Resolution booklet of the 2nd NSC of EYP Armenia

2nd

National Selection Conference of EYP Armenia

Yerevan 2013 3rd November 2013

RESOLUTION BOOKLET

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Contents Procedure of the General Assembly ................................................................................. 3 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs........................................................................................................ ..... ........................4 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs ......... 8 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Human Rights..................................... 10 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Foreign Affairs .................................... 13 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on International Trade ............................. 16 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Security and Defence ........................ 19 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs ........ 22

â?§ The content of the resolutions do not, by any means, reflect opinions or politics of

the European Youth Parliament Armenia as an organisation. The opinions are limited to the respective authors of the topic overviews only.

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Procedure of the General Assembly General rules The wish to speak is indicated by raising the committee placard. The authority of the board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings 1. Reading out the operative clauses 2. Three minutes to defend the motion for a resolution 3. Eight minutes to attack the motion for a resolution 4. 30 minutes of open debate 5. Seven minutes to sum up the debate 6. Voting procedure 7. Announcing the votes

Friendly amendment Friendly amendment is a last-minute modification of a resolution. They are to be handed in on a specific form one resolution before the resolution in question.

Point of information Point of information is a request for a brief explanation of a specific word or an abbreviation.

Direct response Each committee may use the direct response placard once per debate. Should a committee member raise the committee placard and the direct response sign, the board recognises the committee immediately. The direct response sign is used to answer 3

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CIVIL LIERBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Civil Society institutions in the EaP countries nowadays have limited capacities and

are ill represented in the decision making processes. What should the EU’s engagement policy be towards those institutions in order to foster a better checks and balances system in the Eastern Partnership Countries?

Submitted by:

Agnieszka

Lyszcz (PL), Nino Kharebava (GE), Magda Grigolia

(GE), Mate Tevzadze (GE), Marine Meliksetyan (ARM), Flora Babajanyan (ARM), Arman Gasparyan (ARM), Lilit Janibekyan (ARM), Hovsep Babayan (ARM), Andranik Shirinyan (ARM), Anna Daghlaryan Ghahrinyan

(ARM), (ARM),

Liana Vardan

Hovhannisyan Hakobyan

(ARM),

(ARM),

Mushegh

Mary

Asatryan

(ARM), Rima Shahverdyan (ARM), Erik Vardanyan (ARM), Sos Avetisyan (Chair, ARM), Margarita Gevorgyan (Chair, ARM).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the lack of platforms for societies to express their opinions, B. Deeply concerned about psychological barriers, C. Having examined pressure by authorities on social activists, D. Keeping in mind the lack of exchange of experience between other Countries and civil societies, E. Taking into account the existence of corruption, F. Further recalling the lack of independence and power balance, G. Having considered the lack of internal organization within the judiciary community, 4

H. Declaring the need for precise and clear laws, I.

Noting with regret the violence and oppression,

J. Fully alarmed by the media’s political and financial dependence, K. Recognizing education and professionalism as positive aspects of a society, L. Viewing with appreciation the national legislation and its implementation, M. Bearing in mind the lack of international communication, cooperation, support and exchange of information, N. Aware of the lack of intra-national information and connection between regions and the centre concerning the civil society, the judiciary system and the media, O.

Having observed the lack of trust, communication and cooperation among civil societies,

P. Desiring the asymmetry of finance between regions and the centre

1. Calls for creating a bridge between Civil Society Institutions (CSO) and governmental institutions which will express the opinion of the civil society. Social activists and a representative from each party should be involved, 2. Encourages the Government by the law insure fair and impartial media coverage and media access for the grass-root movements and civil society’s activities, 3. Further encourages education of human rights and civil liberties to wider layers of the society and especially underlines the need to include human rights education within the school curriculum, 4. Urges organizing the platforms calling it “CSO” (Civil Society Organization) and each EaP country must have its own “CSO” by the same structure as it is presented in the 1st point ; Create a publicly accessible experience bank and clearinghouse of information, 5. Affirms the necessity for the independent judiciary for ensuring democratic state.

For reaching this can be provided by public view into bank account of judges, hard punishments, publishing and spreading information about committed crimes among Judge Chambers. Further suggests creating a special service created to 5

test judges in case of receiving financial benefits. Encourages to higher the level of the requirements for selecting the judges, 6. Emphasises that the executive authority is not superior over judiciary system, moreover it can be secured by law regulations, independent budget of judiciary institutions, selection of judges based on qualifications not relations, execution of immunity rights, multilevel and independent court system, 7.

Strongly recommends to foster international exchange of experience with EU countries (study visit, trainings, seminars), as well as creating between EU and EAP advisory and training groups for the judges. Ensure independency within juridical system (for instance division of cases in court should be based on computer system instead of personal decisions),

8. Recommends international media associations throughout EaP countries, which would monitor the content of media and condemn its dependence from authorities, 9. Expresses its appreciation for double-degrees in the sphere of journalism, providing analytical thinking skills for media school students. To come up with a international European network tool, where every violation of media legislation can be recorded directly by the citizens anonymously and reported, 10. Encourages the EaP countries to consider EU experience in legislation on mass media, when drafting their national code. The EU should organize an initiative for creating internationally financed TV channels of programs that will present unbiased information to the population in EaP countries, 11. Urges to organize international trainings, conferences, study courses and round table discussions in order to establish trustful environment among the aforementioned. The

EU should decrease the financial assistance to the EaP countries ,

when the cases of journalist oppressions rises, 12. Expresses its hope in organizing meetings and lectures with universities’ regional branches and creation of regional information centres to provide free trainings to local youth. Also to establish state media branches in the regions and encour6

ages cooperation with local media. The European experts should be given an opportunity to co-develop the agenda for a journalistic education together with the local universities, 13. Recommends creating website, where there will be information about EaP countries’ problems, issues and activities, 14. The national parliaments are encouraged to review their respected legislations in order to insure equal resource distribution which will in its turn impact positively to regional development.

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On a way to a deeper cooperation between the EU and EaP, there is still no well

developed institutional framework to attract entrepreneurs from the Eastern Partner-

ship countries. What approaches should the EU undertake to simplify business establishment procedure for the recipients from Eastern Partnership countries?

Submitted by:

Svetlana

Cocul

Maghlakelidze

(MD),

(GE),

Nana

Pawel

Miquchadze

Wilkos

(PL),

(GE),

Albert

Revazi

Hayrapetyan

(ARM), Raffi Elliott (ARM), Davit Abgaryan (ARM), Hovhannes Zhamharyan (ARM), Nelli Minasyan (ARM), Harutyun Avagyan (ARM), Anna Mamyan (ARM), Lusine Nalbandyan (ARM), Taline Saghdasaryan (ARM), Davit Shindyan (Chair, ARM)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Emphasising the lack of systemized information and insufficient level of awareness, B. Having considered the taxation systems of member states  differences between taxation systems of member states,  the complicated structure of systems,  the lack of tax incentives, C. Taking into consideration the restrictions dictated by labour laws, D. Deeply concerned with the protectionism in member states as a barrier to entering the local markets, 8

E. Noting with regret the difficulties concerning visa obtaining procedures, F. Concerned with the shortage of financial means in Eastern Partnership countries, 1. Calls for establishing consulting agencies and raising the level of awareness in Eastern Partnership countries about the business environment in member states, 2. Recommends the creation of a committee to work out a unified taxation system and create incentives for foreign investments, 3. Encourages the liberalization of the labour market and the mitigation of labour restrictions, 4. Urges to implement the termination of protectionist policies in member states, 5. Suggests the creation of a special “investor visa�, 6. Expresses its hope for the creation of a special fund for supporting SMEs

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H UMAN R IGHTS

The protection of the intellectual property rights has been an issue in the countries

of the Eastern Partnership for 2 decades with no credible solution suggested yet.

What model of the intellectual property rights protection will assist EaP countries to boost growth and better integrate in the European framework?

Submitted by:

Varduhi

Avanesyan

(ARM);

Aza

Khachatryan

(ARM);

Anush

Nalghranyan (ARM); Melanie Le Dain (FR); Elene Gabelaia (GE); Zura

Gamtenadze

Ghazaryan Patatanyan

(ARM); (ARM);

(GE); Iskuhi Robert

Anna

Vardanyan

Baghdasaryan Tsaturyan

(ARM);

(ARM);

Tigran

(ARM);

Armine

Davit

Dilanyan

(Chair, ARM)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply concerned with existing situation on IPR in EaP countries, B. Condemning the atmosphere of non-punishment and the lack of sanction mechanisms related to IPR, C. Underlining the insufficient level of awareness of stakeholders and low level of cyber-literacy, D. Taking into consideration the low level of cooperation between local and international bodies in combating the cybercrime, E. Indicating the high piracy rate in incumbent countries topping the world global index, F. Aware of violations in production of goods especially in the field of medicine and drugs, 10

G. Keeping in mind that the violation of IPR entails threat to the security and the health of human being (illegal production of medicine), H. Emphasizing that the property rights violations discourage innovations which might pose a threat for economic development, I.

Deeply concerned with the emerging tendency of high profit piracy connection with organized crime as potential threat to global security,

J. Realizing the level of protection of IPR has a impact on FDI, K. Alarmed by the fact that the creative content is being broadly counterfeited in Eastern Partnership countries, L. Acknowledging the lack of mechanisms for enforcing of existing laws as well as the lack of political willingness to take sound actions, M. Recognizing the right of fair use of intellectual property in public campaigns, education and similar activities, N. Taking into consideration the historical background and intertwined cultures in the region,

1. Calls the member states to respect Intellectual Property Right in line with other basic human rights, 2. Recalls the EaP states to tighten the control mechanisms and harmonize standardization systems with EU state, 3. Calls the EaP states to conduct awareness raising campaigns in order to educate the society on intellectual property rights and promote cyber-literacy, 4. Urges member states to show political willingness in creating the appropriate mechanism to enforce the laws on IPR and make the necessary changes and in some cases tighten the laws, 5. Recommends EaP states to take actions towards healthy economical environment in order to boost the investments,

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6. Calls EaP states to take steps towards a single European IPR regulation system

and towards the inclusion of EaP countries in the single protection

system under United Registration System with single database, 7. Recommends to make a database package of a legal cases to serve as an advisory document for the European Court, 8. Draws attention of EaP states to respect the cultural diversity within and

across the states in the spotlight of intellectual property right.

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F OREIGN A FFAIRS

What should the EU’s policy be towards regimes in the grey zone between democracy and autocracy? Particularly, taking into account no aspirations towards European Integration from the side of Belarus and Azerbaijan, what stance should the EU take to ensure balanced engagement?

Submitted by:

Ewa Polak (PL), Saba Karanadze (GE), Elena Bugaets (GE), Tsovinar Kostanyan (ARM), Ani Hayrapetyan (ARM), Petros Arabyan

(ARM),

Nver

Kirakosyan

(ARM),

Hagop

Khachadourian

(ARM), Ninel Gasparyan (ARM), Siranush Seyranyan (ARM), Taguhi Minasyan (ARM), Roza Sargsyan (ARM), Svetlana Hohannisyan (ARM), Veronika Aghajanyan (Chair, ARM)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Recognizing the importance of economic relations between EU and EaP states and the need to increase the trade rates for the economic development of those states, B. Emphasizing the crucial role of the EU energy security, C. Alarmed by the influence of the third countries on the economic situation in the EaP States, D. Reaffirming the character of mutual benefits of the cooperation between the EU and the EaP States, E. Taking into consideration: i.

Obvious violations of the principles of free and fair elections, 13

ii.

Corruption in different administrative bodies,

iv.

Malfunctioning of EURONEST further cooperation between EU and EaP coun-

iii.

Absence of pluralistic regime, tries,

F. Taking into consideration several constraints: i.

ii.

iii.

iv. v.

Restrictions of freedom of expression,

Limitations imposed upon the media and social networks, Violation of the right to fair trial,

Passive civic participation in political life, Gender Discrimination,

G. Identifying the existing level of corruption and insufficient mechanisms to tackle it, H. Emphasizing the existence of gender discrimination

1. Encourages more active cooperation with Belarus and Azerbaijan in the field of trade, in order to strengthen bilateral economic ties and become more competitive in the region, 2. Encourages Belarus to adaptation a broad macro-economy adjustment policies on fiscal and monetary issues and exchange rates in order to overcome the crisis, 3. Reaffirms recognition of Azerbaijan as one of the most important partners in the context of the energy security of Europe and the region, 4. Believes that EU’s cooperation with Azerbaijan within the frames of energy security is mutually beneficial in economic, security and political spheres, 5. Encourages Azerbaijan to continue investing into the development of Trans Adriatic Pipeline project, 6. Reaffirms the possibility of initiating negotiations on DCFTA, at the same time respecting sovereignty of the economic relations with other states and actors,

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7. Suggests incentives instead of sanctions in order to assist modernization and

democratic transformation of the political system, to strengthen the dialogue between the EU and the governments of Belarus and Azerbaijan, and to foster the integration of Belarus and Azerbaijan to the EU,

8. Calls to improve mechanism of the electoral process monitoring by involving larger number of local and international observers, experts and watchdogs,

9. Encourages more active participation of oppositional groups in the decision making process of the countries,

10. Recommends to raise awareness of society about the EU values on freedom of expression, to release political prisoners, to liberalize the media market and withdraw the restrictions on social networks,

11. Suggests to foster the transparency of judiciary system by increasing the qualification of the courts’ staff according to EU judiciary criteria,

12. Further recommends EU foundations to reduce the requirements for nonregistered NGOs to apply for the EU funded projects,

13. Supports trainings for the educators to ensure the proper implementation of the already established Bologna educational system, 14. Calls for improvement of the existing non-formal, cross-cultural programs by allocating the same funds on annual basis to different vulnerable groups in order to ensure efficiency in meeting the main objectives of the program and the demands of the local population.

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I NTERNATIONAL T RADE

Armenia has recently announced about its intention to join the Customs Union, which in the first place excludes signing of the DCFTA agreement with the EU. Nevertheless, Belarus, being a part of Customs Union, has not changed its tariff

scheme with the EU countries. How can the Association Agreement can be reconsidered to make it plausible for Armenia to sign it?

Submitted by:

Anna

Churshina

(RUS),

Danara

Kurmanova

(KZ),

Elene

Maisuradze (GE), Mariam Gongladze (GE), Nikolay Harutyunyan (ARM), Shushanik Hakobyan (ARM), Mikayel Charchyan (ARM), Anatoli

Chenyaev

Hovsepyan

(ARM),

(ARM), Anna

Albert Danielyan

Markaryan (ARM),

(ARM),

Levon

Ripa

Avetisyan

(ARM), Victoria Grigoryan (ARM), Nane Sargsyan (ARM), Sophie Maytesyan

(ARM),

Hovsep

Patvakanyan

(Chair,

ARM),

Lika

Mkrtchyan (Chair, ARM)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned with the incompatibility of the Customs Union (CU) and the Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union in terms of the tariff differences,

B. Taking into account the low level of consumer rights protection in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Countries and the lack of common quality standards, C. Considering that the Republic of Georgia is the main bridge for the Republic of Armenia towards the common borders both with the Customs and the European Union (through the Black Sea),

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D. Fully realizing Armenia’s decision on signing the Association Agreement (AA) or the Customs Union (CU) Treaty economically depends on Georgia’s future economic policy (joining the AA or the CU), E. Noting with deep concern the existence of the non-tariff barriers in the form of the obstacles for the EaP countries to enter the European markets, as well as the local monopolies, F. Keeping in mind that Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union (CU) may slow down the cooperation process with the EU countries, G. Expecting that the Republic of Armenia may lose the Russian Federation as the strategic partner which in its turn will have adverse effect on Armenia’s and Nagorno-Karabakh Security, H. Alarmed by the economic pressure on the Armenian economy from the Russian side through geopolitical levers, I.

Bearing in mind that membership in WTO obliges fulfilment of certain criteria and tariff policy, which contradicts the provisions of the Customs Union (CU)

1. Calls for the Armenian authorities to set up a Committee to examine the Belarus case of the same tariff policy maintenance towards the EU countries as before joining the Customs Union (CU), 2. Encourages the establishment of a Consumer Rights Protection Institution (CRPI) on the EaP level that will be working on equalizing the quality standard to the European existing standards, 3. Expects that the Republic of Georgia will maintain the existing trade regime or sign a bilateral agreement for the future development of economic ties with Republic of Armenia in case the 2 countries join different economic unions,

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4. Invites the EU to impose a non-tariff barriers decrease of 15 % as a precondition for the further cooperation with the Republic of Armenia, 5. Recommends the Republic of Armenia to adhere to its commitment on conducting the reforms in the field of intellectual property rights protection as a core element of the deeper cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Armenia, 6. Calls upon the EU to take a mediator role in the negotiation process for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to ensure the economic security in the South Caucasus region, 7. Expresses its hope that the Republic of Armenia will fulfil its obligations as a member of the WTO and, accordingly, reconsider certain clauses of the Custom’s Union (CU) treaty concerning the increase in the tariffs towards non-CU members.

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D EFENCE

Taking into double standards based approaches of global stakeholders regarding

reconciliation of the frozen conflicts of Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, what steps should the EU undertake to guarantee peaceful resolution of the conflicts and prevent the possibility of military actions on the ground?

Submitted by:

Saba

Sekulovic(MT),

Gverdsteli(GE),

George

Melashvili(GE),

Alexandrina

Hambardzumyan(ARM), Sargsyan(ARM), Chobanyan(ARM),

Vasilichi(RO),

Greta

Narine Aramayis

Gyumjibashyan(ARM),

Nare

Gvantsa Narine

Avetisyan(ARM), Daneghyan(ARM),

Anna Kushane

Madatyan(ARM),

Karapet

Chobanyan(ARM),

Ani

Hakobyan(ARM), Nune Gevorgyan(ARM), Ani Davtyan(ARM), Areg Kochinyan(ARM),

Narek

Grigoryan(ARM),

Caterina

Duca(Chair,

SE), Rima Sargsyan(Chair, ARM) The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply regretting the atmosphere of the lack of confidence among the conflicting parties, B. Bearing in mind that the conflicts are based on goals and interests that are being manifested through incoherent actions of the parties involved, C. Fully alarmed by the incidents of cease-fire regime violations and by constantly increasing arms-race, D. Taking note of the government pressure upon media and the flow of information, E. Deeply concerned about the ongoing information war,

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F. Noting with deep concern the lack of communication and mutual respect among the parties involved in the conflicts, and the negative impact that the existence of the image of foreign enemy has on the confidence-building process, G. Keeping in mind the disputes on the interpretation of international legal norms, H. Emphasizing the need for common understanding of the issues of refugees and lost property, I.

Taking into consideration the importance of reliable and secure business environment,

J. Deeply disturbed by the high levels of corruption in the South Caucasian region, K. Emphasizing the need for transportation and pipeline security, L. Deeply regretting the fact that the absence of compromise hinders the process of peaceful negotiations and resolution of the conflicts,

1. Recommends the EU to encourage and finance NGOs, involving all the parties of the conflict, aimed at a)

organizing trainings, workshops and summer camps in a neutral country,

b)

creating animation movies and social advertisements,

2. Further recommends the EU to implement economic sanctions, in line with UN standards, in order to reduce and further prevent cease-fire regime violations and to slow down the arms-race, 3. Calls upon the EU to urge the parties to make amendments in their respective legislations relating to hate speech and to take actions to support the parties to improve professionalism in relation to internet security, 4. Urges the parties involved to manifest a stronger political will for solving the problems through negotiations and compromise,

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5. Encourages the European Union to create a commission of experts which a)

has to provide an objective interpretation to international legal norms concerned as an advisory opinion to the parties involved,

b)

is going to conduct an investigation in order to estimate the exact amount of refugees and the value of their lost property in order to make a final recommendation to find a conciliation solution,

6. Encourages legal reforms aimed at improving the business environment and the implementation of anti-corruption measures, 7. Reaffirms the need for transportation and pipeline security and suggests instituting a monitoring mission, 8. Invites the EU to hold permanent observers in the conflicting regions in order to make its engagement more effective and tangible.

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The lack of the institutional framework and underdeveloped labour unions in the EaP countries don’t let the labour markets to perform efficiently. What approaches should the EU undertake to simplify business establishment procedure for the recipients from Eastern Partnership countries?

Submitted by:

Anano Basilaia (GE); Anna Hakobyan (ARM); Arpine Babakhanyan (ARM); Davit Alaverdyan (ARM); Gevorg Khodabakhshian (ARM); Hasmik Kababyan (ARM); Isabel Shatoyan (ARM); Khosrovadukht Mamyan (ARM); Marina Shupac (MD); Nuki Gogberashvili (GE); Seda

Bagiryan

(ARM);

Vacheh

Sahakian

(ARM);

Victoria

Movsesyan (ARM), Suzanna Shamakhyan (Chair, ARM); Anna Hovakimyan (Chair, ARM)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Bearing in mind that the lack of the institutional framework and underdeveloped labour unions in the EaP countries don’t let the labour markets to perform efficiently, B. Having examined the economical and political situation in EaP countries, C. Fully alarmed of non-efficient labour laws and law enforcement mechanisms in EaP countries, D. Deeply concerned with demand of rural development, E. Keeping in mind the need of developing and promoting entrepreneurship,

F. Noting with regret the discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion and other grounds exercised by employees in EaP countries, G. Seeking the strengthening of social guarantees in EaP countries, H. Guided by the need of combining theoretical and practical education, as well as soft skills, I.

Observing the underestimation of the importance of vocational and non-formal education,

J. Striving to create accessibility of education for all stakeholders, K. Seeking public awareness on rights and obligations of employers and employees, as well as mechanisms of their protection, L. Expecting creation of stronger links between university, research centres and labour market;

1. Calls for creating new jobs in rural areas, 2. Recommends development of entrepreneurship skills for farmers and household, 3. Strongly condemns creation of special agro-loans for farmers with lower rates, 4. Supports creation of stronger labour unions to

efficiently represent the demands

and recommendations of employees, 5. Recommends further facilitation of registration procedures, tax and customs regulations for Small & Medium Enterprises and individual entrepreneurs, 6. Encourages retraining and TOT of middle-age and elderly professionals in different areas, 7. Strongly recommends to create special scholarships for priorities fields of studies, according to the needs of labour market, 8. Calls upon accepting results of non-formal education as free credits in universities,

9. Further recommends creating special funds for educational institutions that exercise inclusive education by involving minorities, disabled, migrants, refugees in academic process, 10. Draws attention to creation of special awareness programs for students on labour rights & obligations, 11. Urges to develop tax reduction mechanisms for employers that recruit employees from different minority groups, 12. Further requests to involve stakeholders of labour market in curriculum development processes at universities to meet the needs and requirements of labour market.