GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, the aim of the directive proposed by the Commission is indeed to open up all port services to competition. In my opinion, these proposals will address the living and working conditions of port staff but I do not feel that they will improve them. We are told that improvements are taking place, but, as is all too often the case, there has been no prior study of the effects of this liberalisation, in particular with regard to such important issues as safety, the environment and employment. Those affected have not been consulted, in particular, trade unions (we can always call them ‘lobbies’ if you prefer), even though they know the safety needs of people and the environment, and have unrivalled knowledge. Although the amendments made to Mr Jarzembowski’s report take into consideration certain problems that I have just raised, in my opinion they are far from adequate. They do nothing to temper the line taken by the text as a whole. Self-handling in the ports would therefore equate to allowing social dumping. Given the current practices of commercial fleets, this measure will lead to inadequate safety levels and the deterioration of environmental safety, employment and working conditions. I will support the amendments that seek to exclude dockers from the directive. These staff carry out an important economic task under difficult conditions, while still ensuring safety. Nautical services for piloting and mooring are universally recognised as services of general interest. They should, in my opinion, be considered as partners in their own right, with a view to sustainable development. Well then, the proposals of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism, do take account of pilots but not of mooring service providers, which I personally regret. I believe that the European Union should work towards harmonisation at the top end of working and employment conditions for employees in this sector, which is the only way to genuinely guarantee economic and social effectiveness while respecting the environment. The proposals made to date will not, in my opinion, take us any further towards these essential objectives.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, I too would like to congratulate both rapporteurs, who have attained good results. I would particularly like to thank Mr Stenmarck for his cooperation in working with me on the other institutions' budgets and, crucially, the implementation of the front-loading exercise. This means that those budgets which at the outset were EUR 66 million over the ceiling, are now within an acceptable margin. This should help us in the 2004 budget as well. The start of 2003 was a difficult budgetary year. Not only did we have major preparations in the institutions for the forthcoming enlargement, but the strains of working within a rigid framework agreed in Berlin were all too apparent, especially in category 4. I agree with what Mr Färm said earlier about the straightjacket system within which we have to work. It has been a real juggling act for both rapporteurs, especially on our main budget. I have observed over the last three years a year-on-year crisis situation. Whilst the EU's obligations and global needs are growing, the finances are not. One of the fundamental problems for Parliament is the lack of influence on the whole of the EU's budget, particularly category 1. While we, as parliamentarians, are committed to budgetary rigour, our inability to influence 50% of the EU budget is frustrating because we cannot fully translate political priorities into budgetary ones. Therefore, I would like to congratulate both Mr Stenmarck and Mr Färm, particularly Mr Färm, for achieving what he has done in delivering on most of Parliament's priorities. The reality of enlargement is upon us. However, until we have the outcome of the Convention and the full extent of the new role of the institution is established, it will be difficult to put direct plans into place. Although we have begun preparations in this budget and some minor adaptations have already taken place in this House, the reality of enlargement has not fully sunk in within the institutions. We have not properly begun to address the full implications of enlargement. Let us just look at the three places of work. Concerning Strasbourg, there are likely to be something like 100 new MEPs plus their assistants as well as their Council counterparts and additional Commission staff from the new members of the European Union. In practical terms, that means that there are likely to be 2 000 to 3 000 more people around once a month in this city. Even now the hotels are struggling to cope. I know we are known as a travelling circus but, come May 2004, we may literally have to camp out in our tents because there will not be enough hotel rooms as a result of the enlarged Parliament. Combined with this the transport links – especially the air links – are far from satisfactory for current Members. Therefore it is absolutely essential that the Convention grasps the nettle and looks seriously at the three places of work. How can these be reduced? It is important that the Council and the Convention recognise that they have to take this political decision. (The President cut off the speaker)

Political group: PSE
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Prime Minister Sharon promised his people that he would create greater security and peace. In fact, his policies have lead to less security for Israel and less peace for the region as a whole. We in Europe too should criticise what Israel has done, because we should measure Israel by the yardsticks that we have in common, those of constitutionality and the protection of human rights. However, that statement should not obscure what this conflict is really all about. It is about the right to exist, the very principle of Israel's right to exist, and not about that of the neighbouring Arab states. One aspect of a secure existence is a life free from terror. The Israelis have always been denied the right to a life free from terror. Israel has constantly not only been threatened by terror, but terrorism has also been put into practice by organisations like Hamas and Jihad, who have been able to ply their bloody trade in the Palestinian areas almost with impunity. Some responsibility for these acts of terrorism clearly lies with the Palestinian leader Mr Arafat, who has never firmly distanced himself from terrorism, let alone effectively fought against it. The inadequate measures taken to combat terrorism have destroyed a great deal of trust. We Europeans should not let our influence be diminished still further by creating the impression that we are no longer capable of distinguishing between cause and effect. No conflict can be solved through terrorism and violence. Accordingly both sides must end this violent conflict. Israel must withdraw from the Palestinian areas. The acts of terror by the Palestinians must cease. We need to make demands of both sides. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, the view shared by virtually all speakers is that the only ray of hope at the moment in Zimbabwe’s anarchy is the fact that elections will be held soon. I agree with all speakers who said that we need to ensure that those elections are held as fairly as possible, which will not be easy. I found the words of Commissioner Nielson encouraging when he said that, as early as the beginning of July, observers will be sent to Zimbabwe. I think that this is vital because those who are not kindly disposed towards the Mugabe regime, those in opposition, will clearly need protection. I would therefore like to back up the Commission in this opinion. Observers need to be sent to Zimbabwe at the earliest opportunity, today if possible, rather than tomorrow. Another worrying development is the reaction of the neighbouring countries. From Europe, we have fought for years to establish racial equality, equal opportunities, democracy, etc. in Southern Africa. At the moment, there is a deadly silence in the neighbouring countries which, in my opinion, is a very ominous development. I therefore hold the view that, if the elections in Zimbabwe were not fair, for whatever reason, the Commission should continue with the course it set a moment ago. If there are clear signs of large-scale fraud and Mugabe remains in power illegally, then, according to the provisions of the Lomé Convention, aid must be halted. If the Commission were not to do this, the illegal dispossessions of land could spread to the rest of Southern Africa and this would be a disaster, not only for the area concerned, but also for the rest of Africa. We must avoid this at all costs.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, the importance of this initiative is increasing constantly as economic and social problems in Europe’s cities intensify and the public feels more and more out of touch with the administration of its city or neighbourhood. That situation will be compounded by social reclassifications resulting from European Union enlargement, and we must therefore make provision for the economic regeneration and social cohesion of our cities. Addressing those problems is all the more urgent in view of the marked spread of cities into the surrounding areas and in view of the cities’ historical and cultural role. However, in order for such an effort to succeed it is necessary to secure the commitment and participation of the public as a whole and to enlist the support of the less active social groups and the groups particularly affected by the economic and social crisis. Here, we wish to stress the need for the balanced involvement of women, and the agencies that represent them, in planning and implementing the URBAN initiative programmes. As the Committee on Equal Opportunities, we also stress the need to finance infrastructures that will facilitate professional activity by women, mainly by harmonising their professional and family commitments, and more generally infrastructures that promote solidarity between the generations, social solidarity. Effective implementation of this initiative could have a cumulative result because it could inspire similar action at regional and local levels, thus increasing its political importance still further since women need to feel the effects of European policy in their day-to-day life in real terms.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, it is a pleasure to be speaking here tonight with many colleagues who have worked on this report. I am here on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market, which strongly supported Mr Paasilinna in its opinion, and I would like to thank him as rapporteur and my colleague Mrs McCarthy, who was the draftsman for the opinion that I also worked on. From the perspective of those of us who work in the field of the internal market, it is important to emphasise that this is one of the reasons cited in particular for setting up the Information Security Agency. It is becoming increasingly apparent that questions about the security of computer networks and confidence in them are very much in the minds of the people we want to encourage to take up electronic commerce and enjoy all the benefits of the broadband infrastructure, whether accessing commercial or public services. Therefore this new centre of excellence to significantly step up cooperation between Member States in this area is of vital importance. It is essential for the competitiveness of the European economy and for the development of the information society – something that I know you, Commissioner, are very keen on – that we should start to pool our resources and address these crucial issues. It is a tribute to my colleagues who have worked with the Italian presidency and with the Commission that we have managed to get an agreement. Speed is of the essence. However, we must not allow speed to compromise the search for excellence. I know you, Commissioner, will be looking for the best possible people and the best possible operating structures to put in place so that this agency really can contribute its expertise as soon as possible. Because it is a best-practice agency – and this is something we particularly emphasised in our report – it has to adopt the best possible practice in its own security and the way it operates its own systems, to set an example to everybody else. I am sure that all of us look forward very much to working with the new agency and seeing it contribute to the undoubted success of information society measures that we have supported so consistently in this House.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, taking Mr Duisenberg’s place will be no easy task, since the current President successfully guided the Central Bank through the formative years of the single currency and, above all, since the need for a more generous monetary policy is becoming crucial for economic growth. In his answers before the Parliamentary committee, Mr Trichet emphasised, among other things, the fundamental role of realism and pragmatism in assessing the economic and financial climate at a time of such rapid change. That realism and that pragmatism are, indeed, exactly what is expected of the new president. The citizens of Europe are calling for more economic growth and more employment. Most of the politicians who represent them are calling for more budgetary flexibility and monetary understanding, given the economic crisis which Europe is experiencing. We fail to heed or respond to these worries at the cost not merely of leaving matters unresolved, but also of giving impetus to the collapse of the single currency’s credibility, in the wake of which citizens’ loyalty to Economic and Monetary Union will be weakened. The results of the Swedish referendum and the recent surveys of the level of commitment to Europe in Norway are a sobering warning. We can no longer gloss over the fact that citizens are starting to think that the cost of the euro is too high for Europe. The Stability and Growth Pact, of which the Commission is the guardian and the European Central Bank a fierce advocate, reflects a noble and fundamental ideal, but the way in which it is drafted is not satisfactory because it fails to address crisis situations such as we are in currently. Defining broad guidelines for public spending is more important than the level of deficit. The pact does not take this principle into account. Encouraging the deficit in order to lower taxes – a policy which when implemented in isolation brings only a few economic benefits, and always creates inequalities – is one thing; accepting the deficit as the result of investment policies that really do help the economy recover is quite another. The Keynesian benefits of increasing public spending dry up over a certain level, it is true; it is also true, however, that the launch of subsequent initiatives to promote economic growth, which is absolutely crucial to recovery, will never be possible without increasing public spending. Besides, it is very strange that there is so much talk today of economic growth initiatives, when the reforms and goals defined for that very purpose in the Lisbon Strategy are still so far from being attained. The ECB, then, is required to show the realism and pragmatism recognised as essential by its President-Elect if the economic system based on the single currency and the common monetary policy, which was constructed so laboriously and with such difficulty, is not to be threatened with collapse. That responsibility, moreover, is in the hands of Mr Trichet. Good luck!

Political group: PSE
Mr President, Commissioner, there are always advantages and disadvantages in being the last speaker to make a quick point in a debate. First of all, I should like to briefly mention one issue which you may be able to respond to directly. What is the situation with regard to the operating agreement? Even if it is not yet in force, it is clear that it is potentially explosive, especially for the future of all that we have been discussing. Is a review planned, and what form can and will this take? That is my first question. The second really follows on from everything we have been discussing here. My main concern is how acceptance of the negotiating process can be achieved in light of the current overall political situation. What is the Commission planning to do? What are the options for the European Union? There is a great deal of cause for concern. The WTO is what it is. But what it lacks, above all – especially in terms of achieving acceptance – is transparency in almost every policy area. The demands which we have put forward in paragraphs 30 to 40 of the report point in the right direction. As ever, all that is lacking is the will to implement them. This lack of transparency leads to a great many overly-dramatic, interest-led articles in the press, such as the one I read at the weekend in the Financial Times, which attacks the WTO's public image. Of course, the venue for the WTO Round – or the Ministerial meeting first of all – is not the best choice in terms of image. What does the Commission think it can do, in terms of a general information campaign, to bring about change? And are you considering more specific initiatives to enable developing countries to participate in the decision-making process, e.g. by covering their legal costs and taking other similar measures which could be arranged on a bilateral basis?

Political group: PSE
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine. These mills here, however, are grinding too slowly for my liking. For two years we have had the Commission's proposal on the table. Its aim is better harmonisation and coordination of official inspections in the field of animal nutrition in the Member States of the European Union. Food safety is the watchword of the moment, perhaps even the concept of the year. How closely the safety of our food is linked to the feed eaten by livestock has been demonstrated by recent scandals, from dioxins and waste oil in feed mixes to the manufacture of animal and bone meal, which, as we all know, can be a good source of protein if special manufacturing methods are used. But methods have also been exposed which are nothing short of criminal. Consumers have rightly made a radical response, switching to other foodstuffs that they believe to be safe. The political world is called upon to do everything in its power to ensure that the safety of foodstuffs can be guaranteed. But how can guarantees be given if inspections have not taken place? In an internal market where there are no border controls, we believe that the European Union has an obligation to conduct inspections. The inspection of foodstuffs and animal feed, however, is the prerogative of the Member States. Now, after lengthy negotiations in the Conciliation Committee, an acceptable compromise has been worked out, involving a guarantee that safeguard measures taken by the Commission will remain in force until they are replaced by another act and an obligation on the Member States to provide full assistance to the Commission officials carrying out on-the-spot inspections. One thing is sure: only if the Member States and the Commission cooperate and pool all their resources will we be able to achieve a higher level of safety in this sensitive field of animal nutrition. The Group supports the compromise that has been achieved. We stress, however, that we shall continue to keep a critical eye on developments and that we shall again respond to any problems in the appropriate manner.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, every Member State in the European Union applies policies on women and families. The way in which they do so depends mainly on their constitution and political institutions. Despite some progress in the treatment of women in paid employment and in implementing equal treatment boundaries throughout Europe, sexual inequality persists. The main aspects are correctly presented in the report. This applies to the description of the situation of self-employed women, to gender-specific wage differentials and to differences in types of employment and unpaid work. These economic ups and downs have serious consequences on the standard of living of individual families, most of the responsibility for which is shouldered by women. As 8 March approaches, we need to get the point across that a person's achievements count for more than his or her sex. Domestic violence and stereotypes, not to mention mediaeval perceptions of a woman's place, should be consigned to the past once and for all. I want a Europe with one culture, where the dignity of men and women and of foreigners and immigrants is an asset, not an economic burden. The report considers that all is not well here. Nonetheless, the number of immigrants is rising, begging the conclusion that it really is time to create optimum conditions in the European Union, otherwise conflicts may intensify. The report should cover these tasks more amply. I would remind you that enlargement to the East is imminent, bringing with it many women with different traditions and different cultures who need to be attended to, not sidelined.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, on behalf of my group I should like to lodge a complaint concerning the unacceptable behaviour of the Vice-President, Mr Friedrich. He should be setting an example as regards compliance with the Rules of Procedure and he has done exactly the opposite in this case. (Applause and protests)

Political group: PSE
Mr President, I feel that the presence in this Chamber, among the many esteemed Members, of a number of people whom we remember as sporting champions of history, immediately makes the meaning of what we wanted to convey in cooperating with Mrs Pack on this report clear. Our dear friends, Mrs Zabell, Mrs Matikainen-Kallström and Mr Mennea, are in some way an example, evidence of the simple fact that educating people through sport means producing a generation which knows the value of things as well as the price. Precisely because it understands their value, it is able to display a great passion for social values when it matures, displaying a strength and commitment which are not limited to the quest for results at all costs, and that is why these Members are fully entitled to sit in this Chamber and are worthy representatives of the European Union. Our intention is to convey this concept and these values in a debate which embraces the education systems too. At the moment, if there is any severe criticism in our report, it is criticism of the European education systems, which are devoting increasingly less time to the playing of sport in schools and under which there are an ever-increasing number of schools with dilapidated sports facilities. These must receive support and assistance. This is one reason for the rapporteur’s concern to approach the matter in a practical way, promoting a practical debate on the educational potential of sport through the staging of the competitions. In other words, I believe that the European Year of Education through Sport may be the right stimulus to get schools to do something for the European youth of tomorrow, to change the fate of a generation, so that, in the future, we have different young people who not only become champions but, more importantly, become people who see sport as a path to truth, in other words who become champions of humanity, for a champion of humanity can become a sporting champion too.

Political group: PPE-DE