World Bank;