Activities of Reinhard BÜTIKOFER related to 2020/2111(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak
Amendments (39)
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Affirms that the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is a game changer in the international environment, a risk multiplier and a catalyst of change in the global order;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets the lack of global leadership and coordinated international response in the initial phases of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as tendencies to opt for isolationist solutions,COVID-19 crisis, condemns the withholding of critical information and rejects the pursuit of isolationist strategies; strongly objects to the withholding of critical information, the rise of authoritarian nationalism, state- sponsored disinformation campaigns and the promotion of false narratives which create distrust and undermine international cooperation;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the EU institutions and Member States to coordinate any actions in response to the COVID-19 crisis among each other and with international partners in order to foster a coherent and inclusive global response to the pandemic;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to review the 2016 Global Strategy, reflecting these geopolitical shifts and ensuring that the EU plays its part in defending, promoting and developing the rules-based multilateral world order that was created aftersince the Second World War, guided by the EU’s values and interests;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the growing geopolitical competition and tensions following the COVID-19 outbreak, and recognises that the European Union still has to position itself in the new world order in which, alongside the EU, the US, China and Russia play a leading rolestresses the need for the European Union and its Member States to pursue a more active and more coherent external policy; notes that the European Union has to position itself not only vis-à-vis great powers like the US, China or Russia, but also seek stronger cooperation with like-minded countries including from the Southern Hemisphere and in particular with other democracies;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Insists that the transatlantic partnership should be reinvigorated in order to fight more effectively against the pandemic and other major international challenges like climate change; acknowledges the need to find a new basis for cooperation between the EU and the US, emphasising mutual respect and a joint agenda upholding multilateralism, international justice, the rule of law and human rights against nationalistic, authoritarian and hegemonic ambitions;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned about the lack of leadership the United States has shownHopes that the Unites States will find the leadership necessary in fighting COVID-19; believes t which hats the false information in President Trump’s tweets and during his press conferences have been very unhelpful in the joint fight against the virusaken an exceptional toll among American citizens on the basis of a science-oriented approach and in pursuit of as much meaningful international cooperation as possible;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is worried aboutRegrets the decision of the US to withdraw funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the general tendency of its Presidentcalls on the US to resist the temptation to withdraw the US from the multilateral organisations that were created to establishsafeguard a rules-based world order;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the strengtheningassertiveness of the People’s Republic of China’s worldwide diplomatic efforts following the COVID- 19 outbreak, seeking to position itself as thethe PRC as dominant global player; warns against the PRC’s efforts of stronger power projection in the region, resulting in border disputes with many of its neighbours;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
7a. Notes the fact that Chinese mistakes in the early response to the COVID-19 crisis contributed to the worldwide dynamic of the pandemic; criticises in this context the suppression of whistleblowers, human rights defenders and citizen journalists;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the emergency contributions provimaded by China to fight the virus; also recognisnotes, however, a clear geopolitically and geo- economic dimensionally motivated efforts, bolstered by ‘virus and wolf warrior diplomacy’ and theto politicisation ofally exploit humanitarian assistance;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the lack of transparency related to the Chinese reaction to the global outbreak, involving the withholding of information, censorship, the suppression of whistle- blowers and human rights activists, and the projection of power in the regargeted disinformation campaigns as outlined in the Joint Communication “Tackling COVID-19 disinformation - Getting the facts right” and the EEAS Special Report on COVID-19 and disinformation;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is concerned about the potential ‘debt trap’ that might affect Africanrisk affecting countries that have accepted Chinese loans in the Belt and Road countriesext and find themselves, as a result ofrom COVID-19, since theexposed to a strong economic downturn willthat make it difficult for them to reimburse Chinese loans that are part of the Belt and Road Initis debt forgiveness imperative;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Chinese regimeleadership to fully cooperate with an independent investigation into the origins of COVID- 19, and calls on the Member States to present a united frontEurope towards a rising China, which is leading a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and has threatened to annex Taiwthe PRC, in particular in relation to grave violations of international law, to the a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, to the threats against Taiwan, as well as the brutal persecution of Uighurs in Xinjang; calls on the Member States to advocate Taiwan’s membership of the WHO; as an observer in the WHO/WHA and other international organisations;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the VP/HR to recognise these concerns and simultaneously create an atmosphere ofto give them full play in dialogue, engagement and genuine, cooperation and coomperatition, based on a new, more assertive strategy in which the EU pushes with the PRC, based on a coherent China strategy in which the EU and the Member States together push back when necessary to defend European values and strategic interests; is of the view that, as part of this new strategy, the EU should seek closer collaboration with countries in the region and other democracies, for which the EU Connectivity Strategy should be used to the fullest;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Deplores that the Russian President used the current crisis to enact crucial constitutional amendments that prolong and bolster his authoritarian rule in Russia;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on Russia to meaningfully contribute to a global response to the crisis, in good faith and as part of the international rules-based order;
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recognises the global security, socio-economic, environmental and political risks that could be caused by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is worried about the fact that the EU’s main international counterparts were preparthat many powerful international actors have attempted to use the crisis in order to unravel the rules- based world order underpinned byand to undercut multilateral organisations that are underpinning it;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is convinced that a human rights- based response to the COVID-19 pandemic constitutes the most effective, inclusive and sustainable approach to manage the current crisis, to contribute to the recovery of societies and economies and to build greater resilience; urges the EU to encourage third countries to apply a human rights framework in their response to the crisis, notably in relation to education, social protection and access to health;
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Supports international efforts to evaluate diverse national responses to the pandemic as regards restrictions of political, social and economic freedoms and works towards the establishment of a joined human rights based framework that will inform future responses to sanitary crises; welcomes in this context the development of the Global Monitor by the European Commission and International IDEA which assembles data and analysis on developments in 162 countries in the world pertaining to the pandemic's impact on democracy and human rights;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Calls on the EU to promote debate and action within the relevant multilateral structures in promoting health as a global public good as well as universal social protection with a particular attention to the most marginalised groups; calls on the Commission to review the impact of IFI-initiated structural adjustment programmes, and to prioritise the building of comprehensive and accessible healthcare and social protections schemes in its cooperation assistance with third countries;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Urges the VP/HR to push for local and regional ceasefires and truce agreements and support the initiative of the UNSG Guterres for a global ceasefire; recalls the need to comply with the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality in the delivery of aid, including in response to COVID-19 related needs;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that only a more united EU, backed up by sufficient and credible militaractions, efficient and fast decision-making and reliable security capacities, will be able to conduct a strong foreign policy, and believes that the VP/HR should receive a stronger mandate in speaking on behalf of the EU;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the important role of the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and bBelieves that a more in- depth joint operation and coordination of member states’ armed forces within existing frameworks - such as the European Medical Command - or within new frameworks - such as military hospital trains - could lead to greater efficiency and contribute to the EU’s preparedness to fight pandemics; recognises the need to review the EU’s security and defence strategies to develop strategic autonomy, to become better prepared and more resilient to the new and hybrid threats and technologies that have made the nature of warfare less conventional and challenge the traditional role of the military, as well as for a future in which Russia and China are becoming more assertive; stresses that the future Strategic Compass on security and defence should reflect these developments and take account of the broader geopolitical implications of COVID-19; believes that, given the new political balance and a potential worsening of the international security environment following COVID-19, the EU defence budgets must not be cutconcerns;
Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the expansion and modernisation of EU communication strategies so that EU action is sufficiently visible both within and beyond the EU; urges the European External Action Service (EEAS) to further strengthen its capacities to counter malicious interference and disinformation, including the creation of a dedicated far- East StratCom Task Force focused on the interference and disinformation emanating from China, and imposing costs on countries that deliberately spread disinformation to divide and harm the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 457 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Emphasises the need to closely cooperate with like-minded countries in international and in particular multilateral institutions, actively seeking a fair sharing of responsibilities with partners from the global South; highlights in this context the will to reflect these concerns in the selection process of the new Director-General of the WTO; will continue at the same time to pursue a broader WTO reform including the WTO Appellate Body and WTO Subsidy Rules with international partners including, if possible, the United States;
Amendment 468 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that its biggest global consumerthe internal market of almostroughly 500 million people, and our economic and technological strength gives the EU leverage on the world stage, and believes that a geopolitical Commission should use this leverage whethat should be used in other countries are not prepared to comply with pursuit of the rule of law or international treaties;
Amendment 481 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to reduce dependency on third countries in certain strategic and existential sectors and might promptto enhance resilience through diversification of itsthe most critical supply chains;
Amendment 500 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Recalls its request for a strong global sanctions regime to address serious human rights violations before the end of 2020, which would be the EU equivalent of the so-called Magnitsky Act;
Amendment 501 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on EU delegations to closely monitor the global human rights situation, identify trends and support international, regional and local organisations, citizens and civil society in their efforts to reverse the negative impact of the COVID 19 crisis on human rights worldwide, insists that any restrictions taken in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic should be lawful, necessary, proportionate, consistent with other state obligations under international law and subject to review and of limited duration; urges in this context EU delegations to raise individual cases of human rights defenders, and, where appropriate, to facilitate the issuing of emergency visas, and provide temporary shelter in the EU Member States;
Amendment 505 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls on the EU to engage in a global campaign to promote the UN recommendations of reducing prison populations by implementing schemes of early, provisional or temporary release of low-risk offenders, in particular, urges for the release of all persons detained for expressing critical or dissenting views or for their human rights activities and advocates reducing the use of immigration detention and closed refugee camps;
Amendment 507 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Recognises the decisive role women have played in coping with the COVID-19 crisis, and the gendered impact of the pandemic; remains deeply concerned by the unprecedented toll the Covid-19 crisis takes on gender equality advances worldwide in terms of the unequal partition of both domestic and public care work with women making up around 70% of the global health workforce and calls to take the need of women and marginalised groups into account in a global response to the pandemic, as yet they are rarely represented at the negotiation tables where crisis responses are laid out;
Amendment 518 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Underlines the strategic importance of EU engagement and support in its neighbourhood, both in the East and in the South; stresses that the EU must give Western Balkan countries that are not yet part of the EU a fair chance to join the EU, and that the EU must continue its efforts to invest in the region; calls for an inclusion of all Western Balkan countries in the EU Solidarity Fund;
Amendment 543 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the COVID-19 crisis could destabilise countries in Africa which often have a fragile health infrastructure and high debts; calls for the EU presence inartnership with Africa to be strengthened, for financial assistance and recovery plans to be fostered and for an alternative to Chinese investments to be provided;
Amendment 555 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Underlines the need to ensure that countries have sufficient funds to strengthen their public health systems including through the restructuring of public debt;
Amendment 558 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Underlines that sanctions should not impede a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic; stresses in the specific case of Iran that the scope of INSTEX needs to be broadened and that this mechanism should be used to enhance our humanitarian response;
Amendment 571 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for the common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions tasked with conflict prevention or mitigation to be strengthened, notably those in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood, to help stabilise already fragile settings and prevent a relapse in conflicts and violence due to additional tensions caused by COVID-19; calls in this regard for a swift adoption of the European Peace Facilityon the Member States to make more civilian and military personnel available for such missions and operations;
Amendment 573 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls on the EEAS, the Commission and EU Member States to integrate gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and an intersectional perspective, including equal and diverse representation, into the EU’s foreign and security policy, and to acknowledge the diverse experiences of women and other marginalised groups on whom this pandemic had detrimental effects;