GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, the latest events in Kosovo show once again how fragile the peace in the Balkans is, and we must ask ourselves what the reasons are for that. Let us remind ourselves. Almost exactly five years ago, NATO began bombing Yugoslavia without declaring war. Although all the parties to the Helsinki Final Act had committed themselves to recognising the territorial status quo in Europe, the country was systematically dismembered by internal and external forces along ethnic lines; the Federal Republic of Germany led the way with its early recognition of Slovenia and Croatia. The rapid disintegration of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia did not bring an end to the conflicts, but gave rise to new tensions, which are now again exploding in bloody clashes in Kosovo. What was proclaimed five years ago as the remedy for ethnic cleansing has proved to be the opposite. Thousands of Serbian families have been driven out of a province that is still legally part of Serbia, mainly by paramilitary forces of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK), once classed by the US as a terrorist organisation. It also sounds very strange when Mr Solana, our High Representative, tells the remaining Serbs that they should be brave and have the courage to overcome these difficulties. Crimes are being committed, and they must be treated as such. The EU must have the courage to speak out more resolutely for a long-term, complex political solution for Kosovo and for the whole of the Balkans.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Our relations with Asia have greatly improved over the past few years, and this is something to be welcomed, for Asia accounts for 56% of the world population, 26% of the total global BNP and for 25% of world trade. Despite the crisis in Asia, trade and investment relations have expanded to such an extent that Asia is currently the EU's third largest regional trading partner. We can even say that we in Europe have contributed to a relatively swift economic recovery in Asia by means of our open markets and investments. Despite this, a great deal still needs to be done. Our political ties need to be strengthened and broadened. We still do give Asia enough consideration as an important partner in multilateral discussions within international forums, such as the World Trade Organisation. I would, in this connection, refer to China's recent endorsement of the Kyoto Agreement. This is a positive point. Asia is indeed gradually realising that it faces the same global challenges as we do: promoting peace, security, minimum social standards, environmental protection and the fight against cross-border crime and trafficking in human beings. Finally, I know from my own experience that Asians still do not know Europe well enough. This results, for example, in the EU's trade deficit with Asia which, partly due to the crisis, has increased almost tenfold over the past five years. We must therefore step up our presence in the region as a matter of urgency, and make the Asians aware of Europe's – and, above all, of the EU's – significance, so that the trade and investment potential of our companies can also be enhanced.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, ten days before the start of the Olympic Games, the spectre of doping is hovering over Sidney. The International Olympic Committee cannot be serious with its talk of ‘clean’ Olympic Games when we all know that 1,000 syringes of erythropoietin were stolen from a Sidney hospital a month ago and when one legend of the Olympic spirit after another now openly maintains that there are anti-doping tests for every banned substance only the International Olympic Committee prefers to bow to pressure from big business than to apply them. Minister Buffet, who has addressed us so eloquently here today, stated in Le Monde on 4 August that the basic ingredient missing in the fight against doping was strong political will. But it would appear to be difficult to exercise this will when there is the pressure of commercialisation and the pressure, encapsulated in the thoughtless and superficial motto of the Olympic Games, to be ‘faster, higher, stronger’. It is even more difficult to exercise this political will when the supply of banned substances is much more in demand, with a turnover, as we have heard, of a billion euros, although this turnover is much higher – much, much higher – if we include the mild doping which is spreading through gyms, beauty centres and God knows where else. We need to bring our political clout to bear as quickly as possible, we need to harmonise lists of dangerous substances, methods of testing for the new substances which industry is constantly producing, we need to apply sanctions, we need to find out who is responsible and apply sanctions. Of course, the European Union needs to take a more active role in the World Anti-Doping Agency, precisely as the President of the Council described, and I agree with him. I should like to finish by saying that this World Anti-Doping Agency is quite simply an observer in Sidney today. And, as long as we are just observers, nothing will be done in the fight against doping.

Political group: GUE-NGL
My second question relates to employment policy for the year 2000, which you voted on here today. The same question comes up time and time again: to what extent is the budget of the European Union examined in order to ascertain which budget lines foster employment? Some expenditure certainly fosters employment by creating new jobs and new undertakings, some budget lines secure existing jobs and some budget lines destroy jobs. Has any provision been made here for a scientific study or are there any studies which illustrate which expenditure or income we can use to make a positive impact on European employment policy?

Political group: PPE-DE
We do not agree with the report for the following reasons: First, because the proposed measures aim to protect and strengthen the common fisheries policy of the ΕU, with which we disagree due to the restrictions which it places on production, directed mainly at small- and medium-sized fisheries, especially in countries such as Greece. In addition, we are being called on to support an absurd control system in which the controller and the controlled are one and the same. Secondly, because the short-term action plan and, more importantly, the creation of a Joint Inspection and Control Structure are measures for the further integration of the ΕU in the fisheries sector, meaning greater restrictions on national fisheries policies and national measures which take account of national peculiarities and requirements. At the same time, the proposed Joint Inspection Structure also raises numerous questions, in that issues of national sovereignty in the territorial waters of the Member States also arise.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, since the Single European Act was ratified, the financial products market has been developing, despite the warnings of the , without regard to the minimum harmonisation of taxation on income from savings. What was bound to happen has happened. There has been fiscal dumping onto the most mobile factors and a transfer of the tax burden onto the least mobile factor, which is labour. The responsibility for blocking the tax harmonisation provided for in the Monti package currently rests entirely with one country: Great Britain. Great Britain is trying to shift the blame onto Luxembourg, which is actually willing to compromise. Let me formally notify our British colleagues that this attitude is irritating the rest of Europe. Great Britain is the mother of democracy and of modern capitalism. Its attitude of encouraging tax fraud has a corrupting effect not only in economic and social terms, but in moral terms as well. It is challenging the civic foundations of European construction. That is why the Group of the has decided to reject any new proposal to liberalise the capital market, unless the Monti package is first adopted. This is the suggestion, moreover, of Mr Prodi’s Commission itself, and that was the key point of the García-Margallo y Marfil report on the action plan to unite the financial services markets. Unfortunately, this point has been changed out of all recognition by the amendments of the right within the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, since the Commission has altered its statement on decommissioning funds so that there is now no doubt that the Union Treaty’s competition policy, under the aegis of the Directorate-General for Competition, applies fully to the decommissioning funds and the nuclear sector, I congratulate the Commission, in my capacity as rapporteur, for adopting this position, and I think the great majority of Parliament would support me: a single market requires a single competition policy. I can now therefore withdraw the amendment. (The President declared the common position approved as amended) *** Recommendation for second reading (A5-0135/2003) on behalf of the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, on the Council common position for adopting a European Parliament and Council directive on common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 98/30/EC (15531/2/2002 – C5-0035/2003 – 2001/0077A(COD)) (rapporteur: Bernhard Rapkay) (The President declared the common position approved as amended) *** Recommendation for second reading (A5-0134/2003) on behalf of the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, on the Council common position for adopting a European Parliament and Council regulation on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity (15527/2/2002 – C5-0036/2003 – 2001/0078(COD)) (rapporteur: Peter Michael Mombaur) (The President declared the common position approved as amended) *** Recommendation for second reading (A5-0132/2003) on behalf of the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, on the Council common position with a view to the adoption of a European Parliament and Council decision laying down a series of guidelines for trans-European energy networks and repealing Decision No 1254/96/EC (15767/2/2002 – C5-0033/2003 – 2001/0311(COD)) (rapporteur: Nicholas Clegg) (The President declared the common position approved as amended) President. – That is the end of that energy package. As the result of much hard work at second reading and with the declarations that will be published and signed as requested by Mr Mombaur, we have now brought this to a conclusion without having to go to conciliation. As I remarked earlier, for those involved it is a superior piece of political work. On Parliament's behalf I congratulate everyone involved. (Applause) *** Recommendation for second reading (A5-0154/2003) on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy, on the Council common position for adopting a European Parliament and Council regulation on transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms (15546/1/2002 – C5-0081/2003 – 2002/0046(COD)) (rapporteur: Jonas Sjöstedt) Before the vote:

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Commissioners, this is a directive which the Finnish recreational craft industry, for example, has been looking for because it believes it is important that we have uniform rules. It is important that we take into account current developments, for example with four-stroke engines, which the Commission’s proposal does. I believe that the Commission’s proposal, along with the improvements which we are adding here, will reduce emissions considerably. It is said that exhaust gases will be cut by half. In this way, we will be able to contribute to improvements in sensitive water environments. As a Finn, and not necessarily as a representative of the Group, I must say, however, that I am worried about the two-tier system which the rapporteur proposes. Otherwise, I believe that on many points he has drawn up a realistic proposal which corrects certain errors in the Commission’s proposal and which takes into account the costs and classic boats. I, myself, have a boat over 30 years old in my boat house which would not meet these standards; I believe it is a classic boat. In this respect it is a good proposal, but a division whereby different rules apply for inland waterways and seas is not good. For example, in the country which the Commissioner responsible for and I know best, it is possible to use the same boat on inland waterways and on the sea in the same day. When a boat is manufactured, it is not known which conditions it will be used for. I therefore think that Amendment No 15 is unworkable, and that is also the point made by the rapporteur. There is much to be done if we are to be able to engage with the recreational craft sector. In this context, I would also like to have seen us dealing with septic tank requirements, as I believe that this, at least with regard to the situation in the Baltic Sea, is one of the most problematic environmental issues associated with the boat industry. I would thank the rapporteur for a good proposal. We have been greatly interested in the fact that the Commission has now tabled this. It is important in order to ensure that the water environment will be improved. However, I believe that the issues which Mr Lange addressed with regard to groundwater should be solved at their respective locations, and that is something for which we have other legal instruments.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, President of the Commission, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Commission's report shows a great deal of optimism but is also very realistic. I agree with Commissioner Verheugen: much has been achieved, but many more reforms are required and we as parliamentarians in particular must study and evaluate the reports with vision, but also with precision and pragmatism, just as we must scrutinise the outcomes of the negotiations. I would like to make one thing clear from the outset: without further efforts to establish the internal market, to integrate minorities – such as the Roma and Sinti – and enforce the rule of law, enlargement is unlikely to succeed. However, let me also say, on this point, that it is down to us to behave in a way which is likely to build bridges. Since the phrase 'Beneš Decrees' has already been mentioned, let me say that I am very gratified by the studies commissioned by this Parliament, which show that there are no legal obstacles to the Czech Republic's accession. At the same time, I believe it would be conducive to the climate of the negotiations and the decision-making process if the Czech Republic could find the courage to clarify the situation, which would entail a reappraisal of the Beneš Decrees from a modern perspective – not as a demand or a condition, but rather as an offer. Let me make one comment in my capacity as a former rapporteur for Turkey. I understand that many people in Turkey, especially the pro-European forces, are disappointed by the Commission's proposals since they do not set a specific date for accession negotiations. However, I understand and endorse the Commission's position, and I see a great opportunity for Turkey if it does not simply fixate on a possible date but is prepared to work with the European Union on building a genuine economic and political partnership with the EU until accession is possible. The Commission's proposals are a starting point. However, more can be done, and we can work on this together in the coming months. I was asked today: what do I say to my constituents? What does the Commission's proposal mean? I would say that it means a resounding 'yes' to accession, and 'yes' to accession in 2004. However, it also means that it is up to the countries themselves to decide whether they want to fold their hands in their laps or whether they are willing to continue working on the reforms. My hope is that all the candidates are willing to continue working on the necessary reforms. (Applause)

Political group: PSE
Mr President, I speak on behalf of Mrs Maij-Weggen in this resolution, and we have had some excellent speeches this afternoon. As we sit here in our climate-controlled comfort, the democratically elected parliamentarians of Burma are under house arrest, in hiding and under the gravest possible threat. Meanwhile the communist junta maintains its iron grip on the people, press and the National League for Democracy. Members of that junta have boasted about how they will exterminate the NLD before the end of this year, and for years made the same boast about the minorities. Twice since last September we have passed resolutions deploring the administration in Burma and despite our clear and heartfelt views on this matter, we know that the EU countries will be sending foreign ministers to meet their ASEAN counterparts in Laos next month. We must say loudly and clearly that we believe that it is absolutely wrong for them to do so, as is planned. We, in Europe, must not give them that spurious legitimacy and we heard some excellent speeches from Mrs Lucas and Mrs Kinnock on that point. We all know the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and we must be aware that constructive engagement between ASEAN and Rangoon has not worked. Therefore we must call upon our governments not to do the opposite of what the Nobel and Sakharov Prize winner has asked. Yesterday Mr James Mawdsley, who was released from Burma, sent me a message which I want to read out to you. His words are far more eloquent than my own when confronting the evil of the Burmese regime. He says: 'the military junta in Burma is terrified of the NLD. They are afraid of anyone who refuses to bow to their brutality. It is abundantly clear to them that the world and NLD led by Dr Aung San Suu Kyi will not now bow. Therefore the regime feels it must utterly destroy them. Military intelligence officers have boasted to me that the NLD is to be crushed. It is to be destroyed. They laughed when they said it. This is not sane behaviour. They sit and laugh about the murder and repression of Burma's elected representatives. The regime also boasts that they will kill all Karen and they are committing genocide among the Karen, Karenni and Shan ethnic groups of Burma. I have walked through this territory: from the top of the mountains as far as the eye can see, all villages have been destroyed and the populations murdered or displaced. I have seen victims of repression, women and men wounded, dying and dead. The regime's hatred of the ethnic groups and for the NLD cannot be checked by appeals to reason or morality. The regime responds only when it feels threatened. My release demonstrates that.'. It demonstrates that the regime will only do something when it feels threatened. These are the words of James Mawdsley, not mine. He suffered mightily at the hands of the Burmese and he says that only when they are threatened will they do something. We have to recognise that in relation to the ASEAN meeting. IN THE CHAIR: MR FRIEDRICHVice-President

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I think this has been an exciting debate, and I wish to comment on just a few of the points. We have discussed CO2 emissions and the way in which the climate depends upon the energy situation, and we have talked about the need for rather more sustainable energy. On the hot days in Denmark, where I live, I looked at our many windmills and saw that they were motionless. There was no wind, and we must therefore conclude that wind alone does not solve the problem. What, however, there was enough of was sunshine, and we must therefore arrange for solar and photovoltaic cells to be developed so that we can really make use of the sun which sends so much energy to the Earth. The fact that we had problems with some power stations, which were unable to operate when it was very hot, is something for which we must compensate by creating a proper and powerful high voltage system so that we can have a genuine exchange of energy between the various regions of Europe. The forest fires we have had will have no long-term environmental effect, since the trees in any case would have ended up similarly emitting CO2. The disaster has, however, been pretty huge in its extent, as we have all heard and as we all agree. I find it incredible that such large areas can catch fire without it being possible to put out the blaze. That leads me to concur with Mr Martin in saying that we must arrange for very large fire breaks to be established in the form of broad lanes or, better still, very broad corridors running through the land so that fires cannot spread to the extent that we have seen and so that we might, in this way, protect our countryside and rural areas.

Political group: PPE-DE
Calling an Extraordinary European Council meeting was undoubtedly the right move following the terrorist attack in the United States. Naturally the European Union is being cautious in its response, so far at least, but there a number of sensitive points which merit special attention: a) the reference to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, without specifying the country from which the attack has emanated, creates a particularly dangerous climate of war and reckoning; b) police measures to combat terrorism must be limited by respect for citizens' freedoms; c) a policy needs to be defined towards 'friendly' countries such as Saudi Arabia, which have helped by funding the spread of fundamentalism; d) resolving the Palestinian question, especially the problem of Jerusalem, will release huge numbers of Muslims from under the spell and control of Islam; e) fundamental intervention in the global problem of poverty will free whole societies in Asia and Africa from the despair which feeds terrorism; f) the European Union must avoid Mr Berlusconi's divisiveness and Mr Blair's sermonising and take a calm and friendly approach towards Islam.

Political group: GUE-NGL