GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, enlargement is the single most important factor for Europe’s stability and welfare. The best way of building sustainable security is by creating a web of mutual dependency among peoples and nations to the benefit of all, just as the European Union has done. In addition to providing a breakthrough for the new enlargement strategy, the Helsinki Summit has also given necessary concrete form to the common foreign and security policy. Kosovo has taught us that, in extreme situations, we must be able to intervene, be able to intervene in time and be able to intervene with credibility. It is good that we should now be building up such a capability. Now, we Social Democrats are expecting the Council and the Commission, together with Commissioner Patten, to foster the same creativity, energy and resolution in the actual prevention of crises, too. It is, in spite of everything, better – much better – that we should have the ability to prevent conflicts than that we should be forced to intervene after a conflict has arisen. I should prefer to liken the European Union’s role to that of the head of a fire brigade, responsible for preventing fires, rather than to that of a fireman turning out to fight fires that have already started. The brutality of the Russian campaign in Chechnya shows that we have a long way to go before achieving a peaceful order in Europe. The Summit was gratifyingly clear in what it had to say. Both stringency and foresight were expressed: stringency in condemning the atrocities and also in considering limiting strategic aid to Russia and converting portions of the TACIS aid into humanitarian aid; and foresight in deciding to maintain dialogue with Moscow and long-term cooperation with Russia. Russia is needed in Europe. We shall never have security in Europe without democracy and prosperity in Russia. However, Russia also needs Europe. Following the enlargement of the European Union, more than half of Russia’s trade will be with the EU. It now already has its most important export ports in the vicinity of the EU, namely in the Baltic. The decision to accord applicant status to Turkey is welcomed by the Group of the . In this context, the Greek Government deserves great praise for its wisdom and strength of principle. We have now all obtained guarantees to the effect that border conflicts are to be solved by peaceful means and, if need be, by means of international arbitration. Nor has Cyprus’s applicant status suffered. The most important message is presumably that we can now say to Turkey that it may become an applicant for membership of the European Union on certain clear conditions. In other words, there is no impenetrable Berlin Wall beside the Bosphorus. Now, it is up to Turkey to demonstrate its European vocation through its actions. We now want to see concrete progress, above all when it comes to full citizens’ rights for the Kurdish minority.

Political group: PSE
The report emphasises certain aspects that must be taken into consideration, in particular the need for those Member States whose GDP is lower than the EU average to focus more on their educational budgets and to insist on the need for pupils to learn two languages. There are, however, a number of contradictions in the report, and it advocates a federalist view that we do not share. Indeed we fear that there is a dangerous trend towards differential financing for schools according to whether or not they provide programmes encouraging a ‘European identity’, which is yet another way of introducing arbitrary pressures into the financing of education, and a thinly veiled means of interfering in national curricula and educational systems. We need to pay more attention to recognising and raising awareness of the history of each country, not to rewrite history and restrict ourselves to the ‘European dimension’.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, my sincere thanks and congratulations go to Mrs Hermange for an excellent report. It is extremely important that the Hague Convention on parental responsibility and the protection of children, which dates back to 1996, is ratified by the rest of the Member States as quickly as possible. The Hague Convention and, in particular, the Regulation on the recognition and enforcement of judgements in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility, which was adopted at the beginning of the month by the Member States of the European Union, will be a considerable help in settling disputes on custody within Europe. In Europe we have actually acquired an instrument to help us to reach swift and effective decisions in disputes over custody and enable us to avoid long, expensive and difficult legal proceedings with regard to separations across borders, which are so painful for children. We can really ensure that children grow up in a calm environment. I am glad and a little surprised to see just how excellent a reception the Regulation has had throughout Europe. Both the press and children’s organisations have together commended us on what we have achieved. Divorce is always a traumatic experience for a child, as it is for adults too, and if it is followed by litigation that lasts for years it can become absolutely intolerable. With this Regulation the EU will have, for the first time, an instrument by means of which conflicts arising from different laws in different Member States can be avoided. Of course we cannot meddle with the content of the Hague Convention in this report by Mrs Hermange. For that reason, I wish to ask whether the Commission and the Council are aware that the biggest problems are in any case disputes over the custody and the abduction of children when one of the parents comes from outside the EU and a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention. We have all read sad stories in the tabloid press about children being abducted, a harrowing experience for parents and the playmates of the children involved. Could the European Union itself have a hand in promoting the ratification of the Hague Convention? Could the Commission and the Council try to negotiate more bilateral agreements so that the Hague Convention might be signed in still more countries? We would achieve even better results if we could involve countries outside the EU in this same arrangement that now allows us to deal with custody disputes within the Union.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Commissioner, I too am aware that Kosovo's present status is laid down in the UN Resolution, but the simple fact is that we also have to consider the future, and that is where I can envisage a problem, in that no major investor will put money into Kosovo if he does not know what sort of long-term future the place has to look forward to. If people cannot see what prospects there are for the country, they will carry on trying to emigrate, rather than investing their energies in Kosovo itself. Hence this question: is there any sort of dialogue between the European Union and the representatives of Kosovo, in which these issues are at least considered? After all, the present position cannot remain as it is for decades at a stretch, and we cannot go sliding, without any sort of forward planning, into a future that will be with us very soon.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, since this morning, we have been talking specifically about ozone and the serious effects which it has on human health, but also, more generally, about ecosystems and the environment as a whole. I myself, in my département in France, chair an air-quality monitoring network, and whenever the weather is very good, when it is sunny and there is no wind, I dread the effects of road traffic, because I know that the maximum levels will inevitably be exceeded, and there will be what we normally call an ozone peak. In such conditions, what can we do? What can we do to comply with the Kyoto Accord and solve the problem of climatic change? We know that it is human activity, in the form of industry and road traffic, which causes the maximum ozone limits to be exceeded in our urban areas, but afterwards this ozone, depending on wind and topography, spreads to regions which ought to be protected. It is therefore vitally important to set objectives which are precise, to have real, effective air-quality monitoring networks. The rapid alert system which comes into play when ozone limits are exceeded to an extent which is likely to be harmful to the health of susceptible people such as children, the elderly, or people with heart or respiratory problems, must be effective. The network must cover the whole of Europe, so that everybody can be properly informed. However, we should be aware that it is difficult to reduce excessive levels in Spain, Greece and Italy, and that it is much more difficult in the countries of southern Europe than in those further north. Those who are responsible at local level should take effective town-planning measures, in the context of sustainable development, without, however, harming the competitiveness of our businesses. We should aim our awareness campaign above all at those who are in a position to change their behaviour but, more than anything else, in order to succeed we must make sure that all countries are aware of their responsibilities, so that our decisions are not merely European, but international as well. President Bush has arrived in Europe, and we should do all we can to make him aware of the responsibility which the United States also bears in this area.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, now that Mrs Maij-Weggen has made it clear that the Dutch are no longer the problem, and now that it is also clear from what you have said that the Liberals are not either, the only people who seem to be left hitching a free ride and imposing special conditions are the German Social Democrats and the German Federal Government. I think, though, that we ought to make clear that, whatever else we might rightly or wrongly desire, no new conditions for the enlargement of the European Union must be allowed to be imposed. That has to be made clear and – as you, Commissioner Verheugen, know better than any of us – those things that were neglected when negotiating Agenda 2000 cannot now be put right again a quarter of a year before Copenhagen. We will have to do that at a later date. Now that Saturday's events make it possible for us to get back to discussing Nice's critical aspects, it is right and proper that we make it clear that, in structural policy for example, the Convention must accept majority decisions, thus giving us better decision-making structures for the reforms in 2006, and enabling us to implement the necessary reforms at the right point in time. The actual content of that can of course be prepared by the Commission and in the debates, but here too, we have to do the necessary homework if we are to make progress in 2006. Let me briefly address the Kaliningrad question, which, I believe, encompasses some of the political issues that remain to be dealt with. We have to take account both of Lithuania's sovereignty and Russian sensitivities and make clear that big countries cannot ride roughshod over small ones when they engage in negotiations. Part of our picture of Europe is, after all, that small countries have a value of their own. It is evident that any solution here has to be practicable and makes allowances for everyone's sensitivities, and I believe that what the Commission has presented and yesterday's decision by the Council of Ministers provide a basis for negotiations, one on which we can proceed. I take the view that, in today's battle order, the Commission and the Council are indeed doing their best to achieve a result in October. Allow me a final comment. Information work and information campaigns will be of great importance, both in the Member States and in the candidate countries. I hope they will be better organised in the latter than they currently are in the former; in my own country, they involve little more than putting the Federal States' ministers for Europe on display, and have little relevance to the actual work of informing people. Perhaps, Commissioner Verheugen, we could at some time discuss how we can change this. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE
I envy Mr MacCormick, who has succeeded in saying so much in one minute to illustrate his vote, while I can only manage to say a few words, as on this occasion too, to justify why I voted for Mr Pomés Ruiz’ report on cohesion policy in the islands and regions with low population density. With regard to the latter, the European Parliament is doing well to treat this issue as a matter of importance. In this connection, I would like to recall, in particular, the Sami people of Finland and Sweden. As regards the islands, which genuinely have low population density and really are inconvenient places to live, I propose that the Member States increase the pensions of pensioners living on islands. Greece, for example – the native land of our Commissioner, Mrs Anna Diamantopoulou – would see the population of its islands rise again unexpectedly if pensions were higher there.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I should like to associate myself with what Mr Watson and other fellow Members here have already said. In itself this is an extraordinarily important agreement and it is therefore all the more a crying shame that the consultation of the various people’s representations is not properly organised. In my own country, for example, the agreements had to be read in a room because the agreement was a secret one. We have now had them handed out and I wonder whether this method of discussion is the right one? I share the view of the Chairman of our Committee that we may possibly have to go to the Court of Justice if a different procedure is not followed. In any event I have some specific questions. Is it right that the American Government should refuse to accept the International Criminal Court? Can you say explicitly what role the Council is planning to assign to the International Criminal Court? Have the candidate countries been consulted? This proposal does after all affect them too. Is not the lower limit of one year, on the basis of which people can be extradited, far too low? In short, Mr President, I doubt very much that this will be handled properly and I should therefore be very glad to see that we can discuss this subject more and better than is currently the case.

Political group: ELDR
I decided to vote in favour of this reform although I have many reservations about the effect of some of the recommendations. I do so in the hope that we will see meaningful cooperation between Member States in the eradication of violence and terrorism. Ulster Unionists have stood against violence for decades and will continue to do so in the future. We see the globalisation of terrorists with the arrest in Columbia of three activists in the IRA. This brings home how widespread terrorism and the effects of terrorism have become. - Ruffolo Report (A5-0281/2001)

Political group: PPE-DE
draftsman of the opinion of the Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities. – Mr President, I would like to congratulate Mr Caudron on his work. I very much welcome this initiative, which could be a real step forward in the battle against HIV/Aids, malaria and TB in the developing countries. As has already been said, it is a rapidly growing problem, usually affecting the poorest and most vulnerable in society who have less access to health care and education – many of whom are women. In fact, they make up two thirds of the world's poor and bear the main burden of poverty. Therefore, the role of women as sufferers, main carers, educators and as active members of communities in the developing countries is key to finding the right solutions. If we look at HIV/Aids, by the year 2000, 9 million women and 4.3 million children had died of Aids, and these figures are going up. In sub-Saharan Africa, 55% of HIV infected adults are women. Women face greater danger of HIV infection for biological and social reasons, because of lack of control of their sexual health and lack of access to preventative information. So the focus of the opinion of the Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee was on ensuring that drugs and treatment are affordable, that people in developing countries are central to the programmes and that the products developed and used in trials are suitable for local use. Simple practical matters such as how to store drugs safely and how to administer or take drugs are crucial. That is why grass-roots groups such as women's organisations must be fully involved in developing programmes and ensuring that training is given to health care providers in the use of products – whether in the home, the community or in institutions. Training, capacity-building and infrastructure must be developed to enable these clinical trials to be carried out effectively and to ensure the long-term success of this programme.

Political group: Verts-ALE
The resolution on Transatlantic relations proposes strengthening cooperation between the ΕU and the USA, through the creation of 'a long-term collaborative framework for cooperation and the launching of a joint Action Programme', including in the military sector, the main pretext being 'the Fight on Terrorism'. Of course, it does not fail to formulate a wish list about the need for this fight to be carried out with respect for 'human rights', but it does not say a word about the drastic measures for restricting individual rights which have been launched. At a time when the aggression of the USA has exceeded all precedents, the resolution comes to silence all those, including in Greece, who insist on seeing the ΕU as a worthy opponent of the USA and ΝΑΤΟ, stressing that 'ΝΑΤΟ remains a fundamental guarantee of transatlantic stability and security' and that the ESDP will be developed 'to complement ΝΑΤΟ' and will be its 'substantial reinforcement'. Despite the fact that the report also formulates proposals for controlling arms, it remains a report which is absolutely in keeping with the new imperialist order. - Report: De Keyser (A5-0270/2004)

Political group: GUE-NGL
Yes, Mr President, that is the part I did not wish to be voted on.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, I want to raise two issues in my one minute. Firstly, the proposal to launch a transatlantic marketplace is the brainchild of the Transatlantic Policy Network, consisting of multinational corporations, neo-liberal think tanks and politicians in this House. It has never been the subject of a proper public debate, even though it will be the biggest deregulation project ever undertaken. We do not believe it is in the interests of ordinary people. Secondly, I want to urge the Council to raise with US colleagues the issue of Iraq and in particular the recent massacre at Fallujah – and I do not use the word massacre lightly. Images of the US military's handling of the uprising in Fallujah have shocked the world. More than 600 Iraqis have been killed or injured in the last two weeks by US bombing and ground operations, and yet EU Member States have failed to condemn the US military actions. Maybe they accept the reassurance of the commander of US Marines that his men are 'trained to be precise in their firepower'. However, over 350 of the dead in Fallujah were women and children. In the light of US military use of unjustified and disproportionate force, and given the high death toll in this siege, I call on the Council to raise its human rights concerns in this transatlantic dialogue and to call for an independent commission of inquiry into the US military actions in the Fallujah region.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Madam President, some more points on the Berlusconi affair. First a positive point. I must tell you, and Mr Caudron, that the documentation you promised us was definitely sent by the secretarial services. We received it yesterday – admittedly after 9 p.m. – by e-mail in all languages. This leads me to believe that a number of honourable Members have not yet checked their e-mail today. But now a second matter, Madam President. I have in front of me a telegram you sent to Mr Berlusconi, leader of Forza Italia. You congratulate Mr Berlusconi, admittedly on a personal basis. But I must say that I am amazed at the very warm way in which you express the wish that he will give Italy a new impetus with his election manifesto. I must remind you, Madam President, and stress that Mr Berlusconi's election victory does not place him above suspicion in regard to the allegations of corruption and abuse of power. I should like to state clearly here that the origin of his fortune is surrounded by a lack of clarity. Moreover, his monopolistic hold on the media constitutes a danger for Italian democracy, Madam President. As you know, Berlusconi controls a large part of the Italian press. I find this unacceptable. In fact, I would hope that the Commission will quickly institute an investigation into this violation of European competition law. Madam President, I had hoped that despite the warm words you have sent to Mr Berlusconi, you would lead the way in this campaign to make it clear that what is currently happening in Italy is really not really kosher.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, should I give up making explanations of vote just because I have lost my voice? With regard to the budget, I should like to say something about the section on the Commission. I voted for it, but this will be the last time, because I want to get some light on how the Commission works. On 1 January 2002 I shall set off on a long journey, like Odysseus when the Trojan War ended, through the maze of bureaucracy in the 13 523 offices of the Commission and its 33 728 staff. It will be a long, hard and difficult journey: I shall meet Polyphemus, I shall meet Circe, the sorceress, and perhaps in the end I shall see Penelope looking like our President Prodi. It will certainly be a shock, but I hope to be able to vote for it again next time.

Political group: PPE-DE