Activities of Ulrike LUNACEK related to 2009/2216(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT Report on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus PDF (284 KB) DOC (225 KB)
Amendments (30)
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the frozen conflicts are a stumbling block that hampers the full development of the European Neighbourhood policy, whereas further efforts should be made so as to identify common areas of interests that can overcome divergences, facilitate dialogue and promote regional cooperation,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Eastern Partnership aims at accelerating reforms, legal approximation and economic integration, is based onand envisages, on the basis of the principles of conditionality, differentiation and joint ownership and envisages the, the prospect of negotiation of new Association Agreements, which will require the assent of the European Parliament,
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the EU needs to play a more active political role and develop a strategy to assist the transformation of the South Caucasus into a region of sustainable peace, stability and prosperity with a view to enhancing the integration of these countries in European policies and to use fully its potential to contribute to the peaceful solution of the conflicts in the region by combining its soft power with a firm approach;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the responsibility of external actors to use their power and influence in ways that are fully consistent with international law, including human rights law; believes that reduction of further comopetiration between external actors in the region should be pursued, but cannot come at the price of effectively accepting any actor’s claim to have ‘privileged interests’; is of the opinion that introducing conditions for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the South Caucasus states is unacceptable;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Fully supports the Minsk Group Co- chairs’ mediation, the Madrid Principles and the Moscow Declaration; condemns the idea of a military solution and calls on both sides to avoid militant rhetoric; furthermore calls on both sides to show more ambition in the peace talks and to abandon the tendency to prefer perpetuating the status quo created through military conquestmeans in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions; calls on the international community likewise to show courage and political will to assist in overcomeing the remaining sticking points among the parties which hinder an agreement;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that real efforts are needed to pave the way for a lasting peace; deplores, in this respect, the use of inflammatory statements, manipulation of history and racial rhetoric and calls on the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to act responsibly, tone down speeches and prepare the ground, so that the relevant public opinions accept and fully understand the benefits of a comprehensive settlement;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Draws attention to the fact that, contrary to the other frozen conflicts in the region, the EU has not had, so far, any presence in this conflict area; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to make all efforts in order to start assistance and rehabilitation programmes in Nagorny- Karabakh as well as to continue its assistance to IDPs;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that security for all is an indispensable element of any settlement; recognises the importance of robust peace- keeping arrangements in line with international human rights standards that involve both military and civilian aspects;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations, border opening and cooperation; calls on both sides to seize this opportunity to mend their relations through ratification and implementation; does not support the introduction of conditions for ratification not mentioned in the protocols, but notes that if implemented, they will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the region and that they can therefore not be seen in isolation; calls on Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan, to intensify their efforts in the Minsk Co- chairs-led talks on the principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict without preconditions and in a reasonable time-frame and points out that if implemented, they will have wide- ranging, potentially overall very positive consequences in the whole region;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the Tagliavini Report and supports its main observations and conclusions; supports the EU Monitoring Mission mandate and its implementation of the part which is not blocked by Russia and the de facto authorities of the breakaway regions; expects that the extensive background information provided by this report can be used for legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and by individual citizens as regards infringements of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR);
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Regrets that the Geneva talks on stability and security in the conflict areas have produced so far no substantial results and that incidents take place frequently on the ceasefire line; calls on the VP/HR to make every effort so as to give new and fresh impetus to these talks with a view to reaching a satisfactory stabilisation of the situation and fully implementing the August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the importance of protecting the safety and rights of the ethnic Georgians still living within the breakaway regions, promoting respect for displaced persons’ right of return under safe and dignified conditions, stopping the process of forced passportisation, achieving a reduction in the Iron-Curtain character of the de facto borders and obtaining possibilities for the EU and other international actors to assist people within the two regions; underlines the need for more clearly identified short- and medium- term objectives in this respect;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the importance of engaging in democratic reforms and the essential role of political dialogue and cooperation as the key to developing national consensus; welcomes the adoption of significant legislation related to theefforts of Armenian authorities to conduct judiciary in Armeniareform and calls on the authorities to ensure the effective implementation thereofm to strengthen the independence of the judiciary; welcomes the progress in Azerbaijan in the field of reform of the judiciary and calls on the authorities to work ostrengthen the independence of judges; welcomes the announcement by the Georgian President regarding a ‘new wave of democratic reforms’, calls for such reforms to be effectively adopted and implemented, such as strengthening parliamentary control over the executive and increasing independence of the judiciary, and considers that democratic reforms need to be pursued and democratic institutions consolidated;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underscores the importance of free and fair elections to be held in accordance with international commitments and standards; notes that the last presidential elections held in Armenia in February 2008 were once again followed by mass demonstrations and violentce and that repercussions of the internal crisis in their aftermath are still being felt; takes note of the municipal elections held in a peaceful manner in Azerbaijan on 23 December 2009 and awaits the report of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities observation delegation thereon; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the local elections scheduled for 30 May 2010 take place in accordance with international standards and that the electoral law is amended accordingly, and reaffirms that securing direct election of mayors is crucial; confirms its and the EU’s position that elections and referenda in breakaway regions are illegitimate; defends the political rights of displaced persons;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers freedom of expression to be a fundamental right and principle and the role of the media essential, is disturbed by the limitarestrictions on freedom of expression and the lack of media pluralism in the countries of the South Caucasus and calls on the authorities to ensure both; is preoccupied about harassment and attacks on journalists in Armenia and in particular about the continued detention of opposition journalist Nikol Pashinian, despite the welcomed amnesty of 18 June 2009 leading to the release of a number of imprisoned opposition activists involved in the events of 1-2 March 2008; is concerned about the deterioration of the media climate in Azerbaijan with cases of harassment and intimidation of media professionals and deplores the detention and sentencing of the two youth activists and bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade; accordingly calls for their release following the appeal procedure in accordance with international standards and with respect for the principles of a fair trial as set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the countries in the region to participate actively in the work of the EU- European Neighbourhood Parliamentary Assembly (EURONEST) and use the possibilities it affords for multilateral and bilateral exchanges of views; in this regard notes that the intensified dialogue between the members of parliament of the countries in the region is crucial; points out, in particular, the importance of creating, within this framework, the occasion for bilateral meetings between members of parliament of Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to start a parliamentary dialogue which, in the presence of members of the European Parliament, could go along with the mediation efforts of the Minsk group at presidential level;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underscores the importance of building a favourable business climate and the development of the private sector; commends Azerbaijan on itsnotes that the noteworthy economic growth andof Azerbaijan is mainly based on oil and gas revenues; supports the reform process, which makes the economy more attractive to foreign investors, and hopes that Azerbaijan will continue and eventually complete its negotiations on accession to the WTO; welcomes the progress in implementing market-economy reforms aiming at liberalisation of the marketeconomy reforms in Armenia and Georgia; notes however that the economic development of Armenia and Georgia has been affected by the general economic crisis and welcomes the decision at the end of 2009 to provide macrofinancial assistance to the two countries;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Expresses its concern at military and defence-spending in the South Caucasus; points out that this relevant part of domestic budgets drains away a remarkable amount of financial resources from more urgent issues like poverty reduction, social security and economic development; calls, in this regard, on the Council and the Commission to prevent EU macrofinancial assistance from favouring indirectly the military build-up in the region;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises the significance of the region for the EU’s energy cooperation and energy security; notes the great value of Azerbaijan’s energy resources and the essential role these play in its economic development; underscores the importance of ensuring that the benefits deriving from the exploitation of natural resources are evenly distributed and invested in the development of the country as a whole, permitting it to brace itself against the negative repercussions of an eventual decline in oil production; welcomes the intention of Azerbaijan to diversify its economy; underlines the importance of transparency in the energy sector in this region as a key requisite for investors' confidence;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underscores the importance of promoting energy efficiency measures, investing in renewable energy sources and ensuring that environmental concerns are catered for; welcomtakes the establishment ofview that the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus should be adequately funded and supported so as to run also credible cross-border projects; considers the plans proclaimed by Azerbaijan to make the development of alternative energy sources a government priority praiseworthy and encourages the pursuit of such objectives; is glad to take note ofwelcomes the decision of Armenia to decommission the nuclear plant in Medzamor, but regrets that a new nuclear plant will be built in the same seismic area;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes the Eastern Partnership and takes note of the related initiatives that have been activated and the meetings that have been held; stresses that in order to make it credible it should be accompanied by concrete projects and adequate incentives; intends to develop further the parliamentary dimension of the Partnership;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Takes the view that the regional dimension of the EU Strategy for the South Caucasus should be duly strengthened; welcomes, in this regard, the allocation of additional financial resources for the ENPI within the framework of the Eastern Partnership for regional development programmes and multilateral cooperation; calls on the Commission to define a set of regional and cross-border projects and programmes for the three South Caucasus countries in fields such as transport, environment, culture and civil society, in order to provide concrete incentives for enhancing cooperation and building confidence between the parties;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the VP/HR not to refrain from involving the Russian Federation on specific issues, making clear once more that the development of the Eastern Partnership is not aimed at isolating Russia but, on the contrary, is aimed at bringing peace, stability and a sustainable economic progress to all the parties concerned with benefits for the whole region and the neighbouring countries;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Takes note of the current EU involvement in conflict resolution processes in the region and believes that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty justifies a more prominent role for the EU; welcomes the work of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and calls for increased EU action to persuade Russia and the relevant de facto authorities to stop blocking the EUMM from entering South Ossetia and Abkhazia; considers that the EU now has the opportunity to play a greater role in the solution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict and could do so by participating in the negotiations through the establishment of an EU mandate for the French Co-chair of the Minsk Group, by standing ready to launch reconstruction aid programmes and by supporting civil- society projects that aim to promote reconciliation and contacts between local communities and individuals in the region;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the work of the EU High Level Advisory Group to Armenia; bwelievcomes thate possibility of increased financial assistance within the framework of the Eastern Partnership andincluding the preparation for the negotiation of new association agreements with the EU has the opportunity to offer technical assistance and calls on the Commission to study the possibility of offering suchtailor-made assistance also to Azerbaijan and Georgia;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Takes the view that special attention should be given to the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups and encourages Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to implement public education programmes in the area of human rights which promotes the values of tolerance, pluralism and diversity including the respect of LGBT and other marginalised and stigmatized groups;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Regrets the sudden refusal by the European satellite operator Eutelsat to broadcast the Georgian Russian-language channel Perviy Kavkazskiy; points out that this refusal leaves de facto satellite transmission monopoly over the regional Russian-speaking audience to Intersputnik and its main client, Gazprom Media Group; stresses that it is of the utmost importance that in a democratic and pluralistic society the airing of independent media is not impeded;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Recalls that energy security is a common preoccupation; urges the EU therefore to give more robust support to the energy projects in the region in accordance with European standards including projects promoting energy efficiency and the development of alternative energy sources, to step up its cooperation on energy issues and to work towards the completion of the Nabucco pipeline; also calls on the Commission to ensure that the energy- and transport- related projects in the South Caucasus foster relations between the three countries and are not a cause of exclusion of certain communities; reaffirms the importance of the Baku Initiative and its corresponding supporting programmes, INOGATE and TRACECA;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Considers that the EU should continue to support economic development, trade and investment in the region, and believes that the negotiation and establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements could plays a very important role in this respect; calls on the Commission to consider possible ways to assist the countries in the region to prepare them and enable them to negotiate and then implement and sustain the commitments provided for in possible future FTAs and to provide in due time a comprehensive evaluation of the social and environmental impact of these agreements;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Reiterates the significance of people- to-people contacts and mobility programmes, especially aimed at youth, and of twinning programmes with EU regions and local communities with national minorities experiencing a high degree of autonomy; calls on the Council and Commission to make progress towards visa facilitation with the three countries and welcomes the initialling of the visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Georgia;