31 Amendments of Sandra KALNIETE related to 2019/2135(INI)
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the lasting deterioration in the Union’s strategicecurity environment in the face of multiple challenges directly or indirectly affecting the security of its Member States and citizens: armed conflicts immediately to the east and south ofn the European continent and in its vicinity, jihadist terrorism, cyber attacks, hybrid threats, foreign interference into domestic elections, disinformation, uncontrolled migration, increasing threats to natural resources, climate change, etc.;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that instability and unpredictability on the Union’s borders and in its immediate neighbourhood (north Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Russian aggression against Ukraine and Georgia, etc.) pose a direct threat to the security of the continent; stresses the inextricable link between internal and external security;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that global actors (the US, China, Russia) and an increasing number of regional actors (Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) are seeking to assert power through a combination of unilateral diplomatic posturing and increasing military military build-ups;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the Union has been slowincreasing demand for the Union to react and adapt – politically, diplomatically and militarily – to new crises and to this new international context; considers that, in the specific area of defence, insufficient investment, differences inlack of capabilities and a lack of interoperability, but also, and above all, a political reluctance to implement the robust provisions provided for in the European treaties and the numerous cooperation arrangements between Member States have weakenedlow level of responsiveness, but also political limitations to make full use of provisions provided for in the European treaties did not permit to realize the Union’s abilityfull potential to play a decisive role in external crises; recognises, further, that no country is able by itself to address the security challenges on the European continent and in its immediate environmentwithout working together with allies and partners;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. WelcomesCalls for, in this adverse and volatile context, the belated but real recognition of shared security interests and the growing political will on the part of European countries and the European institutions to act collectively for their security by endowing themselves with greater means to act autonomously, for further political action and higher defence expenditure;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is convincedStresses that the response to the Union’s security challenges lies primarily in strengthening its strategic autonomyategic responsibility of the Member States, including increasing of defence spending and investing into development of capabilities;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the ambition of achieving European strategic autonomy was recognised for the first time in June 2016 by the 28 Heads of State and Government in the ‘Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy’, presented by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on 28 June 2016;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the principleidea of European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to strengthen reflects the aim of taking more responsibilitsy freedom to assess, take decisions and take actior European security with partners wherever possible and alone where circumstances so requiren necessary, in order to defend its interests and values;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers, therefore, that European strategic autonomy is based, above all, on the ability of the Union to assess a crisis situation and take a decision autonomously, which necessarily entails an independent has to be improved, which entails an better informed decision-making process, the availability of means of assessment and a freedomcapabilities to analyse and take action; considers, also, that European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to act alone when its interests Union has to act with partners whenever possible and alone when necessarey at stake (theatres of operations not considered as priorities by its European partners)nd its interests are at stake or within the framework of existing cooperation arrangements; considers, lastly, that European strategic autonomy is part of a multilateral framework whichdefence initiatives respects commitments within the UN and complements the (NATO) alliances and partnerships to which most Member States are signed up; stresses thatNATO; stresses that the idea of strategic autonomy does not mean that the Union will systematically act ing alone, everywhere and always;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the affirmation of European strategic autonomy depends on the establishment of European defence cooperation in the technological, capability, industrial and operational fields; considers that only practical and flexible is important for the affirmation of European strategic ambition; considers that cooperation bafocused on pragmatic initiativeaddressing European defence capability gaps will make it possible to gradually overcome the difficulties, forge a genuine common strategic culture and shape common responses tailored to the continent’s main security and defence issueneeds;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that strategic autonomy can only be genuinely achieved if Member States demonstrate solidarity, which is reflected in particular in the need to priorfor effective use of available resources innovative and competitisve the procurement of European capabilities where equipment is available and competitivedefence industry in Europe is necessary;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that the principle of European strategic autonomy is a legitimate and necessary ambition and that it must remain a priority objective ofhas a positive impact for European defence policy; stresses that its practical and operational implementation is a common responsibility ofto be discussed among European states;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Maintains that European strategic autonomy must takdefence initiatives must provide practical formgains in the areas of industry, capability (joint programmes, investment in defence technologies) and operations (financing of operations, capacity building for partners, capacity to plan and conduct missions);
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that Europe’s defence is based largely on solid transatlantic alliance, the Union’s capacity to interveneact militarily, in a credible manner, in external theatres of operations;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Member States and European bodies to prioritise and maintain a high level of commitment in Africa; welcomes, therefore,maintain the right geographical balance, ensure effective use of resources; in this spirit acknowledges the Council’s decision of July 2018 to extend the mandate of the EUTM RCA military training mission for two years and its intention to launch a civilian mission to complement the military component; notes that these recent developments are a positive sign of re-engagement on the part of the Member States;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is concerned at the deteriorating situation in Burkina Faso; wonders whether it would be appropriate to deploy a civilian and/or military mission in order to strengthen security sector governance, human rights and the restoration of people’s trust in their security forces;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Highlights that currently there are 10 civilian CSDP missions with high added value to peace and security deployed in the EU’s neighbourhood: Africa and the Middle East, the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes, however, that the effectiveness of CSDP missions and operations in general is being hampered by athe security situation in creasing reluctanceisis regions, limited means on the part of Member States and the European institutions to make such missions and operations more robust, both in terms of human resources and their mandates; notes that CSDP military operations increasingly tend to be based on armed forces training (EUTM), with no executive dimension;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Considers that the issue of financing for CSDP missions and operations is crucial to the sustainability of the policy; highlights the importance of reviewing the Athena mechanism so that it covers the full costswith the aim of making the financing mechanism of CSDP military operations and missions more effective; supports, in this connection, the proposal by the VP/HR, backed by the Commission, to create a European Peace Facility, which would finance part of the costs of EU defence activities, including the joint costs of CSDP military operations and those relating to military capacity-building for partners; hopes that the Member States will reach an agreement quickly so that this instrument can be introduced; stresses the importance of making the Union’s financial rules more flexible in order to enhance its ability to respond to crises and facilitate the implementation of Lisbon Treaty provisions; calls on the Member States and the Commission to consider a flexible mechanism to help Member States wishing to participate in a CSDP mission to bear the cost of doing so, thereby facilitating their decision to launch or strengthen a mission; notes that this instrument would be wholly consistent with the Union’s strategic autonomy objectives in the operational field;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Supports the creation of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) for executive missions to enable allcertain CSDP military operations to be carried out; calls for enhanced cooperation between the MPCC and the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability; draws attention to the problems of recruitment and resource provision, which need to be overcome in order for the MPCC to be fully effective; calls on the EEAS to transform the MPCC from a virtual entity, with multiple-assignment posts, into a robust civilian-military entity which can plan and conduct operations;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) TEU), which has been invoked once, demonstrates the solidarity among Member States in the common fight against terrorism; notes, however, that the conditions for triggering the article and the arrangements for providing the assistance required have never been clearly defined; calls for a more operational implementation of this instrumentdiscussion on experience in invocating this legal clause;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Believes that the implementation of CSDP missions and operations must be backed up by flexible instruments in order to make it easier for the Union and its Member States to commit to ensuring European strategic autonomy's ability to assume more responsibility , in the service of the stability of the European continent; stresses, in this connection, the effectiveness of modular, multipurpose and genuinely operational command structures, such as the European Corps (Eurocorps); notes that the missions of this command structure have been successfully extended and diversified: between 2015 and 2018 the European Corps was deployed four times as part of the EU training missions in Mali and the Central African Republic (EUTM Mali and EUTM RCA); calls on the Member States and the Commission to follow this example of flexible and operational cooperation, which has already proved valuable and effective;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses that strengthening European strategic autonomy will necessarily be based on increasing the Member States’ capabilities and defence budgets, and on strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Welcomes the recent efforts by the European institutions and the Member States, following on from the publication of the ‘EU Global Strategy’, to breathe new life into the hitherto virtual instruments of the CSDP and to fully implement the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty; stresses that these promising ambitions must now be consolidated and followed up with practical action so that they make an effective contribution to security on the European continent and in its immediate neighbourhood;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Notes with satisfaction the Commission’s proposal of 2 May 2018 to establish a EUR 13 billion budget line for defence cooperation in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) under the heading of industrial policysupporting collaborative defence research and capability development; notes that this proposal, which reflects an unprecedented commitment by the Commission, remains subject to the unanimous agreement of the Member States in the next MFF;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal of June 2017 to create a European Defence Fund (EDF), which would foster cooperation between Member States and support the European defence industry throughout the Union, including cross-border SMEs; notes that this proposal is the first initiative for which Community funds are to be used in direct support of defence projects; recognises that this is a major step forward for European defence, from both a political and an industrial perspective; notes that the EDF could finance structural projects such as the future European aircraft or tank or a European anti-missile defence capability as well as small and medium projects creating innovative future orientated solutions for defence; notes that the 2019 work programme for the preparatory action will focus on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and future disruptive defence technologies, two key areas for maintaining Europe’s technological independence in the long term; welcomes, also, the adoption by the Commission in March 2019 of the first work programme European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the publication of nine calls for proposals for 2019, including for; notes that EDIDP 2019 calls included the Eurodrone, which is a keyn important capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy, and a call specifically devoted for small and medium enterprises, encouraging innovation throughout the Union; points out that 12 further calls for proposals will follow in 2020, covering priority areas in all domains (air, land, sea, cyber and space); notes the importance of EDF in contributing to innovation, competitiveness, efficiency and cross- border cooperation of the European defence industry throughout the EU; notes the link between the procurement decisions taken today by the Member States and the prospects for industrial and technological cooperation under the EDF;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Questions the slow start-up of the 34 projects and the delays to the launch of a third wave of 13 projects, given that none are as yet up and running; notes that only four projects will reach their initial operational capacity in 2019; highlights the lack of ambition and scale of some projects, which do not address the most obvious capability gaps, particularly those in the first wave, which are primarily capability projects involving as many Member States as possible; notes that the desired inclusion of participation in PESCO projects should not jeopardise a high level of ambition on the part of the participating Member States; considers that third countries’ involvement should be subject to stringent conditions and based on established and effective reciprocity; calls on the Member States to submit projects with a strategic European dimension, thereby strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), which is an essential part of the strategic autonomisation process and relates more to the operational side in order to respond directly to the operational needs of European armed forces;
Amendment 426 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Stresses that the ambition of European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of Europeans to take action to defend their interests, either independently or within anwith partners whenever possible or independently when necessary, making full use of international institutional cooperation frameworks (NATO, UN);
Amendment 435 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Considers that European strategic autonomymbitions must be based on sustainable cooperation and strategic partnerships with countries and organisations sharing the Union’s values; welcomes, further, the contributions made by CSDP partners to Union missions and operations;
Amendment 461 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Supports, in parallel with institutional cooperation and partnerships, the combining of different forms of flexible, multifaceted, open and, at the same time, operational, ambitious and demanding cooperation, both within and outside EU, NATO and UN structures, which could facilitate joint commitments in operations, thereby strengthening the Union’s operational strategic autonomy; stresses, in this connection, that examples of cooperation such as the European Intervention Initiative, the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO), Joint Expeditionary Force and the increasing integration of the German and Dutch armed forces refelect this drive for closer military cooperation between Member States;
Amendment 478 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Considers that progress in European defence will pave the way for majoris reflected in structural changes; notes the announcement of the creation of a Directorate-General for Defence and Space at the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner-designate for the Internal Market; notes that this new DG should be responsible for supporting, coordinating or complementing the Member States’ actions in the area of European defence and would thus contribute to strengthening European strategic autonomy; notes the definition of its five main tasks (implementation and oversight of the EDF, creation of an open and competitive European defence equipment market, implementation of the action plan on military mobility, enhancement of a strong and innovative space industry, implementation of the future space programme), but calls on the Commission to provide further details on the role and responsibilities of the new DG; Wonders how it will coordinate its work with that of other defence policy structures which have other responsibilities (EDA, EEAS, etc.);