2014/2230(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to itthe country has been locked in a cycle of violence and that the lives of millions of Afghans have been devastated by over three decades of conflict; notes that the outside intervention have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Recognises the presidential elections 2014; regrets that every presiden~~Welcomes the first ever peaceful transition of power following the election of Ashraf Ghani as President to succeed his predecessor Hamid Karzai; appreciates the brokered political ~~and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marred by fraud and violence; welcomes the formation of a government of national unity~~compromise between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah leading to the creation of the Government of National Unity, thus creating a chance for the major political forces concentrated around the two major presidential candidates to work in concert for the future of Afghanistan and not to fuel political divide or violence; expresses hope with the to-date conciliatory rhetoric and constructive cooperation between the President and Chief Executive;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the presidential elections 2014; ~~regrets that every presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marred by fraud and violence; welcomes the formation of a government of national unity~~congratulates Afghanistan with the first democratic transition of power in its history and welcomes the formation of a government of national unity; stresses the need to develop resilient, transparent and accountable institutions and accelerate reform process;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Recognises the presidential elections 2014~~Welcomes the formation of a government of national unity; regrets that every presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marred by fraud and violence; welcomes ~~the formation of a government of national unity~~, in this regard, the announcement of the establishment of the Electoral Reform Commission, which is essential in restoring faith in the democratic process;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the presidential elections 2014; ~~regrets that every presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marred by fraud and violence;~~ welcomes the formation of a government of national unity;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the presidential elections 2014; regrets that every presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marrked by ~~fraud and violence~~violence and allegations of fraud; welcomes the formation of a government of national unity;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the presidential elections 2014; regrets that every presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 2005 has been marrked by ~~fraud and~~ violence; welcomes the formation of a government of national unity;

Amendment 106 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Expresses grave concern over the fate of the over 680.000 IDPs and of the approximately 2.6 million Afghan refugees living under inacceptable and disastrous conditions in the neighbouring countries, esp. in Iran and Pakistan; underlines the importance to increase EU's support to Afghanistan's humanitarian needs; calls on the EU and its Member States to open their borders to all refugees of the conflict;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the stated intent of the new President Ashraf Ghani to make combating corruption one of his priorities; ~~encourages the Afghan Government to engage in establishing an independent judiciary; encourages a thorough review process of the role and failures of the attempts~~calls on the Government of National Unity to address this pressing matter as well as of drug trafficking, mismanagement, waste, security for the people; reiterates the need for the international community to esusta~~blish a functioning justice system, as well as of the role of the EUPOL mission in this context~~in its engagement in Afghanistan and to help continue rebuilding the country, developing the economy and resisting terrorism leading to sustaining and strengthening progress;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the stated intent of the new President Ashraf Ghani to make combating corruption one of his priorities; encourages the Afghan Government to engage in establishing an independent judiciary; encourages a thorough review process of the role and failures of the attempts to establish a functioning justice system, as well as of the role of the EUPOL mission in this context; believes that EUPOL could assist the Afghan government establishing an independent mechanism to investigate government officials and security force officers implicated in corruption and serious human right abuses;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the stated intent of the new President Ashraf Ghani to make combating corruption one of his priorities; encourages the Afghan Government to engage in establishing an independent judiciary; encourages a thorough review process of the role and failures of the attempts to establish a functioning justice system~~, as well as of the role of the EUPOL mission in this context~~;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that ~~more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civil~~, despite western military and humanitarians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to ittervention, the situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the stated intent of the new President Ashraf Ghani to make combating corruption one of his priorities; encourages the Afghan Government to engage in establishing an independent judiciary; encourages a thorough review process of the role and failures of the attempts to establish a functioning justice system~~, as well as of the role of the EUPOL mission in this context~~;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Takes note of the Afghan government´s commitment to strengthen local authorities and emphasises the role of civil society organisations which are essential to ensure Afghan citizens involvement in the reform process;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Holds the view that the criminalisation of a state is a detrimental threat to a country´s stability and, therefore, encourages the Afghan government to implement urgent justice sector reforms and stop the widespread impunity by conducting thorough and impartial investigations and prosecution of all instances of killings and other serious abuses by government agents and security officials;

Amendment 113 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)

10c. Welcomes the President´s new action plan on the elimination of torture however calls for an end to the continuing lack of progress in instituting effective measures to prevent torture and bring perpetrators to justice; also calls on President Ghani to sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the ~~lack of substantial~~slow progress on human and fundamental rights since 2002~~, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan~~; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and~~, in particular, to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as~~ to comply with all ~~other~~ international treaties concerning human rights; ~~calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;~~

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes th~~e lack of substantial progress on human and fundamental rights since 2002~~at some progress in the field of gender equality and fundamental rights during the last decade has been achieved; however, emphasises that the situation is still very poor, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular, to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), to take steps to facilitate political participation by women as both candidates and voters, as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the lack of substantial progress on human and fundamental rights since 2002, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular,Calls on the new government to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes th~~e lack of substantial progress on~~at despite some progress in the field of the human and fundamental rights since 2002, ~~in particular with regard to~~the women and girls in Afghanistan are still enduring human rights violations; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular, to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Notes the lack of substan~~Calls on the new government to dedicate more political ~~progress on~~capital to human and fundamental rights ~~since 2002~~, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan~~; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular,~~ and to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the ~~lack of~~enormous difficulties encountered in making substantial progress on human and fundamental rights since 2002, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan;; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular, to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years ~~of western intervention~~ with numerous casualties ~~(10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone)~~ have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the ~~Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it~~re is no lasting solution for Afghanistan's future without a political solution which is based on a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led and -owned approach; welcomes the efforts of the EU and its Member States to support the military and civilian capacity-building of the Afghan Government and its institutions;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the ~~lack of substantial~~insufficient progress on human and fundamental rights since 2002, in particular with regard to women and girls in Afghanistan; calls on the new government to dedicate more political capital to this issue and, in particular, to implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan and the law on the elimination of violence against women (EVAW), as well as to comply with all other international treaties concerning human rights; calls on the Afghan authorities to promote the effective participation of women in all key bodies, nationally and internationally, and at all levels;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on the Afghan authorities to ensure that allegations of serious human rights violations by national and international military operations are fully investigated and violators held responsible in front of civilian courts;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Finds the continued restrictions on the freedom of the media inacceptable; calls on the EU to support the Afghan government in the protection of journalists against attacks by terrorist as well as extremist and criminal groups; highlights the positive contribution towards a pluralistic civil society by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC);

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Calls on the Afghan authorities to commute all death sentences and to reintroduce a moratorium on executions with a view to achieving the permanent abol~~Stresses that the Afghan Government must stop all forms of torture and abuse, especially in prisons; recommends that the authorities investigate and prosecute all forms of torture and violence, especially in relation to acts perpetrated by people in positions of ~~the death penalty; calls as well on the Afghan Government to stop any kind of torture and abuse, especially in prison~~responsibility; points to the need for greater efforts to be made to guarantee the human rights of persons subject to criminal proceedings and of persons serving prison sentences following definitive court rulings;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Afghan authorities to commute all death sentences and to reintroduce a moratorium on executions with a view to achieving the permanent abolition of the death penalty; calls as well on the Afghan Government to ~~stop any kind of torture and abuse, especially in prisons~~halt all practices amounting to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, especially in prisons, which are crimes against humanity and fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court; recalls Afghanistan´s obligations in the field of International Human Rights Law and considers the implementation of human rights core treaties in the Afghan domestic legal order a precondition for peace, democracy and the establishment of a rule of law- abiding state, which in turn is instrumental to development;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Afghan authorities to commute all death sentences and to reintroduce a moratorium on executions with a view to achieving the permanent abolition of the death penalty; calls as well on the Afghan Government to stop any kind of torture and abuse, especially in prisons and to hold those responsible accountable regardless of function or rank;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Regrets and condemns the continued persecution of Christians and attacks on them; expresses its concern at the continued acts of destruction or vandalism directed at their churches; urges, therefore, that action be taken to protect the members of the Christian community and their places of worship;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -13 (new)

-13. Is aware that the decade-long foreign military occupation of Afghanistan, channelling massive amounts of foreign currency into a country with very limited absorption capacity, has profoundly upset and weakened the local economy;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -13 a (new)

-13a. Reiterates the EU commitment to continue providing aid to Afghanistan which amounts to approximately 1.4 billion euros over the next 7 years in order to enable economic recovery, facilitate effective development assistance with the main focus on such areas as rural development, governance and the rule of law, health and social protection;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -13 b (new)

-13b. Expresses grave concern that the lack of sufficient coordination, transparency and accountability mechanisms undermines the inefficiency of EU international aid; regrets the fact that large amounts of foreign aid are being lost in the distribution chain as a result of waste, corruption or excessive intermediary security costs;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years ~~of western intervention~~ with numerous casualties ~~(10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone)~~ have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; ~~stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it;~~

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -13 c (new)

-13c. Points out that only independent and impartial humanitarian bodies should be in charge of the distribution of aid in the country;

Amendment 131 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Regrets the fact that, despite modest progress in some areas, the large amounts of development aid provided so far has failed to improve significantly the social and economic situation of the majority of the population; is concerned about the high rate of unemployment (which is estimated to have reached 50 %)7 , the poor access to medical care, the poor state of the health system and the fact that more than half of the population is living in poverty; __________________ 7 German Foreign Ministry progress report on Afghanistan 2014 (‘Fortschrittsbericht Afghanistan 2014’). http://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/691670/pu blicationFile/199488/141119- Fortschrittsbericht_AFG_2014.pdf.deleted

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regrets the fact that, despite modest progress in some areas, the~~Welcomes the efforts of the International community that provides a large amounts of development aid ~~provided so far has failed to improve significantly the social and economic situation of the majority of the population~~to support the country; notes that progress has been done in some areas, but regrets that overall the social and economic situation of the population has not improved significantly enough; is concerned about the high rate of unemployment (which is estimated to have reached 50 %)7 , the poor access to medical care, ~~the poor state of the health system~~ and the fact that more than half of the population is living in poverty; __________________ 7 German Foreign Ministry progress report on Afghanistan 2014 (‘Fortschrittsbericht Afghanistan 2014’). http://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/691670/pub licationFile/199488/141119- Fortschrittsbericht_AFG_2014.pdf.

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regrets the fact that, despite modest progress in some areas, the larg~~Welcomes that the amounts of development aid provided so far has ~~failed to improve significan~~improved, although modestly, the social and economic situation of the majority of the population; is concerned about the high rate of unemployment (which is estimated to have reached 50 %)7 , the poor access to medical care, the poor state of the health system and the fact that more than half of the population is living in poverty; __________________ 7 German Foreign Ministry progress report on Afghanistan 2014 (‘Fortschrittsbericht Afghanistan 2014’). http://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/691670/pu blicationFile/199488/141119- Fortschrittsbericht_AFG_2014.pdf., the poor access to medical care and the high rates of poverty among the population. __________________

Amendment 134 #

Javi LÓPEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regrets the fact that, despite modest progress in some areas, the large amounts of development aid provided so far has failed to improve significantly~~Points to the importance of establishing the assessment and oversight arrangements necessary to ensure that development aid will have a greater impact on the social and economic situation of the majority of the population; is concerned about the high rate of unemployment (which is estimated to have reached 50%)7, the poor access to medical care, the poor state of the health system and the fact that more than half of the population is living in poverty; __________________ 7 German Foreign Ministry progress report on Afghanistan 2014 (‘Fortschrittsbericht Afghanistan 2014’). http://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/691670/pub licationFile/199488/141119- Fortschrittsbericht_AFG_2014.pdf.

Amendment 135 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Regrets the fact that, despite modest progress in some areas, the large amounts of development aid provided so far has failed to improve significantly the social and economic situation of the majority of the population; is concerned about the high rate of unemployment (which is estimated to have reached 50 %)7, the poor access to medical care, the poor state of the health system and the fact that more than half of the population is living in poverty; calls on all public and private European funding schemes run by the EU or its Member States to bring down the Afghanistan's public debt, so that its national unity government can introduce expansionary economic and fiscal policies while defending the human rights of its people; __________________ 7 German Foreign Ministry progress report on Afghanistan 2014 (‘Fortschrittsbericht Afghanistan ~~2014’).~~ http://www.auswaertiges- amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/691670/pub licationFile/199488/141119- Fortschrittsbericht_AFG_2014.pdf.

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Calls on the EU and Member States to continue its policy of engagement with Afghanistan; recalls that Afghanistan is the single biggest recipient of EU development aid, amounting to over 1 billion euro annually; recommends that the EU creates a Trust Fund for Afghanistan , which would raise the visibility of the EU and contribute to addressing the inefficiencies related to the distribution chain, lack of transparency and accountability;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit;deleted

Amendment 138 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit;deleted

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Is critical of the fact that a large portion of th~~Emphasises the need to enhance the local economy, to gradually decrease the dependence on international assistance aind ~~provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding~~build a sustainable economy; reminds of the vast natural resources of the country which are estimated to have a value of USD 1 trillion and should be used responsibly isn o~~ften not guided by social but by military conside~~rder to generate substantial own revenue to the state from export, extraction~~s; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit~~ fees, licenses, etc. and provide incentives for sustainable development and economic progress of the country;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 130 years of ~~wester~~foreign intervention ~~with~~s have resulted in great number~~ous~~s of casualties ~~(10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully~~but have not been able to bring sustainable peace to the country and have made clear that there is no military solution ~~is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it~~to the internal conflicts in Afghanistan and on the contrary that such military presence has rather aggravated the problems;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suiUnderlines the importance of funding projects which aim to improve the security situation in Afghanistan, since security is crucial for development;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations; uUrges the EU to ~~use all~~ allocated aid ~~strictly~~ for development~~, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit~~ purposes;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suiNotes that the period of transition brings a great deal of uncertainty about the nature of international aid and the ability of the Afghan state and economy to meet its financing needs; is also critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people; calls on the EU and other international donors to draw on existing frameworks to create a comprehensive plan that provides targeted, strategic investments in effective community-based programmes aligning humanitarian, development and peace-building assistance; urges donors to strengthen accountability and transparency to reduce the risk of international investments fuelling corruption and conflict;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels disappears due to corruption and/or does not serve the primary needs of the ~~Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military consider~~disenfranchised part of the Afghan populations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly ~~for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow sui~~in the interest of basic development and notably to make sure that all the European aid which is being funnelled through Multidonor Trust Funds satisfy this requirement;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Is critical of the fac~~Points out that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not ~~serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations~~reach the people who need it most; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, ~~not for security purposes~~investment and improving security, and to encourage its allies to follow suit; recommends that a mechanism be introduced for the joint monitoring of aid use, along with a mechanism for prior needs planning and distribution of the aid provided by international donors and individual states;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people~~, and that project funding~~; urges the EU to improve the efficiency of its ~~often not guided by social but by military considerations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit~~development aid to Afghanistan, to improve its monitoring mechanisms regarding how that assistance impacts on the reality on the ground;

Amendment 146 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is critical of the fact that a large portion of the aid provided through various funding channels does not serve the needs of the Afghan people, and that project funding is often not guided by social but by military considerations; urges the EU to use all allocated aid strictly for development, not for security purposes, and to encourage its allies to follow suit; proposes to link assistance and EU funds - in particular to the security sector - to benchmarked improvements in countering human rights abuses, impunity and corruption;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Calls for an EU strategy for Afghanistan that focuses on development, in particular in rural areas w~~Welcomes the adoption of the European Strategy for Afghanistan 2014 - 16 in June 2014 as the operational framework for EU's support for the development of Afghanistan's institutions to provide the re the majority of the population lives; calls on the EU to prioritise poverty alleviation and to tie development aid to Afghan public employment measures to create urgently needed jobs; recognises the need to strengthen local and regional authoritiessilience needed to safeguard progress to date focusing on the objectives of promoting peace, security , regional stability, reinforcing democracy, encouraging economic and human developments, fostering the rule of law and human rights; regrets however at the same time that the EU and Afghanistan have not managed to conclude the stalled negotiations on the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD) which would constitute a long-term comprehensive engagement of the EU in Afghanistan;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Calls for an EU strategy for Afghanistan that focuses on development, in particular in rural areas where the majority of the population lives; calls on~~Welcomes the EU Multiannual Indicative Program 2014 to 2020 that focuses on development, in particular agriculture and rural development, health, policing and rule of law, as well as democratisation and accountability; commends that 20% of the 1.1 billion euros will be incentive-based; expects that the EU to prioritises poverty alleviation ~~and to tie development aid to Afghan public employment measures to create urgently needed jobs; recognises the need to streng~~, including job creation and the strengthening of then local and regional a~~uthorities~~dministrative level;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls for an EU strategy for Afghanistan that focuses on social and economic development, in particular in rural areas where the majority of the population lives; ~~calls on the EU to prioritise poverty alleviation and to tie development aid to Afghan public employment measures to create urgently needed jobs;~~ recognises the need to strengthen local and regional authorities;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years of ~~western intervention~~armed conflict with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it ~~painfully~~ clear that ~~no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to i~~a solution in Afghanistan can only be found in a multifaceted strategy addressing the causes of conflict, poverty, lack of governance and development;

Amendment 150 #

Enrico GASBARRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls for an EU strategy for Afghanistan that focuses on development, in particular in rural areas where the majority of the population lives; calls on the EU to prioritise poverty alleviation and to tie development aid to Afghan public employment measures to create urgently needed jobs; recognises the need to strengthen local and regional authorities, for example by promoting assistance and civic education programmes and exchanges of best practice followed by certain municipal and local authorities in Europe;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls on the EU to accelerate the finalisation of negotiations of the Cooperation Agreement for Partnership and Development which would provide a legal framework for the EU´s enhanced cooperation and assistance to Afghanistan;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Expresses its particular concern over the 670 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as 2,7 million Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan, the largest displaced population after those of Syria, which is in danger of being forgotten and urges the EU and the Member States to continue or even increase their assistance measures, also in support of Afghanistan's neighbours;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)

15c. Encourages the EU and Afghanistan to conclude negotiations, following a period of interruption, on a Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD) in the key areas such as social and economic development, human rights and freedoms, support of the civil society, rule of law and viable institutions;

Amendment 154 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Is alarmed about the country’s high aid-dependency ratio, severe budget deficits and decline in domestic revenue; emphasises the need for development programmes to create a gradually more independent economy in Afghanistan, weaning it off dependence on foreign donors; highlights the potentially important role that the country’s neighbours can play for such development;deleted

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Is alarmed about the country’s~~ Reminds that in order to reverse the trend of Afghanistan being an aid- addicted country its authorities need to introduce a sustainable long-term strategy whigch aid-dependency ratio, severe budget deficits and decline in domestic revenue; emphasises the need for development programmes to create a gradually more independent economy in Afghanistan, weaning it off dependence on foreign donors; highlights the potentially important role that the country’s neighbours can play for such development; encompasses all relevant actors enhancing coordination of their efforts, aiming at improving economic governance, investment in local human resources capabilities, strengthening the rule of law, investment in infrastructure (power plants, roads, providing supplies of water), eradicate corruption which increases significantly the costs of doing business ( in 2014 Afghanistan ranks 172. out of 175 in Transparency's International global corruption ranking), improve reputation as an investor friendly country (World Bank's report Doing Business 2015: Doing business in a more transparent world ranks Afghanistan 183 out of 189), create more favourable conditions for small and medium enterprises to develop, by cutting red-tape, in particular in the agriculture sector, construction, transportation, handicrafts;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Is alarmed about the country’s high aid-dependency ratio, severe budget deficits and decline in domestic revenue; emphasises the need for development programmes to create a gradually more independent economy in Afghanistan~~, weaning it off dependence on foreign donors~~; highlights the ~~potentially~~ important role that the country’s neighbours can play for such development;

Amendment 157 #

Enrico GASBARRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Is alarmed about the country’s high aid-dependency ratio, severe budget deficits and decline in domestic revenue; emphasises the need for development programmes to create a gradually more independent economy in Afghanistan, weaning it off dependence on foreign donors; highlights the potentially important role that the country’s neighbours can play for such development; urges the Commission and the European External Action Service to promote multilateral schemes for good neighbourly relations and establish a more uniform and coherent geopolitical framework throughout central Asia;

Amendment 158 #

Javi LÓPEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Draws attention to the needs of the Afghan refugees, more than two and a half million, still living in neighbouring countries, while acknowledging the efforts which those countries have been making to receive and assist them; calls on neighbouring countries to extend the legal status of the refugees beyond December 2015 and, with the help of the UN and the international community, to continue implementing the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees; expresses its disquiet at the precarious conditions under which more than 700 000 internally displaced persons and 200 000 returnees are living and considers that they must be enabled to integrate fully, both socially and economically;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;deleted

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years of ~~western intervention with~~conflict in Afghanistan and numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan~~; stresses that the Western military presen~~, and that political and economic instruments need to be sought for restoring the state’s authority and maintaining peace, and ~~especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it~~security; stresses that the ЕU should play a far more pro-active role in the process of rehabilitating and bringing peace to Afghanistan;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;deleted

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;deleted

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;deleted

Amendment 163 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;deleted

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;deleted

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endits individual Member States to adopt a joint financial assistance plan for Afghanistan, based on specific projects and a concrete budget, to help the Afghan Government launch investments and reforms in the economic, social and healthcare spheres; stresses the need for a unified and coherent approach from the EU to guaranteeing security in Afghanistan, including as regards control of the troubled regions of that country; stresses the need for a proactive EU strategy to counteract Islamic extremicsm in Afghanistan~~; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised~~, which remains a high-risk country in terms of Islamic terrorism and fundamentalism;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on ~~the EU and the~~ international actors to free the Afghan Government from the commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay a share of the USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the EU and the international actors to free the Afghan Government from ~~the~~its commitment given at the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 to pay ~~a share of the~~ USD 500 million to be allocated annually to the ANSF, which is irresponsible in light of the budget deficits, declining revenues and serious poverty that are endemic in Afghanistan; urges the Member States to meet their commitments and pay what they promised;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned about the large trade deficit resulting in merchandise exports of USD 428.9 million and merchandise imports of USD 6.2 billion in 2012; recommends that higher tariffs be introduced in order to protect the economy, thereby also fostering the prospects for increased exports;deleted

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned about the large trade deficit resulting in merchandise exports of USD 428.9 million and merchandise imports of USD 6.2 billion in 2012; recommends that higher tariffs be introduced in order to protect the economy, thereby also fostering the prospects for increased exports;deleted

Amendment 17 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that ~~more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no~~no exclusively military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the present Western military ~~presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it~~should continue supporting, training, and advising the Afghan military as part of the transition process;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned about the large trade deficit resulting in merchandise exports of USD 428.9 million and merchandise imports of USD 6.2 billion in 2012; recommends that higher tariffs be introduced in order to protect the economy, thereby also fostering the prospects for increased exports;deleted

Amendment 171 #

Amjad BASHIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Is concerned about the large trade deficit res~~Notes that Afghanistan's negative trade balance impedes economic growth; recommends that stimulating ~~in merchandise exports of USD 428.9 million and merchandise imports of USD 6.2 billion in 2012; recommends that higher tariffs be introduced in order to protect the economy, thereby also foster~~foreign direct investment be a government priority, in parallel with a proactive external trade policy that pursues the negotiation of free trade agreements in order to foster both prosperity and stability ing the ~~prospects for increased exports~~region;

Amendment 172 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned about the large trade deficit resulting in merchandise exports of USD 428.9 million and merchandise imports of USD 6.2 billion in 2012; ~~recommends that higher tariffs be introduced in order to protect the economy, thereby als~~calls on the Commission, though the Export Helpdesk set up within the Directorate- General for Trade, to highlight more clearly the opportunities for exporting to the EU and provide greater support to help Afghan companies develop their trading relations so as to foster~~ing~~ the prospects for increased exports and utilise the potential of the Everything But Arms programme to better effect;

Amendment 173 #

Aldo PATRICIELLO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned about the large trade deficit resulting in merchandise exports of USD 428.9 million and merchandise imports of USD 6.2 billion in 2012; ~~recommend~~urges that higher tariffs be introduced in order to protect the economy, thereby also fostering the prospects for increased exports;

Amendment 174 #

Amjad BASHIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Notes that Pakistan is one of Afghanistan's main trading partners, welcomes the recent thawing of relations between the two countries, and more specifically, would encourage the opening of negotiations on a potential bilateral free trade agreement;

Amendment 175 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion; encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterprises;deleted

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources, ~~which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion~~and points out that the government in Kabul should move swiftly to adopt an economic programme for the development and harnessing of the country’s resource potential; encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people ~~rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterprises~~;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’'s resources, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion; encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterprises; calls further to support Integrity Watch Afghanistan's claim for full contract disclosure, transparency in bidding process, the provision of security and use of water by companies during the mining operation, publication of payments and revenue in line with the revised extractive industries transparency index (EITI) standards; stresses that the exploitation of resources has to be carried out in consultation and cooperation with the local communities and must not involve any armed groups or militias; calls on the international community to assist the Afghan government to set up effective oversight mechanisms including effective anti-corruption measures;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources~~, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion~~; encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people ~~rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterprises~~;

Amendment 179 #

Ivan JAKOVČIĆ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion; ~~encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential in a way~~calls on the Afghan Government and the EU, building on cooperation among experts, to establish a development programme for Afghanistan that will in the first instance benefits the Afghan people rather than safeguardsing the profits of multinational enterprises;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it; is keen to point out that the natural role of the EU is to be a standard-bearer for the protection of human rights and soft power, opposing any military solution to international disputes, especially if it is delegated or where it is actually generated by funding or relationships with military factions of civil society, which the EU should avoid and discourage;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion; encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people ~~rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterprises~~;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion which include rich mineral reserves such as gas and oil; encourages the EU to assist the government to realise this potential ~~in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterpr~~and spur economic development after the security situation is stabilisesd;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises the potential of Afghanistan’s resources, which are estimated to have a value of USD 900 billion; encourages the ~~EU to assist the~~ government to realise this potential in a way that in the first instance benefits the Afghan people rather than safeguards the profits of multinational enterprises;

Amendment 183 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Appreciates the fact that today between 8 and 9 million (ca. 80 %) of Afghan children attend school (whereof 40 % are girls), which is a significant increase compared to the situation in 2001, when the figure was one million, but is concerned about the low school graduation rates, and about the fact that the estimated national adult literacy rate for citizens aged 15 and older is still very low (34 %, of which women account for 18 % and men for 50 %); stresses that the Afghan Government should make a commitment in relation to what has now become the wholesale emigration of Afghan citizens for economic reasons; recommends that the EU and Afghanistan conclude an agreement on the migration and readmission of persons who have illegally entered the territory of EU Member States;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Appreciates the fact that today ~~between 8 a~~around 98 million (ca. 80 %) of Afghan children attend school (whereof 40 % are girls), which is a significant increase compared to the situation in 2001, when the figure was one million, but is concerned about the low school graduation rates, and about the fact that the estimated national adult literacy rate for citizens aged 15 and older is still very low (34 %, of which women account for 18 % and men for 50 %); reminds that one of the biggest achievements of the last decade is the significant increase in the number of girls attending schools in comparison to 2001, which amounts today to some 40% of the total of 8 to 9 million children ;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Appreciates the fact that today ~~between 8 a~~around 98 million ~~(ca. 80 %)~~ of Afghan children attend school (whereof 40 % are girls), which is a significant increase compared to the situation in 2001, when the figure was one million, but is concerned about the low school graduation rates, and about the fact that the estimated national adult literacy rate for citizens aged 15 and older is still very low (34 %, of which women account for 18 % and men for 50 %);

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Draws attention to the immense challenge of employing the approximately 400 000 young Afghans that enter the workforce each year; ~~notes that if this challenge is not tackled urgently and systematically, it can contribute to further poverty and radicalisation;~~ asks the EU to focus its aid programmes on efforts to ensure employment opportunities and a meaningful life for Afghan youth;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Draws attention to the immense challenge of employing the approximately 400 000 young Afghans that enter the workforce each year and thus the need to attract foreign investment by creating an investment friendly environment and in turn creating jobs ; notes that if this challenge is not tackled urgently and systematically, it can contribute to further poverty and radicalisation and rising emigration levels; asks the EU to focus its aid programmes on efforts to ensure employment opportunities and a meaningful life for Afghan youth;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Emphasises the role of regional trade and calls on the EU to assist Afghanistan in developing regional trade flows with its neighbours and recognises the development potential of the eastern corridor with Pakistan;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the importance of efforts to phase out opium cultivation in Afghanistan, but notes that they have had little success so far; calls, in this regard, for viable alternative livelihoods and for measures to help improve living conditions for populations in rural areas in general; urges the EU to consider, together with its international partners, a fundamental review of the counter-narcotics policies they are currently pursuing in Afghanistan, ensuring that they fit into a wider development strategyis of the opinion that the main focus of action to counter narcotics should be on supporting income alternatives for farmers to help improve living conditions for populations in rural areas in general; proposes that measures be taken to fight money- laundering and that the creation of massive subsidy programmes for crops be considered;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Points out that because of its great fragmentation, Afghanistan has turned out to be the country in that area in which conditions are the most favourable for the growth of the caliphate, while local security forces are unable to control the entire territory;

Amendment 190 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the importance of efforts to phase out opium cultivation in Afghanistan~~, but notes that they have had little success so far~~; calls, in this regard, for viable alternative livelihoods and for measures to help improve living conditions for populations in rural areas in general; urges the EU to consider, together with its international partners, a fundamental review of the counter-narcotics policies they are currently pursuing in Afghanistan, ensuring that they fit into a wider development strategy; proposes that measures be taken to fight money- laundering and that the creation of ~~massive subsidy programmes for crops~~crops substitution programs should be considered;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the importance of efforts to phase out opium cultivation in Afghanistan, but notes that they have had little success so far; calls, in this regard, for viable alternative livelihoods and for measures to help improve living conditions for populations in rural areas in general; urges the EU to consider, together with its international partners, a fundamental review of the counter-narcotics policies they are currently pursuing in Afghanistan, ensuring that they fit into a wider development strategy; proposes that measures be taken to fight money- laundering and that the creation of ~~massive subsidy programmes for crop~~subsidy for crop substitutions programmes be considered;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Notes that ISIS control of opium cultivation would remove all remaining obstacles to funding by the caliphate for its jihad;

Amendment 193 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Points out that opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan reached record levels in 2014; recognises the fact that Afghanistan suffers one of the world’s highest prevalence rates for opiate use, and that ~~100 000 people around the world are killed by Afghan opium each year~~; urges the Afghan authorities, and all other parties concerned, to combat transnational organised crime and drug trafficking; is concerned that income from drug trafficking is used to finance insurgency;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Points out that opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan reached record levels in 2014; recognises the fact that Afghanistan suffers one of the world’s highest prevalence rates for opiate use~~, and that 100 000 people around the world are killed by Afghan opium each year~~; urges the Afghan authorities, and all other parties concerned, to combat transnational organised crime and drug trafficking;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Points out that opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan reached record levels in 2014; recognises the fact that Afghanistan suffers one of the world’s highest prevalence rates for opiate use, and that ~~100 000~~ people around the world are killed by Afghan opium each year; urges the Afghan authorities, and all other parties concerned, to combat transnational organised crime and drug trafficking;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 b (new)

– having regard to the results and recommendations of the study by Transparency International UK Defence & Security Programme of February 2015 on 'Lessons from the international mission in Afghanistan', concluding that in "Afghanistan, corruption ceased to be an aberration of the system and became the system",

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Points out that militia groups have recently begun recruiting members and that they can also count on the fact that throughout the country – especially in the west and north – there are areas which have always been a no-man’s land, even during NATO’s ISAF mission;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Points out that the leaders of ISIS in Afghanistan have made contact with all the Islamic groups in the country, suggesting that they unite under a single new command and seize power from the Taliban, particularly in the western region, in the village of Khak-e Sefid, on the border between the provinces of Herat and Farah, where, despite all efforts, nobody has ever managed to maintain control and it is precisely in this area that ISIS is organising its presence in the region, in coordination with all the tribal groups and criminals operating there;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society;deleted

Amendment 23 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA, Cristian Dan PREDA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society;deleted

Amendment 24 #

Aldo PATRICIELLO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society;deleted

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil societyHighlights that under the Taliban regime Afghanistan emerged to become one of the most fertile grounds for the spread of terrorism, resulting in the tragic events of 9/11;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls ~~for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on~~on the EU, the EUN, NATO and the US ~~to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil societ~~, as well as all their allies, to make every effort needed in order to restore peace and stability in the country;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; ~~calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach c~~notes that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was replaced by reduced US and NATO forces; stresses that these missions should be aimed at providing training, advice and assistance to the Afghan security forces and i~~mply a risk for aid organisations and civil society~~nstitutions within a framework that guarantees a smooth transition of responsibility to the Afghan security forces;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society and for the international community to be an active participant in guaranteeing peace in Afghanistan; stresses the need to reach an agreement with the Afghan Government in the political, economic and defence sphere that can guarantee good bilateral relations and possibilities for dialogue and partnership;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

– having regard to the conclusions of past International Afghanistan Conferences, including the London Conference of 3-4 December 2014, and the Afghan government´s reform programme "Realizing Self-Reliance: Commitments to Reforms and Renewed Partnership",

Amendment 30 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA, Cristian Dan PREDA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw ~~all~~ military troops that are not needed for the training of local security forces; urges all foreign parties ~~immediately to cease all~~to wind down civil-military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society and to focus on civilian measures as fast as possible ;

Amendment 32 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a break in the vicious circle of violence so that peace may be achieved; calls, therefore, on the EU, NATO and the US to withdraw all military troops; urges all foreign parties immediately to cease all ~~civil-~~military cooperation since such an approach can imply a risk for aid organisations and civil society;·

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Reminds that Afghanistan today has achieved progress in political, security, economic and development spheres thanks to the dedication of the Afghan population as well as the commitment of the international community, funds, know-how and personnel on the ground; underlines however that the progress achieved is still fragile and reversible; and that its sustainment requires further reforms, stable relations with neighbours and a continued provision of a necessary level of security;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;deleted

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;deleted

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;deleted

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;deleted

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;deleted

Amendment 39 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;deleted

Amendment 4 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

– having regard to the Human Rights Watch's report on Afghanistan: "Today We Shall All Die - Afghanistan's Strongmen and the Legacy of Impunity" of 3 March, 2015,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Regrets the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines~~Pays tribute to the efforts of the international community which provided security to Afghanistan during the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyo decade long Operation Enduring Freedom and the ISAF mission in Afghanistan , during which nearly 3 500 servicemen and women died ; welcomes the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission operating since 1st January 2015 which is mandated to train, advice and assist the Afghan security forces and; i~~s concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November~~nstitutions; reminds that the Afghan National Security Forces are fully responsible for combat operations which have been taken over from ISAF as of 1st January 20145;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Regret~~Welcomes the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in NovemberStatus of Forces Agreement (SOFA) under the Partnership for Peace of the UN, which includes Afghanistan and the NATO member states; points out that NATO has been conducting the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, which is the successor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, since 1 January 20145;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Regrets~~Points out that the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration ais it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO-Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military inan important step for the post-war development of Afghanistan; points out that the international community should play an active part in the processes in Afghanistan, assume its role and forge partnerships in the field of investment, economic policy and the stabilisation of Afghanistan’s in ~~November 2014~~stitutions and armed forces;

Amendment 43 #

Aldo PATRICIELLO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Regret~~Queries the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it undermines the sovereignty of the state of Afghanistan and its institutions and may lead to impunity of war crimes; is concerned that the NATO- Afghanistan SOFA allows Western troop deployments until the end of 2024 and beyond; is concerned by the fact that US President Obama authorised a more expansive and combative role for the US military in Afghanistan in November 2014;

Amendment 44 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Welcomes the signing of the BSA and the NATO SOFA by the new Afghan administration as it is essential to continue to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and to enable the country to become a full member of the international community based on stable and democratic institutions, especially in the light of the growing influence and number of the foreign fighters;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underscores the importance of the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between Afghanistan and the United States as well as the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with NATO, thus providing the legal framework for the presence of international forces in Afghanistan;

Amendment 46 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income;deleted

Amendment 47 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income;deleted

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is concerned about the high costs of~~Notes the increased burden on the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to absince 1st January 2015 when they took over full responsibility for providing security and conducting in principle exclusive military operations around the country; expresses regret due to the increasing number of casualties among the Afghan security personnel; underlines the paramount 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating incomeimportance of sustaining security of the Afghan people as prerequisite for the proper functioning of the state; is aware of the grave consequences of a deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan for the future of the country and stability of the region; expresses strong concern over the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan that represent a new threat to the country's security;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of training for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF),; which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating incomeelcomes the action taken by EUPOL Afghanistan since 2007 in support of the Afghan Government's reform efforts;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)

– having regard to report of Transparency International Defence and Security Programme: "Corruption: Lessons from the international mission in Afghanistan" of February 2015,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is concerned about~~Notes the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and ~~the lack of~~calls on the EU to make long- term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)~~, which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget~~; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel ~~to about 230 000~~ in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), ~~which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014,~~ and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which ~~a highly militarised and equipped~~ police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by ~~the EU, or by other~~ members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is concerned about the high costs of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which is estimated to have reached USD 6 billion in 2014, and the lack of long-term commitments by the EU, or by other members of the international community, to finance the ANSF budget; stresses that even with the planned reduction of personnel to about 230 000 in the coming years it will be impossible for the Afghan Government to provide the necessary financing; expresses its grave concern that this may lead to a dangerous situation in which a highly militarised and equipped police and army could look for alternative ways of generating income; is strongly concerned about the high number of cases of corruption and cases of torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial and summary executions and other serious human rights abuses by governmental security forces (police, military, intelligence, militia personnel) on state, regional and local level; calls for investigation and if found responsible, for criminal prosecution regardless of function or rank;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Acknowledges that since 2001 Afghanistan has made progress in the fields of security, elections and socio- economic development areas such as health, education and transport and after past 14 years of the international community´s assistance and support, it has now entered into a transformation decade (2015-2024) which is the country´s transition period towards self-reliance;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Considers that corruption represents one of the most serious stumbling blocks for Afghanistan's future development and that spending less more effectively needs to be a serious option; urges that anti- corruption measures should be at the forefront of all future European and international engagement in Afghanistan, such as outcome-based, not 'burn-rate' based project evaluations by donors, making contracts public, establishing a merit-based system of recruitment and promotion and independent joint national-international monitoring bodies; welcomes the work of the MEC in this context;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive,~~Stresses the importance of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; ~~calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan- led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents;~~

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Calls on the EU to s~~Supports the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; ~~calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan- led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents;~~

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive~~, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned~~ peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties~~, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved~~; calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan-led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents;

Amendment 6 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)

- having regard to the United Nations Security Council resolution (S/RES/1325) on women and peace and security of 31 October 2000,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Ggovernment in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan- owned peace and reconciliation process~~, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant,~~ with those insurgent and militia groups~~, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; calls on the EU actively~~ that commit to and show respect to the constitutional order and human rights principles and to support an Afghan- led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration ~~into society~~ (DDR) of former insurgents into society;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive~~, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned~~ peace and reconciliation process, that actively includ~~ing~~es the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties~~, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved~~; points out that an acceptable formula should be worked out and implemented for the pacification and integration of those combatant, insurgent and militia groups that agree to lay down their arms, with the exception of Islamic extremists, who should not be admitted to the negotiations or institutions; calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan- led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-~~led and Afghan-~~ owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; calls on the EU actively to support ~~an Afghan-led~~ disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) ~~of former insurgents~~;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. CUnderlines that a political transition that features genuine reconciliation efforts is needed, otherwise the security transition is unlikely to succeed; calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; stresses that there will be no peace in Afghanistan, or the region, without the full participation of Pashtuns in the process; calls on their more constructive engagement in the negotiations; calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan-led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan-led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents; calls on the EU to foster cultural, ethnic and religious dialogue that is able to involve, in a peaceful exchange and meeting of minds, first and foremost ethnic Pashtuns and Islamic reformist groups, which have been torn apart by decades of Taliban dominance; urges the EU to stimulate regional dialogue and facilitate the re- establishment of peace in Afghan relations, especially with regard to relations with neighbouring Pakistan;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to support the Afghan Government in its pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, actively including the whole range of civil society and all conflict parties, including – following a ceasefire – combatant, insurgent and militia groups, as no lasting solution to the conflict can otherwise be achieved; supports, in this regard, the work of the High Peace Council; calls on the EU actively to support an Afghan-led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) of former insurgents;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Urges the government to make the protection of civilians, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, with particular focus on women, and the accountability for human rights violations a priority in any future peace talks

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Notes that in light of persisting grave security challenges, the EU has reiterated its long-term commitment based on its comprehensive strategy adopted in June 2014; whereby the EU sets itself to work in close cooperation with international partners in order to establish a realistic framework to safeguard the progress achieved by accelerating and facilitating a gradual and sustainable governments reform process, in order to build a stable, secure and economically sustainable state which entails ensuring respect for human rights, improving economic performance, fighting corruption, stepping up the counter-narcotic strategy and tackling insurgency;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Emphasises the need to closely cooperate and coordinate EU assistance with Afghanistan´s government, the wider international community, regional actors and among EU Member States in a common strategy;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Stresses that a sustained security environment is a crucial prerequisite for economic and political development and for the international community to be able to assist the long term reform process in the country; therefore, stresses the importance of improving Afghanistan´s National Security Forces (ANSF) capacity, recognises the essential future role played by UNAMA and the role of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission; calls for linking of the assistance to ANSF to benchmarked improvements in their accountability mechanisms;

Amendment 7 #

Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)

A. Whereas the brutal murder of 27-year- old Afghan woman, Farkhunda, who was beaten to death by a mob for alleged blasphemy, in the centre of Kabul on 19 March 2015, while the police did not intervene, illustrates the lack of freedoms and security, particularly for women in Afghanistan;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Takes note of the EU´s commitment to extend its policing mission EUPOL till the end of 2016 which shall support the Afghanistan government in the institutional reform of the Ministry of the Interior and the professionalisation of an effective and accountable Afghan National Police (ANP) in accordance with international standards; emphasises, however, that EUPOL should become more proactive and better equipped; recognises the improved interaction between police and prosecutors in criminal investigations and calls for ensuring that police reform is linked to justice reform as well as the need to improve institutional local training capacity; highlights the importance of ensuring that anti-corruption, human rights and gender issues are mainstreamed in all the mission activities and that accountability and transparency mechanisms are enhanced;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;deleted

Amendment 72 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. CNotes the extension of the EUPOL Afghanistan mission until the end of 2016; points out that the Afghan National Police force remains in a dire state because of high rates of attrition and illiteracy, and corruption; recognises that, while the mission has had some successes, it does not deliver to its full potential; calls therefore on the EU to address urgently shortcomings of the mission, with the cooperation of the Afghan government and NATO; calls for the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. CRecalls ~~for~~that the ~~transformation~~mandate of EUPOL Afghanistan ~~into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible~~, the EU civilian mission providing training and assistance to the Afghan Police force as well as advisory tasks at strategic level for relevant parts of the Afghani administration, has been extended until the end of 2016; Calls for an evaluation of the mission's achievements and relevance on the field; calls on the EU and on NATO to continue to support and ~~adequately~~ fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the ~~transformation of~~priorities of the EUPOL Afghanistan ~~into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible~~mission to be broadened and reformulated; stresses that priority should be awarded to the DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias; notes the need for greater pro-activeness in combating Islamic fundamentalism and in the overall approach to countering radicalisation in Afghanistan with the active participation of the Afghan state institutions; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible; ~~calls~~ urges the EU and the Member States to implement the 1997 Ottawa Treaty and, given that Afghan territories are among th~~e EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;~~ ose which have been the most adversely affected by the scourge of anti-personnel mines, to support and adequately fund demining programmes which include assistance in care and rehabilitation, the social and economic reintegration of mine victims and the launch of public information programmes on mines;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls ~~for~~on the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possiblEUPOL Afghanistan to increase its efforts to support the transition process towards a sustainable civilian police service; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the ~~transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission~~creation of a support mission, with the collaboration of the UN, for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel ~~as far and as fast as possible~~, without compromising security; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls ~~for~~on the ~~transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led~~ EU to support an Afghan- led disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society (DDR) process of former insurgents , i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and ~~reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible;~~ calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for a~~n Afghan-led~~ DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias ~~and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible~~; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensive operations, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it;deleted

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible; calls on the Afghan government and the respective ministries to disband irregular armed groups and hold them accountable for abuses they have committed; calls on the EU and on NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 81 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the transformation of EUPOL Afghanistan into a support mission for an Afghan-led DDR process, i.a. with the goals of demobilising the various militias and reducing the total number of ANSF personnel as far and as fast as possible; calls on ~~the EU and on~~ NATO to support and adequately fund efforts for demining Afghanistan;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. StExpresses ~~the need for inclusive regional cooper~~concern about the fragile security situation ~~with~~in the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region; promotes a new approach towards the security situation in Afghanistan and its neighbours in the form of a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation between country; underscores the important role which neighbouring countries should play in this regard promoting stability and security; highlights the importance of enhanced political and economic dialogue withe countries ~~and regions concerned, covering issues and commitments on politico-security, social, economic, environmen~~of Central Asia, China, India, Pakistaln and human rights issues; stresses that this forum could signal a new and constructive approach of ownership, self- determination and the behaviour of states towards their citizens, as well as towards each other; emphasises that this forum should be initiated in cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the UNRussia, as part of a regional framework; expresses support for the "Heart of Asia" process launched in Istanbul in 2012 with the aim of building stability and prosperity in the region;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses the need for inclusive regional cooperation with the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region; promotes a new approach towards the security situation in Afghanistan ~~and its neighbours~~ in the form of a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation between the countries and regions concerned, covering issues and commitments on politico-security, social, economic, environmental and human rights issues; stresses that this forum could signal a new and constructive approach of ownership, self-determination and the behaviour of states towards their citizens, as well as towards each other; emphasises that this forum should be initiated in cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and; stresses that this forum could be initiated in cooperation with the UN;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses the need for inclusive regional cooperation with the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region; ~~promotes a new approach towards the security situation in Afghanistan and its neighbours in the form of~~calls on the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the UN to promote a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation between the countries and regions concerned, covering issues and commitments on politico-security, social, economic, environmental and human rights issues; stresses that this forum could signal a new and constructive approach of ownership, self-determination and the behaviour of states towards their citizens, as well as towards each other; emphasises that this forum should be initiated in cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the UN, including the advancement of women;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Expresses concern about geopolitical competition over influence in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of ISAF combat troops; condemns using Afghanistan to interfere in other neighbouring countries and calls instead to cooperate with the government of Afghanistan for the peace in the region; Stresses the need for inclusive regional cooperation with the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region; promotes a new approach towards the security situation in Afghanistan and its neighbours in the form of a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation between the countries and regions concerned, covering issues and commitments on politico- security, social, economic, environmental and human rights issues; stresses that this forum could signal a new and constructive approach of ownership, self-determination and the behaviour of states towards their citizens, as well as towards each other; emphasises that this forum should be initiated in cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the UN;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses the need for inclusive regional cooperation with the objective of promoting long-term peace, stability and security in the wider region; promotes a new approach towards the security situation in Afghanistan and its neighbours in the form of a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation between the countries and regions concerned, covering issues and commitments on politico- security, social, economic, environmental and human rights issues; stresses that this forum could signal a new and constructive approach of ownership~~, self-determination~~ and the behaviour of states towards their citizens, as well as towards each other; emphasises that this forum should be initiated in cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the UN;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the need for regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism; highlights the importance of the cooperation with Pakistan and encourages to continue on the path of improved relations and military cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad;

Amendment 88 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that women’s rights are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan unless women enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of discrimination, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process; in this regard, calls on the EU, the UN and all other international actors to follow the recommendations laid down in UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 1820;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that progress in women’s rights ~~are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan unless women enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life~~in political, social and economic life form an essential part of achieving greater security and stability in Afghanistan; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of grave discrimination, sexual abuse and ~~rape~~murder; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices and notably female police officers and judges in order to address the issue of gender-related violence; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that more than 13 years of western intervention with numerous casualties (10 548 killed and wounded civilians in 2014 alone) have made it painfully clear that no military solution is possible in Afghanistan; stresses that the Western military presence, and especially its offensivReminds that Afghanistan has been torn by nearly 40 years of conflict and war which led to the destruction of the country, more than a million casualties and forced a significant part of the poperulation~~s, are part of the conflict and not a solution to it~~ into exile, thus making it in effect a failed state;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that women’s rights are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan unless women enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of pervasive discrimination and wide-spread violence including child and forced marriage, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; requests the government and donors to prioritise funding and provide services for women and girls including education, healthcare, legal assistance, and emergency shelters; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;

Amendment 91 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Cristian Dan PREDA, Jaromír ŠTĚTINA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that women’'s rights are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan unless women enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of discrimination, forced marriage, domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;

Amendment 92 #

Amjad BASHIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that women’s rights, including access to education and health care, are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan unless women enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of discrimination, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that women’s rights are part of the security solution and that ~~it is impossible~~ to achieve long-term stability in Afghanistan ~~unless~~ women must enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of discrimination, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that women’s rights are part of the security solution and that it is impossible to achieve stability in Afghanistan unless women enjoy their full rights in political, social and economic life; is deeply concerned that Afghan women continue to be victims of violence, discrimination, sexual abuse and rape; stresses, therefore, the need for more female employees in all public offices; points out that progress in peace talks may not be made at the cost of any of the rights acquired by women in recent years; emphasises the need to ensure that women and civil society actors play a prominent role at all stages of any peace and reconciliation process;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Is deeply concerned that the ongoing insurgency is threatening security of humanitarian agencies on the ground and journalists reporting on the situation;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Expresses disappointment that the Karzai government reduced the quota of women's seats in the provincial councils from 25 to 20% and that so far only 9 women have been appointed to the 70- member High Peace Council; remains equally concerned that women human rights defenders and the few women in public offices continue to run high risks for their lives and families;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Notes the need to make every possible effort to achieve greater cyber security through cooperation, including police and judicial cooperation, and the exchange of and access to information among Member States, the EU and Afghanistan, both in order to defend human rights and to combat and prevent all forms of misuse of information and communications technology in terms of propaganda, disinformation and counter-information, proselytism and the planning of terrorist and/or criminal acts;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)

8d. Stresses the need to make every possible effort to improve cooperation with Afghanistan regarding ICT monitoring to safeguard human rights, coupled with investigation of Internet use by terrorist and criminal organisations, with a view to taking targeted action to prevent incitement to commit terrorist offences, recruitment and training for terrorism and crime, corruption, trafficking in drugs, human beings and arms, the exploitation of illegal immigration, cybercrime and the laundering of the proceeds of crime;

Amendment 99 #