GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, as representative of the people and the regions, we regard Sweden as an ally in our defence of things that are dear to us, such as linguistic and cultural diversity, but if you are going to talk about involving the national parliaments more we would want the same amount of attention to be devoted to the institutions of our constitutional regions, and of our governments. We would like our regions to be able to engage in direct dialogue, so as to remove the disparity in employment levels that can exist between different regions and one Member State. We welcome Sweden as an environmentally friendly presidency, but Sweden would be acting completely out of character if it were to send MOX fuel to Sellafield. This would be in direct contradiction with the signing of OSPAR, under the terms of which all parties are called upon to defend the non-processing option. Finally, enlargement. Not only is it fundamental to the enlargement to see the acquis communautaire adopted in the material sense prior, more than anything we want attention to be given to the ethical dimension. I am talking democracy, respect for human rights and minorities, so that Europe is able to become a real community of values, in short, a Community with a capital ‘C’.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, I, too, wish to compliment my colleague Mr Cashman, in particular, and echo his tribute to Mrs Maij-Weggen. Progress has definitely been made. More and more documents have been put in the public domain. The question is, however, whether citizens can find them. Guaranteeing access is not sufficient. Accessibility is also chiefly to do with a clear structuring of the data. In this connection, Mr Cashman has called for Community codes and a register. I think that that is a good idea. Accessibility of data is an outstanding means of remedying the negative image of the European Union as remote and bureaucratic. In addition, openness and accessibility of data are an important key to democratisation. This morning, we voted on the McCarthy report. That is an example of tremendous citizens’ participation in legislation. Citizens must be able to familiarise themselves with the early stage of legislation in order that they may influence it. The computer is an incredibly effective means of involving citizens in this. On a personal note, I was absent from Parliament for three years, and was able to retrieve a large amount of the data I wanted by computer. However, I also frequently ran aground in the soup of links, and ended up empty-handed. I think that a good deal more must be done in that regard. The computer also represents an environmentally friendly and paper-saving way of working. I think, therefore, Commissioner, that we have to set to work in particular on extremely user-friendly computer programs. In my opinion, there is still room for improvement there. It is a crying shame, however, that the European Council, in particular, is defaulting. Countless complaints arrive at our door, especially in the fields of justice and foreign affairs. Nor does the lack of clarity over which Member State does what square with openness, or with the new Constitution, which extends obligations to all the institutions and agencies. I think that the proposal on this issue was one of the last in a series of good ones by Mrs Maij-Weggen, and I shall gladly support it.

Political group: ELDR
I am grateful to Commissioner Liikanen for a characteristically thorough answer to each of the points which I raised in my question. I am grateful for the assurances about communication with the industry as well as with governments. That is very important. I should like to underline, however, that although this is an issue about the spirits industry in the Community as a whole, the fact is, as we all know, that by far the major exporter is the Scotch whisky industry. Commissioner Liikanen will be well aware that production, particularly of malt whisky, for export is concentrated in the peripheral parts of Scotland: in the islands and in the glens of Strathspey and in other remote parts. These parts are suffering very heavily for a variety of reasons, agriculturally and in other ways at the moment. I do not suppose that it is the intention of the Commission to make life impossible in these places but a combination of measures might well have that effect by accident. I ask him to direct his attention to that.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, the Laeken declaration is couched in words which satisfy one and all, weighty words. The objective and method, the Convention and political negotiation, are indeed cause for satisfaction. However, as previous speakers have said, the declaration does not contain any convincing references to the social State, what some people somewhat sheepishly call the social model, sustainable development, viable development, autonomy and hence, if I may put it thus, a viable Union profile. Maybe the lack of political unification is to blame for this degree of cowardice. But it is interesting that we have said nothing of any import about the war and we have said nothing of any import about enlargement itself. I should like to make a comment here, if I may. Why does the purely political decision to accept ten new members exclude – politically that is – two from the Balkan peninsula, from the heart and soft underbelly of Europe? We have left a black hole in the Balkans. It is unacceptable and I should like an answer. Unfortunately, I probably will not get one now or even, I fear, from the Convention.

Political group: GUE-NGL
In the past, the west coast of Europe became rich as a result of colonial conquests and of controlling the economy in the Third World. Instead of being able to achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture, mining and industry, Third World countries were forced to gear production towards an export economy. The Third World had to supply cheap raw materials, and subsequently buy expensive industrial products from Europe. That was the formula that kept those countries poor. They have since obtained political independence: the Latin American countries almost two centuries ago now, and the South Asian and African countries half a century ago. They can now offer some resistance. They tried this in the 1960s with the Non-Aligned Movement. Following a long interval, they did it again during the Cancún WTO Ministerial Conference. I by no means share the indignation at their actions which prevails here. The European Commission and a large proportion in this Parliament are still assuming that protests from the Third World have only delayed an inevitable development towards international free trade and protection of foreign investments, and that the desires of Europe and the US still have to be complied with. In the meanwhile, we continue with export subsidies for our agricultural surpluses and tobacco cultivated solely for export. It is time that we made room for another economic development model. For these reasons, I am casting a ‘no’ vote.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Commissioner and rapporteurs, I would like to thank our rapporteurs for their excellent work on a quite impenetrable matter. I normally do not thank the rapporteurs, but there is good reason to do so in this case, as it is extremely difficult to attempt to master the whole of this large area. Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that the costs of medicines in many EU countries constitute the fastest growing element of healthcare costs. In many countries, the shortfall in funding specifically for medicines is quite large. I therefore believe it was important that the Health Ministers were involved in this issue before the Council was restructured to increase efficiency. I hope that the Health Ministers will also be involved in the future. I usually also remain highly sceptical when Parliament asks the Commission for more reports. This time, I believe, however, that it would be important for the Commission to follow up trends in medicine prices, taking into account differences in different countries. This may provide us with very valuable information on various restrictions. I support what my colleague Mr Maaten said on access to information and what the Commissioner said regarding the fact that the issue is not advertising but access to information. We have many examples of information and other support being given to doctors in an unacceptable manner. Monitoring information would allow us to keep better track of how much money is being used in this sector. I see this as important. I believe one of the major problems, which many of the amendments also seize upon, is that we have what has been referred to as paid research. Many respected newspapers have also given their pages over to this. Finally, I, like Mr Rod, stress that I am glad that the effect of medicines on the environment will also be taken into account. It is not that we wish to set up obstacles to medicines but that the positive effects must be evaluated in relation to other effects.

Political group: ELDR
I have voted against the proposal. The European Parliament has once again failed to establish the limits of the EU’s responsibilities and the Member States’ areas of competence. The EU must concentrate on its core areas and main tasks. This focus should be even clearer since the Irish people’s rejection of the Treaty of Nice in a referendum on 7 June. The report before us concerns silicon implants, with proposals for rules, regulations, an age limit of 18 for breast implants for cosmetic reasons and the establishment of a European patient register. It should be clear that this is not an issue to be decided at European level and that it has nothing to do with the main task of the European cooperation project, i.e. to promote peace in our part of the world.

Political group: PPE-DE
I would like to congratulate Mrs Eriksson on an excellent report and the Commission on an excellent strategy for gender equality. It encompasses all those areas where action is needed and, if successfully coordinated, could make a real difference to women in all aspects of their everyday lives. This could work if the framework strategy were an integral part of the programme, as an annex to it. This would ensure the implementation of the programme and I therefore support the comments made by the rapporteur earlier on. There has not been a shortage of good ideas or good plans to achieve equality in the past but their implementation has often failed. This time the Commission is putting forward a new approach. It is very welcome but it is only valuable if it can actually be made to work. That means also reaching women in their own communities. The involvement of local and regional authorities in this process is invaluable. They are the largest employers across the Member States and the central providers of education, training and economic development and, as such, they are key players in achieving equality. I hope due regard will be paid to them in the final programme.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, my name was mentioned. It is important for the record to clarify the situation in the UK relating to the UK Government's view on blood alcohol. I am sure that the DG on Transport and Energy has a copy of the UK's road safety strategy that was published in March 2000. It makes it very clear that the new government in the United Kingdom is committed to a solution within a European context. I believe you would now find a much more positive response to a proposal for a directive than perhaps was the case with the previous administration.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, I should like to use today’s vote to register the Socialist Group’s concern on the extent of violence and bloody conflict between sectarian groups. In Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Lebanon, Chechnya and Kosovo, religious hatred and fanaticism are jeopardising peace, stability and development. The advent of the new millennium was accompanied not only by parties and celebrations but also, unfortunately, by sacrifices of blood, the worst in recent years, on the altar of the blind hatred born of religious fanaticism. We do, of course, acknowledge the efforts made by the Egyptian Government to deal with the extremists and to compensate the victims of the massacres. However, these efforts must be stepped up, an in-depth investigation must be carried out, the guilty must be punished and, most importantly, measures must be taken to strengthen democracy, respect for human rights and tolerance towards people of a different religious persuasion. Of course, one measure which could be taken as a mark of respect for human rights would be to repeal the mediaeval punishment which continues to be applied in Egypt. I refer to the death penalty. As the new year gets under way, we know that the Egyptian police had difficulty suppressing clashes between Christians and Muslims in the south of the country which cost 25 lives and during which dozens of homes and shops were looted. These violent episodes in Egypt followed on from earlier episodes of bloody attacks by Islamic fundamentalists on Christians in 1992 and 1997, which seriously affected tourism in Egypt, with adverse repercussions on the economic and social development of the country. Finally, I should like to use this vote to call on the Council and the Commission to plan action to increase public awareness of respect for human rights and religious tolerance within the framework of the MEDA programme.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, we are debating a new Commission proposal which contains supplementary measures for the recovery of stocks of cod and hake, and which the Socialist Group supports with some reservations, stemming from the scepticism with which the people involved have received it and the lack of agreement amongst the experts. In fact, there is no consensus amongst scientists on the effectiveness of these measures, and this means that, while we share the objectives, we nevertheless doubt their effectiveness. The opinion of the Scientific Committee, for example, says that a more drawn-out recovery plan which involves less sacrifice for the fleet is a possibility. Hake and cod are two highly valued species on the Community market, resources of which have been drastically reduced as a result of over-fishing. But not only by over-fishing of these two species, but also of other associated species, which are part of the food chain and which have reduced sources of food for hake and cod, thereby affecting the conservation of those stocks. These preservation measures, which are being presented to us today, imply a forced reduction of the fleet’s activity and taking a part of it out of service, and the Community is therefore obliged to maintain an aid policy which is able to alleviate these negative effects.

Political group: PSE
This is quite unsatisfactory. That is what Question Time is about! We have a question, we are entitled to ask a supplementary question and we certainly expect to have a proper response from the Council of Ministers. That is why we have come here. Mr President, I hope you will remonstrate with the Council.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, nine million jobs today, twelve million in ten years. Tourism is a wellspring of jobs in Europe yet we still do not have reliable statistics enabling us to identify the different employment sectors. There are no far-sighted support measures and nor are we concentrating on small and medium-sized enterprises. Since we are a long way off having a knowledge-based strategy it is little wonder that that there is a lack of awareness of Community dimensions. I have never understood how certain Member States could boycott the Philoxenia programme when in fact this initiative is designed to unite tourism, environmental and cultural concerns. Hence I would like to ask Commissioner Liikanen if he intends to give this programme any chance at all. Tourism simply does not feature in most national action plans for the transposition of our common European employment strategy. I was able to demonstrate that there is a great deal of potential here in my report on future jobs, which the European Parliament adopted here almost exactly a year ago. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs expressly included elements of this paper in its position. Tourism, history, education, sport, health, ecology and rural development produce considerable synergistic effects. By improving infrastructure measures, conserving our cultural heritage, nurturing regional traditions, and offering local products, it will be possible to enhance the appeal of even the most out-of-the-way regions. Those who stand to benefit on the job creation front include tourist industry workers, marketing and software experts, environmental consultants and those in charge of target groups undertaking enquiries. It is easier for jobseekers and those with fewer qualifications to find work in tourism. It is usually easier to combine a working and family life. Nevertheless, part-time and seasonal jobs carry with them the risk of unregulated and unsecured working conditions. The dialogue with the two sides of industry, as well as with local authorities, must be stepped up. Therefore, whilst quantity of staff is important on the tourist industry front, so too is quality, which can be consolidated and enhanced by means of further vocational training. People can be trained in communication skills and creativity. Team spiritedness, a sense of responsibility and management know how can be achieved. Multilingualism and a capacity for empathy with foreign cultures will enable people to gain a better understanding of our Community. Which is why it is all the more important for us to create stable foundations for a European approach, whilst always upholding the principle of subsidiarity of course. In my view, this includes having certificates of qualifications, i.e. diplomas that are recognised by all Member States. We need to set the scene for this. Therefore, there is a lot to be said for tourism as a driving force in employment and integration. More than any other sector, it is tourism that brings home to us the fact that, ultimately, the big, wide world is a global village.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I would also like to begin by offering Karl-Heinz Florenz my warmest congratulations. He has put his heart into his report, he has fought for it and I believe he has achieved a good result. I believe putting the focus on firms’ own liability goes to the heart of the problem. In future, these firms will be able to participate in public tenders, serve local and regional public institutions and invite tenders. That means things can get much cheaper for consumers. One problem that of course arises for small and medium-sized firms is how they are to provide a guarantee for various services. The question of how they are to provide such guarantees in the future is raised at this very time with the Basel II rules, which are all about creditworthiness, securities and transparency. It is important that national, regional or local political decision makers give some thought to how they can help small and medium-sized undertakings over guarantees in the future. Another point is the bans on substances. I think the Commission should be very careful to ensure that proof of sustainability is furnished in the next three years, so that we can see that these bans really do make for a better, more sustainable, more ecological performance. Consumption and costs must not be allowed to increase in certain areas because of the bans, putting a counterproductive burden on the system. All in all, I believe the discussion has been most worthwhile. I would also like to sincerely thank the Commissioner because it is also an important forward-looking step in the area of refuse and waste and because small and medium-sized firms are being given completely new opportunities here.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, tomorrow, my group and, I hope, the entire European Parliament will vote for the Conciliation Committee’s proposal for a decision on the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme. The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy, with Mrs Myller as rapporteur, has put a great deal of work into improving the basic proposal from the Commission and making it more specific and has also been successful in her efforts. I should like to say a big thank-you to Mrs Myller, to all my fellow MEPs and, of course, to the entire Conciliation Committee for having made this work possible. Clearly, my group would have liked to have seen a possibly more wide-ranging, target-oriented and concrete Environment Action Programme for the next ten years, in other words a real break with the trend in environmental policy and sustainable development. Now, we have a programme full of declarations of intent, using words such as ‘promote’, ‘seek’, ‘encourage’ and ‘aim at’. If these are not to be empty hopes, more general policy statements must be transformed into concrete proposals which are then given shape and implemented. We must place our hopes in Environment Commissioner Mrs Wallström and the thematic strategies which are now to be adopted through co-decision. The programme must stimulate the various players in society to solve environmental problems in an active and responsible manner. We as legislators, however, have, above all else, responsibility for setting objectives and determining the means of obtaining such development.

Political group: Verts-ALE
I am grateful to Commissioner Kinnock for this reply and the positive attitude which underlies it and also – I am sure – the work which he is carrying out. Nevertheless, Commissioner, I have to point out that in this area of making women’s representation the norm, the Commission has had a hypocritical attitude for more than twenty years. Its attitude has been a hypocritical “I would like to, but I cannot”, and this hypocritical impotency sends a very damaging signal to the world as a whole. My question did not talk of exclusion, as you know very well; it talked of the fact that the number of women in high positions stands at barely 10%. The figures which you have offered – emphatically – here in the plenum of the European Parliament, are ridiculous and shameful. An institution such as the European Commission, which has for years claimed to be in favour of women also at the highest levels of administration, cannot be satisfied with that exclusion which the figures demonstrate. And the photographs of the European Councils are a horrific illustration of the sexism of European decision making.

Political group: PSE