ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
40.

Calls on the Commission to carefully assess the issue of consumer redress in the Member States, bearing in mind that any new proposals by it in that area should be based on a thorough examination of existing problems and the envisaged benefits for consumers, andthat in respect of cross-border proceedings and possible systems of collective redress, extensive research should be carried out, drawing on experience around the world, with special regard to the concerns expressed at the excesses and drawbacks of the US model, and dealing clearly with the question of an appropriate legal base for such an instrument at EU level; asks the Commission then to present, as appropriate, a coherent solution at European level, providing all consumers with access to collective redress mechanisms for the settlement of cross-border complaints;
3.

Calls for a negotiated truce, which should be guaranteed by a mechanism, to be set up by the international community coordinated by the Quartet and the League of Arab States, which could include the dispatching of a multinational presence, under a clear mandate, in order to restore security and secure respect for the ceasefire for the people in Israel and Gaza, with special reference to the monitoring of the Egypt-Gaza border, which implies an important role for Egypt; calls on the Council to increase its pressure in order to halt the ongoing violence; encourages the diplomatic efforts so far undertaken by the international community, especially Egypt and the European Union;
32.

Considers that relations and partnerships with key energy suppliers, transit countries and consumer countries are important and must be deepened; points out, however, that the deepening of those relations and partnerships should in no circumstances take place to the detriment of the Union's founding values with regard, in particular, to respect for human rights; emphasises in this regard that the development of confidence and deeper and legally binding ties between the European Union and producer and transit countries should go hand in hand with the promotion of, and respect for, democracy, human rights and the rule of law; calls for the development and adoption of policies and concrete measures to those ends;
14.

Emphasises the need to strike a balance between the production of biofuels and bio-energy on the one hand, and the requisite global food reserves on the other; notes that the increase in biofuel and bio-energy production can have a positive impact on the agri-foods sector, which is currently feeling the effects of the high prices of raw materials necessary to the processing industry, such as fertilisers and diesel oil, etc.; considers that the development of renewable energy sources is therefore a viable economic and social development alternative for rural areas and one that simultaneously offers a sustainable approach to environmental protection, especially if one factors in the EU's 2020 targets for renewable energy; points out, at the same time, however, that measures need to be taken to ward off the adverse effects that the increase in the production of energy crops may have on biodiversity, food prices and land-use patterns;
2.

Strongly condemns the continuous persecution of the Rohingya people by the Burmese Government, which holds prime responsibility for the plight of the refugees; demands the restoration of the Burmese citizenship of the Rohingya people, the immediate lifting of all restrictions on their freedom of movement and their right to be educated and marry, the cessation of religious persecution and the destruction of mosques and other places of worship, and an end to all human rights violations across the country as well as deliberate impoverishment, arbitrary taxation and land confiscation;
52.

Stresses that informing society about the benefits of smart metering is crucial for their success; recalls that Parliament's own initiative report ‘on a new Digital Agenda for Europe: 2015.eu’ set as a policy goal that 50 % of homes in Europe would be fitted with smart meters by 2015; Welcomes the work by the taskforce on smart meters and asks the Commission to put forward a number of recommendations before the end of 2011 to ensure that: — smart metering is implemented in accordance with the timetable of the 3rd Energy Market Package so that the objective of having 80 % of buildings fitted with smart meters by 2020 will be met, — Member States agree by the end of 2011 on minimum common functionalities for smart meters, — there should be smart meter benefits for consumers such as energy reductions, assistance to low income and vulnerable consumers and that aggregation, in which the loads of multiple end-use customers are combined in order to obtain lower rates than any of the users would have been able to obtain individually, is allowed and promoted in national markets, — Member States develop and publish a strategy to deliver the potential benefit of smart metering to all consumers, including vulnerable and low income people, — an obligation for national TSOs and regulators to install a ‘time of use network tariffs’ in order to create a financial incentive for load shedding and demand side management, — an Ecodesign implementing measure is prepared for smart meters, to ensure these products are energy efficient and do not add unnecessary energy consumption to households, — the ongoing preparatory study on networked standby modes (that is being carried out under the Ecodesign Directive) addresses smart meters, with a view to possible future regulation;
4.

Denounces any attempt to incite hatred and advocate violence towards any minority group, including on grounds of sex or sexual orientation; in this context condemns the tabling of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Parliament and urges the Ugandan authorities not to approve the Bill but to review their laws so as to decriminalise homosexuality and decriminalise marginalised groups, including LGBT activists; underlines that an anti-homosexuality law would be extremely detrimental in the fight against HIV/AIDS;
16.

Asks the Commission and the Member States to take into account the high costs of complying with animal welfare legislation, especially as these costs are not reflected in sale prices; calls, therefore, on the Commission to ensure that third-country imports comply with EU animal welfare standards, in order to prevent unfair competition; stresses that in the coming years the pigmeat and the poultry sectors will have to comply with still more stringent requirements, without any financial support from the European Union;
44.

Considers that, empowered by the reference to territorial cohesion in the TFEU, and with the aim of improving accessibility, it is essential to continue making the mobility of passengers and goods an integral part of internal market policy through the promotion of short sea shipping and maritime cabotage between territories and, at the same time, ensure better links between peripheral maritime regions, outermost regions and islands and mainland and economic centres; point out, in the same context, that it is of crucial importance to deal with the difficulties facing island areas in the EU, in particular small island communities, with regard to the transport of persons and goods by supporting maritime links not adequately served by the market and by guaranteeing the same cost per kilometre for the transport of people, regardless of their location; calls for concrete measures for the outermost regions taking account of their distinctive features;
15.

Is encouraged by the progress in the negotiations on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, in particular its deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) aspects; notes that the conclusion of the negotiations on the agreement depend on the ability and willingness of the Ukrainian side to approximate its laws and regulations with those of the European Union; calls on the Commission to negotiate the DCFTA with Ukraine in such a way that its provisions not only open up EU and Ukrainian markets for mutual beneficial trade, but also support the modernisation of the Ukrainian economy; stresses that the DCFTA should make for Ukraine’s gradual integration into the EU internal market, including the extension of the four freedoms to the country; urges the Commission and Ukraine to make rapid progress in this field, on the basis of Ukraine’s achievements as a member of the WTO; urges both parties to do everything needed to achieve final agreement in the first half of next year;
29.

Is aware of different options for the management of the additional revenues generated by the taxation of the financial sector at both national and European level; stresses that, the question regarding the purpose for which the revenues raised by an FTT should be used needs to be resolved and that, in order to give taxpayers a proper picture of the rationale behind additional financial sector taxation, the assessment of and prioritisation among different options should be seen as an essential element in the overall debate on innovative financing; stresses that, owing to its global nature, the revenue raised by a global FTT should be used to provide financing for global policy goals, such as development and poverty reduction in developing countries and the fight against climate change; notes the Commission’s aim to increase the volume of the EU budget through the use of innovative financial instruments; is convinced that in order to safeguard the European added value of the aforementioned innovative financing tools a part of those revenues could be allocated to finance EU projects and policies; recalls that the Commission’s recent Communication on a review of the EU budget regards EU taxation of the financial sector as a possible source of own resources; calls for a broad debate involving the EU institutions, national parliaments, EU stakeholders and civil society representatives on the choices available regarding those policies, the shares of revenue to be allocated at EU and national level and the various ways of achieving this; notes, with regard to the management of the share of the revenue allocated at national level, that all possible options should be evaluated, including the allocation of revenue to consolidate public finances;
B.

whereas Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum was sentenced to death in September 2001 by the Criminal Court in Ibb, following his conviction for a murder he allegedly committed in June 1999, when he was supposedly under the age of 18; whereas in the absence of a birth certificate his death sentence was upheld by an appeal court in May 2005, confirmed by the Supreme Court in April 2010 and has since been ratified by the President of Yemen; whereas Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum was initially scheduled for execution on 12 January 2011, but was granted a temporary reprieve by the Yemeni Attorney-General,
—

having regard to the fact that, at its meeting of 17 March 2011, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs heard the candidate selected by the Board of Supervisors of the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority),
2.

Is of the opinion that this strategy should be set within the cohesion policy objective of territorial cooperation (Objective 3), and be based on an integrated, cross-domain and territorial approach, aiming at better coordinating policies between the various levels of governance on a given territory, with a focus on relevant issues; is convinced that European territorial cooperation can contribute widely to the intensification of the integration process within the Atlantic region through a greater participation by civil society in the decision-making process and the implementation of concrete actions;
16.

Points out the importance of SMEs to the European economy and therefore welcomes the increase of EIB financing to SMEs over 2008 to 2010, totalling the amount of EUR 30,8 billion, and recognises that this amount exceeds the annual target amount of EUR 7.5 billion for this period; welcomes the setting-up of the European Progress Microfinance Facility in March 2010 with some EUR 200 million of funding from the Commission and the Bank; underlines, however, the difficulties faced by SMEs in trying to obtain credit and, in this respect, calls on the EIB to continue enhancing transparency in its lending through financial intermediaries; to this effect, calls for the establishment of clear financing conditions and stricter lending effectiveness criteria for its financial intermediaries; calls for an obligation for the EIB to report annually on its lending to SMEs, including an evaluation of the accessibility and effectiveness thereof and of the measures directed towards achieving a greater penetration rate;
69.

Calls on the Commission to endorse the following list of proposals as key Parliament priorities: — Calls on the Commission to take measures to increase the mobility of European citizens, in particular by publishing by September 2011 a Green Paper on the recognition of professional qualifications, including an assessment of the existing framework, and, if appropriate, to propose a legislative initiative to reform this framework in 2012, at the same time assessing the feasibility and the added value of EU-wide professional identity cards and a ‘European skills passport’ in 2011 and setting-up a ‘mobility scoreboard’ to measure mobility within the EU; — Calls on the Commission to play a more active role in coordinating the activities of national market surveillance and customs authorities, in order to improve the effectiveness of border controls on goods imported from third countries, and to draw up in 2011 a multiannual action plan for the development of an effective European market surveillance system for all products, while allowing Member States flexibility in fulfilling their legal obligations; — Urges the Commission to propose an extension of the existing roaming regulation both in time - to June 2015 - and in scope, introducing retail price caps for data roaming in order to reduce roaming costs for members of the public and businesses; — Calls on the Commission to submit by June 2011 a legislative proposal on guaranteeing access to certain basic banking services and to improve the transparency and comparability of bank charges by the end of 2011; — Calls on the Commission to come up with a legislative proposal to remove obstacles encountered by mobile workers in order to ensure the full portability of pension rights;
3.

Recognises that the proper collection and analysis of comparable data as regards the sales of veterinary agents - and the subsequent use of such products on animals - is an important first step; stresses the need to get a full picture of when, where, how and on which animals the antimicrobials are actually used today, without creating additional financial or administrative burdens for farmers or other animal owners;
29.

Calls on the Commission to develop legislation requiring large financial institutions to submit their boards to regular external evaluation aimed at ensuring not only high standards of contributions by individual directors, but also that the board as a whole and its committees are in a position to deliver on the institution's strategic objectives and management of the risk; requires large financial institutions to confirm in their annual reports that they have undertaken such an evaluation, the name of the external evaluator, a description of the scope of the evaluation and that they have acted on the latter’s recommendations; calls on the ESAs to develop guidance on the scope of such evaluations in consultation with the industry, shareholders and regulators;
12.

Stresses the need to develop reliable, harmonised and timely statistics and to obtain series of data and indicators covering a long period that can be used in projecting future developments and designing policies; recommends that various databases maintained by public authorities should be better used and combined and that similar methodology, common standards, definitions, classifications and accounting rules should be used in each Member State in order to guarantee the quality and comparability of data; calls for data collection and processing to be performed in accordance with principles of professional independence, impartiality, objectivity, statistical confidentiality and cost-effectiveness, with proper attention nevertheless being paid to personal data protection issues; takes the view that Eurostat should play a major role in this process;
14.

Stresses that, in order to be able to take its decision on whether or not to grant consent at the end of the negotiations, Parliament needs to follow the process from the beginning; considers that it is also in the interests of the other Institutions that any concerns of sufficient importance to call into question Parliament’s readiness to grant consent be identified and addressed at an early stage;
56.

Calls on the Member States, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), in line with the practice established in other policy fields, to improve the coordination of their respective budget support to third countries in order to avoid overlap, inconsistencies and incoherencies; deplores the reviews showing that, at sectoral level, weak policies, institutions and service delivery systems have prompted donors to use their own systems to implement projects, and to act bilaterally rather than in a coordinated manner, a situation which is all the more unacceptable in a context of scarce funding and which also makes it very hard for the EU to live up to its promises on making aid more predictable; maintains that a focus on specific areas offering the greatest added value should drive EU budget support throughout all phases of preparation and delivery;
15.

Expresses its satisfaction with the Commission’s efforts to establish working groups in the field of fisheries management with Turkey and the Russian Federation, providing the basis for further debate on cooperation; calls on the Commission to extend its efforts and dialogue with all countries bordering the Black Sea; calls on the Commission to make full use of the existing organisations, as well as the relevant tools, in order to make progress towards better policy coordination; takes the view, meanwhile, that a separate regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) for the Black Sea could in the long term foster and promote communication between scientific institutes and professional organisations of fishermen, producers and processors with a view to settling issues and deepening cooperation in the Black Sea; encourages the Commission to work with the Black Sea countries at a bilateral level, bearing in mind that many of them are not members of the European Union;
6.

Welcomes the action of the NGOs bringing aid to the victims of violence and war crimes, particularly the medical aid provided by certain hospitals such as Panzi hospital in Bukavu; stresses that the majority of the victims of sexual aggression are not receiving the necessary medical, social or legal aid; suggests that a comprehensive programme of assistance to victims and their reintegration into Congolese society and the labour market be worked out by the Government of the DRC; calls on the Commission to release additional funds to combat sexual violence and to work to create houses for the victims of sexual violence in sensitive areas; suggests that a pilot project be set up to improve medical assistance to victims of sexual violence in the DRC;
11.

Calls for a greater percentage of EU Official Development Aid (ODA) to be directed to agricultural production and assistance to pastoralists in developing countries to boost food security; in this context urges the international community to make long-term investments in agriculture as the main source of food and income in the region, and in the building of sustainable infrastructure, and to afford small farmers access to land, thereby bolstering the local market and providing acceptable everyday food for people in the Horn of Africa;
11.

Considers, due to the persistent deadlock in the original architecture and objectives of the DDA, that it is now more necessary than ever to resume the debate on the future functioning of the WTO with a possible reform of the new multilateral trading system; calls on the Commission to consult proactively with Parliament on a shared vision of the architecture of a future global trading system; in the current context of the economic and social crises, and even if the DDA is not concluded, urges the WTO, along with other international organisations, to consistently and urgently tackle new global challenges in which trade plays a part, such as food security, energy, sustainable development and Aid for Trade;
31.

Suggests that the Commission’s future legislative proposal on the use of ADR for consumers in the EU incorporate the guidelines to be followed in relation to ADR systems established in Europe, these being the following: — independence, impartiality and confidentiality: when mediators are being designated, the possibility of conflicts of interest arising should be avoided; the principle of joint participation by members of consumer associations and organisations representing companies could serve as a useful basis for ensuring the impartiality of the outcome; — competence: the professionals in charge must have the specialist ability, training and experience to perform their role and must be impartial, independent and competent; — efficiency and speed: mediators must have adequate means at their disposal (appropriate human, material and financial resources) and be able meet the short deadlines between referral and decision; — equity between consumers and professionals, in terms of information as well as conceptually and procedurally, and two-way exchanges, i.e. the two parties being able to express their position and to familiarise themselves with the position and the facts stated by the other; — funding: the issue of the cost of ADR should be resolved in order to ensure that such an option is attractive to the parties concerned; with this in mind, the system should be free, if a case is won, or offered at a very moderate cost to the consumer; — freedom of choice and out-of-court nature: ADR must be optional and based on respect for the parties’ freedom of choice throughout the process, allowing them the possibility of choosing, at any time, to settle their dispute before the courts; at the same time, guarantees must be provided that genuine efforts are being made to achieve successful mediation; it must not under any circumstances constitute an initial compulsory step prior to the initiation of legal proceedings, and the decision stemming from it can be binding only if the parties have been informed to that effect beforehand and expressly agree to it; despite such a decision, it must still be possible for the parties to opt for a court hearing; — proportionality of the procedures, decisions and costs, to avoid their impact exceeding the objective and content of the dispute; the costs borne must be in proportion to the damage incurred; — transparency: besides providing general information (types of lawsuit, rules on referral, decision-taking arrangements, etc.), any person acting as a mediator must be obliged to publish an annual report;
6.

Calls on the Council and Commission to enter into negotiations with Parliament, on the basis of Article 295 TFEU, with a view to updating the Joint Declaration on practical arrangements for the codecision procedure (now ordinary legislative procedure) in order to take account of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and to clearly delimit the scope of unilateral statements;