Recommendation for the Council, for the Commission and for the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region

Wording as published by the EP, in English.

1. Amendment 1Rejected

   Paragraph 1 – point a (new)

   Tabled by João Oliveira, Danilo Della Valle · The Left

   Added: (-a) conduct their relations with the countries of East Asia in such a way as to promote peace, cooperation and friendship among peoples, in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of states, respect for states’ political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, refraining from the threat or use of force and the peaceful settlement of disputes; at the same time, refrain from promoting or joining policies aimed at confrontation, interference, destabilisation and aggression, supported by disinformation campaigns against states, including the People’s Republic of China;

2. Amendment 2Rejected

   Paragraph 1 – point h a (new)

   Tabled by João Oliveira, Danilo Della Valle · The Left

   Added: (ha) conduct their political, diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with the People’s Republic of China with mutual respect, cooperation and the pursuit of mutually beneficial relations aimed at meeting the needs and interests of their respective peoples; such relations should respect the ‘One China’ principle, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China, and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and should contribute to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region;

3. Amendment 3Rejected

   Recital Y a (new)

   Tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin · The Left

   Added: Ya. whereas since the entry into force of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on 1 August 2020, trade in goods between the EU and Viet Nam has increased significantly, but in a highly unbalanced manner, with the EU’s trade deficit widening from EUR 23.4 billion in 2019 to EUR 42.5 billion in 2024; whereas this increase in trade has not been matched by convincing progress in labour rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular as regards independent trade union rights; whereas Viet Nam has failed to ratify a key labour rights convention that would allow for independent trade unions to register and operate freely, despite pledging to do so by the end of 2023, and has not taken steps to uphold other treaties it has already joined; whereas these shortcomings amount to violations of the EVFTA;

4. Amendment 4Rejected

   Recital Y b (new)

   Tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin · The Left

   Added: Yb. whereas EU-Philippines FTA negotiations have resumed without a new human rights impact assessment (HRIA), despite the European Ombudsman’s previous decision1a, which found that the Commission’s failure to carry out a HRIA in relation to its negotiation of an FTA with Viet Nam constituted maladministration; ___________________ 1a Decision of the European Ombudsman of 26 February 2016 in case 1409/2014/MHZ on the European Commission’s failure to carry out a human rights impact assessment of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement.

5. Amendment 5Rejected

   Recital Y c (new)

   Tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin · The Left

   Added: Yc. whereas the Commission announced the resumption of EU-Philippines FTA negotiations in March 2024, despite the lack of improvement in human rights in the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s rule; whereas political persecution of human rights defenders has increased in the past years, with an alarmingly high number of enforced disappearances and targeted fabricated charges related to alleged terrorism financing;

6. Amendment 6Rejected

   Paragraph 1 (d) a (new)

   Tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin · The Left

   Added: (da). reverse the recent weakening of Directive (EU) 2024/1760 on corporate sustainability due diligence1a so that its scope and enforceability are strengthened again, in particular in view of the persistent exploitation of migrant workers in South-East Asian supply chains; ensure that reinforced binding due diligence obligations for companies placing products on the EU market cover the entire value chain, including recruitment and subcontracting practices, and provide for effective enforcement, sanctions, civil liability and access to remedy, so as to combat forced labour and social dumping; _____________________ 1a Directive (EU) 2024/1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on corporate sustainability due diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 (OJ L, 2024/1760, 5.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj).

7. Amendment 7Rejected

   Paragraph 1 (d) b (new)

   Tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin · The Left

   Added: (db). conduct a new HRIA in the light of the resumption of EU-Philippines FTA negotiations; take concrete action to ensure convincing progress in labour rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular as regards independent trade union rights, in all concluded FTAs and negotiations;