GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, I would firstly like to congratulate the rapporteur on the questions she has addressed to the Council and the Commission, which anticipate a resolution from this House and which I hope will receive strong support. And I would also like to thank the Council and the European Commission for their comprehensive replies. Firstly, I agree with both the Council and the Commission that it is fair to say that we have made a lot of progress in the field of cooperation on criminal matters. So much so that it now seems reasonable – and I hope that everyone agrees – that we should expect and ask for the proposals which the Commissioner has put forward here, more than once, in relation to improving judicial standards in the European Union and creating common minimum standards which guarantee to the European citizens that this framework of criminal cooperation reinforces not only their freedom and security but also the efficiency of justice. I believe that this is really positive. In relation to the fight against this type of cross-border crime, I would simply like to draw attention to the Conference which took place in Brussels with regard to trafficking in women and children. I believe that the citizens expect us to deal with this issue from a Community point of view. We adopted a declaration, the Brussels Declaration, which had our full support, and I believe we should take the lead in the implementation of the measures it called for. With regard to asylum and immigration, the truth is that I have been perplexed all day. I do not understand what is going on here. We have often said in this House that we endorsed the Tampere agreements, that we wanted a common, balanced and global immigration policy, in the way that all the Ministers, including those from the PPE group, had stated in Tampere. We all agree that the framework referred to by Mr Vitorino is the one we need in order to create this common area for immigration and asylum, in the terms indicated by the Commission and undoubtedly in the terms which inspired the debates in the Parliament and the Council. Now it seems that, on the contrary, we are only calling for certain minimal things in the field of immigration. I do not understand. I hope, Mr von Boetticher, that you are not in the government at some time in the future and that we do not hear you saying, 'This is a European problem which must be dealt with from a European perspective', as so many Prime Ministers affiliated to the PPE do, quite rightly. I hope that this can carry on and to this end I hope that the Convention will grant Parliament and the Council co-decision powers, as the Commissioner requested, in the field of justice, freedom and security, because the citizens must be secure in this area, and that the Commission will have its right to initiative returned so that progress can be made logically and coherently.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, something extraordinary happened at the end of the last part-session here in Strasbourg, when, for the first time in many years, a written declaration was supported by an absolute majority of this House. The statement, signed by 320 Members, demanded that, in future, the President of the Commission be elected by this House and no longer by the Council. The breakthrough was achieved by the 313th and 314th signatures, those of Mr Barón Crespo and Mr Poettering, whom I congratulate on their last-minute courage. It is my belief that it will strengthen our delegation to the Convention and help get it to accept this demand. I wish to request that you forward this position – now an official one taken by Parliament – to Mr Giscard d'Estaing. There is now some hope after all that it will dawn even on the President of the Convention that the head of Europe's executive has to be elected, not behind the Council's locked doors, but in this House, the people's open forum. (Applause)

Political group: PSE
Madam President, the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano has demonstrated two realities which present a challenge to the whole international community in general and, specifically, for the European Union as well as the countries of the region. The first reality is the extreme poverty in which thousands of people live, not only in this eastern region, but in the whole of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a poverty which is aggravated all the more by the war which has been devastating that country since 1996. Figures have been presented: it has been said that more than 300 000 people need assistance, that 30% of the population is homeless and that 12 000 homes need to be rebuilt. In this respect, the resolution we have approved this week, which establishes links between emergency aid, rehabilitation and the development policy, has been very timely. The second reality is the hatred which has been brewing up between the people of the east and the neighbouring population of Rwanda, a hatred which has been demonstrated by the rejection by the people of Goma of the hospitality offered by Rwanda and the massive return of this population to their homes, which have now been taken over by the volcano, despite the risk of further eruptions. These two realities should lead us to come up with a European Union strategy and action which involves us in this region. It is clear that a good reconstruction policy is required for Goma, as well as a policy on forecasting possible new eruptions and control of the Nyiragongo Volcano. Nevertheless, none of this strategy will achieve effective results unless the foundations for a democratic system in the country are consolidated, as well as a broad social consensus which guarantees stability and peace. But that will be of no use unless there is confidence in that stability throughout the region. It is therefore important that this inter-Congo dialogue which is restarting in South Africa in Sun City puts an end to this conflict. We also believe it is important to organise a regional conference which reconciles the countries of the Great Lakes region and brings back the confidence which has been lost to its various peoples. The resolution we are presenting is a collection of desires, principles and strategies which we wish to see applied in order to deal with the eruption of the Nyiragongo Volcano, without losing sight of what was said previously. We support the global plan for 2000 managed by ECO and we ask that this plan, which is very important for the African region, and for the achievement of the objectives previously expressed, be speeded up and that this aid does not arrive late, which has unfortunately often been the case. (Applause)

Political group: PSE
Mr Berlusconi, four months have passed since the Thessaloniki Conference entrusted you with the draft Constitution, but, after four months, there is still no indication that there might be practical ways of overcoming the well-known differences on essential points, either as regards voting in the Council – whether it should be unanimous or not – or with regard to the composition of the Commission, or, still less, in relation to economic and social policy or foreign and defence policy, under which the European military forces would supplement NATO’s forces and, therefore, be subordinate to the United States rather than independent. The Italian Presidency has been idle and, at all events, has proved incapable of achieving tangible results. Its predominant silence regarding the tragic developments in international affairs, starting with the situation in the Middle East, is shameful. There will be no peace, there will be no end to the terrorism that we all condemn for as long as Israel continues to occupy the Palestinian territories, for as long as the shameful dividing wall remains. The UN is paralysed by US vetoes. The Italian Presidency must take action. Sermonising serves no purpose. It is Europe’s duty to act with great determination, formally recognising the existence of the State of Palestine and promoting the presence of a peacekeeping force that can guarantee respect for the borders of the two States and the implementation of the peace agreements. As regards Iraq, we must demand the immediate withdrawal of the occupying troops.

Political group: GUE-NGL
I have voted in favour of this report. It is very positive that, in recital G, the European Parliament clearly states ‘that the protection and strengthening of regional and local autonomy in the various European countries represents an important contribution to the process of European integration based on the principles of democracy, proximity and decentralisation of power’. Because I have for a long time advocated this on the basis of my local authority experience, I sincerely welcome the fact that the report also requires that a well thought-out European constitution should define in what way the principle of subsidiarity is to be exercised, applied and monitored. It is sensible for a tool to be made available to local authorities and to districts/regions/constituent states, enabling them, via the relevant Member State or the Committee of the Regions, to require the EC Court of Justice to examine whether the EU has exceeded its powers. Another important perspective, directly relevant to the citizen, is included in recital H, emphasising that the ‘hierarchical and pyramid-shaped’ configuration ‘of the Union’s institutional system ... must be abandoned’. (The sitting was suspended at 1.49 p.m. and resumed at 3.00 p.m.) IN THE CHAIR: MR COXPresident (2)

Political group: PPE-DE
We have voted in favour of the common resolution in order to express our solidarity with all those who are exposed to xenophobia and racism. We have also voted in favour of the resolution in protest against the detestable politics that Jörg Haider stands for. We are nonetheless very critical of the methods which the 14 Member States have employed on this issue. The resolution makes no clear reference to respect for the Member States’ national identities and constitutional traditions in accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty. What is also missing is a paragraph concerning the EU’s shared responsibility for the social and political developments in Europe and Austria which have been among the prior conditions for Mr Haider’s electoral success. Today, as previously in the history of Europe, right-wing extremism is the result of insecure social and economic conditions of life. The policy of cut-backs which has followed in the wake of adjusting to EMU has promoted the successes of right-wing extremism. A radical policy to promote security and justice in each country is the best guarantee of democratic development in Europe.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, I would like to start by extending my compliments to the rapporteur, Mr van Hulten, on his first report. I very much admire him for keeping his spirits up at a time when he was inundated with so many amendments. I think that the report drawn up by the Wise Men has been useful and I think that it is also useful for this Parliament – as already stated by Mrs Morgan – that we ourselves should ask for expertise from outside for once to see how our administration is run. We have submitted an amendment to this effect. From the many points made by Mr van Hulten in his report, I would like to highlight a few, not necessarily in order of importance but just randomly. Firstly, I think that the Commission should pay much more attention to the proper storage of documents. The Commission’s records leave a great deal to be desired. We noticed this when we had to investigate the Flechard affair, which, as it happens, has still not been sorted out. Curiously, very important documents had gone missing from the cabinets, even from those of the President and of various Directorates-General, and this is clearly something which should not happen. If Parliament want to carry out proper inspections, these documents must be available, and I would like to know what the Commission intends to do to improve this situation. I would also like to say a few words about ex post financial control. This has also been partly dealt with in the van Hulten report. I think it would be useful if we were to give report figures per category and per sector on how the budget is implemented. The general impression at present is that anything budget-related within Europe is bad. It is clear that, over the past couple of years, we have noticed an upward trend in agriculture and a downward one in structural expenditure. Is this possible? I would like to suggest to the Commission that it prescribe a deadline by which the reforms have to be carried out. If we admit new Member States then we need to put our own House in order first.

Political group: ELDR
President-in-Office of the Council, President of the Commission, ladies and gentlemen, our debate on preparation for the Spring European Council is taking place in a tense international context. President Prodi said this in anticipation of the debate that we will have this afternoon on the situation in Iraq. The geopolitical context of the European Council meeting will not only be present in our minds, but also very evident in the data and economic forecasts from our Member States. A climate of international tension is always damaging to the world economy and is one of the major results expected by the terrorist organisations behind that tension. The Council meeting will focus on evaluating the measures that have been implemented in order to achieve the Lisbon objective, which consists of making the European Union the most dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. In particular it will involve evaluating the efforts made by the Member States and by the European Union in education, training and also research and development. We are all aware that the results so far do not match up to the Lisbon objectives, but how can we be surprised at this when the governments of most of our countries have no other choice than to remedy the negligence and lack of foresight of their predecessors who, far from making the necessary efforts when there was an opportunity for growth, have spread public resources thinly, sprinkling them between state handout programmes with no future? The Brussels European Council will therefore be a useful opportunity for our countries to reconsider the Lisbon objectives by adapting them to the economic and social reality of our public finances and resituating them in the international context. I would like to conclude by encouraging President Prodi for his initiative in presenting a plan to simplify European legislation, of no less than 90 000 pages. This initiative is more than welcome in order to make life easier for business and therefore to increase the competitiveness of the Union. This plan aims to reduce the acquis communautaire to some 25 000 pages between now and 2005 and simplify the language in draft legislation. I do not think that anyone will complain about that.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, it is over ten years since Aung San Suu Kyi, the President of Burma elected by 80% of the population, received both the Nobel Prize and the Sakharov Prize for her peaceful protest against the military coup and the military dictatorship in her country. For ten years she has lived permanently either in prison or under house arrest, while her homeland has turned into one of the most violent countries on earth. Over half the members of parliament have fled, are in prison, have been driven into exile or have been killed, and several million Burmese have fled to India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States and Europe. In Burma wholesale repression is being carried out against the members of Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi’s party and members of minority groups. There is also use of forced labour in the construction of infrastructure, and meanwhile Burma has become the world’s second largest drugs exporting country after Bolivia. This military dictatorship is kept afloat by drugs, forced and cheap labour, terror and that situation has persisted for over ten years. Our question is again: European Commission, institute an investment embargo or an economic boycott against this country, as the United States has now done. It is perhaps the best punishment for this violent dictatorship and the best gift that you could give the elected president of Burma, Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi. My sympathy also goes out to Leyla Zana. It is not good for a country seeking to join the European Union to allow such an affair to drag on for so long. Let Turkey show that it wishes to be a country governed by the rule of law and that it wants to grant Leyla Zana as soon as possible a full place in its society and in the parliament to which she has been elected.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I would like to put on record some of the reasons why I voted for the Poos report on Cyprus. I am delighted that Cypriots are being supported in this House. It is vitally important that their wish to join the European Union should be respected. I have some reservations about aspects of the European project, but I am absolutely certain that those countries that wish to join should be allowed to join. Today is an historic day for Cyprus, as well as for the European Union. For too long Cyprus has been the victim of power politics in Europe. It has often suffered at the expense of decisions made by larger and more powerful nations. I know that accession to the European Union is seen by many Cypriots as a path to security and stability and will lead to a situation where Cyprus is at the heart of decision-making in Europe, with a seat at the top table of European decision-makers. I hope that the next few weeks will see the finalisation of the accession of Cyprus and that we will see this small island, which was once a victim in European politics, becoming an equal, respected and influential voice in shaping the future of our shared continent.

Political group: PPE-DE
Anyone who has been paying attention in the House this week will be aware that MEPs are gradually joining the ranks of those with expertise on flight cancellations, long delays, overbooking etc. on the basis of first-hand experience. Many passengers find themselves in confrontation with the system, and that is what is making them fed up. Each year, in Europe alone, 250 000 people are victims of overbooking. That is no longer acceptable, however. In future, the loss will be subject to compensation not only in the event of denied boarding, but also in the case of cancellation and long delays, and we think that this is a very good thing. It is even more important, however, that passengers can feel assured of their flight, and the contributions must therefore be sufficiently high to act as an incentive for companies to opt for good service instead of compensation. We want all of this to apply not only to scheduled flights, but also to ‘non-scheduled’ flights. Compensation does not apply in the case of force majeure. Unfortunately, we find this a very vague concept. We would have liked to link it to a definition, for example by the Court of Justice of the European Communities, so as to give it more concrete substance. Invoking force majeure must not, after all, be a convenient way of abandoning passengers to their fate without compensation. Of course, passengers would often consider it more important that a solution be found than compensation be paid. In fact, similar rules should apply to all providers of transport services, then we would see a great deal fewer dissatisfied passengers on public transport.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Commissioner, the safety of nuclear installations is a problem for the whole of Europe and primarily an environmental issue. Safety is, in the final analysis, a European added value. Could you consider encouraging the preparation of a Green Paper on the safety of reactors or nuclear installations, so that in future a relatively objective assessment of the subject may be guaranteed?

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, neither the restriction to 1% nor the Commission’s proposal for an expansion to 1.24%, which amounts to 1.15% in reality, can be the signal we send to Europe’s citizens and taxpayers today. Naturally, the letter from the six governments so soon after the collapse of the Summit was a mistake in terms of its timing, tone and content and was therefore quite unacceptable. Equally, however, in response to the Commission’s ideas – and you, President Prodi, have presented some interesting keywords, although we will have to discuss them in far more detail – I must say that what is urgently required in the coming months is a critical review of the European Union’s agenda, with a focus on both positive and negative aspects across the board in all policy fields, if we want to identify honest and practical responses for Europe’s citizens. Naturally, the outcome of our discussions today cannot be binding on the new Commission, which will still have to be approved by the new Parliament; nor can it be binding in any way on the new Parliament in its capacity as part of the budgetary authority. As part of this more critical approach, however, it is essential, first and foremost, to complete the constitutional treaty and define the system of powers, also in line with the subsidiarity principle. This also means that if powers are transferred back to the Member States in an enlarged EU, we will need fewer resources for these areas at European level. However, it also means that if tasks are transferred to the European level – such as foreign, security and development policy – the Member States will have to look again at the possibility of not only increasing the EU budget but also reducing spending at national level. I would like to conclude by raising two points. After all, it is not just a matter of freeing up budget funds in order to deal with new objectives, improving competitiveness and growth potential. What I think is missing, especially in the light of the mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy to be discussed next month, is that here, the Commission itself has not established the coherence on many legislative proposals, which is necessary to achieve the binding consolidation that will generate growth potential and entrepreneurial freedoms throughout the European Union. If what you are proposing in the budget is flanked by such initiatives, our credibility will be much improved. In addition, we see the option of reverting to Article 272 of the Treaty without binding new Parliaments and new institutions as a very exciting one. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE