8:e valperioden David MARTIN

I voted in favour of this report as it stresses the importance of strengthening EU-ASEAN political and economic relations. Developed over four decades, EU-ASEAN relations are of vital importance for ensuring security and stability, international co-operation and promoting democracy and human rights. The report further highlights the ultimate objective of establishing a region-to-region free trade agreement, as trade negotiations are currently on-going or have already been completed with some ASEAN countries. Finally, the report also acknowledges the EU’s concerns for human rights violations in certain ASEAN countries which are affecting the status of current relations and, I believe, will continue to be an issue if not resolved.

I voted in favour of this report outlining political priorities for EU relations with India. A strengthened partnership between the world’s largest democracies is vital to tackle climate change, preserve global peace and stability and achieve sustainable development goals. The report would tap the potential of relations between the EU, as the world’s leading trading block, and India - which tops the ranks of the fastest growing major economies - to fight poverty and inequality, create jobs and growth, and advance gender equality and women’s rights.

I voted in favour of this report, which discusses the implementation of the Common Position on Arms Export, a legally binding framework that sets minimum requirements in arms export controls and the obligation to assess the request for an export licence. The report calls on the EU to launch an initiative to impose an EU arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, which is viewed as non-compliant with the second criterion of the Common Position, as well as other countries accused of serious breaches of international humanitarian law. The report urges the Member States and the EEAS to significantly improve the consistency in implementing the Common Position through a standardised verification and reporting system, and to overcome the current lack of efficiency in defence spending due to duplication. Finally, the report highlights the importance of the UK remaining bound by the position after Brexit.