13 Amendments of Andrey KOVATCHEV related to 2016/2310(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
— having regard to the European Council’s decision of 16 December 2005 to grant the country the status of candidate for EU membership, to the European Council conclusions of June 2008, to the Council conclusions of December 2012, and to the conclusions of 13 December 2016, which received the support of the overwhelming majority of delegations,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas early parliamentary elections held in Macedonia were held in an ordinary and calm atmosphere, in accordance with international standards and in line with OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and had a very high turnout;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas some of the key issues in the reform process include reform of the judiciary, public administration and media, youth unemployment and a review on the implementation of the OFA;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Encourages the authorities to undertake again the interrupted census which would provide accurate statistics on population data to serve as basis for government development programmes and adequate budget planning; notes with concern that citizens of Bulgarian ethnicity were never represented in legislature, state documentation, official forms or census entries, while at the same time more than 100 000 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia are holders of a Bulgarian passport;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates that the interethnic situation remains fragile; urges all political parties and CSOs to actively promote an inclusive and tolerant multi-ethnic and multi-religious society and to strengthen coexistence and dialogue; reminds the government and party leaders of their commitment to fully implement the OFA and to complete its review, including policy recommendations a transparent and inclusive manner;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Reiterates that the authorities and civil society should take appropriate measures for achieving historical reconciliation in order to overcome the divide between and within different ethnic and national groups, including citizens of Bulgarian identity;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Notes with concern the phenomenon of 'antiquisation' and false historical interpretations; is convinced that culture and art should be used to bring people closer together rather than divide them; urges the government to send clear signals to the public and media that discrimination on the basis of national identity is not tolerated in the country, including in relation to the justice system, media, employment and social opportunities; underlines the importance of these actions for the integration of the various ethnic communities and the stability and European integration of the country;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Encourages the authorities to retrieve the relevant Yugoslav secret service archives from Serbia; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past, including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a step towards further democratisation, accountability and institutional strength;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the maintenance of macro-economic stability and the reduction of the unemployment rate but is concerned that unemployment still remains high with very low labour market participation, especially among youth and women; further urges competent authorities to tackle long-term and structural unemployment, to promote economic policy cooperation, to better align education with labour market demands and to develop a targeted strategy on how to better integrate young people and women into the labour market; is concerned about the outflow of highly educated young professionals; strongly calls on the government to dedicate particular attention to improving the perspectives of youth;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Welcomes the progress made in modernising transport, energy and telecommunications networks and, in particular, the efforts to complete Corridor X[1]; in view of the importance of the railway links in the framework of a sustainable system of transport, welcomes the government's intention to upgrade or construct railway links from Skopje to the capitals of the neighbouring countries and calls for greater progress, especially in the finalisation of the railway and road connections within Corridor VIII[2]; [1] Corridor X is one of the pan-European transport corridors and runs from Salzburg (Austria) to Thessaloniki (Greece). [2] Corridor VIII is one of the pan- European transport corridors and runs from Durrës (Albania) to Varna (Bulgaria). It also passes through Skopje.
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes Macedonia’s continued constructive role in regional and international cooperation; commends the increased alignment with EU foreign policy (73 %); reiterates the importance of finalising the negotiations on a bilateral treaty with Bulgariatreaty on friendship and good neighbourliness with Bulgaria; notes that open issues still remain, such as the long overdue restoration of the Bulgarian military cemeteries, the need to jointly celebrate common historical figures and events and to establishment cross-border cooperation in the areas of history, culture and education;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Expresses its disappointment regarding the lack of progress in joint celebrations of common historic events and figures with neighbouring EU Member States, which would contribute to a better understanding of history and good neighbourly relations; encourages the establishment of joint expert committees on history and education with neighbouring countries, with the aim of contributing to an objective, fact-based interpretation of history, strengthening academic cooperation and promoting positive attitudes in young people towards their neighbours;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Urges the authorities to adopt fact- based interpretation of history and to introduce educational materials free of ideological interpretations and hate speech against neighbouring countries deriving from the communist era;