GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are in the run-up to an election and I, just like Mrs Weiler, am grateful that right at the end of this parliamentary term we have managed to create something for many young people, indeed for all young people. This is because the Europass is something that really affects young people, even those who are entering their studies. I think we have spent a long time looking for this, and I am glad that the Commissioner can get it moving at the end of her current period in office. It would, of course, have been nice to pass this in the present legislative period, but we have to accept what cannot be done, and, if we manage to do this in September or October, that will not be too bad. Although we should not overload the Europass with expectations of absolutely everything, we should at least expect it to make realities of those constant pious truisms, transparency and mobility opportunities. These are the stuff of daily life for young people and workers; they are often affected by European laws and still cannot evolve as we would wish. This means that there is a need for clear decisions on the European career structure. We must say very clearly what is meant by the specialist competences of the individual. It must be possible to include the language competence of individuals in a tested form. We should also, as you have suggested, take into account young people’s voluntary service, for that is a competence acquired by a young person in the course of his or her life, and it should be more recognised than it has been so far, including by employers. I also believe that there are very many opportunities to help young people to find their way in this huge labour market and in turn to be found on the basis of their qualifications. It is often, today, impossible to assess exactly what a person can do, simply because what his references say is not translated and basically cannot be compared. So I believe that in this Europass we have achieved clarity about training periods, the content of training and professional competence, and I believe that that is what we need, what young people need, in order to really experience Europe for themselves. So let me say once again that my group is grateful that Mrs Zissener has taken on this report and we are delighted that in the autumn we will be able to get this matter going together – unfortunately with a new Presidency of the Council – in the interests of our young people and therefore in the interests of our children and grandchildren.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, Commissioner, first of all, I should like to congratulate Freddy Blak on an exceptionally good report and at the same time thank him for our fruitful cooperation during this process. In the discharge, Denmark was subject to a critical comment which is a scathing criticism of the way in which the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries handles export aid payments. It is quite extraordinary that, in Denmark, there are cases going right back to 1996. This means that Danish export businesses are severely hampered in their operations at the moment and that there is a considerable distortion of competition vis-à-vis other EU countries. This is far and away the harshest criticism ever levelled at Denmark, and in this case, mind you, it is the central authorities who have failed. I must therefore urge the Commission to ensure that the Danish rules on export aid are normalised as soon as possible.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President-in-Office of the Council, many thanks for your response. I might be asking the impossible, but I would have liked the period for responding to our questions to be shorter, so that the Spanish Presidency could have replied to my question, as it, in its time, was responsible for the Seville European Council. Having said this, it is undeniable that in Europe, in the European Union, it is the Council that wields the most legislative power and, furthermore, controls executive power through the comitology procedure. I would like to ask you if you believe that the United States would be the world leader if its legislative power, instead of residing with the House of Representatives and the Senate, resided with a Ministerial Council composed of representatives of the various North American States, from New York State or Washington State to California, Florida or Colorado. If the American President, Mr Bush, had the level of attributions, competences and powers that our President, Mr Prodi, has, do you think he would have the influence and capacity he has in international relations and at domestic level? Would he have the same influence and capacity? I believe we must make Europe a true democracy, with separation of powers, as suggested by other speakers: legislative power should reside with this Parliament, and executive power with the Commission.

Political group: Verts-ALE
I should like to thank the rapporteur, partly for the fact that he referred to the Belgian Presidency. I am proud that someone from my group, Rik Daems, thanks to his negotiating skills, managed to get this common position on paper at the time, which was certainly not an easy task. It is a very even-handed position, in my view. Mr Simpson too has already referred to it. There may still be other people out there who believe that the postal services should remain a national government monopoly. I am not one of them. There may be people who believe that public services should not be a topic of discussion. I am certainly not one of them either. The common position is somewhere in between. It takes account of the wishes of the customers, the people who use the postal services, which is what should be our priority, in my view. We must ensure that postal companies are able and obliged to carry out this task. We have received agreement from fifteen Member States and fifteen postal services. This is very important. This means that we will be able to modernise services of this kind very rapidly, and that we can ensure that they become first-rate businesses, if they are not so already. There are also people who want to go faster or slower than the common position, or those who want more grammes, etc. This is not wise, in my view. As Mr Simpson said before: if we now loosen the string, the entire package will unravel and collapse, which would be a bad outcome. We must prevent this happening at all costs. Our group will therefore adopt the three amendments tabled by the rapporteur, but not the others. The proposal that is now before us provides postal companies with the opportunity to become modern businesses within a realistic timeframe, by no later than 2009, with a clearly defined set of tasks and with transparent accounts, businesses that put the interests of their customers before their own and fulfil a social function at the same time. This role is, I believe, crucial in sparsely populated and remote areas and helps the weaker in our society. We also provide a directive in which each Member State and each postal service can acquit itself of this task. In my opinion, if we follow the rapporteur and if we manage – as I believe we shall – to obtain the endorsement of the Council and the Commission, we will have created something which is very valuable and in which we can take pride.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, I have tabled a proposed oral amendment to Amendment No 9 by Mrs Figueiredo. This proposed oral amendment, which has been agreed with the author of the original proposed amendment, Mrs Figueiredo, replaces Amendment No 9 in your documentation. The oral amendment reads as follows: “The question of whether Community fishermen from all Member States will enjoy fishing opportunities in waters under the jurisdiction of Greenland in future should be clarified when interim controls of the agreement are being prepared”, and I should like to ask you to accept it. (Parliament adopted the legislative resolution) *** Motion for a resolution (B5-0341/2001) on the report on the future objectives of education and training systems (Parliament adopted the resolution) *** Report (A5-0128/2001) by Mr Miranda, on behalf of the Committee on Development and Cooperation, on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2820/98 applying a multiannual scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2001 so as to extend duty-free access without any quantitative restrictions to products originating in the least-developed countries [COM(2000) 561 – C5-0136/2001 – 2000/0239(COS)] (Parliament adopted the resolution) EXPLANATIONS OF VOTE - Food security (C5­007/2001)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, even if this is just an interim report to be produced every three years, it should be used not just to take stock, but also to give an overview of the next planning period. It is quite right not to go into detail and not to give precise figures, but the key points need to be identified and central issues need to be resolved in good time. One of these central issues is the 0.45% share of the Union’s GDP set aside for cohesion policy, which may not be exceeded even during EU enlargement. Another central issue is treating the regions as a reference unit for cohesion policy tasks and not nation-state criteria. Anyone who would like to see anything else is missing the point. A further central issue is the concentration of support on disadvantaged regions in an enlarged EU with clear, transparent and quantifiable criteria for the concept of ‘poor regions’. These and these alone can be dependent on the 75% criterion. Any other factors taken as a basis for measurement cannot be clearly quantified and open the way to arbitrary decision-making. This even applies to a criterion such as unemployment, for which there is no EU-wide definition and which is therefore bound to lead to inaccurate estimates. When it comes to supporting disadvantaged regions, we first need to consider those regions with less than 75% of EU GDP. But those regions that will be lifted over the 75% threshold after enlargement, becoming ‘statistically wealthy’, also need to have a more generous phasing-out arrangement. We wish to see regions receiving more support the closer they are to the 75% threshold. In this respect I agree with the rapporteur, who has tabled an amendment on this point.

Political group: PPE-DE
I voted for Mrs Torres Marques’ report and I congratulate her on her excellent work as rapporteur. The tourist sector is of vital importance to the European Union, which is the world’s most important tourist destination. Tourism contributes to our economy and societies in many ways: creating employment, boosting European territorial development, and promoting cultural exchange between European citizens. In proposing a planning framework and practical measures to promote tourism, the Commission is recognising its importance and tackling a number of problems facing the European tourist sector, caused, in particular by increased international competition. I believe there is only one way to combat this competition: quality. I am convinced that the Commission must be guided by this imperative need for quality in the field of tourism. That is why, for example, I drafted proposals in favour of vocational training in the tourist industry, in order to develop skills in this important employment sector. I am sorry, however, that the Commission proposal is not more ambitious. I would like to see a commitment to reducing the VAT rate for services in the restaurant sector and possibly other tourist sectors ... (Explanation of vote cut short pursuant to Rule 137(1) of the Rules of Procedure) Gröner report (A5-0126/2002)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, measures and other resolutions on enlargement, on security and defence policy and on the convening of an intergovernmental conference were taken in Helsinki. All three together may have an historic dimension; however, they may also jeopardise the political project called Europe if we fail to answer the question of where overstretching may mark the end of political union and when the incapacity to act cannot be rectified. It is precisely for this reason that the intergovernmental conference is so important because only if it demonstrates that it has the power to act and is transparent and democratic in the eyes of the people will it be possible to overcome both the danger of overstretching as the result of enlargement and the incapacity to act. In my view, it is for this reason that the intergovernmental conference stands at the apex of the enlargement, intergovernmental conference, foreign and security policy triangle, whereby it must be made perfectly clear that at no stage, be it with 12 or with 13 candidate States, can the Copenhagen criteria be watered down and that this Parliament will not permit any such watering down and will not ratify any such treaties. I believe that the more the Union is reinforced at the intergovernmental conference, the quicker enlargement will be possible. But, at the same time, this means that the stronger the European Union is made, the more candidate countries must consider if they are prepared to accept the concomitant waiver of sovereignty. This aspect must also be stressed in connection with Turkey. Allow me to make one last comment. Excellent progress has been made with the foreign and security policy. But for me, one thing is missing; namely both the real involvement of the High Representative in the decision-making structures of the fora and the involvement of the Commission and the External Relations Commissioner in these structures. These matters have already been raised in the run up. We must ensure that this functions in practice, otherwise we will have a new intergovernmental event which has nothing new to offer and which only gives rise to new headlines because something is not quite right. Parliament must ensure that this is put in order.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I would like to start by commending the timeliness of this initiative and the diligence with which our rapporteur, Eluned Morgan, has carried it out. The aim of the discharge procedure is to analyse processes and procedures in force and to detect any inadequacies in them so that the institutions can then proceed to reform them. To achieve this aim fully, I shall highlight four requirements that I consider essential in the work of the budgetary control authority. First of all, balance in considering all the budget headings: it is unacceptable that the analysis of own resources performed by the Court of Auditors should explicitly exclude all revenue from undeclared economic activities, in contrast to the zeal with which it treats many administrative elements, sometimes with no substantive content, of various forms of expenditure. Secondly, transparency with regard to cases and events: whenever the Court of Auditors refers to specific cases it should identify the institutions involved, thus taking responsibility for the claims that it makes. Thirdly, thoroughness of analysis: it is incomprehensible that a large number of high quality special reports by the Court of Auditors are omitted from the Annual Report in favour of other matters treated without any prior analysis and on the basis of debatable criteria of political timeliness. Fourthly, accuracy in the use of statistics: statistics can be a valuable tool for analysis but they can also be a dangerous tool for distorting reality. Using statistics to compare irregularities detected by different institutions as a result of strict or not so strict controls may be more liable to hide what is happening than to expose it. High rates of detected irregularities may just as well indicate the zeal of enforcement authorities as suggest corruption in the regulatory system.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, solely in terms of free competition and the free market, any aid, whether it is state aid, European aid or local aid, disrupts competition. Incidentally, I believe and would like to say that this influence on competition is positive when it enables land to be developed, the provision of efficient public services, a reduction in inequality, better social management, consideration of the long term and more research and development. By approving the approach of Mr Herzog, whom I would like to congratulate and whom I support, I therefore confirm that state aid is necessary and justified, as he says, on at least two conditions: on the one hand that it clearly and solely fulfils the objectives set in terms of amounts and duration, and on the other hand that it is transparent and that its results are monitored and evaluated.

Political group: GUE-NGL
In view of the urgent need for, and importance of, an adequate judicial framework for this fast-developing field, as a member of the competent parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market, I have decided not to submit any amendments at second reading. The Council’s position largely accommodates the amendments tabled by Parliament at first reading. Although, in my opinion, more detail on some of the points relating to consumer protection would not have gone amiss, we should avoid any delay. Rapid developments in the sphere of electronic commerce are such that it will soon be necessary to carry out an evaluation of the directive. In this way, it can be tailored to new circumstances.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, we cannot endorse the arrests and trials taking place in Cuba. We certainly condemn them. Nonetheless, we feel it is wrong to take these events out of the current context within that country. It is unfair and often perverse to do so. Cuba is the victim of aggression by the United States. This aggression has been condemned by the international community more times than any other. The blockade has recently acquired a new dimension in the context of President Bush’s foreign policy. The Cuban authorities could well be justified in anticipating the danger of a qualitative change in the aggression they have been subjected to. Given the philosophy of pre-emptive wars which is now the official doctrine of the White House, a military invasion could take place. It is therefore understandable that the Cuban Government and of course a large part of the Cuban population should respond with defence mechanisms appropriate to a war situation. We are not surprised these responses are sometimes disproportionate or unjust. We are however saddened by them. It will be difficult to convince Cubans that they are not justified in acting as they do. The virtual state of war Cuba has been in for years has suddenly become all too real. It is every bit as real as the Iraq war. It will be even more difficult to convince Cubans to change if the increasing provocation instigated by Mr Cason, who is in charge of the interests of the United States in Cuba, is not condemned whilst Cubans are criticised. Piracy and terrorism must be condemned too. I refer to the recent hijacking of two aircraft and a passenger vessel. We consider ourselves friends of the Cuban people. We understand them and are in solidarity with them. We therefore feel we are in a position to appeal to them for moderation and generosity. At the same time we would denounce the situation outlined earlier, and commit the European Union to developing cooperation with Cuba. Regarding the resolution before us, I agree in general with the little it does say. Nonetheless, I disagree with all it does not say. I also believe it contains serious untruths. These detract from its credibility. For instance, there are statements concerning requests for the death penalty. In my view, this is a text ridden with errors and omissions. It is unbalanced and therefore not useful. These are the reasons why I shall not vote in its favour, Mr President. (Applause)

Political group: PSE
Mr President, preventive health care is a major priority for everyone here in this House. We know that tobacco growers in the Member States have different priorities. I would therefore like to ask the Commission the following question, although I have always been, and still am, a non-smoker: does the Commission not think that if tobacco cultivation were to be completely discontinued within the European Union with immediate effect – as called for by a fair number of people – people would just carry on smoking regardless because tobacco products would be imported into the EU?

Political group: PPE-DE
My question to Mr Byrne relates to the recent report of the Food and Veterinary Office in Dublin on the incidence of BSE in France. This was a report which related to a period during 1999, but which came to the European Parliament and to MEPs not very long ago. The findings of the report make extremely alarming reading. A large number of French departments – I think about 23 departments – had not apparently been monitoring for BSE in the cattle populations within their departments, although they were departments in which there were a large number of dairy cattle. The conditions and the controls in the abattoirs were such that one drew the conclusion from the report that it is perfectly possible today, 29 March 2000, that animals with BSE are still entering the food chain in France. This must be an issue of great concern to the Commissioner. I raised this with the French Agriculture Minister, Mr Glavany, when he came to Brussels last week. He rejected out of hand the conclusions of the Food and Veterinary Office report and the findings of the inspectors. I would like to know what the Commission is doing about this. I realise that my question will be more properly posed to the Agriculture Commissioner, but Mr Byrne is responsible for food safety, and clearly there is a risk to the safety of food in France if the findings of the Food and Veterinary Office are accepted. Could I therefore ask Mr Byrne what he is doing about this report?

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I am sure that you would agree that one of the functions of any politician is to lead by example. This morning I had occasion to use the tram system in Strasbourg for the first time. I was very impressed by the system, which I suppose it is not surprising, since the trams were actually built in the United Kingdom. But it does seem somewhat ironic to me that we have been voting in this place all week to save the planet but we still ride around Strasbourg in our chauffeur-driven Mercedes. Could Parliament perhaps consider giving Members detailed instructions on how to use the tram system and the routes that are available, and maybe even give us a couple of complimentary tickets to get us started. It is an excellent system and, incidentally, we could save the taxpayers some money by using it.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I am speaking for Maurizio Puddu, who is the President of the Italian Association for Victims of Terrorism and who signed a letter sent to some newspapers yesterday as ‘European citizen’. The letter was addressed to Mrs Barbara Spinelli. ‘Cesare Battisti’s release by the French judicial authorities is baffling us, and I can assure you that it is also baffling the majority of Italian citizens, whatever their political stance. For us, murder and violence can never be defended. For us, the fact that terrorists maimed and murdered for ideological reasons, as they claim to do, does not make it any better, if anything it makes it worse. They and their friends will always find a thousand and one words to evade and falsify the past and continue to insult the memory of the dead. We call on the French – those of the great historical tradition that we so loved – to respect our law, which in this case has the natural right to respect human life on its side, which cannot be confused with any State reason.’ I also made this speech on behalf of Mrs Napoletano.

Political group: PSE