GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, we are clearly facing an unprecedented crisis in the Middle East, which is all the more serious given that there is a risk of it spreading. In the same area we must show our deep concern about the development of events on the border between Israel and Lebanon and call on the influential countries, such as Iran and Syria, despite their obvious indignation, to offer their good services to contain the climate of tension. But in other geographical areas we have also seen angry reactions of solidarity with the humiliations being suffered by the Palestinians, as in the case of the massive demonstration in Morocco. The Israeli Government must understand that it cannot ignore the clear views expressed by the international community. We trust that tomorrow’s summit in Madrid, with the Presidency-in-Office of the European Union, the United States, Russia and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, will serve to confirm the strong will and agreement of the sponsors of the peace process that the last resolutions of the United Nations be complied with. It appears that a partial withdrawal of troops is taking place and this is a step in the right direction, but it is clearly insufficient, especially if what Mr Patten has said today is true. Mr President, I come from a country in which terrorism is the main concern of the citizens and we therefore feel particular solidarity with its victims. But not everything is acceptable in the fight against terrorism; the Rule of Law and international legality must always be respected. From this point of view, it is not acceptable, under any circumstances, to attempt to undermine the structures of the Palestinian National Authority, which is for the moment the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, however worthy of criticism some of their actions may be. It is true that we must demand that it condemn the attacks: there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists; they are all equally detestable. They must do everything they can to prevent attacks and to arrest their perpetrators and instigators, something which unfortunately has not always happened. In the European Union we must ensure unity of action. A divided Europe is like having no Europe at all. There has been progress between the Foreign Ministers of the Member States which I believe our public opinion considers to be insufficient. I believe there are other avenues; there are instruments in international practices which allow us to express our displeasure towards the policy of a government such as Israel’s. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, in an interview with Mr Martin on prime time television in Ireland on Wednesday last week, I challenged him on two issues. I quote from the transcript of the programme: 'I want to put two questions to Mr Martin, if you don't mind. Is it not true, Mr Martin, that a Cologne court earlier this week ordered you to refrain from attacking the integrity of your fellow German MEPs on this issue or it will fine you EUR 250 000 or indeed imprison you for six months? The second question I want to ask you, bearing in mind that you claim to be interested in reforming the expenses system, concerns the vote in the European Parliament last week. In fact I think there were just under 20 votes where proposals were being made to reform the expenses system and you were absent from every one of them. It seems to me that this is not the action of someone who is interested in reforming the system, it is the action of a hypocrite. You are proving what Pat Cox said about you, that you are doing this purely for personal publicity and not for genuine reasons.' This is the man who is attacking our integrity and who is masquerading as a crusader. This is his answer – and people should listen to it – about Mrs Gebhardt. 'I have never ever made these claims. I am an Austrian. I have never heard of these lawsuits or claims. I am very much surprised that they have suddenly come up with this.' The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung states: 'The court in Cologne advised Mr Martin not to further damage the reputation of Evelyne Gebhardt, threatening to sentence him to a fine of EUR 250 000 if he repeated his allegations. He further went on to say: 'As far as the participation in the vote, I was there.' The interviewer then asked me: 'Is there not a need for some reform? Do you accept that some reform is necessary?' I replied: 'Absolutely necessary. We voted for it some time ago, but who stopped it? Not the Parliament, it was the presidency, particularly the German and British Governments.' Mr Martin interjected: 'But for additional privileges.' I said: 'I also repeat: we voted it for last week again, but the alleged great crusader Mr Martin was absent for almost 20 votes.' He said again: 'No, I was taking part in the votes – don't repeat this claim.' I replied: 'You did not take part in the votes, the records show that.' He then replied: 'I did, just look at the Minutes.' He is a deceitful masquerader, damaging our reputation. Someone like him has no part in public life. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE
Members representing ‘Lutte ouvrière’ will vote for this resolution in order to protest against an unacceptable attack on the freedom of speech. By the same token, we take this opportunity to denounce the torture practiced in Egyptian police stations. The facts related by Amnesty International, which alerted us to these practices, concern a number of cases of men, women and even children being tortured, in some cases to death. The Egyptian police can only get away with this loathsome practice with the tacit authorisation of the Egyptian government, or indeed on its orders. There is every reason to believe that the leaders of the regime know that the great powers will turn a blind eye to it. Yet the great powers, especially those of the European Union, have the means to put considerable pressure on the Egyptian regime, which benefits from considerable support from the West. The European Parliament as a whole must take a stand against these barbaric practices of the Egyptian regime. If it does not, then we will gladly comply with the wish of Amnesty International that Members of the European Parliament take action against state torture, if only in the form of personal letters of protest sent to the authorities. If these police practices do not stop, this would perhaps go some way towards saving the victims who are currently in the hands of torturers.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, chemical substances and products are a part of our daily life today. To a large extent, we could not manage in our society without them. For example, we use cleaning materials, cosmetics, plastics, medicines and much more besides, almost without thinking about it. It is though, equally self-evident that we must know what effects the use of these substances and products has on our health and our environment, and so we need a practical and flexible system to monitor and evaluate existing substances and those materials that may be created in the future. The Group of the takes the view that the White Paper must do away with the inadequacy of European chemical policy and give first priority to protecting human beings and the environment, as well as to sustainable development, without thereby jeopardising the competitiveness of the chemical industry and of SME's in the global market. The chemical industry is the third largest processing industry in Europe, and, according to the Commission's figures, provides 4.7 million jobs in almost 40 000 firms, most of them small and medium-sized enterprises. With this report, we are deciding on their future. The Schörling report clearly focuses on the ecological dimension, and there are grounds for concern that the excessive demands, on the authorities as well, will paralyse the whole system and condemn it to failure from the outset. We in the Group of the therefore cannot go along with the obligatory registration of materials of which less than one tonne is produced per annum; the extension of the approval procedure; the substitution and prohibition of substances only on the grounds of their characteristics; an additional peer review process; impracticable duties of notification and databases. It is our opinion that only a balanced system can ensure the production of high-value products within the European Union, the safeguarding of jobs in it, and the improved protection of people and the environment. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I voted against the Brok report, although I am in favour of enlargement. This was not of course intended as a personal affront to Mr Brok. The reason was that his report fails to take any account of the essential link between enlargement and deepening. There is no reference whatsoever to the delays regarding deepening, nor to the Convention probably becoming bogged down. The link it had been hoped to establish has been severed. This is why I voted against the Brok report. In my view however, it is unfair to penalise innocent parties for a delay that is entirely our fault. Consequently, I voted in favour of assent. I support enlargement and strengthening, and I am against agreeing to give up on strengthening. There is a danger that the Europe we are committing ourselves to will be an enlarged Europe but not a strengthened one. It will be fettered from the outset. Mr President, the reason I voted against the Brok report is that I am opposed to such fettering.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, I would like to start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to President Prodi for coming to the Committee on Budgetary Control this morning. The plan of action that he presented to us needs some commentary, and I would like, in the first instance, to deal with the continuing failure to sort out the issue of communication between the administration and the Commission – by which I mean the Commissioners, even though I can see how many measures already exist on paper; the September 1999 code of conduct, the ‘Charter for Delegated Authorising Officers’ of December 2000, and so on. I do believe that what we need in this area is not new rules, but the application of the ones that already exist, and that is what I want to press for. Secondly, it is clear that new mechanisms have to be created to do this. President Prodi, let me warn you most urgently not to create even more bodies, but instead to strengthen the ones we have and implement reforms where these are needed. I see little point in this new machinery to collect all the information on possible instances of fraud. I see no point in having a body to uncover financial irregularities. I do not see that there is any need to set up a management committee as a replacement for OLAF’s Supervisory Committee. You have touched on a great deal, and there is good in that, but the issue of whistleblowing still has to be sorted out. Reference has already been made to the fact that it is no longer a live issue. There is so much for us to do together, and so I urge you, before you issue the communication, to take Parliament seriously, to talk with us, to have a look at the Bösch report, so that we do not go down false trails. To do so would harm the European budget and hence the European taxpayer.

Political group: PPE-DE
The Council’s proposal for a directive concerning unauthorised entry, movement and residence is another in a series of proposals for repressive measures, tabled in the legal sphere. In spite of the fact that the Member States have agreed to establish a common immigration and asylum policy, all energy is being focused upon producing proposals aimed only at making it more difficult for people to enter the EU, whether they be refugees or people looking for work. A large number of Europeans choose to hide often unknown people who have been smuggled in or have managed by their own efforts to get themselves over the border and into the EU countries. Those people who, with no thought at all of profit, make an effort on behalf of people in fear of their lives, must not be punished. This type of humanitarian aid is now entirely lawful in, for example, Sweden and ought not to be criminalised. Europe needs a common immigration and asylum policy characterised by humanitarianism. We have an obligation to help people who find their way here in order to obtain sanctuary, irrespective of whether they are refugees from war-torn areas or asylum seekers fleeing political oppression. Europe must also change its attitude to legal immigration and open its borders to citizens of third countries who wish to look for work in the European Union. The basis must be that people should be allowed to travel freely into the European Union and not be prevented from doing so by a restrictive policy on visas and work permits. By means of a policy which affirms both asylum seekers and immigrants, we can get on top of organised crime and the human tragedies for which traffickers in human beings are responsible.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, I too regret the fact that Structural Funds appropriations have been underused to the tune of EUR 22 billion. My concern deepens given that, as we know, outstanding payments for the years 2000-2006 have now risen to more than EUR 76 billion, thus running the risk of decommitment under the n+2 rule. This is deplorable in view of the high levels of unemployment and poverty pertaining in some Member States, such as Portugal, and the lack of social services and infrastructure, which are essential for social inclusion. Economic and social cohesion is a central aim of the European Union. For this very reason, the Structural Funds are vital to promoting genuine convergence; they also contribute to redistribution within the Community budget. Failure to execute those funds, therefore, does not merely jeopardise the aim of economic and social cohesion. It also serves to accentuate existing regional inequalities. The causes of this situation, then, must be dealt with, both by resolving bureaucratic problems through simplifying and decentralising measures, and, above all, by eliminating the budgetary constraints imposed by the Stability Pact. That pact must be reviewed, not forgetting that the Structural Funds are even more important in the run-up to the enlargement of the European Union. The policy of economic and social cohesion, then, demands that these procedures be reviewed so that we can effectively benefit from all the funds available.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, I would like to endorse what Mr Alyssandrakis has said. Yesterday, in the context of the EU's Parliamentary Delegation to Turkey, I also asked the Turkish ambassador why prisoners were not allowed visits from their lawyers and families. We were given the answer that representatives of the Council of Europe had visited Mr Ocalan about a month ago, and that we should address our enquiries to the relevant committee of the Council of Europe. Whatever our attitude towards them, whether or not we sympathise with them, we believe that every prisoner should receive fair treatment, which includes the right to meet with legal counsel and with their family members. That is a value in terms of human rights and democracy under the rule of law, and that is something to which we are committed. I therefore reiterate my request to you that you should put the case to the Turkish Government for access to legal counsel to be allowed in the future.

Political group: GUE-NGL
In order to make its voice better heard, Europe must strengthen its common foreign and security policy, including with regard to military crisis management. It is only by shouldering its responsibilities more firmly with regard to its own security that the European Union can exist and make its choices count in the essential dialogue with the United States, within a multipolar global framework. The Treaty on the European Defence Community (EDC) remains a useful source of inspiration. The European Commission could manage the technological and industrial aspects subject to competition rules. A Council of Defence Ministers should be created in cooperation with the national parliaments, while the European Parliament should be the democratic body for monitoring and codecision. Organised in this way, the European Union would have the means to become a global entity – in the political, economic and monetary and social fields and in the fields of external relations and defence.

Political group: ELDR
Commissioner, I have to confess that you have not enlightened me, or rather you have not told me anything which I did not know already, because this accusation was laid at the Commission's door a year ago. You replied in answer to my previous question that Spain was to blame and that you would do what you had to do, but here it is you who are to blame. Because, despite knowing about this accusation for a year, you have not taken a decision. As a result, with such a huge matter pending, the European Investment Bank is refusing to grant a loan and I fail to see how you can include the project in the third CSF without taking this decision. I should like to point out that the European ombudsman has specifically told me that he will respond to my accusations by the end of this month. What I want from you is a specific date by which you will reply to me, together with your interpretation of the European Investment Bank's action and whether its present refusal to fund the project is due to the fact that the project is currently bogged down at the Commission – this too is an accusation which you have not investigated.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, inconsistent and contradictory events are currently taking place within the Israeli State and society. It is true that the 100 000 peace demonstrators in Tel Aviv on 11 May offered the hope of a social reaction to the barbarity of Sharon. The slogan of that demonstration was meaningful enough: 'For the sake of Israel’s salvation, we must withdraw from the occupied territories'. However, other forces of a different kind are working hard to eliminate not just the process, but also the spirit of Oslo. It is true that Netanyahu took it upon himself to create a Likud central committee according to his own wishes before losing power in 1999. Perhaps this puts the recent vote of that body against the creation of a Palestinian States into perspective, but the resolution exists. As if that were not enough, Netanyahu has just said: A state, with all the rights of a State [a Palestinian State, that is], is not possible. Not with Arafat; not with any other leader; not today and not tomorrow. Likud has acted just hours after the Heads of State of Egypt, Jordan and Syria – Syria, no less, and I stress this – said literally: we reject all forms of violence; we confirm our desire for a genuine peace with Israel. As we know, the Israeli Parliament yesterday agreed that Israel would not reopen political negotiations with the Palestinians until two requirements are met: a complete end to violence – I stress the adjective ‘complete’ – and a thorough reform of the Palestinian administration. Sharon stresses this: there will be no peace with a dictatorial, corrupt and tyrannical regime. There must be another Palestinian Authority. A few hours ago, President Arafat made some excellent comments: accepting external involvement, he told his Parliament that the time has come for changes, reforms and elections and he condemned suicide attacks. Sharon – of course – has just said that Arafat has said nothing new. Since we can expect him soon to invent a new pretext for preventing the creation of a Palestinian State and the onset of peace, I believe that the famous Quartet should take precisely the opposite stance.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, Peru is currently going through a period of uncertainty, and we all cherish the hope that the current situation will be resolved through a process in which all civil and political rights are guaranteed, which will help to strengthen and consolidate democracy and peace in Peru, a country that has suffered 25 000 deaths in the last fifteen years. The European Union, which is the leading cooperating country in economic terms and the main investor in Peru, with figures exceeding 6 000 million dollars in the last seven years, must maintain its cooperation based on the democratic clause established in the third and fourth generation agreements with the countries of the Andean Pact. These are based on universally recognised principles of respect for pluralist democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Also, the European Union must, with maximum care, invite all the Peruvian democratic forces to take part in dialogue in order to achieve commitments guaranteeing the exercise of civil and public rights and freedom of expression.

Political group: PPE-DE
I am delighted that Parliament has overwhelmingly approved paragraph 49 regretting the passing by the US Senate of a bill which would allow for the use of force by the US to prevent its citizens from being tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The overwhelming support for that paragraph (385 Members in favour) indicates that D66 was right to raise this issue in Parliament because the success of the ICC is a European issue. Despite these and other important positions I subscribe to, I hesitated to vote in favour because of the following passage: '6. Stresses that the ratification of the Nice Treaty by all Member States will facilitate a successful enlargement process'. It is factually incorrect to suggest that ratification of the Treaty of Nice facilitates the enlargement process. During the Nice summit, our governments’ leaders chose to make Europe slightly less democratic and less efficient. Moreover, by going further down the road of intergovernmentalism (and consequently less transparency) the Treaty of Nice leads Europe in the opposite direction to where we need to go. (Abbreviated in accordance with Rule 137(1) of the Rules of Procedure) - Brok report (A5-0190/2002)

Political group: ELDR