GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, Commissioner, the development of the information society has been the greatest step forward the world has seen in the last 10 years. It has completely revolutionised the management, transfer and use of information. While thousands of pages of printed paper and huge libraries and archives used to be needed for the storage of information, now the same quantity of information is stored on Internet websites and computer discs. Transfer of information used to mean a journey to the archives, copying documents and posting them off. Now the same data can be browsed on a computer from your own office or study. Sending information used to mean putting it in the post and waiting around for it to arrive; now email gets to where it is going in different parts of the world in seconds. There are no limits to knowledge-based development. The EU has taken this into account in many different ways, including the Information Society for All Programme. That is why the EU’s development strategy to make our continent the world’s most competitive knowledge-based economy is absolutely the right one. There are nevertheless a few conditions attached to this development. A properly balanced information society cannot develop if it is merely market-driven. Society has to be involved in developing and building the infrastructure. We have to ensure that the less well-off, the young and those at risk of exclusion are able to use these services. Regionally we have to make sure that the networks also extend to the sparsely populated and peripheral regions. Proper use must be made of the EU’s Structural Funds. At the same time the monopolies have to be broken. Internet connections must be made reasonably priced by also opening up the last kilometre of connectivity to real competition. We should also be able to prevent the cartelisation and monopolisation of software and applications. Abuse is a separate problem. Sending spam and deliberately creating disorder and malfunctions must be made punishable. The development of the information society provides great opportunities to enhance spiritual, intellectual and material well-being. Accordingly, greater attention must be paid to this work.

Political group: ELDR
Madam President, I do not wish to be repetitive, but the situation requires it. You are aware of the situation in Campo de Gibraltar, where there is a damaged British nuclear submarine. As we have feared and supposed since the start, according to the technicians, the significance of the damage is increasing daily with the passage of time. I ask you, Madam President, to do everything possible to speed up the procedure under way in the Committee on Petitions concerning a protest document that has been presented by more than thirty social groups and NGOs against this situation, in which there has been a blatant failure to comply with Community regulations on radiation protection.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Madam President, this has been a distressing summer in the Middle East and I am extremely sorry to say that the European Union is partly responsible. On several occasions, suicide bombers, armed by Hamas and encouraged by the Palestinian Authority, caused bloodshed in the heart of Israel, and each time, the European Union did nothing more than issue verbal condemnations, whilst all the time continuing to give generous funding to the Palestinian Authority, which has recently freed the most dangerous terrorists. Can we hope to fulfil a credible role when we continue to provide considerable sums of money, unmonitored, to an authority which is an authority in name only, and which remains one of the world’s most corrupt political entities? A recent report by the Court of Auditors revealed that there has been serious mismanagement and many cases of misappropriation under Yasser Arafat. Were sanctions imposed? Did you demand transparency, Commissioner? On the contrary, the complacent attitude and leniency shown by the Commission could only be taken as incentives to continue along this disastrous route. As you know, peace was a possibility at Camp David, peace was within reach. What did Mr Arafat do? Once again, he lacked the bravery of President Anwar al-Sadat and dashed all our hopes. He said no to peace at Camp David. One month later, the Intifada was resumed. This time, however, there were elements of a genuine anti-Semitic crusade and the most dangerous terrorists were at large. Did the Commission and the Council take specific action in response to a further breach of the Oslo accords? Did they even subject their funding to any conditions? The answer again is no, and I confirm that generations of young Palestinians continue to receive education instilling martyrdom and hatred, which is funded by the European Commission. How can we fail to see that the Intifada is revealing its true nature, which is fanatical, mystical and insane and which completely rejects the existence of Israel. We can, of course, criticise Israel but how can we fail to see that the rejection of Israel, when systematic, unbalanced and unjust or even when it involves sending away both parties without favouring either, may serve to disguise the anti-Semitism which still exists? Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the historian Léon Poliakov quite rightly said that anti-Semitism is to refuse a human being the right to exist because he is Jewish and anti-Zionism is to refuse a State the right to exist because it is Jewish.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, this report on the situation as regards fundamental rights in the European Union contains references to a large number of abuses in different areas. In view of the recent meeting of justice and home affairs ministers and their messages, I would like to concentrate on the protection of refugees, that is on Article 18 (Right of asylum) and Article 19 (Protection in the event of removal, expulsion or extradition) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The report, on which I sincerely congratulate the rapporteur, accuses the Member States of so far being unable to agree on a directive on asylum procedures and the status of refugees. This very week, the home affairs ministers have now agreed to this. It is good that the new directive will also give people who are fleeing their homelands because of persecution by non-state agents recognised status in all EU countries. That is something that I and many non-governmental organisations and citizens have worked for. At the behest of my government, unfortunately, refugees – but not victims of political persecution – are being disadvantaged when it comes to access to the employment market. I cannot see any objective reason for that and I also think it is counterproductive economically because refugees with so-called subsidiary protection will be forced to work illegally in order to survive. Those who preach about fundamental and human rights to the outside world must also look at their own performance and not be always looking only at ways their neighbours could improve. That is right and I am glad the President-in-Office also sees it that way. Europe’s own record on migration and asylum is in my opinion downright shameful, as the report clearly shows. I would like to draw particular attention to the fact that people who have made their lives here in the European Union still do not have the right to vote, even though the European Parliament has called for it on many occasions. I also want to point out that the concept of a safe third country will make it virtually impossible for refugees to enter the European Union legally in future. The only way to get asylum here will be to jump out over Europe with a parachute. I would therefore like us in Europe to have the courage to make a change of policy so that we will not again have a report criticising the European Union for so many different serious violations of human rights.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, I voted against the Brok report and abstained on assent. This was not because I wish to close the doors to Europe against the 10 new entrants. They do indeed have a rightful place amongst us. Undeniably, this is their Europe too. I am, however, concerned about the structure of the European edifice they hope to enter. I wonder whether Europe will rise to the challenge of equipping itself with institutions strong enough to regulate the activities of 25 Member States, soon to be increased further. Such institutions must be open and understood by each and every citizen. In my opinion, only a constitution can guarantee this. I fear the current enlargement may be used to justify weakening. I am extremely concerned about sailing into the unknown through an institutional fog. My vote was intended to express this concern.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, Turkey is now standing at a crossroads. It can choose the past, it can choose oppression and barbarity, or it can choose the future, freedom and humanitarianism. Akin Birdal has now been imprisoned for such a statement, in spite of his ill-health. We are faced with a country which apparently fears its own citizens so much that it is willing to violate the most basic human rights and place the unity of the state above the freedom and rights of the individual. We must say to the Turkish Government that the policy which the country is conducting belongs to the past. This type of behaviour does not belong to the future, where we hope that human rights will be foremost. Such a country will never achieve the unity which it desires. My advice to Turkey must be: choose the future and free Akin Birdal and his colleagues. IN THE CHAIR: INGO FRIEDRICHVice-President

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, may I first congratulate the Greek minister for taking up the Presidency. We look forward with confidence to a very successful and very effective six months. The President today commented that our aim must be to bring Afghanistan into a modern statehood. Women's rights give increasing cause for concern, they are not improving, they are becoming worse. Facial covering has become mandatory in many parts of the country; the movement of women is heavily restricted. Virginity is examined on the whim of the police, women are dragged into hospitals and physically examined. In other words, women are reverting to their traditional subordinate role of being the property of the male. The Commissioner has already commented that women's rights in certain areas of the country are under assault, but I say this is also happening at central government level. Women are now forbidden to be presenters on radio or television, which some of them were doing successfully. I have no doubt that women journalists are also under pressure in the written media. Under-representation of women has been commented on already, but I would ask you to recall the famous Loya Jirga, which was almost 100% male. When the deputy Health minister visited the European Commission recently, it was the – male – deputy Health minister, Dr Feroz, who attended, not the Health minister herself, the only senior minister who is a woman. 40% of all health facilities do not have one single woman at any level of their staff, yet it is women worldwide who are fundamentally responsible for all aspects of family health. The word Afghanistan translates correctly into the words 'the land of sorrow and suffering'. For women Afghanistan is becoming, yet again, the land of their deepest sorrow and suffering. Humanitarian aid undoubtedly helps, but just as obviously it is simply not enough. I warmly congratulate both ECHO and the entire Commission involved in Afghanistan, for their fantastic work. But if we want to bring Afghanistan into the modern world, the most basic of human rights, equal respect between the sexes, must become, both a hallmark of our aid and a continuing measurement of our success. It is not so today. If we look at what Mr Solana identified as the aims of European Union involvement in Afghanistan, women are not mentioned: women's rights are just not there. Yet if we mean business, this attitude must be tackled, and it is an attitude, a tribal culture in Baluchistan, which has spread around the region. Why be so squeamish about tackling women's rights? Is it because Afghanistan is an Islamic society? I do not need to quote the Koran to you to remind you that men and women were equal in the Koran from the very start of Islam; it cannot be because of that. I urge you, alter the priorities of the Council of Ministers, place women's rights high on the agenda. If we fail on that, then we will have no success at all. (Applause)

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, on a point of order, it is good to see that our budgets Commissioner is completely up-to-date with the numbers. (The President declared the common position approved as amended) *** Recommendation for second reading (A5-0164/2000), on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy, on the common position established by the Council with a view to the adoption of a European Parliament and Council recommendation providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the Member States [5684/1/2000 – C5-0181/2000 – 1998/0358(COD)] (Rapporteur: Mrs Jackson)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, although it appears that some people's shame and capacity to provoke knows no limits, I am always amazed that the only Member of this House who has not been able to condemn a single one of the attacks carried out by his friends, the cowardly murderers of the terrorist group ETA, should refer to an apparent defence of human rights. While, moreover, it is grave and condemnable, Mr President, to violate the right to life, it is even more so to take advantage of the freedom that comes with being a Member of this House to justify the unjustifiable or defend the indefensible through words or through guilty silence. Mr President, our only comfort is the knowledge that, for legal reasons, during the next legislature we will not have to listen to this type of comment so lacking in solidarity, which is contrary to Parliament’s positions and which undervalues the rights of victims.

Political group: PPE-DE
It is a great pleasure and honour to be able to welcome here Lars Danielsson and the Swedish Presidency. The Swedish language, the language of honour and heroes, has probably never before flowed in this House as it is doing today. My warm thanks for your reply. At this point I would like to take up some attendant issues. They concern the political union which exists in reality between Belarus and Poland and the extent to which the Swedish Presidency is also putting pressure on Russia, as part of a political union with Belarus, to realise the democratic implications, and the implications for its status in the international community, of being in a union with a country which can hardly be described as a democracy. You mentioned the presidential election in Belarus in 2001. But 20 percent of the candidates in the so-called parliamentary election last autumn – I was there myself as an observer – were dismissed. I would also like to emphasise the value of the EU taking action so as to avoid a proliferation effect. We are, of course, noticing a disturbing development, Mr Danielsson, in the neighbouring country of Ukraine. We cannot underestimate the possibility of what is happening in Belarus spreading, for we should never forget that the regime in Minsk in fact has blood on its hands.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I agree with the two previous speakers, Mrs Schroedter and Mrs Thors. It is time that the European Parliament took an active interest in Europe’s poorest country. The people of Moldavia have, for a long time, suffered not only poverty but also exploitation. For example, tens of thousands of women have suffered degradation within the so-called sex industry in Western Europe. I am personally acquainted with Iurie Rosca, Party Chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, the largest opposition party in Moldavia, as well as with the deputy chairman, Vlad Cubreacov. In common with the party’s general secretary, Stefan Secareanu, who is mentioned in our resolution today, they are exposed to attacks whereby the Communist government headed by President Veronin is attempting to revoke their political immunity. I wish to protest against the fact that, not long ago, the Justice Minister, who is also from the dominant Communist Party in Moldavia, suspended the political and financial activities of the , who at present are in practice the only real opposition party in the country. Those who are standing up for a multiparty system and for democracy in Moldavia deserve our esteem and encouragement. The have taken fundamental issues as their basic themes, including language, culture, schooling and the country’s Western democratic leanings, something which has aroused the anger of the Communists. I also wish to protest against the fact that the Bessarabian Orthodox Church in Moldavia is not allowed to operate freely. Moldavia is a poor country in material terms. We do not want it also to become poor in terms of democracy. We have a big responsibility for Moldavia.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I would like to add to the praise for Mr Costa, the rapporteur, because this is an extremely difficult subject and there are very conflicting opinions. Furthermore, he has had many amendments to work through. When all is said and done, I believe that the text presented is clear and consistent – no mean feat. I think that this contribution by the European Parliament will enable the Commission to make good progress in its subsequent work. The issue of infrastructure charging is perhaps one of the most difficult for the general public to understand, but it is perhaps also the key to achieving our objective of a sustainable freedom of movement, given that the number of people travelling and the amount of freight transported within the Union is expected to increase considerably. Today, we know that road travel produces the most pollution but that it is also cheaper in terms of both infrastructure financing, which is often funded by the community, and in terms of its use. Therefore, if we really wish to travel without causing so much damage to the environment, we will certainly need to establish charging; that is, how the various types of transport pay the real price of costs. All the same, I believe that we must be very aware that the rail system is not and will not for many years be in a position to compete to a great extent with road transport, in particular in terms of freight transport or combined transport links, which are urgent priorities. There are still considerable infrastructure costs and infrastructure and investment needs, and rail companies’ profits do not provide enough to cover them. Compared to road tolls, those on the railways are still too high with a concomitant strain on operating costs. The issue of charging is therefore absolutely central to this matter and if we really wish to improve transport we need to be in a position to absorb efficiently the external costs of transport; as mentioned; in other words, so that road transport actually pays for all the costs it entails, as does rail transport, and so that the prices charged accurately reflect this transparency regarding costs. We should not, however, close our eyes to one political stumbling block in all this. The political stumbling block is that our fellow citizens want to travel. They believe that they have the right to freedom of movement, something I think we should bear in mind, and very often they do not differentiate freight transport and the private car. This was obvious last September. Therefore, on a political level, we must take a cautious approach, which should be both gradual and selective. A gradual approach means that we cannot impose extra costs on road travel until the railway is in a position to take over from it, and for the time being the railway is not in any such position. A selective approach is needed, because I believe that we have to distinguish between private transport and goods transport and that we may also have to gradually introduce taxes on heavy goods vehicles, if we really wish to improve pollution in regions like ours, that act as crossroads.

Political group: PSE
Madam President, Mr President of the Commission, Commissioners, the fact that we are formulating new programmes does not mean that we should neglect those older programmes which are at implementation stage. From that standpoint, it is useful that the Commission’s work programme comes back to the issues of Agenda 2000, the common agricultural policy, which includes fishing, and secondly, the activities of the structural funds. I hope this reference means that the reorganisation of the Commission currently in progress will not damage the mechanism for monitoring and implementing Agenda 2000. The Agenda 2000 issues are, of course, ones that relate to your third and fourth strategic objectives, the economic and social Agenda and a better quality of life. What your texts do not make apparent is the extent to which these major, high-minded objectives are compatible with the resources that the Commission intends to deploy. I do not necessarily mean financial resources. The implementation of Agenda 2000 in the agricultural sector does not ultimately require more money. There must also be savings. But what we need is the analytical resources: these issues require the investment of more intellectual capital. This is because it is essential to achieve two things: the European model of multifunctionality in agriculture must be secured, and this must be done in a way which facilitates the liberalisation of world trade in agricultural products, mainly to the benefit of developing countries. It is not easy to combine those aims. There is no obvious way. There may well be contradictions between the two objectives and there is nothing to show that the Commission has pointed out those contradictions and how it proposes to deal with them. As regards the other aspect of Agenda, the aspect of cohesion and regional development, there we do indeed have great achievements to point to, but there are still less developed regions, particularly island regions, to which more attention should be paid. As for fishing, there is nothing in your programme to tell us that the predatory exploitation of fishing grounds, which has gone as far as to wipe out entire species of fish, will certainly prove fruitful in the future. Perhaps these issues should be approached with greater attention and a greater esprit de finesse.

Political group: PSE
It is with great sadness that, with the war in Iraq already having begun, we are here taking part in what is nonetheless an important extraordinary sitting, to which we are contributing, together with our group, in this last ditch attempt to join forces against the war. The protest still stands at this particularly serious time in international politics, marked by a unilateral, unlawful war waged by the United States and its allies in defiance of the United Nations’ Charter and the will of the Security Council, which will provoke a humanitarian disaster and cause the deaths of thousands of innocent people. It is inadmissible and particularly repellent that a number of European governments, especially that of Portugal, should be associated, through the notorious Azores Summit, with this war that has been condemned by a range of public opinion and is the subject of a motion of censure delivered to the government of my country. It is unacceptable that, in disregard for the European Parliament’s position – which is one of opposition to a war without the sanction of the United Nations – some European governments should have persisted in their support for the Bush administration, whose real objective was never to disarm Iraq but, rather, to overthrow the Iraqi regime, install a North American protectorate there and control the wealth of Iraq, particularly in the form of oil. We shall continue to oppose war and to defend peace.

Political group: GUE-NGL