Resolution booklet | 15th NSC of EYP Poland

resolutionbooklet

September 08-09, 2018 The Programme of the General Assembly Day 1 • 09:00 – 09:15 – Opening of the General Assembly • 09:15 – 10:00 – Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety III (ENVI III) • 10:00 – 10:45 – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) • 10:45 – 11:00 – Coffee Break • 11:00 – 11:45 – Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II) • 11:45 – 12:30 – Committee on Industry, Research and Energy II (ITRE II) • 12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch • 13:30 – 14:15 – Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I) • 14:15 – 15:00 – Committee on Committee on Industry, Research and Energy I (ITRE I) • 15:00 – 15:15 – Coffee Break • 15:15 – 16:00 – Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) • 16:00 – 16:45 – Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

Day 2 • 09:00 – 09:45 – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II (LIBE II) • 09:45 – 10:30 – Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) • 10:30 – 10:45 – Coffee Break • 10:45 – 11:30 – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) • 11:30 – 12:15 – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I (LIBE I) • 12:15 – 13:15 – Lunch • 13:15 – 14:15 – Closing Ceremony

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Table of Contents

Procedure of the General Assembly

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Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety III (ENVI III)

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Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)

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Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II)

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Committee on Industry, Research and Energy II (ITRE II)

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Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I)

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Committee on Committee on Industry, Research and Energy I (ITRE I)

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Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

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Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II (LIBE II)

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Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

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Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I (LIBE I)

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Procedure of the General Assembly 15th National Selection Conference of EYP Poland in Białystok General rules • The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard; • Each committee may use only one Committee placard; • The authority of the Board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings 1. Presenting of the Motion for a Resolution; 2. Reading of the Operative Clauses by a member of the Proposing Committee; 3. Points of Information; 4. Defence speech delivered by a member of the Proposing Committee, for max. 3 minutes; 5. Maximum two Position speeches delivered by members of other committees, for a maximum of 2 minutes each; 6. Response to the Position speech(es) delivered from the floor by a member of the Proposing Committee, maximum 1.5 minute in total; 7. Open debate, lasting for three or four rounds; 8. Sum-up speech delivered by a maximum of two members of the Proposing Committee, for a maximum of 3 minutes; 9. Voting procedure.

Point of Personal Privilege Request for a Delegate to repeat a point that was inaudible.

Direct Response Twice per debate, each Committee may use the Direct Response sign. Should a Delegate raise the sign during the open debate, they will immediately be recognised by the Board and given the floor as soon as the point being made is concluded. A Direct Response can only be used to refer to and discuss the point made directly beforehand. If two or more Direct Responses are requested at once, the Board will decide which Committee to recognise. In this case, the second Direct Response shall only be held if it can be referred to the first Direct Response, so on and so forth.

Point of Order These can be raised by the Chairperson if a Delegate feels the Board has not properly followed parliamentary procedures. Ultimately, the authority of the Board is absolute.

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Defence Speech One member of the Proposing Committee delivers the Defence Speech from the podium. It is used to explain the rationale of the overall lines of the Resolution and convince the Plenary that the Resolution is worthy of being adopted. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes.

Position Speech A Position Speech can either support or oppose the resolution. If the speech opposes the resolution, it still needs to provide constructive criticism and proposals of better solutions. Likewise, if the speech supports the resolution, it still needs to explain why the solutions of the committee are as good as they are. A maximum of two Position speeches, from two different committees, might be delivered during a debate, from the podium, for a maximum of two minutes each.

Summation Speech One or two members of the Proposing Committee deliver the Summation Speech from the podium; the microphone can only be passed once. It is used to summarise the debate, respond to main, selected criticism and to once more explain why the chosen approach is the most sensible. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes.

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Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety III (ENVI III) The negative impact of alcohol: with an estimated 400 000 deaths per year in the EU and a remarkably higher death risk in Eastern Europe due to alcohol, how can the EU and the Member States ensure the well-being and good health of their citizens and promote responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages?

Submitted by:

Julia Augustyn (PL), Maria Czekaj (PL), Ella Fogg (UK), Carmen Pérez Doval (ES), Hanna Stępień (PL), Patrycja Synoś (PL), Maria Anna Szuster (PL); Michaela Králová (Chairperson, CZ)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the disproportionately high number of young Europeans who consume alcohol excessively and on a regular basis, B. Aware that easy accessibility of alcoholic beverages fosters excessive and unsafe consumption of alcohol, C. Acknowledges the lack of information among the general public on the implications of irresponsible drinking, especially regarding the severity of negative impacts on children, D. Disturbed by the fact that excessive and unsafe alcohol consumption can have a severe impact on physical and mental health, E. Recognising that alcohol use disorder (AUD) 1 is a direct cause of many social issues, such as domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment, F. Noting that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to congenital disabilities and foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), G. Bearing in mind that, especially in Eastern Europe, regular alcohol consumption at the workplace remains a common practice, H. Taking into consideration that alcohol consumption when socialising plays a significant role in European culture, I.

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Regretting that the burden of alcohol consumption annually costs the Member States €155 billion;

Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is the umbrella term for addiction to alcohol and binge drinking.

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Social 1. Urges the Member States to increase punishments for selling alcohol to people under the legal age of purchase; 2. Recommends the European Commission to establish a common minimum legal drinking age; 3. Further recommends the Member States to limit the hours in which alcohol can be purchased in shops, bars and restaurants; 4. Asks the Member States to ban the sale of alcohol at petrol stations; 5. Calls upon the Member States to ensure that alcohol units 2 and warnings of the consequences of over-indulgence are listed on the container; 6. Invites the Member States to put restrictions on time and content of advertisements promoting the purchase of alcoholic beverages; 7. Supports the Member States in conducting educational programs outlining the dangers of alcohol abuse to students from the age of 12; Healthcare 8. Welcomes the European Commission to fund support groups and workshops on the prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation of AUD patients; 9. Further encourages the Member States to ensure that medical personnel conduct compulsory sessions with pregnant women on the dangers of alcohol consumption; Culture and economy 10. Requests the Member States to update and further enforce the current laws preventing alcohol consumption at the workplace; 11. Encourages the Member States to increase excise duties 3 on all alcoholic beverages; 12. Instructs the European Commission to launch campaigns that provide information on the dangers of AUD and available support resources.

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An alcohol unit is a way of measuring actual alcoholic content a beverage has.

Excise duties are a form of extra taxation on products like alcohol or tobacco. –7–

Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) International careers or lost potential? With a high number of skilled young people in Eastern Europe leaving their countries for jobs in Western Europe, what measures can be taken by the EU and the Member States to decrease the brain drain from the Eastern Member States, keeping in mind that the free movement of labour is one of the cornerstones of the EU? Submitted by:

Victoria Adamova (UA), Amber Dellar (UK), Tran Vinh Do (PL), Wawrzyniec Gawron (PL), Patrycja Kleczewska (PL), Przemysław Kocioruba (PL), Jan Magielski (PL), Joanna Ścibior (PL), Ada Trybuchowska (PL); Tautvydas Šlapikas (Chairperson, LT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware that free movement of labour within the EU contributes to the brain drain 4 as it opens the possibility for young specialists to seek professional ambitions in other Member States, B. Concerned by the outflow of high-skilled young citizens from Eastern Member States, C. Believing that the significant wage difference between Western and Eastern Europe is the most significant factor causing the brain drain, D. Alarmed by the slowing development and weaker competitiveness of the Eastern Member States caused by the brain drain, E. Noting the lack of active participation in research and innovation across the Eastern Member States, F. Fully believing that the generally conservative and discriminatory mindset in the societies of Eastern Member States affects the brain drain phenomenon, G. Recognising the impact of corruption in certain Eastern Member States on brain drain, H. Deeply concerned that the brain drain contributes to the ageing society raising the inefficiency in pension systems and causing issues in human resources;

Brain drain is the massive movement of educated and qualified people from one country to the other seeking for better life satisfaction.

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1. Calls upon the Eastern Member States to create media campaigns promoting the benefits of work in Eastern Europe; 2. Urges the European Commission to issue a set of guidelines for Eastern Member States to stabilise their position in the single market and increase competitiveness; 3. Invites the Eastern Member States to increase guidance and subsidies for startups; 4. Further invites the Member States to invest in technology and science equipment required for research and innovation; 5. Asks Ministers of Science and Higher Education in Eastern Member States to include more practical courses in universities; 6. Encourages the universities in Eastern Member States to create a collaborative Eastern European academic platform where students can: a. put forward their ideas for research projects, b. look for sponsors and guidance; 7. Suggests the Member States to increase active-citizenship and decrease discrimination by: a. including ethics in the primary schools’ curriculum as a compulsory subject, b. financially support non-governmental youth organisations (youth NGOs) which initiates activities that promote active citizenship; 8. Supports NGOs in Eastern Member States that are fighting corruption by: a. organising anti-corruption demonstrations, b. publicising the acts of corruption;

9. Asks Eastern Member States to subsidise the companies which support elders participating in Third Age Universities 5 initiatives.

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Universities of the Third Age is an international movement aiming to educate and increase qualification of elders. –9–

Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II) Neglected health care: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to provide universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services by 2030, but even within Europe, great differences between countries exist. How can European states effectively decrease risks to sexual and reproductive health, including maternal mortality, sexually transmitted infections and problems caused by unintended pregnancies?

Submitted by:

Karolina Dziekanowska (PL), Karolina Gdak (PL), Pollyanna Hopkins (UK), Emilia Karawajczyk (PL), Weronika Korczak (PL), Małgorzata Kupiec (PL), Marta Sowa (PL), Antonina Zaleska (PL); Zuzanna Nowak (Chairperson, PL)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned that the retrogressive abortion legislation and policies cause women to: i. seek illegal methods of abortion, ii. travel to other countries to obtain the service, B. Alarmed that 12,5% of all abortions in Europe are recognised as unsafe by the World Health Organization, C. Disturbed by the lack of a cohesive EU-wide comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) 6 system that would provide students with topical and necessary information mainly focusing on: i. sexually transmitted infections (STIs), ii. contraception methods, iii. family planning, D. Noting with regret that sexual education in schools is regularly exercised as a voluntary or nonmandatory subject, E. Recognising that teachers providing sexual education in schools are often underqualified and unlicensed, F. Observing the absence of media coverage concerning sexual education and available possibilities connected to sexual and reproductive health services,

Comprehensive sex education (CSE) is a sexuality education instruction method based on-curriculum that aims to give students the knowledge, attitudes, skills and values to make appropriate and healthy choices in their sexual lives.

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G. Noting with concern that a total of 10.2% of the women taking part in a study conducted by the European Journal of Public Health received inadequate antenatal care and 8.4% intermediate antenatal care 7, H. Aware that in Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia, adolescents cannot access sexual or reproductive health services without parental consent, I.

Noting with regret that 25 Member States do not provide reimbursement for any contraception method,

J. Fully alarmed by the fact that only in 10 out of 28 EU Member States undocumented migrants have full access to primary care, K. Expressing appreciation towards NGOs such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPF EN), who educate the public on family planning and methods of contraception;

1. Invites the Member States to ease restrictive abortion laws and follow the example of countries such as France to decrease the number of illegal abortions; 2. Encourages the Member States to collaborate with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 8 in creating a standardised certificate course regarding CSE; 3. Further encourages the Member States to implement the standardised certificate course regarding CSE into mandatory training of teachers giving sexuality education; 4. Recommends Member States to incorporate CSE into compulsory school’s curriculum divided into: a. an introduction course for children at the age of ten tackling juvenescence and changes that a body undergoes, b. a full-content course at the age of 13; 5. Calls upon the Member States to launch social campaigns that would appear at public spaces and at mass media channels that will inform about: a. available sexual healthcare services and the legal rights to them, b. the importance and availability of contraceptives methods, c. the causes, symptoms and treatments of the STIs, d. family planning; 6. Encourages the Member States to promote pre-existing prenatal routine examination through incentives such as: a. increased paid maternity care, b. discounts on public transport when travelling to the examinations,

‘Antenatal care’ (ANC) refers to the care provided by skilled health-care professionals to pregnant women and adolescent girls to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby during pregnancy.

8 UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

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7. Suggests the Member States to ensure that the age of access to sexual or reproductive health service without parental consent is equivalent to the age of sexual consent; 8. Invites the Member States to implement partial subsidies scheme of contraceptive methods, following the example of France; 9. Encourages the Member States to provide full access to primary health care for undocumented migrants following suit of France or Spain; 10. Supports further cooperation between the Member States and NGOs dealing with family planning and methods of contraception such as the IPPF EN.

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Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy II (ITRE II) A new strong commitment to Russian gas? The Nord Stream II gas pipeline project is strongly opposed by the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine. Recently, Poland launched legal action against several companies involved in the project, claiming that it endangers the EU’s strategic needs and violates competition rules. What stance should the EU take towards the pipeline project, keeping in mind the need for energy independence and the role of natural gas in reducing CO2 emissions?

Submitted by:

Joanna Gołąbek (PL), Jakub Królak (PL), Magdalena Psiuk (PL), Jakub Rech (CZ), Maximilian Stralz (AT), Wiktor Wdowin (PL), Jakub Wilczyński (PL); Giorgi Beroshvili (Chairperson, GE)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the fact that 54% of the energy consumed by the European Union (EU) is imported, B. Aware that 30% of the natural gas imported into the EU comes from Russia, C. Having studied that natural gas emits 50% less CO2 compared to coal and oil, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly, D. Concerned by the division between the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the Member States regarding the Nord Stream II pipeline project, E. Acknowledging the growing influence of Russia and its increasing share in the European gas market, which could be used as a political threat, F. Bearing in mind that the EU’s increasing demand for natural gas cannot be satisfied by Norway, Algeria and Qatar 9 in the following years, G. Concerned by the third energy package 10 not being able to fill the ‘legal void’ 11 surrounding the Nord Stream II pipeline,

Following Russia on the first place, Norway, Algeria and Qatar remain the biggest suppliers of natural gas to the EU. 10 A legislative package proposed by the European Commission to make the energy market fully effective while ensuring low prices and security of supply.

11 An action declared as a void has no legal effect, Nord Stream II being an offshore pipeline with no EU law applying to it, can be considered as nullity in law.

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H. Alarmed by the fact that the possible violation of competition rules by Gazprom building Nord Stream II impacts the Ukrainian, Central European and South-West Balkan States’ economies, I.

Bearing in mind that if constructed, the Nord Stream II will bypass Ukraine, thus causing economic problems to the country 12,

J. Acknowledging that the pipeline building procedure, existence, extensive usage, and potential gas leaks may have a devastating impact on the environment;

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Urges the European Commission to update the Gas Directive 13 as proposed in November 2017, requiring pipelines entering the Union to comply with EU regulations;

2. Instructs the European Commission to include in the Gas Directive: a. free trade and storage of natural gas provided by the suppliers for all Member States, b. preservation of the environment surrounding the pipelines using restrictions and high-quality standards; 3.

Urges the European Commission to ensure that 45% of the natural gas imported from Russia will be transferred through Ukrainian pipelines if Nord Stream II is constructed;

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Encourages the Member States to invest in exploration, development, and exchange of information regarding sustainable energy resources;

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Invites Gas Infrastructure Europe 14 to promote the development of infrastructural connections of energy islands 15 across Europe;

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Suggests the European Commission to incorporate a price negotiation process with gas supplier countries in the Energy Union Strategy 16;

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Requests the European Council to open up the negotiations with the Middle Eastern countries regarding the development of gas diversification projects.

Ukraine receives around 2 billion Euros annually from gas transit.

The Directive 2009/73/EC (Gas Directive) concern common rules for the internal market in natural gas in Europe.

14 Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is an association representing the sole interest of the infrastructure industry in the natural gas business such as Transmission System Operators, Storage System Operators and LNG Terminal Operators. GIE has currently 68 members in 25 European countries.

15 Energy islands are countries or regions with little or no indigenous energy sources and insufficient links to energy transmission networks. What is more, they can often be dependent on a single external energy supplier.

16 The main aim of the Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union introduced by the European Commission is to ensure good cooperation and trust between the Member States and that energy flows freely across borders, wherever it is needed.

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Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I) The home of the Żubr: the Białowieża forest, stretching from Eastern Poland to Belarus, is the largest remaining primaeval forest in Europe. Recent loggings on the Polish side of the forest have reignited discussions about its protection. What measures should the EU and Poland take to ensure the protection of the forest’s unique ecosystem, and should touristic and economic considerations be taken into account?

Submitted by:

Matyáš Diestler (CZ), Natalia Klecha (PL), Gabriela Kural (PL), Julia Stachelska (PL), Stanisław Świtała (PL), Lizaveta Zabalotskaya (BY); Andrea Pozderac (Chairperson, BA)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Approving the effectiveness of the European Court of Justice decision imposing a €100,000 penalty per day if Poland continues with the mass illegal loggings, B. Having examined that strict protection 17 costs less than the active management 18 of the forest, C. Alarmed by the fact that the Polish government broke the Habitats Directive Articles 6(2) and 6(3) 19, and Birds Directive Article 4(4) 20, D. Recognising the fact that bark beetles 21 attack weakened parts of the forest and will disappear as a part of the forest’s natural cycle, E. Taking into consideration that large-scale illegal logging can destroy the Białowieża forest’s unique ecosystem and biodiversity,

In the areas of strict protection logging, hunting, recreational activities, and berry and mushroom picking is not allowed, while fire prevention and road maintenance for safety are allowed.

18 In zones of active management, all the aforementioned activities are allowed.

19 “Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon […] shall be subjected to appropriate assessment of its implications for the size in view of the site’s conservation objectives.” The Polish government acted and ignored the assessment of experts, who warned Poland about the possible consequences to the environment.

20 “Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid […] deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting the birds.” When trees are being cut many birds lose their habitats and/or source of food, such as bark beetles.

21 The illegal loggings began when spruce bark beetles started to kill weakened trees in 2012, which foresters used as an opportunity to start felling trees in a bid to stop the beetle outbreak.

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F. Realising that the Białowieża forest may lose its UNESCO World Heritage site status if illegal loggings continue, G. Having considered that ecotourism has more potential than loggings as a source of income for the region of the Białowieża forest, H. Bearing in mind that the importance of the biodiversity of the Białowieża forest comes from the fact that it is one of the last remaining primaeval forests in Europe;

1. Urges the European Commission to shorten the length of infringement procedures in environmental matters; 2. Invites the Polish government to approve stricter protection of the national park and to lower logging quotas in the managed parts of the Białowieża forest; 3. Reaffirms the importance of the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive as essential ways of preserving nature; 4. Encourages environmental groups to cooperate with local administration to create an interactive museum concerning the consequences that mass illegal logging has on the ecosystem; 5. Requests organising a conference under the Pan-European Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) on the topic of protection of primaeval forests; 6. Further encourages the local administration, the European Union, and the government of Poland to organise a festival to celebrate the 10-year anniversary (2024) of expanding the UNESCO’s protected area to the borders of the Białowieża forest, promoting eco-friendly businesses and teaching participants about the importance of the Białowieża forest and how to maintain it; 7. Further urges the European Commission to highlight the importance of the protection of primaeval forests by creating a media campaign.

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Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy I (ITRE I) The paradox of coal in Poland: despite the implementation of progressive measures reducing its use within the EU, coal remains the first source of energy in Poland. How could the EU further help Poland to better off its energy policy regarding the use of coal, taking into account its important role in the country’s economy and its social aspects?

Submitted by:

Michał Adamczak (PL), Teresa Alvarez Najera (ES), Julia Pieczonka (PL), Michał Starostka (PL), Kalina Wiśniewska (PL), Krystian Wodzielak (PL); Kajetan Rachwał (Chairperson, PL)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware that Poland will not meet the goals set by the Renewable Energy Directive 22 and the 2020 Energy Strategy 23, B. Acknowledging the difficulties in utilising renewable energy sources (RES) in Poland due to geography, the historical importance of coal in the economy, and the ability of Poland to depend on its domestic energy market, C. Regretting the inadequate allocation of Polish governmental funds within the energy sector, D. Noting with regret the absence of effort from the side of the Polish government to implement new, more environmentally friendly ways of producing energy from coal such as coal gasification 24 or RES, E. Deploring the lenient policy of the Polish government towards coal quality checks, F. Concerned by the lack of measures in Poland to reduce polluting emissions, leading to diseases of the respiratory system as well as negative impacts on the environment, G. Alarmed by the lack of education about the market, the usage, and the quality of coal;

The Renewable Energy Directive establishes an overall policy for the production and promotion of energy from renewable sources in the EU. 23 By 2020, the EU aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%, increase the share of renewable energy to at least 20% of consumption, and achieve energy savings of 20% or more.

24 Coal gasification refers to the process of producing methane from coal ore, which produces less harmful waste.

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1. Calls upon the Member States to subsidise research in the areas related to the development of RES; 2. Encourages the European Climate Foundation to continue its research on the development of RES in Poland; 3. Advises the Polish government to increase the funding for RES; 4. Asks the European Commission to allocate funds from the European Regional Development Fund 25 to subsidise the construction of solar panels in Poland; 5. Appeals to energy companies to use polluted coal in processes such as gasification which are harmless to the environment; 6. Urges the European Commission to establish a directive for research-based coal quality checks; 7. Supports the regional governments in: a. the usage of air purifiers in indoor public spaces, b. alerts on bad air quality; 8. Requests the European Commission to adopt a regulation, requiring coal power plants to use pollution filters on chimneys; 9.

Advises the Member States to spread the awareness of advantages and disadvantages of coal by: a. adjusting their school curricula,

b. introducing media campaigns tailored to the needs of each Member State.

The European Regional Development Fund aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions.

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Motion for a Resolution by Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Putting a price on EU values: in its proposal for the 2021-2027 EU budget, the European Commission proposed a new mechanism that would allow the EU to suspend, reduce or restrict access to EU funds for Member States with severe rule of law problems. How can the rule of law in Member States be safeguarded, and should the EU budget be a part of the solution?

Submitted by:

Aleksandra Gnutek (PL), Barbara Łabędzka (PL), Amber Lennox (UK), Jan Markiewicz (PL), Michał Mrugała (PL), Marek Příplata (CZ); Elodie Estier dos Santos (Chairperson, CH)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Regretting the negative impact of Rule of Law infringements within Member States, resulting in fiscal irresponsibility, breaching of human rights and loss of attractiveness for foreign investors, B. Noting with satisfaction the successful implementation of enforced budgetary measures to ensure Member State compliance with EU law such as the Growth Pact during the 2007-2013 period, C. Aware of the difficulty to trigger and implement Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) 26 due to political ties between Member States, D. Bearing in mind the unwillingness of Member States complying with the rule of law to contribute to funding Member States which do not respect core EU values, E. Acknowledging that the effectiveness of the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law 27 may differ depending on Member States’ ability to bear budgetary sanctions from the EU,

Article 7 TEU aims at ensuring that all EU countries respect the common values of the EU, including the rule of law. The preventive mechanism of Article 7(1) TEU can be activated only in case of a ’clear risk of a serious breach’ and the sanctioning mechanism of Article 7(2) TEU only in case of a ’serious and persistent breach by a Member State’ of the values set out in Article 2. The preventive mechanism allows the Council to give the EU country concerned a warning before a ’serious breach’ has actually materialised. The sanctioning mechanism allows the Council to suspend certain rights deriving from the application of the treaties to the EU country in question, including the voting rights of that country in the Council. In that case, the ’serious breach’ must have persisted for some time.

27 The proposal for a regulation on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States (COM(2018) 324 - New Mechanism on the Rule of Law) was introduced 26

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F. Further acknowledging the possibility of creating distrust in the EU’s impartiality among less developed Member States when implementing the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law, given their heavy reliance on EU funds, G. Observing the lack of a monitoring tool within the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law that would ensure the Member State implements the programme or fund affected by the measure, and in particular the obligation to make payments to final recipients or beneficiaries (Article 4 section 2);

1. Invites the Council to adopt the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law as proposed by the European Commission, effective in line with the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework 28; 2. Directs the European Commission to make a proposal to the Council for an ordinary revision procedure of Article 7 of the TEU before the 1st of January of 2020 that: a. the voting procedure no longer require a unanimous vote within the council to enact a suspension of voting rights of a Member State, b. the voting rights of a Member State may be suspended if four-fifths of votes are in favour;

3. Designates the European Commission to re-allocate a part of the funding from the sanctioned Member States to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) active within this Member State; 4. Urges Member States to regularly assess their compliance with the core EU values, as stated in Article 2 of the TEU 29 with the help of independent bodies acting as watchdogs; 5. Calls upon the European Commission to re-evaluate the sanctioned Member State’s compliance with core EU values and the rule of law after the two-year period mentioned in Article 6 section 2 of the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law; 6. Further calls upon the European Commission to increase the sanctioned Member State’s share from the European Regional Development Fund 30 within the next yearly budget if the aforementioned evaluation has shown significant improvement of the Member State’s compliance with EU core values;

by the European Commission in May 2018 to ensure respect for the core values of the European Union, including the rule of law.

The multiannual financial framework (MFF) sets the limits for the annual general budgets of the European Union.

The recent MFFs usually covered 7 years.

29 Article 2 of the TEU reads: “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.”

30 The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions.

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7. Requests the European Commission to make regular assessments on a sanctioned Member State’s compliance with Article 4 section 2 of the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law; 8. Further Requests the European Commission to start an infringement proceeding within the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 31 whenever there is proof of non-observance with Article 4 section 2 of the New Mechanism on the Rule of Law.

Article 258 of the TFEU reads: ”If the Commission considers that a Member State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaties, it shall deliver a reasoned opinion on the matter after giving the State concerned the opportunity to submit its observations. If the State concerned does not comply with the opinion within the period laid down by the Commission, the latter may bring the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union.”

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Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) Decommunisation or distorting history? Since the 1990s, former communist countries throughout Europe have dismantled or relocated monuments commemorating Soviet soldiers, causing severe diplomatic disputes with Russia. Depending on the viewer, the monuments can be seen either as symbols of Soviet oppression or as memorials of Europe’s liberation from fascism. How should former communist countries of Europe work towards a common understanding of their history, and what should their approach to Soviet monuments be?

Submitted by:

Marta Świder (PL), Maciej Furmańczyk (PL), Mia Singleton (UK), Kacper Piątkowski (PL), Daria Bajorek (PL), Alicja Wojciechowska (PL), Eneko Mateos (ES), Jakub Sala (PL); Ifigenia Moumtzi (Chairperson, GR)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Bearing in mind that the European Union’s (EU) actions regarding decommunisation are limited due to the concept of national sovereignty, B. Taking into consideration the lack of a common understanding of communist era history between Member States and the subsequent different approach to the management of communist memorials, C. Fully aware that recently formed post-soviet era countries are using decommunisation to enhance their independent national identity and loosen ties with Russia, D. Concerned by Russia’s threats in reaction to decommunisation acts 32, E. Deeply concerned that the management of Soviet memorials lacks standardised criteria and is left to local authorities, F. Emphasising the artistic importance of socialist realism propaganda they served,

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memorials despite the political

G. Keeping in mind the logistical limitations and costs of managing and moving communist monuments,

In 2018 Russia threatened Poland with visa restrictions and trade embargos.

A form of modern realism in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics characterised by rigorously optimistic pictures of Soviet life painted in a realist style.

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H. Bearing in mind that Russian speaking minorities within post-communist states 34 commonly consider communist monuments as part of their national heritage;

1. Endorses post-communist countries to display in public spaces monuments of national significance that are not connected to the communist era as a means of strengthening their national identity instead of the use of decommunisation; 2. Invites post-communist states to commence cooperative talks with Russia about decommunisation to avoid diplomatic disputes; 3. Suggests the Member States to endorse or establish organisations that will attend to the legal and historical examinations of communist monuments; 4. Further suggest these organisations to work closely with local authorities to create nationwide standardised criteria for the preservation and potential relocation of the communist monuments; 5. Invites the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to protect socialist realist cultural heritage in post-communist countries for their artistic value; 6. Recommends that Member States create cultural and educational spaces like the Grutas Park 35 for the exhibition of communist monuments; 7. Asks the European Commission to allocate funds from the ’’Creative Europe’’ 36 programme for the relocation of communist monuments to cultural and educational spaces; 8. Recommends that the Member States provide information to accompany the monuments to reflect their cultural and artistic value rather than their political purpose; 9. Invites the European Association of History Educators 37 to create an educational network for postcommunist societies regarding the concept of decommunisation; 10. Invites the Education, Youth, Culture, and Sport Council 38 to promote a common understanding of cultural history in post-communist states between the native population and its Russian speaking minorities, through school curricula.

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In Ukraine, the Russian speaking minority consists 17,3% of the country’s population.

The Grutas Park is a cultural and educational park presenting communist monuments that were in the past displayed within urban areas in Vilnius, Lithuania.

36 Creative Europe is the European Commission's framework programme for supporting the culture and audiovisual sectors.

37 The European Association of History Educators teaches history and promotes mutual understanding of past controversial issues. A special focus has been on countries in political transformation.

38 The Education Youth Culture and Sport Council specialises in areas of education, youth, culture and sport to provide a framework for cooperation between Member States, to exchange information and experiences on areas of common interest.

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Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II (LIBE II) Equality for all: according to the annual Rainbow Europe survey, Latvia and Poland rank lowest in the EU when it comes to protecting the rights of LGBTI people, with countries such as Azerbaijan and Russia faring even worse. What concrete actions should European countries take to ensure that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people are protected?

Submitted by:

Karol Hodur (PL), Hanna Karwowska (PL), Magdalena Kwiecień (PL), Maite Larrañaga Diaz de Gereñu (ES), Zuzanna Łężna (PL), Przemysław Ornicz (PL), Daisy Thomas (GB), Patrycja Zapała (PL), Nadège Widmer (Chairperson, PL)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the inaccessibility and unaffordability of gender reassignment treatment in many Member States, B. Disturbed by the discriminatory laws which limit marriage to a union between partners of opposite sex, C. Taking note of the inequality faced by same-sex couples in adoption rights, D. Bearing in mind the lack of LGBTI 39 issues in comprehensive sexuality education in schools in many Member States, E. Concerned by the presence of hate speech and offensive language regarding LGBTI people in media and political discourse, F. Deploring the prevalence of physical discrimination of LGBTI people in areas such as the workplace, healthcare facilities and schools, G. Recognising the insufficient use of gender-neutral and inclusive language in official contexts, H. Realising the growth of public interest for the availability of civil union for both opposite and samesex couples, I.

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Noting with regret the exclusion of LGBTI rights in the European Convention of Human Rights,

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people.

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J. Deeply disturbed by the failure of most Member States to recognise intersex 40 people and nonbinary 41 identities in legal documents, leading to complications in administrative work, K. Fully alarmed by the non-consensual medical practices performed on intersex children, L. Aware of the harmful malpractice of gender identity and sexual orientation conversion therapy;

1. Encourages the Member States to cover gender reassignment 42 treatment including psychological care in national healthcare systems; 2. Invites the Member States to build upon their pre-existing laws to define marriage as a union between two people regardless of their gender; 3. Recommends Member States to follow the example of 16 Member States such as Spain, Germany and Sweden by providing both step 43 and joint adoption 44 rights for same-sex couples; 4. Advises the Member States to introduce a comprehensive sexual education curriculum that, following the example of Wales, includes LGBTI issues and offers an opt-out option for the students’ legal guardians; 5. Appeals to the Member States’ respective media authorities to regulate and financially punish the use of hate speech 45 towards LGBTI people; 6. Reaffirms the importance of employment courts as a meaningful way to take anti-discrimination measures; 7. Proposes the Member States to provide doctors with knowledge of LGBTI health issues by assigning it in their studies curriculum; 8. Further invites national governments to introduce workshops concerning discrimination against the LGBTI community in schools and workplaces; 9. Endorses the popularisation of gender neutral and inclusive language alongside gender specific honorifics and job titles in all Member States; 10. Welcomes all Member States to introduce civil union for both opposite and same-sex couples;

Intersex people are born with physical, hormonal or genetic features that are neither wholly female nor wholly male; or a combination of female and male; or neither female nor male.

41 ‘Non-binary’ describes a person who does not identify with the male/female binary but somewhere outside or between.

42 Refers to the process through which people re-define the gender in which they live in order to better express their gender identity.

43 The adoption of a child by the parent's new spouse.

44 When two unmarried domestic partners adopt a child together at the same time, it is referred to as a joint adoption. While only a few jurisdictions permit joint adoptions, laws are changing in many parts of the country.

45 Refers to public expressions which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred, discrimination or hostility towards minorities.

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11. Emphasises the need of amending the European Convention on Human Rights by adding discrimination based on sexual orientation 46 and gender identity 47 to Article 14 “Prohibition of discrimination”; 12. Asks the Member States to provide an “Other” or “X” gender marker in official documents and follow Portugal’s example, where people from the age of 16 are able to change their gender and name in legal documents; 13. Calls Member States to establish a minimum age of 16 years old for sex normalising surgeries performed on intersex people, unless there is a direct risk to their health and/or life; 14. Further encourages Member States to prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity conversion practices following the “Resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU” passed on March 1st, 2018.

Refers to each person’s capacity for profound affection, emotional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with, individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender.

47 Refers to each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.

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Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) Europe’s only war zone: since the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, the EU has firmly condemned Russia’s involvement with the Ukrainian separatist movements. On March 2018, the EU announced a sixmonth prolongation of its sanctions against Russia, to last until 15 September. What next steps should the EU take to guarantee stability in the region, bearing in mind the fragility of its relations with Russia?

Submitted by:

Agata Jarmicka (PL), Kacper Kunysz (PL), Ane Martinez (ES), Konrad Ogórek (PL), Karolina Rackowiak (PL), Beata Świątek (PL), Jędrzej Wąsowicz (PL), Julia Wyporkiewicz (PL); Jonas Weider (Chairperson, DE)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned that over 10,000 people have died and 1.5 million have been forcefully displaced as the result of the current crisis in Eastern Ukraine, B. Deeply concerned by the poor representation of Russian speaking Ukrainians in the Ukrainian government, limiting their impact on Ukrainian policies including the regulation of their language and cultural freedom, C. Noting that Ukraine plays a vital part in the global balance of power 48, D. Bearing in mind that the EU needs to keep its relations with Russia as stable as possible, considering its energy resources and its important international political role, E. Gravely concerned about Russia’s denial, on the international stage, of its support to separatists’ units 49, F. Believing that the EU sanctions against Russia are inefficient, G. Noting with regret that only a few of the points present in the Minsk Agreements 50 have been fully implemented, The term balance of power in the case of the Ukrainian crisis refers to the tensions between Russia and the West.

In this case Ukraine serves as a neutral buffer zone between the West and Russia, making it a region of high strategic importance.

49 Russian military equipment as well as Russian fighters have been spotted by several journalists in the Donbass region.

50 The Minsk agreements (Minsk I and II) were signed in 2014 and 2015 by both Ukraine and Russia under the supervision of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE), and laid out operatives with the aim of establishing peace.

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H. Acknowledging that the EU is currently implementing initiatives to tighten its relations with Ukraine such as the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) 51 and the Eastern Partnership Program (EaP) 52;

1. Encourages the Member States to keep helping victims of the war with humanitarian aid, especially providing food, water and finding permanent houses for forcefully displaced citizens; 2. Suggests the Ukrainian government to increase the people’s chances of self-governance by giving more power to local governments concerning matters of culture and the educational system; 3. Encourages the Ukrainian government to abolish its new law on education 53 and ensure a possibility of learning and teaching in Russian at public schools; 4. Advises Russia to internationally admit its involvement in the Crimea and Donbass conflicts in order to form a cooperative basis for future talks; 5. Calls upon the European Council to prolong its already existing economic sanctions on Russia until September 2019; 6. Asks the European Council to further limit the access to the EU’s primary and secondary markets for selected Russian banks and companies until September 2019; 7. Suggests the Ukrainian government to first fulfil its part of Minsk II agreement, by offering a referendum on the future of Donetsk and Luhansk to their citizens; 8. Proposes the involvement of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as an impartial authority in the referendum to guarantee a fair process under democratic guidelines; 9. Calls upon the OSCE to engage in talks with separatists’ troops in order to extend its access to the checkpoints in the Donbass region; 10. Proposes the prolongation of the ENP and EaP until 2030 keeping close ties with Ukraine while taking into account the delicate geopolitical situation with Russia.

The ENP was developed in 2003-2004 with the objective of avoiding the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and its eastern and southern neighbours. It is based on the values of democracy, rule of law and respect of human rights.

52 The EaP is a joint policy initiative which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the EU, its Member States and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

53 Last year President Petro Poroshenko signed a new educational law-making Ukrainian the first required language of study in all state schools.

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Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Completing the Eurozone: most Member States are obliged to join the European Monetary Union (EMU) and adopt the EURO at some point, but many have continuously postponed the decision. How can the countries that have not adopted the EURO yet be supported in the process, and how should the EMU be further developed to make it more eligible and attractive to all Member States?

Submitted by:

Emil Andrzejewski (PL), Petr Čekal (CZ), Michał Kisiel (PL), Natan Mitros (PL), Laura Piontek (PL), Shona Roberts (UK), Mateusz Szyszka (PL); Bekir Hadziomerovic (Chairperson, BA)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Reaffirming the agreement that most Member States accepted to join the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) 54 when integrating within the European Union (EU), B. Having studied the economic benefits that Member States experienced after joining the EMU, C. Emphasising the benefits of the Euro for private enterprises being able to grow and reach out due to improved interconnectedness across the EU, D. Taking into consideration the significance of a national currency to a nation's identity, E. Observing the lack of knowledge concerning the Euro among EU citizens, F. Recognising the lack of trust towards less economically stable Member States, G. Concerned by the loss of control of a Member State over its monetary policy after the adoption of the Euro, H. Aware of the fact that certain Member States might suffer as a result of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) policy decisions, I.

Keeping in mind that with the adoption of the Euro, the possibility of devaluation will not be available to Member States to solve their internal economic challenges;

1. Requests the European Commission to adjust funding for non-EMU Member States by: The EMU involves the coordination of economic and fiscal policies, a common monetary policy, and a common currency, the euro. While all 28 EU Member States take part in the EMU, some countries have taken integration further and adopted the Euro.

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a. increasing funding with the purpose of reaching the convergence criteria, b. decreasing funding for projects within the Member States that are delaying the process of joining the EMU; 2. Suggests the promotion of a single European identity through NGOs; 3. Invites the European Commission to further improve media campaigns promoting the benefits of the Euro; 4. Appeals to the ECB to provide counsel to the Member States by sending economic advisors to inspect their economy; 5. Urges the Council of the European Union to further expand upon the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) 55; 6. Calls upon the ECB to increase the influence of Member States with an abysmal economic situation on the decision concerning the interest rates.

The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) is a special purpose vehicle financed by members of the eurozone to address the European sovereign-debt crisis. By preserving financial stability in Europe, providing financial assistance to eurozone states in economic difficulty, it is able to ensure a stable economy within the EU.

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Motion for a Resolution by The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I (LIBE I) Deadlock over quotas: by late 2017, only 28 000 of the 160 000 refugees eligible for relocation had been transferred from Greece and Italy to other EU countries. The Southern Member States continue to demand sharing the burden, while Poland and Hungary refuse any refugee quotas on the basis of national sovereignty. In light of the continuing argument, how should the EU’s refugee policy be shaped?

Submitted by:

Patricia Encinas (ES), Aleksandra Niemec (PL), Victoria Oury (PL), Anna Panek (PL), Weronika Szpak (PL), Katie Thacker (UK), Eliza Wòjcik (PL); Anna Montaruli (Chairperson, IT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Noting that in 2017, 650,000 people who sought asylum for the first time, applied for international protection in the EU, B. Regretting the burden placed on Southern Member States due to the geographic position of these countries as entry points into the EU, C. Concerned by the tensions between the Southern Member States and the Member States who apply strict quotas resulting in unsafe and overcrowded hotspots 56, D. Alarmed by the fact that frontline countries such as Italy and Greece did not receive the support promised by the Dublin Regulation 57 and only 1% of the refugees were permanently relocated 58,

A hotspot is a zone where refugees are gathered after entering European territory and are provided with basic needs. Hotspots are overgrowing due to the massive immigration flux, resulting in difficulties handling the needs, health and safety of the refugees.

57 The Dublin Regulation establishes the Member State responsible for the examination of the asylum application.

The criteria for establishing responsibility run, in hierarchical order, from family considerations to recent possession of visa or residence permit in a Member State, to whether the applicant has entered EU irregularly, or regularly.

58 Permanent refugees obtain the right to stay in the Member State they have been relocated to, while temporary refugees are likely to be relocated to the other Member States.

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E. Aware of the wide-ranging attitude of the EU citizens toward refugees, some Member States’ citizens being more hostile than others 59, F. Noting the positive economic benefits on both the short and long-term of hosting refugees such as an increase in GDP, G. Accepting that Member States like Poland and Hungary call upon their national sovereignty to refrain from accepting refugees, H. Noticing the lack of transparent and open communication between bodies 60 in charge of relocating and taking in refugees and immigrants, I.

Concerned by the harmful portrayal of refugees in the media, resulting in misguiding citizens’ perceptions and reinforcing negative stereotypes of refugees,

J. Gravely worried by the lack of trust by the refugees in the European Union’s actions regarding them and caretaking bodies, K. Disturbed by the misleading use of various definitions of people migrating into the EU;

1. Calls upon the European Commission to financially support the existing institutions in charge of refugee allocation and hostship upon arrival; 2. Calls upon the European Council to implement the following measures in case of non-respect of the Dublin regulation by the Member States: a. requests the Member States to compensate for it by releasing funds for refugee camps in the Member States that complied with the Dublin Regulation, b. freeze funds for the Member States that do not meet the Dublin requirement, c. after 3 months, the frozen funds will be released to host countries to finance refugee camps; 3. Encourages the European Commission to finance NGOs that facilitate the integration process of refugees within local communities; 4. Urges the Member States to provide efficient training in collaboration with local NGOs for their personnel in charge of screening asylum seekers at the points of entry; 5. Requests the European Commission to allocate additional finances for the European Asylum Support Office 61 , to improve background checks on refugees entering frontline European Member States territory to accelerate the relocation process;

76% of citizens in Hungary and 71% in Poland think that refugees will increase the likelihood of terrorism in their country.

60 Bodies such as: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), EASO, Europol, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), Eurojust, as well as individual Member States governments.

61 The European Asylum Support Office is an agency of the European Union and a centre of expertise on asylum and contributes to the Common European Asylum system as well as helping Member States to fulfil their international obligations.

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6. Calls upon the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on “Fake News” to cooperate with various social media platforms to reduce the rapid spread of “fake news” negatively impacting the citizens’ opinion about refugees; 7. Requests Member States to include into their local curricula education common definitions such as refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, immigration, migrant, migration, emigrant, emigration; 8. Encourages the Member States to provide help for newly arrived migrants by holding meetings and workshops lead by local migrants.

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Białystok 2018

15th National Selection Conference of EYP Poland Supported by:

Honorowy Patronat Prezydenta Miasta Białegostoku

In cooperation with:

Initiated by:

The Schwarzkopf Foundation is the international umbrella organisation of the European Youth Parliament (EYP). EYP Poland is a National Committee in the EYP network.