kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
despite the recurrent setbacks we have reiterated that our continued engagement and support is available for those in the country who want to move things forward.
we are doing our utmost to facilitate this new status and make it a success for both sides.
remains vital.
because of our concerns the european union has increased its engagement with bosnia and herzegovina and increased political facilitation efforts at all levels.
i am just as concerned about the political elite's continued lack of a shared vision for the overall direction of the country.
as the motion states the country is falling further behind the other countries of the region'.
i came back with the impression that some the politicians were more focused on the party and ethnic interests than on implementing the sejdi finci judgement.
now the third element.
we imposed this agreement on them.
constitution with that decision because otherwise not only will you not be able to apply to join the european union you will be in breach of your international commitment and this has consequences including on the provisional application of the saa interim
bell then? the time has come now not to threaten but to make two things very clear you need to tackle the verdict of the european court. you need to align your
has come. and while i have heard many of you referring to this amendment and saying you would not support it i have not heard any alternatives
agreement. the second clear message from us is that we are here to help because we are your
that needs quite a vision a strong vision to foresee the problems in seventeen years.
by the way somehow i do not see them based on the experience that we have had.
partners. we have already shown how serious we are in helping you to cross
enlargement is the most powerful transformation instrument we have.
the only european country which is not a member of the council of europe.
we need to show more solidarity with bosnian citizens and try to help economic recovery and people to people contacts whenever possible.
at the same time i need to speak out against the rapporteur's amendment no seven which calls on the council of europe to suspend bosnia's membership of that organisation. we need to facilitate constitutional changes in bosnia not further isolate the country by somehow identifying it with belarus
but it is not up to us.
the council has also underlined the importance of establishing an effective coordination mechanism for engagement with the eu including for the effective use of the eu's pre accession assistance as well as ensuring fiscal sustainability.
existing commitments must be fulfilled and further work is required to bring greater stability and prosperity to the country.
we have reaffirmed our support for the structured dialogue on justice within the framework of the stabilisation and association process and have called on all the relevant authorities of bosnia and herzegovina to participate constructively in this process. the key is to ensure the consolidation of an independent accountable credible impartial and efficient judicial system.
we have to see evidence of serious moves in this direction before the stabilisation and association agreement can enter into force.
let me take this opportunity to particularly thank doris pack for the commitment and indeed the expertise and knowledge which she has shown as your rapporteur.
however it is regrettable that the momentum brought about through these developments has not been maintained. we are particularly disappointed that progress generally on the eu agenda has stalled and that the use of divisive rhetoric has continued.
two thousand and twelve however the timelines of the roadmap forming part of this dialogue have not been met and we remain concerned at the lack of implementation of the political agreements.
one of the top priorities for bosnia and herzegovina is to bring its constitution into compliance with the european convention of human rights and the sejdi finci ruling.
we have a number of concerns and i know that these are broadly shared by this parliament as is reflected in the motion for a resolution which you will be voting on tomorrow.
also in december two thousand and twelve the council welcomed the launch of the european commission's high level dialogue on the accession process with bosnia and herzegovina's political representatives which took place in june.
here in particular the positive influence that you can bring to bear on current and future developments is very important.
this would benefit all citizens across the country.
as part of this process it has reaffirmed its full support for a strengthened eu presence on the ground.
furthermore the state aid and population census laws now need to be fully implemented.
these key elements are essential before the eu could realistically consider any membership application.
should bosnia herzegovina become a member of the european union we would then have no immigration controls as you and your colleagues have said in this house many times and i regret to say it with the support of the commission.
eighty of the population wants to be part of the eu.
the negative advice not to let bosnian citizens travel with id cards to croatia is already seen as a punishment in bosnia and herzegovina.
how can we then ensure the sustainability and stability of the region?
in the eu we cannot call elections fair and free where not all citizens have equal rights of representation.
i remember the hope when he was saying that one day he might be able to become president of his country.
the citizens of bosnia and herzegovina are the ones suffering because of unemployment and the lack of enforcement of their rights.
is that the case?
in the meantime the region is moving.
now we are clearly in a deadlock. bosnia is not moving the commission is not moving.
they want their rights safeguarded.
sir could you give us a figure?
i just want to restate that the eu is absolutely unequivocally committed to the european perspective of bosnia and herzegovina and i think we have to step back a little bit and recall the fact that any european country is entitled to join the european union once it fulfils the criteria.
we will strengthen our presence on the ground and that is a clearly stated commitment.
i want to thank parliament for your engagement on this.
key eu related reforms are essential not just because we are calling for them but because they are genuinely in the interest of the country and its citizens.
as partners arising out of the dayton agreement.
i think there is a consensus here in the chamber and we need to find a new path one that respects all the communities people of different backgrounds and helps the country to break out of the political deadlock that we have seen for too long.
we are particularly committed to the european perspective for the countries of the western balkans not just because of our commitments under the thessaloniki declaration which by the way we will mark with a special presidency conference in dublin this friday which the commissioner and others will attend but also as commissioner fle has pointed out because of our commitments and not just our commitments but our responsibility
i think it is a good opportunity for us as europeans to reflect.
so it is not a question of any current member state of the eu determining whether or not another country can join or is european or whether we should enlarge the european union.
i think the eu can be a helpful constructive and engaged partner.
i fully agree that there have to be consequences but on the other hand i think the court of human rights has to be the point of recourse for citizens to have their rights vindicated.
the eu as i said in my introductory remarks will continue to assist the country.
i make no apologies and i do not believe that too many people in this chamber will make apologies for insisting on the pursuit of those common and shared values.
i want to thank parliament again and to reflect and remind ourselves of how important it is for all of the eu institutions to work together and to continue with this constructive engagement.
yes we are frustrated yes we want to see leadership but i am absolutely convinced that we can and will deliver on that.
i think we really have to reflect on the fact that as an international actor and as european neighbours and partners we have a responsibility to all the countries of the western balkans and particularly to a country like bosnia and herzegovina which has been so divided and which still has so much
i think the work of the high representative and commissioner fle and many members of this parliament has to be complimented for the dedication and the persistence that led to that agreement.
do you not want that for the citizens of bih? do you want to take that prospect of proper reform away from them?
does your sense of love thy neighbour' really only stretch to british citizens and not to those living elsewhere in europe?
ms pack proposes asking the council of europe to consider suspending membership of bih and asking the commission to consider freezing the interim agreement and ipa funding.
they must face the consequences of their complete inaction.
the only thing they need to do is to agree among themselves in order to prevent any of this.
we definitely also need far more urgency on the part of the international community.
both bosnian and international leaders need to get far more of a sense of urgency to stop turning a blind eye and to start doing what is really necessary for the citizens of bosnia.
in particular it has resisted the move towards a neo liberal market economy as distinct from simply a private enterprise economy.
apparently too little progress has been made towards freedom of movement for which i might be inclined to congratulate them until i discovered they are referring to freedom of movement within bosnia and herzegovina.
would it really be desirable to bring such a divided country into the eu?
there is of course a lesson for us.
firstly a veritable marshall plan for tunisia and egypt which would provide tangible help across the board but at the same time expect in return the full cooperation of the tunisian authorities in blocking their coasts so as not to allow further
quite frankly commissioner i do not see how you can say that easo will send its experts when this eu office is still not yet operating so we will have to do it in another manner. fourthly we need to help with the process of repatriation immediate repatriation of people who do not qualify for asylum protection.
they should be sent back to tunisia where they came from. finally we need to bear in mind that in the treaty we have article eighty which clearly states that our immigration policy should be based on the principle of solidarity and on the just sharing of responsibility.
thirdly we need to give italy tangible help with the reception of the thousands of people who have landed in lampedusa.
their needs must be taken into account and they must be able to access the special protection that they are entitled to as provided by national and eu law.
this is of course also a priority.
to assist italy in these circumstances we have identified a comprehensive series of concrete measures as well as quick financial assistance.
more broadly a coherent approach supporting political and economic development in tunisia needs to include possibilities for these people to come to the eu legally as well as the exchange of goods services and know how.
this is a matter of importance for the whole eu not just a bilateral issue. even before the last developments the commission together with frontex started to identify what can be done in the short and medium term.
in the short term the tunisian authorities should efficiently patrol the frontiers of their own country at sea and along the coasts to prevent smugglers human traffickers and criminals who have escaped from prison from taking advantage of the situation.
but our approach should also be based on solidarity with tunisia and its democratic transition.
this wind can bring many positive developments to tunisia to other countries and to the eu.
concerning the surveillance of external borders a joint frontex operation could be set up and i am in contact with frontex.
i invite all member states to show their support.
in the particular context of migration flows we need a combination of effective border management and a strategy for supporting democratic and economic transition.
those arriving are mostly men in their thirties but there are also thirty four women and one hundred and eight children;
but let me reassure you on one point referring to the debate we had just a few minutes ago due to the different nature of sea land border operations and a request to member states to participate in a new joint operation this will not compete with their contribution to the operation that we now have at the greek land border.
it is also important that tunisia takes back those who have reached the territory of eu member states and are not in need of international protection.
there is a wind blowing over the mediterranean as a result of these popular revolutions.
the current situation in lampedusa should not undermine our intention to offer assistance and support to these emerging democracies and the young generation that so passionately and peacefully has been able to achieve fundamental political changes.
looking at a more structured intervention we should also explore the possibilities of better targeting eu assistance by promoting projects that are able to support income and job generating activities in the different regions of tunisia and i refer particularly to the southern parts of the country.
the eu common response should be based on the principle of eu solidarity between member states;
financially we are ready to mobilise extraordinary assistance under the european refugee fund for two thousand and eleven in addition to the funding already earmarked for italy. this should cover payments for accommodation infrastructure material aid medical care social assistants counselling with judicial administrative
with these concrete actions i have now mentioned we are ready to meet and to engage with representatives of the italian authorities to agree on details of each of these actions and the next steps.
i would like to underline that we must pay specific attention to vulnerable categories of persons in need of international protection.
mr president the rapid developments in north africa and the middle east have shaken i hope our type of confidence that europe is so prosperous and secure that it does not have to fear any major security challenge.
the problem we are discussing is both technical and political.
let me refer to the letter which says that now with the increasing numbers of refugees from north africa in the wake of the current revolutionary developments there the eu is caught between its public support for them and the quiet necessity to keep its gates closed.
all i want to say is that if we want to remain credible the solution to our technical problem which goes beyond money and police should be consistent with our public pronouncements.
madam president as the commissioner said the winds of change are blowing across north africa;
the solution has to be italian the solution has to be european.
we cannot close the door to refugees but at the same time the door cannot be opened to all the refugees and asylum seekers in the world. so the solution really is i think in the multi point plan suggested by my colleague mr busuttil particularly to ensure that repatriation takes place when it is proper and safe to do so and of course also to send back asylum seekers who are not deserving of that status within the european union.
we will put that help at their disposal and we are talking to them about this at the moment. this is a european responsibility and that is why we have to come up with european solutions. we have frontex staff in place but we are also examining the possibility and we are ready of setting up a frontex operation within a very short time but of course we need to discuss the modalities with italy and also with the other countries that might possibly contribute.
we are not there yet. we are also encouraging the tunisian authorities to take back their nationals who are not in need of international protection.
we are also willing to support the tunisian authorities with advice support for border and police management and also with training equipment and funds.
easo is still not operational in malta but there is a board functioning and they have said that they can send national teams to italy to help should they wish.
we are working with unhcr in order to ask them to help in the identification of those in need of international protection and to help us to make analysis for the future.
frontex is also involved in doing analysis for the whole region.
in tunisia there is of course as most of you have said a very hopeful situation and we all support the democratic development there.
economic assistance can be provided. we are discussing different mobility programmes and we also need to increase the possibilities for people to come legally to europe.
i agree with mr mauro and others who said that of course we need to look at the whole region.
i think many were quite surprised when the berlin wall fell.
this situation is a little different but of course people asking for freedom and democracy is something that we in the european union should support.
we will keep parliament fully informed as it will be asked to grant its consent for conclusion once it is concluded. on the frontex arrangement there is no formal linkage between the negotiation of the working arrangement and the eu turkey readmission agreement.
we are working in order to finalise this text as soon as possible and we are in constant contact with the turkish authorities.
there was a joint statement at that time moving forward.
the commission is not in a position to comment on the delimitation of the territory or the borders of a given member state as these issues are the sole responsibility of the member states and the applicable provisions of international law.
that can only be exchanged with countries who have concluded an operational agreement with europol and before such an agreement can be concluded ukraine needs to adopt a law on personal data protection and to ratify the one thousand nine hundred and eighty one council of europe convention on the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data and its protocol.
this is a synthesis of the replies from the member states to the questionnaire on criminal law administrative law procedural law and fundamental rights in the fight against terrorism.
this is not only a legal requirement but also a key condition to ensuring credibility and legitimacy as well as for promoting mutual confidence between the national authorities and confidence among the public at large.
it is needless to say that freedom and security go hand in hand and respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law is at the heart of the european union's approach to countering terrorism.
two thousand and eight furthermore the single european sky which entered into force last january provides additional measures for monitoring the actual movement of aircraft and we will continue to follow this carefully within our powers of course.
this is a positive obligation deriving from the european convention of human rights in order to establish responsibilities and to enable victims to obtain compensation.
we have from the commission side encouraged poland and romania to carry out investigations into allegations of the existence of secret detention facilities and we welcome the launch of criminal investigations in poland in march. two thousand and eight the commission has also written to the lithuanian authorities welcoming their proactive attitude
the commission has always stressed this and it is up to the member states concerned to commence or to continue in depth independent and impartial investigations to establish the truth.
as you know i have an interest in this and we have also cooperated in the past on this.
in two thousand and eight the commission provided panoramic factual information in its public staff document on terrorism and fundamental rights.
the commission will therefore continue to follow an approach on counter terrorism which seeks to combine operational and legal effectiveness and feasibility with a clear commitment to the respect of fundamental rights.
all member states have replied to this questionnaire and we are right now in addition preparing from the commission side a stock taking exercise of the main eu measures and policy initiatives taken in the field of counter terrorism until the entry into force of the lisbon treaty.
measures to fight terrorism must always be undertaken within the framework of full respect for fundamental rights and the eu must be exemplary in this respect.
it would not be appropriate for me to do so.
thousand and seven to two thousand and thirteen however the commission recognised in its guidelines for national regional aid that situations might arise where adjustments are necessary and in accordance with point one hundred and four of the guidelines member states were therefore offered the possibility to proceed to a mid term review of the regional aid maps regarding regions designated under article one hundred and seven
under certain conditions it is also possible to increase the aid intensities for regions already designated under the original regional aid map.
this helps to ensure regional investment aid is targeted towards the economic development of regions which are disadvantaged in relation to the national average.
as part of the mid term review the eligibility of the newly designated regions and of the possible increases in aid intensities is assessed on the basis of the average of the most recent years of the eurostat data as regards gross domestic product per capita and unemployment at the relevant nuts level three region.
of the treaty on the functioning of the european union.
under the mid term review member states can replace up to half of the regions at present eligible for regional aid by newly designated regions.
we are all trying to attend several meetings. if you could clarify exactly the ones that will not be taken it would be helpful.
this is the framework in which the commission could take steps to obtain the restoration of the visa free travel by the third country or if that is not achievable to propose retaliatory measures on the temporary restoration of the visa requirement for nationals of that third country.
the mechanism does not apply in case a third country on the negative list maintains or imposes the visa obligation only on nationals of one or more member countries or when the third country applies different conditions for citizens of different member states.
since then reciprocity has been established with most of these thirteen countries such as japan panama singapore australia uruguay and costa rica and recently the commission concluded negotiations on a visa waiver with brazil and that will be submitted to you and to the council very soon.
this is the so called negative' list.
it is based on three legal instruments applicable to member states namely regulation no five hundred and thirty nine two thousand and one listing the third countries whose nationals are subject to visa requirements and those who are not; secondly the visa code covering all procedures and conditions for issuing short stay schengen visas;
when a third country on the positive list maintains or introduces a visa obligation for nationals of one two or more member states the reciprocity mechanisms apply.
in accordance with the principle of reciprocity the eu considers that in the case of nationals from third countries who are exempted from the visa requirement for travelling to the eu member states the third country should provide reciprocal treatment for the eu citizens by exempting them from the visa requirement when travelling to that country.
there is also the positive list those nationals who are exempt from that requirement on the basis of different criteria amongst which reciprocity is a basic principle.