GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, let me say, first of all, that the Lamassoure report comes within the context of Treaty reform and that the hypothetical approval of a European Union Constitution is a demand arising from the historical success of the integration of the European Union. This context must not be upset by circumstances inherent to the immediate situation that have nothing to do with the European institutions and everything to do with certain kinds of chauvinism and extremism and with the negative and, above all, ongoing abandonment of the welfare state as a guideline for national policies. The Lamassoure report responds to that demand and provides the Convention with valuable ideas on the crucial matter of the division of competences between the institutions of the European Union. In my brief speech, I should like to point out that, in its initial draft, under the concept of partner regions of the Union, the report attempted to institutionalise the presence in the European Union’s institutions of territorial units with legislative competence, that is, constitutional nationalities and regions, Länder, federal states that have a constitutional and, in certain cases, an historical and political identity as nations, which cannot be ignored or denied in this Europe of unity in diversity. In the final report adopted today, however, this appropriate and necessary concept does not appear. Nevertheless, it clearly welcomes the need to recognise the role of territorial units, pointing to the part they should play in implementing Union policies and encouraging the Member States to let them participate in those Union decisions that particularly affect them. I think it is particularly significant that the Lamassoure report should ask the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs to draw up a special report as a way for territorial parliaments with legislative powers to participate in the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Policy. My Group, which includes representatives of nations without their own State, such as my country, Galicia, ... (The President cut the speaker off)

Political group: Verts-ALE
In the interests of satisfying the political desire expressed at both Tampere and Laeken to put into effect the principle of mutual recognition of decisions in criminal matters (‘... which ... should become the cornerstone of judicial cooperation in both civil and criminal matters within the Union’), we have, in the course of this plenary, approved various proposals containing measures whose aim is to implement the principle of mutual recognition of decisions in criminal matters. In this context, the ne bis in idem principle is undoubtedly one of the urgent prerequisites in order for mutual recognition of decisions in criminal matters and a strengthening of legal security to take place within the Union. This is a general principal in the criminal process, one which helps to strengthen citizens’ rights and freedoms, particularly with regard to procedural guarantees. It is recognised both at international level and within the various legal systems of the Member States; it aims to safeguard the right not to be tried or prosecuted twice for the same offence. The aim of this framework decision is to provide the Member States with common legal provisions in relation to this principle, so as to ensure uniformity in the interpretation and implementation of those provisions. This principle should, therefore, be applied horizontally across the Member States, so that citizens cannot be tried or prosecuted twice for the same offence. - Report: Schmitt (A5-0263/2003)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, the European Union has made clear its commitment to reforming the agricultural trading system - firstly to secure a future for Europe's farmers and, on the other hand, to recognise the need for special treatment for the developing countries. This is no mean feat. In fact it is very difficult, as we have people on one side who believe the Commission is going too far, and others who believe that it is acting far too cautiously. If the European Union is to have a credible voice in the Doha process, this procrastination must stop. With enlargement on our doorstep we must act immediately. The Commission's proposals will benefit European farmers in the long term and improve prospects for meaningful global trade liberalisation talks. I hope that we send the clear message that it is the farmers themselves who should receive a greater share of the market price, and not the increasing numbers of powerful monopolies that are controlling, in a devastating manner, our agricultural industry at the present moment in time. The balance we seek is to support small farmers - 90% of the farmers in my country, Wales, are small farmers who farm in less favoured areas - and rural development and Pillar II, on the one hand, while also taking account of farmers in the Third World. It is a very difficult balancing act. We can no longer continue with a situation where the average European dairy cow now has a bigger annual income, thanks to European subsidies, than half of the world's population.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to thank Mr Langen for his excellent work in this important matter. The conclusion reached regarding conciliation with regard to the Altener programme as put forward by the Conciliation Committee is, after all the difficult phases it has been through, at least satisfactory. Most of Parliament’s amendments have been taken into account and the fact that the programme has seen its total funding rise to EUR 77 million must be seen as positive. The Union has ambitious goals with regard to increasing the use of renewable energy. There is very little in the way of appropriations to meet these targets, however. The appropriations are needed for pilot projects, research, information exchange and also to cultivate more positive attitudes towards the use of renewable energy. The main responsibility for increasing the use of renewables is to be borne by the Member States. This programme will hopefully encourage Member States to act with greater determination to increase the use of renewable energy. However, in the future, the Union will also have to increase its own input in promoting the use of renewable energy and ensuring that renewable energy is launched without obstacles on the market. Promoting the use of renewables is especially important for the environment. The Union cannot achieve its environmental goals unless the use of renewables is actively stepped up. Renewable energy sources lower dependency on imported energy and their increased use boosts competitiveness. Europe will also be able to achieve a leading position in the industry that supplies equipment needed for the exploitation of renewable energy. We should also remember that the use of renewable energy sources has a positive impact on regional development and employment. May I also venture to raise the matter of peat? Peat is not mentioned in the list of renewable energy sources. However, it is important, at least in Finland, as a sustainably used, slowly renewable energy source. I hope that in the future it can be included in the list of renewables.

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, the Olympics are an event which celebrate man's beauty, which remind us of all that is most noble in the human character. If we accept China's application to host the Olympic Games today, it would be like gilding the executions, the persecution of all political dissidents, the material and environmental destruction and the deportations which take place in China with the fine colours of the Olympic rings and all the flags. The result would certainly not be a reduction in these incidents; quite the contrary: it is more likely that the show of indifference on the part of the international community would encourage them. This does not, of course, mean that we are happy with this situation. We hope that the day will come when we will have the chance to be pleased, or rather to be enthusiastic about celebrating the Olympic Games in China, but that day has not yet come; it is still a long way in the future and we must be consistent in our actions. Considering what my colleagues have said I feel that I can stop here, for this is another of those issues on which the whole of Parliament is in agreement. I hope that our opinion will carry some weight.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, we cannot vote in favour of the Morillon report due because we are convinced that, contrary to what is being maintained and what many people in Turkey hope, the accession process will not improve the standard of living of the people. On the contrary, it will make it worse. The real purpose of the report finds expression in the draft resolution, with its references to Turkey's gross domestic product, the high level of trade with the European Union and the anti-grass roots, liberal, economic reforms to accelerate privatisation and strengthen the bases of a free market economy which the Turkish Grand National Assembly has passed at the request of the International Monetary Fund. The enthusiasm with which the resolution welcomes Turkey's intention to commit military capabilities under the common security and defence policy is in keeping with the general tone of the report. In other words, we are talking about increasing the degree to which Turkey is subject to the economic, political and military objectives of big business in the European Union. We have not, of course, overlooked the positive references in the resolution, such as the reference to human rights, despite the fact that it mistakes manipulation of the status quo for progress and ignores the 10,000-15,000 political prisoners. There are also positive references to Cyprus, with the call for the occupying forces to be withdrawn, to the need to implement the decisions of the European court, as in the Loïzidou case, to the need for a political solution to the Kurdish question and to the bombings in Iraq. But we are afraid that, yet again, they are no more than a wish list. Why is none of this included in the European Commission's report? For us, the basic issue is this: despite numerous allegations to the contrary, not only has Turkey failed to improve the standard of living of its people, in certain sectors it has made it worse since customs union in 1995 and the declaration of candidate status in 1999. There can be no doubt that the accession process and accession itself will reduce their quality of life, especially in the economic and social sectors. There can likewise be no doubt that any funding which it receives will be used to strengthen its oppressive instruments and encourage the regime to continue with its present policy. Besides, we fail to recognise the sovereign circles of the European Union as defenders of human rights. Their actions to date have proven the contrary, which is precisely why our feelings of solidarity with the people of Turkey force us to oppose its accession and, by extension, the reports which advocate it.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, it has to be noted that there is no legal justification for the decision by the United States to resort to immediate war, as the desired objectives could have been achieved by other means. The inspections produced evident results and, as Mr Blix himself said, opened the way to genuine disarmament by Iraq without the need to engage in armed conflict. President Jacques Chirac and French diplomats have not ceased their unequivocal condemnation of Saddam Hussein's regime. Moreover, they have constantly expressed the concern that Security Council resolution 1441 should be given its full meaning, repeatedly proposing that the inspectors be given further material or legal resources. The position maintained by France is shared by a large section of the international community, and in the Security Council, the sole legal body authorised to legitimise the use of force on an international scale, there has never been a majority sufficient to authorise an early recourse to war. I am horrified by the thought of the consequences of such a war in terms of human lives, both those of the Iraqi civilian population, which has already suffered particularly greatly, and of the British and US armed forces. In the event of a chemical or biological attack, France will give them every support in the form of humanitarian aid. A conflict such as this, however, jeopardises the efforts made over 50 years to build a world founded upon law and collective security. This conflict both greatly endangers the political stability of the Middle East as a whole and creates the risk that terrorism will again inflict devastation on a global scale. All we can do is hope that it will come to an end as quickly as possible. On this sad day, I am extremely proud to be French, for my country has been unstinting in its efforts to attempt to avert this futile war. (Applause from the right)

Political group: PPE-DE
As stated in the motion for a resolution tabled by the Group of the United European , of which we are members, the Barcelona Summit addressed some extremely important issues, specifically with regard to pursuing and speeding up the privatisation, liberalisation and deregulation of the energy, transport and telecommunications sectors and important aspects of workers’ rights. The summit also insisted that the Stability Pact continue to be strictly applied. Regrettably, the European Council once again attached the greatest importance to structural reforms of the labour market based on greater flexibility, greater job insecurity and wage moderation. It is also a matter of concern that the Council recommended a five-year increase to the average retirement age, which, apart from anything, betrays the dangerous route we are taking of threatening social protection, which must be maintained and strengthened in order to provide support for the fight against poverty and social exclusion. Therefore, as stated during the magnificent demonstrations staged by the trades union movement that ran in tandem with the Council in Barcelona, despite the attempts, worthy of our condemnation, by the Spanish Government and police to break up and suppress these events, what is needed is a change of policy and not more of the same. It is crucial that we protect public services, put an end to liberalisations and to the increasing insecurity of the labour market, and crucial that we fight against neoliberalism and advocate a different type of society; a fairer society and one which demonstrates greater solidarity. Hence our vote against the joint motion for a resolution by the other political groups, which we do not agree with.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, I consider it a positive sign that there have been remonstrations against Turkey but I would also like to stress my disappointment that what Turkey is doing to the detriment of merchant fleets around the world, including the merchant fleets of the European Union, is being played down. Since Turkey has taken no direct action, it is in violation of international law, the rules of free navigation and the treaties of the European Union. What Turkey is in fact doing is prohibiting vessels proceeding from Cypriot ports from approaching Turkish ports. This does not just refer to vessels which are actually from Cyprus or Greece, which would have roused particular interest, but it also refers to European Union vessels. I would like to ask what response Turkey gave to the European Union’s remonstrations and if it gave no response at all, why then does it not take the matter to the International Court in the Hague? I also wonder why the European Union is prepared to tolerate such unlawfulness and harm the interests of European shipping for a country which does not even have any qualms about threatening a superpower, i.e. the United States, just to defend its banana trade.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I too would like to thank the rapporteur for his excellent work. It is imperative that we regard the irrefutable fact that unemployment has fallen by 10.1% to 9.4% as being a positive step forward and that we also regard the employment policy embarked upon by the European Union with its four fundamental pillars in the same light while adding to this linguistic training and the issue of immigration. We also believe that we need to assess more thoroughly the creation of conditions at Community level whereby these processes can be monitored and regulated efficiently. We also believe that Europe can and must do more, so that the Europe of the euro will be able to function if we construct a social Europe, a Europe of solidarity and a secure Europe with more incisive macro-economic policies, linked to structural reforms which will stabilise and reorganise the States’ public finances. It is true that employment policies are national policies, but it is also true that they must now be reproduced at European level, because only through conciliation and social dialogue will we succeed in consolidating the European Parliament’s power on employment policy, and this is the policy that will enable Europe, finally and decisively, to have a political, as well as an economic definition.

Political group: ELDR
Madam President, as I mentioned in the previous plenary session, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs largely welcomed the Council’s first reading of the Commission’s draft budget. It is also true that the committee feels that the EU budget for 2003 is considerably more modest than it has been in recent years. As we all know, this is due to the fact that the considerable information initiatives financed by the EU budget ahead of the introduction of the single currency are now behind us. However, I will return to this issue in a moment. Our committee proposed a very modest number of amendments to the budget and I was greatly disappointed that these were almost entirely rejected by the Committee on Budgets. As I said, the requirements were very small and should have been acceptable, particularly in the case of the committee’s position and proposal regarding the PRINCE programme and in particular its sub-section B5-3061: information initiatives relating to the single currency. There was broad agreement within the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs that the information initiatives should be concentrated on those countries which have not yet introduced the single currency and, to a certain extent, also on candidate countries, which will introduce the single currency one day. The fact that this amendment was rejected becomes even more regrettable when we consider that at least one, and perhaps more, of the current Member States is highly likely to hold a referendum on the single currency next year. With this in mind, it seems logical that the funds should be earmarked for these countries, rather than being spent on information initiatives of questionable benefit in the countries which have already been highly successful in introducing the single currency. It is difficult for me to see what use information measures may have in these countries where the euro is already a reality and part of everyday life. As Wim Duisenberg, chairman of the European Central Bank, says, the Central Bank has never had any problem selling its product. I share this view and believe that these measures can be taken by each country which has introduced the euro without any contribution from the EU budget.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, the problem with the American threats of war against Iraq is not the desire in itself to replace an undemocratic regime. Saddam Hussein’s regime is indeed repugnant: I have been able to see this for myself in the course of a number of visits; and it has only got worse. We should certainly support the democratic opposition and we can by all means try economic boycotts, as we did against the South Africa of apartheid, provided that this does not hit the victims more than the offenders, which is the case in Iraq. From time to time, we can even support an armed national struggle for liberation against a dictator, as many of us did against the European colonial powers in Africa. If anarchy is to be avoided, however, all outside interventions in the affairs of a sovereign state must be based on an egalitarian, global world order, which applies equally to all nations. That is why the UN Security Council must make a resolution on any armed campaign. In addition, military force must only be resorted to if all non-violent means have been exhausted. The weapons inspectors must therefore be sent back into Iraq as soon as possible, and the American threats of a military strike without a UN Security Council resolution must be condemned. Otherwise, we are just legitimising lawless Wild-West violence in other parts of the world, for example Israel’s massacre of Palestinians or perhaps Russian interventions in Georgia. If the EU is to be able to bear out its claims to represent a judicial culture in contrast to American lynch law, it must now with renewed vigour, and especially where Iraq is concerned, oppose the global dictatorship of the USA and insist on a global legal system within the framework of the UN. IN THE CHAIR: MR PUERTAVice-President

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Mr President-designate Prodi, we Social Democrats are disappointed. In spite of announcements, you have not succeeded in achieving a better balance between men and women in your new team. The EU Commission remains a male domain. The mission conferred in the Treaty of Amsterdam, to oppose all forms of discrimination, is still, for women at least, just a vague hope. We may speak the same European language, but you have not in fact understood us. A third of your candidates did not answer the question from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities about gender mainstreaming. The Social Democrats’ demand was and remains – again, I stress the word “remains” – to have in future an Equal Opportunities Commissioner with the power to implement equal opportunities. We demand that the College and yourself as its head become ambitious about gender mainstreaming, with measurable developments and improvements as a result. Mrs Diamantopoulou, whose portfolio includes equal opportunities alongside employment and the social dimension, has in fact shown a lot of commitment but, Mr Prodi, how will she react when she has been gagged by you in advance and when the struggle against violence, as well as the issue of non-discrimination, has been placed in other hands? You speak of a new balance, a new partnership, but do not waste a single word on the women of Europe who, at the end of the day, do represent half of our citizens. We want you to take steps to ensure that substantial improvements in income and in access to power and money are achieved, and that you join us in our struggle against violence and against the everyday discrimination faced by women. Without the input from women, the idea of the big European family is meaningless.

Political group: PSE