15 Amendments of Norica NICOLAI related to 2017/2281(INI)
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses grave concern about backsliding in relation to democratic standards in Moldova, with core values, to which Moldova had subscribed as part of the AA, such as democracy – including fair and transparent elections respecting the will of the citizens – and the rule of law – including the independence of the judiciary – being undermined by the ruling political leaders colluding with business interests and unopposed by much of the political class and the judiciary; reiterates its determination to focus on the fulfilment of commitments to uphold common values rather than unconvincing so-called ‘geopolitical’ arguments;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets that the non-fulfilment of the political conditions related to democratic standards in Moldova, in particular the recent changes in national electoral legislation as well as the removal of Dorin Chirtoacă from the Chișinău mayor’s office and the invalidation of the election of Andrei Năstase, has led to the suspension of the disbursement of Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) and of outstanding payments of EU budget supportinvalidation of the election of Andrei Năstase, has led to the suspension of the disbursement of Macro Financial Assistance (MFA); welcomes the creation of a cross-party parliamentary commission to analyse the Chisinau election crisis and with the objective of proposing legislation to ensure the situation cannot be repeated;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its position that any decision on future MFA disbursement should only take place after the planned parliamentary elections and on condition that they are conducted in line with internationally recognised standards and assessed by specialised international bodies, and that the payment of all budget support programmes should remain on hold until meaningful progress in democratic standards takes place; calls, in the meantime, on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to continue reallocating funds to support structural development projects, the civil society in Moldova, in particular to the free and independent media, as well as the private sector and local authorities, and to coordinate efforts with other organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to ensure greater coherence in terms of financial assistance conditionality;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls the contents of Articles 2 and 455 of the AA, according to which respect for democratic principles constitutes an essential element of the AA, which, if violated, may also lead to the suspension of rights related to this agreement; also recalls the anti-corruption and anti-money laundering benchmarks related to the visa liberalisation policy;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the effective implementation of the short term visa-free regime, underlining that a significant number of Moldovan citizens have benefited of the enhanced possibilities for people-to-people contacts since its entry into force; recalls that further special attention needs to be paid to the continuous fulfilment of the anti- corruption and anti-money laundering benchmarks;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. UrgNotes the Moldovan authorities to swiftly adopt and fullyat will follow with attention the implementation of the new aAudiovisual codeMedia Service Code (adopted on the 26 of July 2018) in line with European standards of media freedom and pluralism as recommended by the European Commission and the Venice Commission; emphasises the importance of genuine consultations with civil society and the independent media before the final adoption of the new audiovisual code, and the need to discard all aspects that may undermine media pluralism;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the good cooperation on CFSP matters and the symbolicnotably the high rate of alignment to the CFSP Declarations and the participation in common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations; takes note of the progress in adopting a new Defence Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2021 following the withdrawal of the National Security Strategy by the President of Moldova;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Welcomes and further encourages the good cooperation on mitigating and countering hybrid threats; welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Moldova Agreement on the exchange of classified information and looks forward to swift completion of the remaining procedures in order to make this Agreement operational;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Commends the Moldovan authorities for the incremental improvement of relations with Tiraspol notably with the opening of the Gura Bîcului-Bîcioc bridge and the signature of an additional six protocols, thus improving the lives of citizens on both sides of the Nistru river; encourages the authorities to further build on this level of engagement; calls on the Moldovan authorities to undertake additional efforts to ensure a swift and final adopfor the implementation of the Law of the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges theSupports the Moldovan authorities toin ensureing the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and specialised anti-corruption institutions, including the Superior Council of Prosecutors, the National Integrity Authority and the Criminal Assets Recovery Agency, notably through maintaining the allocation of adequate resources and guaranteeing transparent and inclusive selection procedures with the participation of independent expert recruiters;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes legislative amendments adopted in July 2018 meant to strengthen merit based selection and promotion of judges, as well as their accountability;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its calls, based on the findings and recommendations of the first and second Kroll reports, for a swift prosecution of all those responsible for the USD 1 billion bank fraud unveiled in 2014, as well as the recovery of stolen assets; takes note of the Strategy on asset recovery adopted by the Moldovan authorities and calls on the relevant EU Member States to provide necessary international judicial assistance for its successful implementation;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the adoption of the 2018-2020 National Strategy for Development of the Civil Society and the Action Plan regarding its implementation; Calls on the Moldovan authorities to respect international principles and uphold best practices that guarantee an enabling environment for civil society; expects, in particular, that no future legislation will curb fair and transparent funding for Moldovan NGOs;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses concern about signs of a further shrinking of space forReaffirms support for the development of the country’s civil society, and calls on the authorities to immediately halt undue or disproportionatereassess criminal proceedings against political opponentfigures, their lawyers and/or their families; expresses specific concerns about proceedings that target human rights defenders, independent judges such as Domnica Manole and Gheorghe Balan, journalists and critics of the government or of the President of the Democratic Party of Moldovaand journalists;