AM_Com_NonLegReport · Web view2.Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation process, fight against corruption,

European Parliament2019-2024

Committee on Foreign Affairs

2019/2174(INI)

22.12.2020

AMENDMENTS1 - 280Draft reportIlhan Kyuchyuk(PE647.080v01-00)

on the 2019-2020 Commission Reports on North Macedonia (2019/2174(INI))

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AM_Com_NonLegReport

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Amendment 1Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionCitation 1

Motion for a resolution Amendment

– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 28 June 2018, the Council conclusions of 18 June 2019 and the European Council conclusions of 17-18 October 2019, which postponed the decisions on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania,

– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 28 June 2018, the Council conclusions of 18 June 2019 and the European Council conclusions of 17-18 October 2019, which postponed the decisions on opening accession negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania,

Or. en

Amendment 2Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionCitation 2 a (new)


- having regard to the Council conclusions of 5 June 2020 on enhancing cooperation with Western Balkans partners in the field of migration and security,

Or. en

Amendment 3Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionCitation 4


– having regard to the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, signed on 1 August 2017 and ratified in January 2018,

– having regard to the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, signed on 1 August 2017 and ratified in January 2018,

Or. en

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Amendment 4Andrey KovatchevMotion for a resolutionCitation 4 a (new)


- having regard to the Sofia declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 17 May 2018 and the Sofia Declaration, annexed thereto;

Or. en



- having regard to the EU-Western Balkans summit in the framework of the Berlin Process of 10 November 2020,

Or. en



- having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2020 entitled ‘An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0641),

Or. en

Amendment 7Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionCitation 7 a (new)


- having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2020 entitled

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‘An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0641), its Annex, and the Commission staff working document entitled ‘Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans’ of 6 October 2020,

Or. en

Amendment 8Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionCitation 7 b (new)


- having regard to the comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans adopted by the Commission, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union,

Or. en

Amendment 9Christian SagartzMotion for a resolutionCitation 8


– having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2020 entitled ‘2020 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2020)0660), accompanied by the Commission Staff Working Document entitled ‘North Macedonia 2019 Report’ (SWD(2020)0351),

– having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2020 entitled ‘2020 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2020)0660), accompanied by the Commission Staff Working Document entitled ‘North Macedonia 2020 Report’ (SWD(2020)0351),

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Amendment 10Sunčana GlavakMotion for a resolutionCitation 8 a (new)

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- having regard to the Zagreb Declaration agreed during the EU-Western Balkans summit that took place via video conference on 6 May 2020,

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- having regard to the Zagreb Declaration agreed during the EU-Western Balkans summit that took place via video conference on 6 May 2020,

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Amendment 12Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionCitation 8 b (new)


- having regard to the joint communication of 8 April 2020 of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy entitled ‘Communication on the Global EU response to COVID-19’ (JOIN(2020)0011), and the Commission communication of 29 April 2020 entitled ‘Support to the Western Balkans in tackling COVID-19 and the post-pandemic recovery’,

Or. en

Amendment 13Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionCitation 9 a (new)

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- having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council meeting of 19-20 June 2003,

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Amendment 14Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionCitation 13 a (new)


- having regard to the Commission communication of 29 April 2020 entitled ‘Support to the Western Balkans in tackling COVID-19 and the post-pandemic recovery’,

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- having regard the joint statement of 8 December 2020 by Members of the European Parliament on accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania,

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Amendment 16Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionCitation 16 a (new)


- having regard to the fact that the hostilities in the Western Balkan are not over and that there is no stable Peace established, merely a standstill in

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hostilities,

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Amendment 17Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionCitation 16 b (new)


- having regard to that the number of unregistered firearms in civilian illegal possession in the Western Balkans is thought to be around 3.8 million and large quantities of ammunition and military explosive devices such as but not limited to hang grenades, anti personnel- as well as an anti-tank mines,

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Amendment 18Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionCitation 16 c (new)


- having regard to 2020-2025 EU action plan on firearms trafficking, and the Europol reports: Threat Assessment Report on Illicit Trafficking in Firearms of June2013, Intelligence Notification (19/2014); “Firearms in the hands of Terrorist in Europe” of May 2015. - having regard to the fact that Europol confirmed that Western Balkans remain among the main supplying regions of trafficking to the EU,

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Amendment 19Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionCitation 16 d (new)


- having regard to the reports:

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Strengthening Resilience in the Western Balkans: Mapping Assistance for SALW Control, Small Arms Survey, September 2018; and UNODC (2020), Global Study on Firearms Trafficking, Vienna and their observations that provides the information: that the ongoing threat in the Western Balkans region was confirmed by several studies. It is stresses that weapons used in terrorist attacks in the EU “were acquired through local illicit firearm markets and were found to originate from the Western Balkans and the Western Balkans is the main supplier of illicit firearms in Europe. In addition it is described of the links between the Western Balkans and small arms used in EU member states in various types of criminal activity. The latest report from the UN on the subject, UNODC Global Firearms Study confirms that the Western Balkans remain a source of illicit firearms, notably assault rifles for Western Europe,

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Amendment 20Jérôme Rivière, Thierry MarianiMotion for a resolutionRecital A


A. whereas North Macedonia has made consistent progress on its path towards the EU;

A. whereas North Macedonia’s accession to the European Union is not desirable, because of both the characteristics of the country and the key objectives of the European Union;

Or. fr

Amendment 21Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionRecital A


A. whereas North Macedonia has A. whereas North Macedonia,

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made consistent progress on its path towards the EU;

according to the EU Commission is claimed to have made some progress to meet the formal requirements for entry into the EU;

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Amendment 22Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionRecital A



A. whereas North Macedonia has made consistent progress and has shown dedicated commitment on its path towards the EU resulting in the decision of the Council of 26 March 2020 to open accession negotiations;

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Amendment 23Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital A



A. whereas North Macedonia has made consistent progress on its path towards the EU, strengthening the mutual climate of confidence;

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Amendment 24Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionRecital A a (new)


Aa. whereas in 2003, the Thessaloniki European Council underlined its support for the future integration of the Western Balkan countries into European structures and stated that their ultimate membership into the Union was a high

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priority for the EU and that the Balkans would be an integral part of a unified Europe; whereas the EU reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the prospect of EU membership for the Western Balkans on several occasions since;

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Amendment 25Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionRecital A a(new)


Aa. whereas North Macedonia should be evaluated individually on its own merits against progress made on the criteria set by the European Council, and the speed and quality of reforms determine the timetable for accession to the EU; whereas the prospect of EU membership has been a fundamental incentive for reforms in the Western Balkan countries; whereas the enlargement process has played a decisive role as regards the stabilisation of the Western Balkans;

Or. en

Amendment 26Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital A a (new)


Aa. whereas the rule of law is a key benchmark for assessing the state of the democratic transformation and progress towards the EU accession;

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Amendment 27Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

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Motion for a resolutionRecital A b (new)


Ab. whereas the European Council’s decision of 17-18 October 2019 to postpone the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia led to political instability in the country and early elections in 2020;

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Amendment 28Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital A c(new)


Ac. whereas despite of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Macedonia held orderly and competitive parliamentary elections;

Or. en

Amendment 29Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionRecital B


B. whereas the country is maintaining a steady pace on the rule of law and functioning of democratic institutions and procedures;

B. whereas the country is still facing major concerns in regard to the rule of law and the functioning of democratic institutions and procedures;

Or. en

Amendment 30Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital B


B. whereas the country is maintaining a steady pace on the rule of law and functioning of democratic institutions and

B. whereas the country is maintaining a steady pace in advancing EU reforms, in particular in key areas such as the rule of

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procedures; law, fight against corruption and organised crime, intelligence services, public administration and functioning of democratic institutions and procedures;

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Amendment 31Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionRecital B


B. whereas the country is maintaining a steady pace on the rule of law and functioning of democratic institutions and procedures;

B. whereas the country is maintaining a steady pace in advancing EU reforms, in particular in key areas such as the rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime, intelligent services, public administration and functioning of democratic institutions and procedures;

Or. en

Amendment 32Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital C a (new)


Ca. whereas the EU remains fully committed to supporting North Macedonia’s strategic choice for European integration, based on the rule of law, multi-ethnic harmony and good neighbourly relations;

Or. en

Amendment 33Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital C b (new)


Cb. whereas the EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans surpasses that of any other region and demonstrates a mutual strategic commitment;

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Or. en

Amendment 34Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionRecital D a (new)


Da. whereas the EU is North Macedonia biggest provider of financial assistance; whereas North Macedonia has benefited from the EU assistance under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) in total of €1,286 billion since 2007;

Or. en

Amendment 35Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionRecital D a (new)


Da. whereas North Macedonia's economy was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, measures to prevent the spread of the virus have slowed the economic activity, which in turn has begun to negatively impact the national budget;

Or. en

Amendment 36Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital D b(new)


Db. whereas the EU has mobilised €66 million to assist North Macedonia in tackling COVID-19 and a post-pandemic recovery and made available up to EUR 160 million in macro-financial assistance;

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Amendment 37Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionRecital D c (new)


Dc. whereas the EU is the biggest assistance and aid provider to North Macedonia in mitigating the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic; whereas North Macedonia has received €4 million of immediate support to the health sector, €62 million of support for the social and economic recovery, €66 million in assistance funds and €160 million of Macro-Financial Assistance;

Or. en

Amendment 38Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionRecital D c(new)


Dc. whereas the EU has mobilised EUR 3.3 billion to address the coronavirus pandemic in the Western Balkans, including EUR 38 million in immediate support to the health sector, EUR 389 million for the social and economic recovery, EUR 750 million for macro-financial assistance, EUR 455 million for economic reactivation and EUR 1.7 billion in preferential loans from the European Investment Bank;

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Amendment 39Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionRecital D c (new)


Dc. whereas the EU has shown its

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commitment for the European perspective of Western Balkan countries and mobilized €3.3 billion to address the immediate health crisis and mitigate economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic;

Or. en

Amendment 40Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital D d (new)


Dd. whereas the EU is the country’s biggest trading partner and it has benefited from €1.25 billion in EU pre-accession funding since 2007;

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Amendment 41Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionRecital D d (new)


Dd. whereas the EU should continue promoting investment and developing trade relations with North Macedonia as the economic development of the country is of paramount importance;

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Amendment 42Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionRecital D d (new)


Dd. whereas the EU is by far North Macedonia’s main trading partner, accounting for 60% of the country's exports and 48% of its imports,

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Amendment 43Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionRecital D d (new)


Dd. whereas North Macedonia remains one of the main transit routes for irregular migration;

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Amendment 44Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionRecital D d (new)


Dd. whereas no comprehensive transitional justice process was implemented in order to come to terms with the internal and external conflicts and as such many issues leading to the conflicts remain unsolved today;

Or. en

Amendment 45Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionRecital D e (new)


De. whereas regional cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans are indispensable in order to maintain and strengthen the stability and improve the prosperity of the region; whereas good neighbourly relations are indispensable for North Macedonia's progress towards EU accession;

Or. en


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Motion for a resolutionRecital D f (new)


Df. whereas the Prespa Agreement and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations are landmark agreements that represent a model for stability and reconciliation in the whole region of the Western Balkans and have improved the spirit of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation;

Or. en

Amendment 47Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionRecital D g(new)


Dg. whereas the misuse of the accession process for the settlement of unilateral cultural-historical disputes by EU Member States would set a dangerous precedent for the future accession processes for the rest of the Western Balkan countries, especially considering the historical context of the region;

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Amendment 48Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionRecital D h (new)


Dh. whereas European Council has so far failed to approve the European Union’s membership negotiation framework for North Macedonia;

Or. en

Amendment 49Christian Sagartz

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Motion for a resolutionRecital Di (new)


Di. whereas following the entry into force of the historic Prespa agreement between Greece and North Macedonia and the Friendship Treaty between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, in March 2020, when the country became the 30th NATO member state, the EU also decided to open the membership negotiations;

Or. en

Amendment 50Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionRecital D j (new)


Dj. whereas joining NATO in 2020 marks a clear step towards greater stability, interoperability and defence integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, advancing their potential for eventual EU accession;

Or. en

Amendment 51Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionRecital D k (new)


Dk. whereas the current hold-up of approving the negotiating framework and holding the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in the Council of the EU is jeopardizing the Union’s credibility in the Western Balkans and reducing the EU's transformative power and impact in the region considerably;

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Amendment 52Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionRecital D l (new)


Dl. whereas the Conference on the Future of Europe and the participation of all Member States can assist the EU accession aspirations of the Western Balkans countries;

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Amendment 53Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionRecital D m (new)


Dm. whereas the full EU membership for Northern Macedonia is in the Union's very own political, security and economic interest;

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Amendment 54Bernhard Zimniok, Harald Vilimsky, Thierry MarianiMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1


1. Welcomes North Macedonia’s clear strategic orientation and commitment to European integration, as manifested by continued implementation of accession-related reforms;

1. Calls on EU Member States to start a new debate on the need and use of EU enlargement, the debate shall also include a consultative element for all citizens of the Member States to provide their view on EU enlargement;

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Amendment 55Jérôme Rivière, Thierry MarianiMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1

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1. Considers that the decision to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia will be highly disadvantageous to all European nations;

Or. fr

Amendment 56Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1



1. Welcomes North Macedonia’s clear strategic orientation and commitment to European integration, as manifested by continued work on resolving bilateral issues with neighbouring countries and by implementation of accession-related reforms; in that regard welcomes the full implementation of the Prespa Agreement that entered into force on 12 February 2019 and enabled North Macedonia's NATO membership and the resumption of accession negotiations with the EU;

Or. en

Amendment 57Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1



1. Welcomes North Macedonia’s clear strategic orientation and commitment to EU integration, as manifested by continued implementation of accession-related reforms;

Or. en

Amendment 58Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas Schieder

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Motion for a resolutionParagraph 1 – point 1 a (new)


(1a) Deplores the failure of the European Council to approve the European Union’s membership negotiation framework for North Macedonia;

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Amendment 59Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1 a (new)


1a. Calls on EU Member States to show clear political will and stand by their promises and commitments to North Macedonia in order for the EU to remain a credible and reliable partner for accession countries; therefore urges the Council to approve the negotiating framework and hold the first IGC with North Macedonia without further delay;

Or. en

Amendment 60Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1 b (new)


1b. Reminds Member States that the enlargement policy must be driven by objective criteria and not be impeded by unilateral interests; reiterates that the EU’s enlargement policy has been the most effective foreign policy instrument of the Union and that its further dismantlement might lead to an unstable situation in the EU’s immediate

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neighbourhood;

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Amendment 61Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1 c (new)


1c. Expresses its solidarity with the people of North Macedonia, whose patience and confidence in the European future of their country should be rewarded by continuing engagements from the EU side;

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Amendment 62Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionParagraph 1 d (new)


1d. Calls upon the European Commission to implement the “more for more” principle rigorously, in particular in relation to North Macedonia, in the context of IPA III or the Western Balkans Economic and Investment Plan, given the significant progress and good steps by the country over the reporting period and as a sign of solidarity from our Union;

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Amendment 63Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2


2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation

2. Urges all political parties to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation

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process, fight against corruption, and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

process, fight against corruption, and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

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Amendment 64Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2


2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation process, fight against corruption, and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democracy, to finally start the fight against corruption, and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

Or. en




2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democracy and the transformation process, the continued fight against corruption, and to strengthen the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

Or. en

Amendment 66Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2


2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation process, fight against

2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democracy and the transformation process, continue to fight against corruption, and to

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corruption, and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

reinforce the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

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Amendment 67Fabio Massimo CastaldoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2



2. Urges the North Macedonian authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation process, fight against corruption, and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media freedom and transparency and civil society participation;

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Amendment 68Stelios KouloglouMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2



2. Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation process, fight against corruption, good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation and restore the rule of law, while improving the climate for media and civil society;

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Amendment 69Fabio Massimo CastaldoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2 a (new)


2a. Believes that the Conference on the Future of Europe should seek ways of

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involving North Macedonian representatives, most notably stakeholders from the civil society and youth organisations;

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Amendment 70Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2 a (new)


2a. Recalls that the progress in accession negotiations under the revised enlargement methodology continues to depend on persistent, in-depth and irreversible reforms across fundamental areas;

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Amendment 71Sunčana GlavakMotion for a resolutionParagraph 2 a (new)


2a. Considers it important to ensure continuity of committed and active support to the Macedonian progress towards European Union;

Or. en



3. Stresses the paramount importance of upholding the rule of law through judicial reforms and the consistent prosecution of high-level corruption and criminal networks;

3. Stresses the paramount importance of upholding the rule of law through judicial reforms and to start in earnest to prosecute high-level corruption and criminal networks;

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4. Commends the steady steps in following up on the ‘Urgent Reform Priorities’ and recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues;

4. Commends the progress achieved in addressing the ‘Urgent Reform Priorities’ and following up on the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues;

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4. Commends the steady steps in following up on the ‘Urgent Reform Priorities’ and recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues;

4. Commends the progress achieved in addressing the ‘Urgent Reform Priorities’ and following up on the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues;

Or. en

Amendment 75Angel Dzhambazki, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 5


5. Acknowledges the adoption of legislation on the prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest, lobbying, access to information, whistle-blower protection, the public prosecutor office, and calls for their effective implementation;

5. Acknowledges the adoption of legislation on the prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest, lobbying, access to information, whistle-blower protection, the public prosecutor office, and calls for their effective implementation; takes into consideration that they must strengthen the work on the reform of the public administration; it has been noticed in the Commission staff working document of the Update of the Republic of North

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Macedonia, published in March 2020, that North Macedonia must continue its work on guaranteeing the professional independence, the accountability of the administration and the respect of the principles of merit and an equitable representation;

Or. en



5. Acknowledges the adoption of legislation on the prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest, lobbying, access to information, whistle-blower protection, the public prosecutor office, and calls for their effective implementation;

5. Acknowledges the adoption of legislation on the prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest, lobbying, access to information, whistle-blower protection, the public prosecutor office, and calls for their effective and steady implementation;

Or. en



5a. Recalls that sufficient financial and human resources are needed to ensure an effective and consistent application of dissuasion, prevention, detection, pro-active investigation and sanctions mechanisms for public office holders through measures covering conflicts of interest, lobbying, codes of ethics and whistle-blower protection;

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7a. Is concerned over the impeded access to justice during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting from lack of capacity of the courts to adjust and operate in a digital manner, for example; therefore encourages the authorities to speed up the digitalisation of the judiciary and the related administration;

Or. en



6. Considers the creation of the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Anti-Corruption and Crime, Sustainable Development and Human Resources a sign of a clear political commitment to addressing these issues as a matter of priority;

6. Considers the creation of the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Anti-Corruption and Crime, Sustainable Development and Human Resources as a empty gesture to satisfy the EU, will not consider this post as anything other until concrete, effective results based rule of law can be displayed by the Government;

Or. en



6. Considers the creation of the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Anti-Corruption and Crime, Sustainable Development and Human Resources a sign of a clear political commitment to addressing these issues as a matter of priority;

6. Welcomes the creation of the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Anti-Corruption and Crime, Sustainable Development and Human Resources as a sign of a clear political commitment to addressing these issues as a matter of priority;

Or. en

Amendment 81Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras Auštrevičius

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Motion for a resolutionParagraph 9 b (new)


9b. Welcomes steps strengthening impartiality and transparency and accountability of the judiciary through the pro-active action of the Judicial Council and calls for the effective implementation of the revised law on the Council of Public Prosecutors; calls for a full use of mechanisms to confirm professionalism and integrity of judiciary through verifications, financial investigations and asset confiscations;

Or. en



7. Urges the completion of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solutions for cases related to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

7. Urges real reform to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity and accountability, including through an implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring rule of law based solutions for cases related to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

Or. en



7. Urges the completion of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity

7. Urges the implementation of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism,

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and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solutions for cases related to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

independence, integrity and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solution for the cases of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

Or. en



7. Urges the completion of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solutions for cases related to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

7. Urges the implementation of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solution for the case of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

Or. en

Amendment 85Christian SagartzMotion for a resolutionParagraph 7


7. Urges the completion of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solutions for cases related to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for

7. Urges the completion of measures to ensure judicial and prosecutorial professionalism, independence, integrity and accountability, including through an efficient implementation of codes of ethics and of the landmark law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring sustainable solutions for cases related to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and accountability for

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crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case;

crimes stemming from the large-scale illegal wiretapping case; notes that effective implementation is key for the functioning of any reforms; calls on all judicial institutions to contribute, through additional efforts, to restoring public trust in the judiciary;

Or. en

Amendment 86Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 8


8. Encourages the conclusion of institutional reforms and the restructuring of the security and intelligence sectors;

8. Encourages the conclusion of institutional reforms and the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the security and intelligence sectors, ensuring financial and operational independence of the new National Security Agency and a meaningful parliamentary oversight over secret services;

Or. en



8. Encourages the conclusion of institutional reforms and the restructuring of the security and intelligence sectors;

8. Encourages the conclusion of institutional reforms and the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the security and intelligence sectors;

Or. en



8. Encourages the conclusion of 8. Encourages the conclusion of

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institutional reforms and the restructuring of the security and intelligence sectors;

institutional reforms and the restructuring of the security and intelligence sectors; notes furthermore, that the capacity for parliamentary oversight over the intelligence services needs to be strengthened; welcomes the establishment of the National Security Agency as an independent state body without police powers, in line with the recommendations of the Senior Experts' Group on systemic rule of law issues; take notes that the Operational Technical Agency is also fully functional;

Or. en



9. Calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks;

9. Notes that corruption is prevalent in many areas and a more proactive approach from all actors engaged in preventing and fighting corruption needs to be ensured; calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion and law enforcement, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks; Coordination - including with Europol - remains crucial for all stakeholders involved infighting organised crime. The work of genuinely independent investigators is necessary to effectively address police impunity;

Or. en

Amendment 90David McAllisterMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9

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9. Acknowledges the achieved progress in this crucial area and calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks;

Or. en




9. Calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks; urges to further align with the acquis and conduct systematic financial investigations, stepping up freezing, confiscation and management of illegally acquired assets;

Or. en



9. Calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations

9. Calls for continued efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption through effective dissuasion, prevention, detection, financial investigation and sanctions for money laundering, financial crimes and terrorism finance, along with operations

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aimed at dismantling criminal networks; aimed at dismantling criminal networks; calls for more robust measures to be taken against mafia-style criminal organisations such as the UCK, which has been particularly active in North Macedonia;

Or. fr



9a. Urges the Public Prosecutor’s Office to process the unresolved serious priority cases and to pro-actively follow up on major cases referred by anti-corruption and audit agencies as well as whistle-blowers;

Or. en

Amendment 94Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 c (new)


9c. Takes note of the progress in addressing the widespread corruption through a strengthened track record on investigating, prosecuting and trying cases of high level corruption, abuses of official position and illicit enrichment, notes the importance of the reinforced role of the Anti-Corruption Commission and cooperation with it in this regard;

Or. en

Amendment 95Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 d (new)

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9d. Encourages to strengthen the newly-established Asset Recovery Office and improve fight against money laundering and economic crimes, including through partnership with Europol; calls to step up joint efforts in tackling organised, economic and cyber-crime;

Or. en

Amendment 96Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 e (new)


9e. Takes into consideration the further actions North Macedonia has adopted relating to security as stated in the Commission report on North Macedonia 2020; stresses that one of the most important problems the EU faces is the fight against terrorism; stresses the importance of continue to take measures against terrorism;

Or. en

Amendment 97Urmas PaetMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 e (new)


9e. Deems it necessary for the authorities to continue and intensify their efforts to combat Islamic radicalisation and foreign terrorist fighters; calls for this to be implemented through increased cooperation between security agencies and CSOs, religious leaders, local communities and other state institutions in the education, health and social services sectors; calls for continued

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monitoring of returning foreign fighters by the security services, their proper reintegration into society and the constant exchange of information with the authorities of the EU and of neighbouring countries;

Or. en

Amendment 98Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 e (new)


9e. Urges North Macedonia to continue its efforts in addressing the concern of returning foreign fighters along with the concern of foreign direct investment from third countries promoting radicalisation in various communities throughout North Macedonia;

Or. en

Amendment 99Bernhard Zimniok, Harald VilimskyMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 a (new)


9a. Does not accept the lack of willingness and ability by the Government and its institutions to control the possession of illegal fire arms and military-grade explosive devices and stop the illegal movement of these weapons into the Member States as this undermines and deny the full utilization of human rights for citizens in the Member States, urges the Government to show credible action to control these weapons and stop their entry into the Member States;

Or. en

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Amendment 100Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionParagraph 9 a (new)


9a. Underlines the importance for the region of North Macedonia becoming the 30th member state of NATO on 27 March 2020;

Or. en



10. Welcomes the positive engagement of the country’s main political forces, enabling adoption of key legislation and a smooth electoral process;

10. Recalls that a constructive role of the opposition is essential for functioning of the Parliament and the adoption of key legislation, such as EU-related reforms and the NATO integration process;

Or. en




10. Welcomes the positive engagement of the country’s main political forces, enabling adoption of key legislation and a smooth electoral process; takes note of the conclusions of the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR special election assessment mission that the 15 July 2020 parliamentary elections were well administered amid necessary COVID-19 related adjustments but persistent shortcomings and instability in the legal framework underlined the need for comprehensive reform in advance of

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future elections;

Or. en




10. Welcomes the positive engagement of the country’s main political forces, enabling adoption of key legislation and a smooth electoral process; while OSCE/ODIHR assessed that the elections were generally well run, legal stability was nonetheless undermined by substantial revisions of the legal framework and subsequent government decrees. Further efforts need to be carried out in order to ensure the continuous accuracy of voter’s lists;

Or. en




10. Welcomes the positive and constructive engagement of the country’s main political forces, enabling adoption of key legislation and a smooth electoral process;

Or. en

Amendment 105Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 11


11. Commends the fact that opposition parties remained engaged in the Sobranie, the Assembly of the Republic of

deleted

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North Macedonia, and supported key decisions in the common national interest;

Or. en

Amendment 106Tineke Strikon behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionParagraph 11


11. Commends the fact that opposition parties remained engaged in the Sobranie, the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, and supported key decisions in the common national interest;

11. Commends the fact that opposition parties remained engaged in the Sobranie, the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, and supported key decisions in the common national interest; is, however, worried by the growing use of nationalist and inflammatory rhetoric by some political actors and non-constructive attitudes of part of the opposition, in particular in relation to the recent process of amending the Rules of Procedures of the Assembly;

Or. en



11. Commends the fact that opposition parties remained engaged in the Sobranie, the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, and supported key decisions in the common national interest;

11. Commends the fact that opposition parties remained engaged in the Sobranie, the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, and supported key decisions in the common national interest; notes that good governance and a functional legislative body necessitates for stronger dialogue between all political parties; dialogue means debate on the basis of policies offered at hand, thus, we call on all parties in Parliament to be open to political dialogue, on the basis of good-will, especially on key health, economic, social and political efforts aimed at

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tackling the COVID-19 crisis;

Or. en

Amendment 108Antonio López-Istúriz WhiteMotion for a resolutionParagraph 13 a (new)


13a. Recalls that good governance and a functional legislative body are necessary for robust dialogue between all political parties. Dialogue means debate on the basis of policies offered at hand, rather than take it or leave it solutions presented by the government and/or parliamentary majority. Calls on all parties in Parliament to be open to political dialogue, on the basis of good-will, especially on key health, economic, social and political efforts aimed at tackling the COVID-19 crisis;

Or. en



13. Underscores the need to improve the legislative process by minimising the use of fast track procedures, and by enabling proper consultations and impact assessments; recalls the need to upgrade the parliamentary rules of procedure by consensus;

13. Urges the Assembly to improve the legislative process by minimising the use of fast track procedures, increasing transparency, publishing information on law-making processes in a timely and inclusive manner, and conducting proper consultations and impact assessments; recalls the need to upgrade the parliamentary rules of procedure by consensus; reiterates the importance of cooperation with and sustainable funding for civil society in order to ensure a sound scrutiny of public institutions leading to the necessary checks and balances in a democratic society;

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Or. en




13. Underscores the need to improve the legislative process by minimising the use of fast track procedures, and by enabling proper consultations and not mimic the EU Commissions sub-optimal use of impact assessments but to use these assessment regularly to ensure direct democracy, greater transparency, accountability as well as to provide an ability for local voices to have an impact on the political decision making process; recalls the need to upgrade the parliamentary rules of procedure by consensus;

Or. en




13. Underscores the need to improve the legislative process by minimising the use of fast track procedures, and by enabling proper consultations and impact assessments; recalls the need to upgrade the parliamentary rules of procedure by consensus in order to empower the Parliament and strengthen legislative, oversight and budgetary scrutiny mechanisms;

Or. en


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14. Underlines the need to complete a timely, inclusive and comprehensive review of the Electoral Code;

14. Underlines the need to complete a timely, inclusive and comprehensive review of the electoral legislation, by addressing the remaining recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission;

Or. en



14. Underlines the need to complete a timely, inclusive and comprehensive review of the Electoral Code;

14. Underlines the need to complete a timely, inclusive and comprehensive review of the electoral legislation, by addressing the remaining recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission;

Or. en

Amendment 114Angel Dzhambazki, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 15


15. Calls for additional measures to improve the transparency of political party financing; recalls the need to effectively implement the recommendations of the State Audit Office;

15. Urges for additional measures and oversight committees to improve the transparency of political party financing; recalls the need to effectively implement the recommendations of the State Audit Office;

Or. en


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15. Calls for additional measures to improve the transparency of political party financing; recalls the need to effectively implement the recommendations of the State Audit Office;

15. Calls for additional measures to improve the transparency of political party financing and ensure democratic and competitive intra-party functioning mechanisms; recalls the need to effectively implement the recommendations of the State Audit Office;

Or. en



15a. Urges to embed merit-based standards in public appointments and promotions, advancing the culture of transparency, integrity and equitable gender and ethnic representation across the civil service and the public sector, while ensuring adequate whistle-blower protection;

Or. en

Amendment 117Christian SagartzMotion for a resolutionParagraph 15 a (new)


15a. Welcomes that the in the area of public administration, the public consultation process improved, with an increasing number of comments to draft regulations and greater involvement of civil society in policy-making. The State Commission for Prevention of C continued to address cases of nepotism, cronyism and political influence in the process of recruitment of public sector employees. Merit-based recruitment needs to be systematically applied throughout

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the government sector and for publicly-owned enterprises. A proper follow up to the reports and recommendations of the State Commission needs to be ensured. The new government should ensure that the public administration reform remains a priority, demonstrate full respect for the public administration reform principles and follow on the reform efforts of the previous government;

Or. en

Amendment 118Angel Dzhambazki, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 15 b (new)


15b. Takes into consideration that they must strengthen the work on the reform of the public administration; it has been noticed in the Commission staff working document of the Update of the Republic of North Macedonia, published in March 2020, that North Macedonia must continue its work on guaranteeing the professional independence, the accountability of the administration and the respect of the principles of merit and an equitable representation;

Or. en

Amendment 119Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 15 b (new)


15b. Urges to further improve access to public information by ensuring regular cross-agency updates through the open governmental data portal and a full functionality of the Agency for Protection of Free Access to Public Information;

Or. en

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15b. Urges authorities to ensure comprehensive transparency and unimpeded access to information for citizens, particularly related to the COVID-19 pandemic;

Or. en

Amendment 121Andrey KovatchevMotion for a resolutionParagraph 16 a (new)


16a. Encourages the authorities to retrieve the relevant Yugoslav secret service archives from Serbia; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past, including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a step towards further democratization, accountability and institutional strength in both the country and the Western Balkan region as a whole;

Or. en



17. Expresses its support for the efforts to ensure inclusive policies to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens, with special attention to women, youth, persons with disabilities, non-majority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and the low-skilled unemployed;

17. Expresses its support for the efforts to ensure inclusive policies to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens, with special attention to women, youth, persons with disabilities, non-majority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and the low-skilled unemployed; calls on

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North Macedonia to continue good practice established by the Ohrid Framework Agreement, especially the provisions that protect minority ethnic groups and identities, their cultural heritage and languages;

Or. en

Amendment 123Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17


17. Expresses its support for the efforts to ensure inclusive policies to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens, with special attention to women, youth, persons with disabilities, non-majority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and the low-skilled unemployed;

17. Expresses its support for the efforts to ensure inclusive policies to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens, with special attention to women, youth, persons with disabilities, national minorities, non-majority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and the low-skilled unemployed;

Or. en



17a. Notes that the inter-ethnic situation remains calm overall; welcomes that an agency and inspectorate overseeing the overall implementation of the law on the use of languages was created;

Or. en

Amendment 125David LegaMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17 a (new)


17a. Welcomes the national action plan

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on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and that the national coordination body for implementing the Convention meets regularly. Emphasises the need for the body to systematically communicate and engage with organisations supporting persons with disabilities; underlines the need for deinstitutionalisation and to repeal provisions allowing involuntary deprivation of liberty; stresses the need for adequate resources and infrastructure to uphold necessary social protection and ensure decent living conditions for people with disabilities in North Macedonia;

Or. en



17a. Stresses the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on non-majority communities by deepening inequality, exacerbating existing problems, and calls on the government and authorities to take these issues into account in their responses to the pandemic;

Or. en

Amendment 127Angel DzhambazkiMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17 a (new)


17a. Notes that the authorities in Skopje continue not to recognise the existence of a Bulgarian community or their rights;

Or. bg

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Amendment 128Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17 a(new)


17a. Welcomes the 2019 Poznan Declaration on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process, urges the authorities to fully implement it and improve the absorption capacity of the country’s increasing funding for Roma integration policies;

Or. en

Amendment 129Christian SagartzMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17 b (new)


17b. Welcomes, that Roma inclusion is receiving increased attention from both the national and the local authorities, though much still needs to be done; welcomes that the government has increased funding for Roma integration policies but poor absorption of funds remains a problem; the housing situation is dramatic, with a high proportion of Roma living in illegal settlements and substandard and unhygienic environments; is concerned that only 3% of those benefiting from active labour market policies are Roma;

Or. en



17b. Underlines the unsatisfactory pace

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of implementation of Roma inclusion policies and lack of sufficient capacity for implementation, coordination, monitoring, and absorption of funds; encourages the authorities to ensure unimpeded implementation of the Law on persons without regulated civil status and to resolve the issue of lack of personal documents for Roma;

Or. en



17b. Welcomes that the freedom of religion, thought and conscience continued to be guaranteed, and generally, discrimination on the grounds of religion prohibited; notes with concern, that radical Islam is still prevalent across the Western Balkans region;

Or. en



17b. Urges the effective implementation of the hate crime legislation and legislation against gender biased violence;

Or. en

Amendment 133Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17 b (new)

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17b. Notes with concern the widespread hate speech on social media, particularly towards Roma, LGBTI+ persons and other marginalised groups;

Or. en



17b. Notes that more effort must be made in building up prosecution capacities for protection from hate crimes, hate speech and gender-based violence;

Or. en



17b. Welcomes positive steps towards institutional support for the advancement of human rights of LGBTI+ persons, but notes that discrimination of the LGBTI+ community remains a prevalent problem and that implementation of the regulatory framework by state institutions should be prioritised; calls for increased action to fight hate speech and hate crimes against LGBTI+ persons, encourage reporting of these crimes and stop impunity;

Or. en


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Motion for a resolutionParagraph 17 c (new)


17c. Is concerned by cases of police brutality against marginalized communities such as Roma, LGBTI+ persons, people who use drugs, or sex workers;

Or. en

Amendment 137Christian SagartzMotion for a resolutionParagraph 17 c (new)


17c. Notes that in December 2019, the Venice Commission issued its Opinion on the Law on the use of languages, in which it invited the authorities to re-examine some provisions of the new law; in the context of implementation of the strategy, particular attention is needed to ensure the rights of smaller non-majority communities are respected and that their underrepresentation is addressed; the institutions in charge of minority-related policies remain understaffed, insufficiently funded and politically and ethnically divided;

Or. en



18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring

18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring

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protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

protection and inclusion of most vulnerable groups in the society; calls on North Macedonia to protect and promote cultural heritage, languages and traditions of its national minorities and to provide equal and non-discriminatory education in minority languages, dedicated media space in the state and local outlets as well to ensure equal opportunities, adequate representation in political life, public administration and the judiciary;

Or. en



18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and suggests the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups and encourages the adaptation of legislation which may prevent discrimination;

Or. en



18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-


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Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure based on self-determination for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity; notes the organisation of the first-ever Skopje Pride in June 2019;

Or. en




18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure based on self-determination for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

Or. en





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Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure based on self-determination for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

Or. en




18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation voted by all political parties, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

Or. en

Amendment 144Antonio López-Istúriz WhiteMotion for a resolutionParagraph 18


18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups; encourages the Sobranie to adopt

18. Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation, voted by all political parties, and urges the authorities to follow up with an inclusive and transparent process establishing an independent Anti-Discrimination Commission, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups;

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legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

encourages the Sobranie to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;

Or. en



18a. Invites the Ministry of Political System and Inter-Community Relations to advance social cohesion through the implementation of the ‘one society for all’ strategy and urges to address the remaining challenges of discrimination, exclusion and underrepresentation;

Or. en



18b. Commends continued constructive endeavours to strengthen inter-ethnic relations and the protection of minorities, especially under the strengthened mandate of the Agency for Communities Rights Realisation to monitor and guide public institutions in upholding their legal obligations towards minorities;

Or. en

Amendment 147Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 18 b (new)

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18b. Stresses the need to ensure that all minorities that live in North Macedonia are provided adequate support and live free from intimidation or any kind of discrimination;

Or. en



19. Welcomes the steady improvement in ensuring meaningful and timely inclusion of civil society in the decision-making processes across different policy areas, as well as in safeguarding the financial sustainability of the non-governmental sector, and calls for further progress in these fields;

19. Calls for further progress in ensuring meaningful and timely inclusion of civil society in the decision-making processes across different policy areas, as well as in safeguarding the financial sustainability of the non-governmental sector; notes with concern that during the pandemic, funds for civil society were cut in a budget restructuring; underlines that, while the government needs to address the unexpected consequences of the pandemic, budget restructuring should not be to the detriment of the sustainability of the civil society sector and without undertaking proper consultation processes;

Or. en



19. Welcomes the steady improvement in ensuring meaningful and timely inclusion of civil society in the decision-making processes across different policy areas, as well as in safeguarding the

19. Welcomes the steady improvement in ensuring meaningful and timely inclusion of civil society in the decision-making processes across different policy areas

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financial sustainability of the non-governmental sector, and calls for further progress in these fields;

Or. en



19a. Commends the strengthening of the Ombudsman office and urges the authorities to step up implementation of its recommendations;

Or. en



19b. Welcomes the set-up of the external oversight mechanism of the police in the Ombudsman’s Office, which includes civil society representatives; notes, however, that while this mechanism is functional, it remains inactive due to the lack of cooperation of the current Ombudsman with civil society; calls for continuing to address police impunity through the systematic implementation of safeguards against ill-treatment by police, the use of genuinely independent investigators, and strengthening of control mechanisms of the police;

Or. en


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19b. Is concerned by the continued legal shortcomings of and delay in the selection process of the new Ombudsman, which needs to be transparent, inclusive, and merit-based, and involve civil society; calls on North Macedonia to further improve the human rights situation in practice, complete the appointment of members of independent and regulatory bodies based on merit, and to take measures to guarantee the functional independence of these bodies at all times, including through appropriate allocation of funds;

Or. en

Amendment 153Gheorghe-Vlad NistorMotion for a resolutionParagraph 20


20. Urges the Sobranie to adopt a law on prevention and protection against violence against women, establishing an effective mechanism for evidence gathering and the prosecution of perpetrators, coupled with prevention measures, and the protection and support of victims of gender-based and domestic violence, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;

20. Urges the Sobranie to adopt laws on preventing violence against women and children and also providing protection to these vulnerable categories, establishing an effective mechanism for evidence gathering and the prosecution of perpetrators; stresses the importance of prevention measures, and the protection and support of victims of gender-based violence and domestic abuse, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;

Or. en



20. Urges the Sobranie to adopt a law 20. Urges the Sobranie to adopt a law

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on prevention and protection against violence against women, establishing an effective mechanism for evidence gathering and the prosecution of perpetrators, coupled with prevention measures, and the protection and support of victims of gender-based and domestic violence, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;

on prevention and protection against violence against women, establishing an effective mechanism for evidence gathering and the prosecution of perpetrators, coupled with prevention measures, and the protection and support of victims of domestic violence

Or. en



20. Urges the Sobranie to adopt a law on prevention and protection against violence against women, establishing an effective mechanism for evidence gathering and the prosecution of perpetrators, coupled with prevention measures, and the protection and support of victims of gender-based and domestic violence, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;

20. Urges the Sobranie to adopt a law on prevention and protection against violence against women and children, establishing an effective mechanism for evidence gathering and the prosecution of perpetrators, coupled with prevention measures, and the protection and support of victims of gender-based and domestic violence, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;

Or. en



20b. Urges North Macedonia to increase efforts aimed at gender equality and women’s rights, including by prioritising gender mainstreaming and increased cooperation with civil society, in particular women’s organisations;

Or. en

Amendment 157Tineke Strik

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on behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMotion for a resolutionParagraph 21


21. Calls on lawmakers in Northern Macedonia to take steps to ensure an adequate representation of women in all decision-making positions, and to further address the gender imbalance and gender pay gap in the labour force;

21. Calls on lawmakers in North Macedonia to take steps to ensure an adequate representation of women in all decision-making positions, and to further address the lack of implementation of women workers’ rights, gender stereotyping, gender imbalance and gender pay gap in the labour force; points to significant gender differences in participation and quality of work, insufficient action on sexual harassment in the workplace, discrimination in legal provisions related to maternity leave, and the lack of childcare and pre-school capacity;

Or. en




21. Calls on lawmakers in North Macedonia to take steps to ensure an adequate representation of women in all decision-making positions, following the positive trends in women’s representation in the Parliament, facilitated by mandatory gender quotas, and to further address the gender imbalance and gender pay gap in the labour force;

Or. en


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21. Calls on lawmakers in North Macedonia to take steps to ensure an adequate representation of women in all decision-making positions, and to further address the gender imbalance and gender pay gap in the labour force; calls on all political parties to improve and ensure equal representation of women in appointed offices;

Or. en




21. Calls on lawmakers in North Macedonia to take steps to ensure an adequate representation of women in all decision-making positions, and to further address the gender imbalance and gender pay gap in the labour force;

Or. en




21. Calls on lawmakers in North Macedonia to take steps to ensure an adequate representation of women in all decision-making positions, and to further address the gender imbalance and gender pay gap in the labour force;

Or. en

Amendment 162Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor, Andor DeliMotion for a resolutionParagraph 22

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22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows, ensuring international protection and combating people smuggling networks;

22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on countering illegal migration and addressing the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and illegal migrants; recalls the need to combat people smuggling networks;

Or. en




22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the basic needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; calls for further strengthening of international protection of those in need, recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows and combating people smuggling networks; encourages the country to move forward with the adoption of a strategy on the integration of migrants, including re-integration of returnees;

Or. en



22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the needs of

22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the needs of

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refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows, ensuring international protection and combating people smuggling networks;

refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows, ensuring international protection and combating people smuggling networks, as well as adopting an effective approach for the prevention of refoulement, integration of migrants and the re-integration of returnees;

Or. en

Amendment 165Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 22



22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows, as migration is one of the main problems in the EU and North Macedonia is one of the main transit routes for irregular movements, ensuring international protection and combating people smuggling networks;

Or. en




22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows including the signature of the Status Agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, ensuring

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international protection and combating people smuggling networks;

Or. en




22. Laments the country’s efforts on managing illegal immigration and addressing the illegal movements of third country national across its territory; reminds the Government that all support from Member States, administered by the EU, to Northern Macedonia will be made on the condition of their ability to fully stop illegal immigrants traversing their territory;

Or. en




22. Welcomes the country’s efforts in improving cooperation on managing migration and addressing the basic needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; calls for further strengthening international protection of those in need; recalls the need to establish a viable mechanism for managing irregular migratory flows and combating people smuggling networks;

Or. en


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22a. Expresses its concern with regards to the allegations by several NGOs of pushbacks and violence with alleged involvement of the North Macedonian police; calls on the authorities to put in place an active monitoring mechanism and to undertake the necessary steps to prevent these violations of international law;

Or. en

Amendment 170Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 22 a (new)


22a. Welcomes the ongoing co-operation and supports the finalisation of the status agreement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that would facilitate better protection of borders and fighting cross border crime in full respect for fundamental rights;

Or. en

Amendment 171Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 22 a (new)


22a. Welcomes North Macedonia’s political, operational and logistical support to Frontex and the Border and Coast Guard services of Member States, urges North Macedonia to fully implement its bilateral treaties so it can further its joint exercises in this area of cooperation;

Or. en

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22a. Underlines that the contribution of North Macedonia to the protection of the European Union’s external border is of crucial importance and calls on the EU to intensify its support to border protection in the region;

Or. en

Amendment 173Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 22 b (new)


22b. Welcomes the investigations taken against prolific smuggling rings; stresses that there is a considerable need for further action by local officials and intelligence sharing with EU law enforcement agencies;

Or. en

Amendment 174Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 22 c (new)


22c. Welcomes the advance in investigations since 2018 taken against organised crime, especially regarding smuggling and human trafficking;

Or. en

Amendment 175Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionParagraph 23

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23. Acknowledges that the generally favourable environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be enhanced through improved self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while increasing financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets;

23. Acknowledges that the environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be enhanced through improved self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while increasing financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets;

Or. en




23. Acknowledges that the generally favourable environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be enhanced through improved self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while increasing financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets; stresses that public financing of media, including paid political advertising, must be transparent, follow clear criteria and engage all relevant stakeholders;

Or. en



23. Acknowledges that the generally favourable environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be enhanced through improved self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while increasing

23. Acknowledges that the generally favourable environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be enhanced through improved legal framework, self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while

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financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets;

increasing financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets, reducing political advertising and ensuring independent editorial policies;

Or. en




23. Acknowledges that the generally favourable environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be enhanced through improved legal framework, self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while increasing financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets;

Or. en




23. Acknowledges that the generally favourable environment for freedom of expression and media independence must be further enhanced through improved self-regulation, transparency of ownership and advertising market, while increasing financial sustainability and impartiality of public and private media outlets;

Or. en


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24. Encourages systemic media reforms that would reinvigorate competition, the independence of the public service broadcaster, and quality investigative journalism;

24. Urges the Assembly to unblock the stalemate on media reforms that would reinvigorate increase the independence and capacity of the media regulator and the public service broadcaster, and quality investigative journalism;

Or. en




24. Encourages systemic media reforms that would reinvigorate competition, the independence of the public service broadcaster, media regulator and support investigative journalism;

Or. en




24. Encourages systemic media reforms that would reinvigorate competition, the independence of the public service broadcaster, media regulator and support investigative journalism;

Or. en

Amendment 183Angel DzhambazkiMotion for a resolutionParagraph 24


24. Encourages systemic media reforms that would reinvigorate competition, the

24. Encourages systemic media reforms that would reinvigorate competition, the

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independence of the public service broadcaster, and quality investigative journalism;

independence of the public service broadcaster, and quality investigative journalism; calls for an immediate halt in the media that is focused on promoting anti-Bulgarian views;

Or. en



25. Commends steps enhancing media self-regulation and professional standards;

25. Notes the steps taken to enhance media self-regulation through the Register of Professional Online Media and stepping-up professional standards through the Charter on journalists’ working conditions and draft Fair Working Contract for digital media;

Or. en



25. Commends steps enhancing media self-regulation and professional standards;

25. Notes the steps taken to enhance media self-regulation and professional standards;

Or. en

Amendment 186Antonio López-Istúriz WhiteMotion for a resolutionParagraph 25 a (new)


25a. Encourages all actors in the political and media landscape to remain open to all media outlets and political entities vice-versa, thus ensuring fair representation of all relevant political viewpoints with the aim of helping

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citizens make a fair and democratic choice;

Or. en



25b. Calls on all actors in the political and media surroundings to remain open to all media outlets and political entities, thus ensuring fair representation of all relevant political viewpoints with the aim of helping citizens make a fair and democratic choice;

Or. en



26. Urges the adoption of measures to safeguard the financial and operational independence of the public service broadcaster and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services;

26. Urges the adoption of measures to safeguard the financial and operational independence of the public service broadcaster and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, commends the Agency’s efforts on monitoring transparency of media ownership and tackling the instances of hate speech, discrimination and threats against reporters;

Or. en



26. Urges the adoption of measures to safeguard the financial and operational

26. Urges the adoption of measures to safeguard the financial and operational

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independence of the public service broadcaster and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services;

independence of the public service broadcaster and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services; expresses concern over the possibility of political parties to use state funding for political advertising in the media, as it potentially creates an uneven competition, and has an influence on media independence;

Or. en



27. Calls for effective investigations into physical threats and verbal attacks against media professionals;

27. Calls for effective investigations into physical threats and verbal attacks against media professionals and further improvement of the legal framework in order to increase the safety of journalists, including by tackling impunity of perpetrators;

Or. en




27. Calls for effective investigations into physical threats and verbal attacks against media professionals and for the further improvement of the national legal framework to create institutional measures for increasing the safety of journalists;

Or. en

Amendment 192Ioan-Rareş BogdanMotion for a resolutionParagraph 27

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27. Calls for effective investigations into physical threats and verbal attacks against media professionals and stresses the need to adopt effective measures to protect the journalists and the media professionals;

Or. en




27. Calls for effective investigations into physical threats and verbal attacks against media professionals; urges to ensure a clear cleavage between a free public debate as opposed to hate speech, defamation or incitement to violence;

Or. en



27a. Condemns the attempts of media outlets close to the Hungarian government to interfere in the media in North Macedonia with the goal of discrediting the government of North Macedonia, posing a serious threat to media freedom and democracy; urges the European Commission to open dialogue with the Hungarian authorities with regards to this interference and to consider taking necessary steps;

Or. en

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28. Notes the significance of ensuring quality journalism and media literacy for tackling widespread disinformation and fake news;

28. Notes the significance of ensuring quality journalism and media literacy for tackling widespread disinformation and fake news; urges the EEAS to address disinformation and hybrid threats that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region by more strategically underscoring the EU’s relevance to citizens in the region; stresses the need to improve coordination in order to fight regional disinformation campaigns; reminds of the strong link between weaknesses in media freedom and opportunities for local and foreign actors to manipulate facts and spread disinformation; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to closely cooperate on those linkages and overlapping challenges, as well as to foster the creation of a Balkan-focused Centre of Excellence on disinformation;

Or. en

Amendment 196Petar Vitanov, Sergei Stanishev, Elena Yoncheva, Ivo Hristov, Tsvetelina PenkovaMotion for a resolutionParagraph 28



28. Notes the significance of promoting quality journalism and media literacy for tackling widespread disinformation and fake news, disinformation campaigns in media, notably on social media platforms, which distort public opinion and pose severe risks to democratic societies and institutions, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the rule of law. Is alarmed in particular by the rising wave of

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nationalistic rhetoric which surrounds the current setback in the EU accession negotiations process.

Or. en




28. Notes the significance of ensuring quality journalism and media literacy for tackling widespread disinformation and fake news; is concerned about the disinformation campaigns in the media and calls on to investigate the sources of those campaigns;

Or. en

Amendment 198Fabio Massimo CastaldoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 28 a (new)


28a. Regrets that, as depicted in the EPRS study on disinformation in the Western Balkans of November 2020, disinformation campaigns in North Macedonia aimed at exacerbating ethnic tensions, harm the country’s international relations and reputation, and distort electoral processes; Calls on national authorities to enforce a deeper oversight of the media landscape in order to tackle fake news and other disinformation activities, hence increasing its transparency and access to reliable sources;

Or. en


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28a. Strongly urges the media outlets and the authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to deter from utilizing and publicizing hate speech against EU Member States and its closest neighbours;

Or. en

Amendment 200Alexander Alexandrov YordanovMotion for a resolutionParagraph 23– (new)


Highlights the unacceptable use in media circles of ‘hate speech’ regarding other countries and peoples, which is incompatible with European values and is hindering the development of good neighbourly relations in the region;

Or. bg

Amendment 201Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new)


28a. Urges the authorities to make full use of continuing COVID-related EU support and related mechanisms, using the opportunities offered by the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, aimed at bringing the region closer to the EU Single Market;

Or. en


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28b. Recognizes the economic growth that took place as of 2019 as investment picked up, but, notes that since April 2020, the COVID-19 crisis has left its mark on the economy and on public finances. Expresses support for range of measures supporting the authorities have taken in order to mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis, and in this context welcomes the EUR 4 million of immediate support for the health sector, and EUR 62 million in support of the social and economic recovery that the European Union provided North Macedonia at the onset of the pandemic, complemented by a macro-financial assistance package of EUR 160 million in loans;

Or. en

Amendment 203Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae ŞtefănuțăMotion for a resolutionParagraph 28 c (new)


28c. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to allocate a sufficient amount of COVID-19 vaccines to the citizens of all Western Balkan countries; encourages regional cooperation in the field of health, in particular on cross-border diseases in order to mitigate the burden in the region;

Or. en


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29. Encourages the Government to prioritise measures aimed at mitigating economic contraction, boosting diversification, competition and digitalisation and tackling of the informal economy;

29. Encourages the Government to prioritise measures aimed at mitigating economic contraction and structural needs, such as shortcomings in education and training, as well as the outflow of skilled workers, infrastructure investment gaps which impair labour productivity and competitiveness of the economy, boosting diversification, competition and digitalisation and tackling of the informal economy and recalls the importance of supporting small-and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are especially vulnerable to economic trends;

Or. en

Amendment 205Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionParagraph 29 a (new)


29a. Welcomes the Governments efforts in establishing a Law on Minimum Wages, which would provide a steady rise in the minimum wage and the private consumption;

Or. en



29b. Welcomes the steps taken in 2019 to establish a direct personal taxation system based on progressive rates. Notes the return to a flat-tax model. Encourages the Government to modernise the tax code with a higher focus on progressive rates on income, taxation of property and environmental factors, to produces

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sufficient value to implement social reforms and combat inequality;

Or. en



30a. Notes that despite the efforts made to amend the healthcare law, which enabled an increase in salaries, the public health care sector still faces losses of medical staff, particularly specialists who are leaving the country to work abroad; therefore encourages the government to create attractive working conditions in the public health care sector;

Or. en



20a. Urges to improve the capacity of the public health system, access to healthcare services, lack of medical and trained staff, in particular specialist doctors, and health insurance and reimbursements in order to avoid exacerbating social discrepancies, with a view to the ongoing pandemic;

Or. en

Amendment 209Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 30 a (new)


30a. Welcomes the social protection

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reform broadening the support base and urges for targeted measures addressing child poverty, aggravated by the pandemic;

Or. en



30b. Stresses the need to advance efforts to ensure a non-discriminatory access to the labour market for the EU citizens, freedom to provide services, a mutual recognition of professional qualifications and elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade;

Or. en



31a. Takes note of the fact that strengthening the competitiveness of Northern Macedonia's SMEs is of great importance having in mind the future integration aspirations of North Macedonia.

Or. en



32. Recalls that substantial efforts are still needed to meet the targets for energy

32. Recalls that substantial efforts are still needed to meet the targets for energy

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efficiency, renewable energy, security of supply and emission reductions;

efficiency, renewable energy, security of supply and emission reductions; emphasises the importance of tackling energy poverty;

Or. en



33a. Commends the adoption of the Energy Efficiency Law and encourages North Macedonia to pursue the development and adoption of all essential related secondary legislation and strengthen institutional capacities for implementation;

Or. en



33a. Calls for steps to ensure competition in the rail market, advance construction of relevant rail corridors and ensure functionality of the relevant border crossings;

Or. en



34. Welcomes continuous steps to ensure compliance with the obligations of the Third Energy Package, and create an integrated regional energy market;

34. Welcomes the progress achieved in ensuring compliance with the obligations of the Third Energy Package, and creating an integrated regional energy market;

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Or. en



34. Welcomes continuous steps to ensure compliance with the obligations of the Third Energy Package, and create an integrated regional energy market;

34. Welcomes continuous steps to ensure compliance with the obligations of the Third Energy Package, and create an integrated regional energy market through electricity and gas interconnectors with neighbouring countries;

Or. en



35. Recalls the potential of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans to enhance regional connectivity through Rail Corridor VIII to Bulgaria, and gas interconnectors to Greece, Kosovo and Serbia;

35. Welcomes the adoption of the Economic and Investment Plan and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans to support Green and digital transition of the region; Recalls the potential of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans to enhance regional connectivity through Rail Corridor VIII to Bulgaria, and gas interconnectors to Greece, Kosovo and Serbia;

Or. en




35. Recalls the potential of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, notably to enhance regional connectivity through Rail Corridor VIII to Bulgaria, and the North Macedonia-Kosovo and North

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Macedonia-Serbia gas interconnectors;

Or. en

Amendment 219Andrey KovatchevMotion for a resolutionParagraph 35



35. Reiterates the importance of improving the public infrastructure within the Western Balkans countries and with the EU Member States; recalls the potential of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans to enhance regional connectivity through Rail and Highway Corridor VIII to Bulgaria, and gas interconnectors to Greece, Kosovo and Serbia; recalls the importance of developing air connections within the Western Balkans countries and with the EU Member States;

Or. en




35. Recalls the potential of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans to enhance regional connectivity through Rail Corridor VIII to Bulgaria, and broader regional and cross-border cooperation; stresses that any investment must be in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and EU decarbonisation targets, and therefore calls upon the European Commission to put forward ex ante environmental impact assessments for each individual project, with the obligation to terminate projects which are not in line with the European

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Green Deal and climate targets;

Or. en




35. Recalls the potential of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans to enhance regional connectivity through Rail Corridor VIII to Bulgaria, and gas interconnectors to Greece, Kosovo 1a and Serbia;

__________________1a This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

Or. en



35a. Welcomes the adoption of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans to support Green and digital transition of the region;

Or. en

Amendment 223Petar Vitanov, Sergei Stanishev, Elena Yoncheva, Ivo Hristov, Tsvetelina PenkovaMotion for a resolutionParagraph 35 a (new)


34a. Highlights the strategic value for

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the EU of maintaining connectivity between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, within the TEN-T close transport links and of further integrating the Western Balkans. Calls on the Commission to pay special attention to the borders and overall connectivity within the region.

Or. en

Amendment 224Angel DzhambazkiMotion for a resolutionParagraph 35 a (new)


35a. Calls for enhanced cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia in economic matters; expresses disappointment at the lack of any major infrastructure and economic projects testifying to economic cohesion between the two countries;

Or. bg



35a. Calls on the Commission to focus IPA III funds on the ongoing democratic transition of North Macedonia, more so than infrastructure projects, especially in light of persistent problems with the investment climate, absorption capacity, and environmental standards in North Macedonia;

Or. en


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35a. Commends North Macedonia on being the first of the Western Balkan countries to develop its draft Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, which provides a solid basis for the development of an ambitious final plan;

Or. en



36. Calls for political will to implement ambitious environmental protection and sustainable development plans;

36. Calls for political will to implement ambitious environmental protection and sustainable development plans including through restrictions on hydropower development in protected areas, ensuring environmental liability and protecting biodiversity;

Or. en



36. Calls for political will to implement ambitious environmental protection and sustainable development plans;

36. Calls for political will to implement ambitious environmental protection and sustainable development plans, including by setting up an integrated regional waste management system; urges the implementation of the Paris Agreement, including by developing a comprehensive climate strategy and adopting a law, consistent with the EU 2030 framework, and develop a National Energy and Climate Plan, in line with Energy Community obligations;

Or. en

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37. Reiterates its calls to address an alarming level of urban air pollution via a transition to sustainable energy, heating and transport;

37. Reiterates its calls to address an alarming level of air pollution ,in particular in urban areas, via a transition to sustainable energy, heating and transport, as well as by improving inter-sectoral coordination and increasing financial resources for reduction of air pollution at the local and national level;

Or. en



37. Reiterates its calls to address an alarming level of urban air pollution via a transition to sustainable energy, heating and transport;

37. Reiterates its calls to address an alarming level of urban air pollution via a transition to sustainable energy, heating and transport, to ensure compliance with the emission ceiling levels for large combustion plants; recommends the development of a national strategy for coal phase out;

Or. en



37a. Recalls the need to prioritise setting up of an integrated regional waste management system, promote recycling, step-up wastewater treatment capacities and reduce the high rates of marine plastic leakage;

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Or. en



37a. Welcomes the progress which was made in the area of improvement of water quality, yet stresses the importance of securing adequate funds for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Skopje; encourages authorities to elaborate a regional integrated waste management system with sufficient administrative and financial resources;

Or. en

Amendment 233Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 37 b (new)


37b. Welcomes the recent announcement of North Macedonia in joining the Alexandroupolis Energy Project and encourages greater cooperation with Member States in improving energy security across the region;

Or. en

Amendment 234Fabio Massimo CastaldoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 37 b (new)


37b. Stresses on the cooperative and constructive approach adopted by North Macedonia throughout the negotiations of the Prespa agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly

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Relations with Bulgaria, which shows the country’s strategic interest in pushing forward its European accession path; Calls on EU Member states to acknowledge the efforts made from North Macedonia side and to adopt a positive and mutually beneficial approach;

Or. en



38. Reiterates its full support to the enhanced regional cooperation in the region, and appeals to all parties to ensure the full and continuous implementation of the Prespa agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria;

38. Reiterates its full support to the enhanced regional cooperation in the region;

Or. en




38. Reiterates its full support to the enhanced regional cooperation in the region, and appeals to all parties to ensure the full, consistent and in good faith implementation of the Prespa agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria, as an important part both of the bilateral relations and the enlargement process;

Or. en


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38. Reiterates its full support to the enhanced regional cooperation in the region, and appeals to all parties to ensure the need for the continuous implementation of the Prespa agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria in good faith by all parties;

Or. en

Amendment 238Gheorghe-Vlad NistorMotion for a resolutionParagraph 38



38. Reiterates its full support to the enhanced regional cooperation in the region, and appeals to all parties to ensure the full and continuous implementation of the Prespa agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria; urges North Macedonia’s EU neighbours to act in a constructive manner in regard to the country’s current direction and to refrain from actions that might harm this process; urges North Macedonia to pursue deeper connectivity with its neighbours and in all fields and to refrain from involvement in alternative projects that might go against the EU’s wider interests;

Or. en



38a. Notes that regional cooperation must be based on a common future in the EU, an open-minded dialogue and the

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respect of the fundamental European values; calls for the creation of new opportunities for high level political and policy dialogue with the Western Balkans countries, through regular EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified ministerial contacts, in order to strengthen the political nature of the enlargement process, to ensure stronger steering and high-level engagement, as also called for by the revised enlargement methodology;

Or. en

Amendment 240Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 38 a(new)


38a. Regrets the decision of Bulgaria not to approve the conclusion of the accession negotiating framework of North Macedonia during the 8 December 2020 European Affairs Minister's meeting;

Or. en



38a. Commends North Macedonia and Bulgaria on the successful Joint Chairmanship of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans and the important achievements, such as the creation of the Common Regional Market as a stepping stone towards the EU’s Single Market, as well as embracing the European Commission’s Economic and Investment Plan and Digital and Green Agendas to spur the economic development of the Western Balkans and speed up its

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convergence with the EU;

Or. en

Amendment 242Sunčana GlavakMotion for a resolutionParagraph 38 a (new)


38a. Reiterates that all standing bilateral disputes should be resolved independently of the negotiation process; considers that the conditioning of negotiations process with topics outside of acquis and fundamentals is contrary to the values of the European Union and the spirit of negotiation process;

Or. en



38b. Calls on Bulgaria to withdraw its veto against North Macedonia in order not to further delay the accession progress, and not let the enlargement process be impeded by unilateral interests;

Or. en

Amendment 244Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionParagraph 38 c(new)


38c. Notes that in order to acknowledge country’s efforts in the EU accession process, Bulgaria should approve the opening of the intergovernmental conference (IGC) with North Macedonia

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as soon as possible, also in order to prevent that further delays harm the reconciliation gains in the region;

Or. en

Amendment 245Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionParagraph 38 d(new)


38d. Welcomes the efforts made by the German Presidency to facilitate discussions between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, with the goal of reaching an agreement in the Council on the negotiating framework;

Or. en



39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

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Or. en



39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language,

39. Notes that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language,

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trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

Or. en




39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on pending bilateral issues and recalls the importance of achieving tangible results in the implementing in good faith bilateral agreements as part of the enlargement process; encourages both sides to reach a compromise over a roadmap of concrete measures, which implementation will be assessed throughout the accession process; looks forward to the holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference as soon as possible after the adoption of the Negotiating Framework;

Or. en



39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a

39. Looks forward to holding the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without further delay, and calls on Bulgaria and North Macedonia to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, while reiterating that this dispute has no relation whatsoever to the official

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further delay; accession criteria and should be settled separately from the accession process of North Macedonia;

Or. en

Amendment 250Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 39



39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, takes into consideration that for the accession of a 3rd country to be part of the European Union, it must be in line with all Member States;

Or. en




39. Regrets that the EU Council was not able to adopt the Negotiating Framework, and that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

Or. en


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39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, stresses the need to resolve aforementioned bilateral issues in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, to begin the accession talks without a further delay; calls on the Commission and the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues to intensify their efforts in facilitating dialogue, and thus pave the way to a viable agreement;

Or. en

Amendment 253Petar Vitanov, Sergei Stanishev, Elena Yoncheva, Ivo Hristov, Tsvetelina PenkovaMotion for a resolutionParagraph 39



39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, making full use of the framework and objectives of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation between the two countries, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

Or. en

Amendment 254Alexander Alexandrov YordanovMotion for a resolutionParagraph 39

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39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find an understanding on issues related to history and language, trusts that they will soon be settled, taking as a basis trustworthy historical and linguistic sources and arguments, in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

Or. bg




39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on pending bilateral issues, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to the adoption of the negotiating framework, with the aim of holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

Or. en



39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on issues related to history and language, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward to holding

39. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on bilateral issues related to history and language, trusts that they will soon be settled in order not to jeopardise the integration momentum, and looks forward

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of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without a further delay;

to holding of the first intergovernmental conference, kick-starting the accession talks without further delay;

Or. en



39a. Regrets that Bulgaria and North Macedonia have yet to find a compromise on pending bilateral issues and recalls the importance of achieving tangible results in the implementing in good faith bilateral agreements as part of the enlargement process. Encourages both sides to reach a compromise over a roadmap of concrete measures, the implementation of which would be assessed throughout the accession process; looks forward to the holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference as soon as possible after the adoption of the Negotiating Framework;

Or. en

Amendment 258Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 39 a (new)


39a. Welcomes the appointment of North Macedonia's Special Representative for Bulgaria and stresses the importance of continued dialogue in order to achieve sustainable agreement on the current bilateral issues and in that light welcomes the meeting in Sofia between the Special Representative and the Government of Bulgaria;

Or. en

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39b. Notes with concern the rising wave of nationalism which surrounds the setback of the accession negotiations; Points out that the idea of the European Union is to overcome regional disputes and a difficult past, in order to work and prosper together on a better peaceful future;

Or. en



39b. Calls for the implementation of an institutionalized and sufficiently public-financed youth dialogue between North Macedonia and Greece, and North Macedonia and Bulgaria based on the model of the Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO);

Or. en

Amendment 261Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 39 b (new)


39b. Whereas to be part of the EU, North Macedonia has to fully implement their bilateral treaties;

Or. en

Amendment 262Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Urmas Paet, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras Auštrevičius

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Motion for a resolutionParagraph 39 b (new)


39b. Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership and coordination in the Western Balkans in order to advance key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation;

Or. en

Amendment 263Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 39 c(new)


39c. Welcomes North Macedonia’s commitment to the ‘Clean Network’ initiative alongside Bulgaria and Kosovo in eliminating long term threats to data privacy and security by using only ‘trusted vendors’ in the development of its 5G technology and urges its neighbours to follow this example;

Or. en



41. Welcomes North Macedonia’s continued commitment to regional initiatives, and calls for the steady implementation of obligations within various regional frameworks that advance the Common Regional Market;

41. Is concerned at the growing influence of Albania in North Macedonia by means of intermediary organisations and political parties and underlines the major risk, in the event of North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo joining the European Union together, of the de facto establishment of a ‘Greater Albania’, which would seriously increase the likelihood of crime, trafficking, terrorism and floods of migrants

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throughout the Member States;

Or. fr

Amendment 265Željana ZovkoMotion for a resolutionParagraph 41 a (new)


41a. Welcomes North Macedonia's accession to the NATO alliance on 27 March 2020 and its continuing commitment to the Euro-Atlantic security framework; calls on North Macedonia to further continue its alignment to military and operational standards in order to enhance the interoperability and coherence with the EU and NATO member countries;

Or. en



41b. Welcomes North Macedonia’s full membership into NATO in March 2020, and welcomes the country’s contributions in EU crises management operations and the NATO-led mission to Afghanistan, as well as KFOR through the Host Nation Coordination Centre as well as its formal cooperation with the European Defence Agency;

Or. en



42. Invites North Macedonia to deleted

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continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations and increasing its alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy;

Or. en



42. Invites North Macedonia to continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations and increasing its alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy;

42. Finds that North Macedonia’s recent accession to NATO will encourage destabilisation, simmering conflicts and tensions at EU level;

Or. fr




42. Acknowledges the high level of alignment of North Macedonia with the Common Foreign and Security Policy and invites the country to continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations;

Or. en

Amendment 270Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42



42. Commends the continued and standing contributions of North Macedonia to ongoing CSDP operations and Euro-Atlantic security. Recognises the professional conduct of the Army of North Macedonia and invites North

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Macedonia to continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations and increasing its alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy;

Or. en




42. Commends the North Macedonian participation in Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations; Invites North Macedonia to maintain its commitment to CSDP activities and to seek further involvement in the future, as well as to increase its alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy;

Or. en




42. Invites North Macedonia to continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations and increasing its alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy, in particular regarding the restrictive measures against Russia;

Or. en



42. Invites North Macedonia to continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations and increasing its

42. Invites North Macedonia to continue contributing to the EU crisis management operations and increasing its

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alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy;

alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy;

Or. en

Amendment 274Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 a (new)


42a. Acknowledges the government’s political, cultural, economic and energy ties with Russia and expresses concern regarding the tremendous growth of Russian investment channelled to North Macedonia via third countries that have obscured the true extent of Russia’s economic footprint and have created an energy dependency by controlling the single gas route to the country via the Trans-Balkan Pipeline;

Or. en

Amendment 275Angel Dzhambazki, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 a (new)


42a. Commends the continued and standing contributions of North Macedonia to ongoing CSDP operations and Euro-Atlantic security. Recognises the professional conduct of the Army of North Macedonia and welcomes continued cooperation in this field;

Or. en

Amendment 276Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann Tertsch, Charlie WeimersMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 a (new)

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42a. Notes the growing risk of increasing influence of China and Russia throughout the region; expresses concern that North Macedonia could become increasingly vulnerable to investment from Russia and China, risking a backslide in development in the rule of law;

Or. en

Amendment 277Angel Dzhambazki, Hermann TertschMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 b (new)


42b. Welcomes the negotiations that are taking place regarding VISA’s with Russia and Azerbaijan; notes that North Macedonia’s VISA policy must be in line with EU VISA policy to aid accession efforts;

Or. en

Amendment 278Tonino Picula, Tanja Fajon, Andreas SchiederMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 c (new)


42c. Reiterates its full support of the promise of Thessaloniki, made by the European Council in 2003, namely the future of the Western Balkan countries lies in the EU;

Or. en

Amendment 279Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Klemen Grošelj, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Petras AuštrevičiusMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 c (new)

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42c. Calls for an active engagement and the appropriate inclusion of the Western Balkans countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe;

Or. en

Amendment 280Ilhan KyuchyukMotion for a resolutionParagraph 42 d (new)


42d. Welcomes the fact that North Macedonia will exercise the function of the OSCE Chairmanship in 2023;

Or. en

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Documents

AM_Com_NonLegReport · Web view2.Urges the authorities to sustain consensual efforts to strengthen democratic consolidation and the transformation process, fight against corruption,