kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
responsibility and mutual trust are the pillars on which the common framework on genuine and practical solidarity in the field of asylum should be built.
the entry into force of the lisbon treaty in december two thousand and nine modified the legal framework for asylum policy and provided for a uniform status of asylum a uniform status of subsidiary protection and common procedures for granting and withdrawing the two forms of international protection.
in adopting the stockholm programme in december two thousand and nine the european council renewed its commitment to the establishment of a common asylum procedure and a uniform status for those granted international protection.
i wish to acknowledge particularly the role played by previous council presidencies most recently and notably the presidencies of cyprus denmark and poland in the legislative process which is now in its final stage.
we are in the final stage of concluding a project initiated in june two thousand and eight with the publication by the european commission of its policy plan on asylum in which it announced its intention to build on the existing legal framework in the field of asylum.
we are not yet there in having both fairness and efficiency across the eu and asylum management but i would say to my british conservative colleague mr kirkhope that we need both common eu laws and practical cooperation.
on eurodac alde was reluctant in the extreme about police access which was the main point of contention.
i together with others in this house have lived every one of those years on this bumpy journey. i also agree with those who say that this is not a perfect package nor is it yet a truly common system. it will depend on proper implementation backed up if and when appropriate by the commission and court enforcement powers.
i think it is helpful that the conservative led government in the uk is at least opting into the dublin and eurodac regulations even if it has not been persuadable on the other measures.
but i as the shadow was aware of the realities about needing to get a package deal so i concentrated strongly on the safeguards needed for individual rights safeguards which were not i have to say present in the parliament rapporteur's original report.
mr president i do not support this common asylum system not because i do not believe in european cooperation or because i do not think immigration can indeed have positive effects on society but because by pursuing this we are not getting to the root of the problem.
the challenges for the member states are often unique varied and require very different approaches to resolve.
in that pursuit we should be delivering a system which is fair compassionate and principled but also one which is practical sustainable and adaptable.
member states should certainly not be condemned for trying to address abuse of the asylum system and thereby maintain the support of citizens allowing the eu to continue to give refuge to those most in need.
of course this package does deliver improvements in addressing these issues and i particularly highlight eurodac and the dublin system in this respect.
these are measures which attempt to protect the rights of asylum seekers but also protect against abuses of the system.
the real proof will be in the system's implementation.
we must be careful not to create a system which buckles under the weight of its own prescription.
instead we should be enforcing fundamental rights standards good cooperation good practice and an understanding of each member state's needs.
let us offer our help support and resources and ensure that it is not acceptable to treat these people most in need of compassion with anything less than human dignity.
some member states have our greatest understanding regarding the burden of their geography but we must be careful that we are not creating a new asylum system which accommodates failures.
instead we must provide practical support to the countries concerned to help build up their capacity to deal with claims through the practical work of the european asylum support office frontex and funding mechanisms.
many of us feel we fought for every bit of progress that we have managed to get in this package against a number of member states that certainly did not want to move.
we can see that we do not yet have a common system if you look at what is happening with one and a half million refugees from syria a relatively small number of them in the european union.
yet when you see the examination of their claims some countries appear to be doing the job properly others are not and virtually all claims are being rejected. one of the things that this parliament and certainly my group wanted was the genuine examination of every claim. we wanted to see high standards of human rights we wanted to see a higher standard of consistency
across member states not the lottery that ms guillaume has referred to and we wanted to see the respect of the dignity of individuals not treating people as criminals and automatically locking them up in closed centres simply because they dared to claim asylum. so what progress do we have against those benchmarks?
it is true that on dublin we have made quite a bit of progress compared to the current dublin ii regulation.
we do not want children left at airports because they have not been picked up by people from the social services of the country to which they are being returned again.
my question concerns the sharing of responsibility.
so what exactly is the fundamental principle of sharing of responsibilities?
law enforcement access;
they have talked about a common asylum system for well over fifteen years commissioner not just fifteen years.
but the gap between that rhetoric and actually creating that system has been enormous.
therefore the vote tomorrow which i am glad is now going to get more widespread political support in this house is very important.
that means ultimately that we need a strong vote in this house because a lot of this will be in the transposition and in the implementation.
this is not some clich about transposition and implementation what this means is that asylum numbers are falling and there is austerity in the european union.
so it will come down to that same set of member states not the presidency by the way which has been hugely effective but member states which will have to walk the walk when it comes to transposing some of the good things from each of these directives which the rapporteurs have effectively made happen.
i would like to thank all of you for participating.
the member states of the european union have a very long tradition of protecting persons fleeing from persecution.
of course the right to asylum is guaranteed in the charter of fundamental rights of the european union.
union institutions in finalising these legislative instruments are building upon and giving practical effect to these universal values of ours.
it is important to acknowledge even in these challenging times for the peoples of the member states that there remains this steadfast commitment to the geneva convention and all of the other relevant international instruments as essential elements in the fabric of the international commitment
the legal advice to the council was to delete the recitals related to the associated states but the council is working on a statement which we hope can be attached to the minutes of the council with regard to the relationship with the associated states.
i just wanted to clarify that point.
a number of members in their contributions raised the issue of the recent court judgment on unaccompanied minors which of course is a question which is of great concern to all of us.
the implications of this judgment are currently being examined by member states and will be taken into account of course when implementing the common european asylum system.
law enforcement access to the eurodac system.
i appreciate that this is sensitive.
we must use all of the tools available to fight such serious offences and a number of members have made that point.
of ensuring the efficient and uniform application of the existing union acquis and the new legislation lies before us.
this work has already begun.
it is very challenging and i am sure it will be intensified over the coming period.
but in this endeavour i think we can be guided by the principles and the values which i mentioned the principles of solidarity and responsibility ensuring that the ceas has a very strong foundation of mutual trust which i consider to be hugely important.
i think the sharing of responsibilities is not to be measured only in economic terms and i said in my intervention that generous economic support is also provided by the union and by the commission and once again i would like to thank you for this.
if we want to treat not just the symptoms but the causes we should do something to end those wars.
i should be clear however that it will not change our overall policy to protect all consumers at all times.
finally i want to underline that our future strategy will not lose sight of other threats to animal and public health which have emerged in recent years such as antimicrobial resistance.
i will firmly defend a step by step and science based approach for any future revision of tse measures the scientific advice provided by efsa will continue to play a crucial role in the consideration of future policy options.
the second concerns food and feed controls and the shortcomings identified in the collection and presentation of data on official controls in member states.
the first is the use of mechanically separated meat msms.
i should add that the commission services have already started to discuss with member states how to harmonise the interpretation of msm' to ensure a more informed approach across the european union.
i must however make absolutely clear that all conditions including scientific support and appropriate control tools must be in place before any amendments can be adopted.
one of the key issues is the review of the total feed ban provisions which have now been in place for over ten years.
as a result of the enormous efforts made over recent years the european union has made impressive progress in its battle against bse.
the results of our intensive monitoring programme continue to show a significant overall decrease in the number of cases of the disease across the eu.
it was on this basis that the commission took the initiative to prepare its communication the tse road map two' which was adopted and presented to you last july.
given this positive trend and new scientific knowledge we are now at the stage where further amendments of certain measures could be envisaged without endangering consumer health or changing our bse eradication policy.
we are at last about to eradicate the disease thanks to the strong and comprehensive eu measures to prevent and control it.
in this respect i am pleased that parliament's position is in line with that of the commission.
i am fully aware of the expected impact that a future revision of the total feed ban would have and that is why i have decided to launch discussions with various stakeholders.
the encouraging trends in relation to bse merit a considered review of the opportunities to focus on and secure financial support to assess and manage these new threats.
rules for the removal of specified risk materials srms the most important measure in terms of protection of public health against bse would also be amended in future to align them with international standards.
let me touch briefly on the main topics of this communication.
on this point the commission in close cooperation with member states will soon propose a number of actions to ensure that the way in which information on controls is collected analysed and presented at eu level is more efficient and comprehensive.
any lifting of the feed ban must be thoroughly investigated and the issue of cross contamination fully addressed.
the number of cases has reduced significantly from two thousand and one as a result of the steps taken but we cannot afford to let down our guard on this issue.
improving animal health and the eradication of tses are of course most important. i am concerned that the commission has suggested reducing eu funding for research.
i am concerned by colleagues in this chamber who indicate that because of a protein deficit in europe we should therefore simply move on.
any changes in the regulation should be as a result of clear scientific evidence ensuring surveillance is not reduced and that the sample size for testing is adequate to detect bsc.
i think there is no better person in this house to bring forward this report.
when considering matters relating to bse the protection of consumers is my main goal.
for this reason the commission will remain alert and continue to monitor the bse situation very closely.
we must not forget the past even if we are heading firmly in the right direction.
substantial progress is not only needed in the implementation of the so called urgent reform priorities which address the serious rule of law issues in the country.
in very close coordination with commissioner hahn they send common messages to the political leaders during their recent visit to skopje.
this also means that the special prosecutor's office should be given time and resources to complete its work.
more than ever we need to continue speaking with one voice.
we should all come together to support this goal.
this is particularly true for this country.
and fifteen and two thousand and sixteen it has received very considerable support from the eu and from individual member states.
i know that especially this house feels strongly about the central role of national parliaments and we expect all political leaders to stop fuelling inter ethnic tensions.
this risks undermining the stability of the country and its credibility.
i therefore strongly encourage all political leaders in the country including the president to respect the results of the elections and the clear parliamentary majority.
that would be extremely short sighted and i know this is not how this house sees enlargement.
we are concerned about the criticism and attacks faced by civil society organisations.
we find it balanced and in line with the main findings of our two thousand and sixteen report on the former yugoslav republic of macedonia. as you all know the political situation in the country is of very serious concern.
an empowered civil society is a crucial component of any democratic system and should be recognised and treated as such by state institutions and politicians.
resolving bilateral issues with the neighbours is crucial and finding a solution to the main issue remains a priority.
the early parliamentary elections last december were a key part of the political agreement which the country's leaders signed in.
we expect the president to let democracy proceed and a new government to be formed.
we are all deeply concerned about the latest developments and the continued refusal of president ivanov to give a mandate to a coalition which is clearly supported by the majority in the assembly.
it could have broader regional implications and must therefore stop immediately.
the rapid formation of the new government will however not to be sufficient in itself to return to business as usual.
this is a long complex process so there is no time to waste.
we are also gravely concerned about the emergence of inter ethnic inflammatory rhetoric by some actors.
in short the european council has just reaffirmed the accession perspective of the entire western balkans region.
the commission remains committed to continue helping with this challenge despite the situation being much calmer now. let me however also say that our good cooperation on migration issues does not mean at all that we will close
we need to see a clear and firm political will to tackle these issues.
let me at this point also emphasise the crucial importance of empowered civil society and good neighbourly relations.
president tusk was also in the country on monday.
last but not least the country was also at the front line of an unprecedented migration crisis in two thousand.
let me finally underline that maintaining of good neighbourly relations including a negotiated and mutually accepted solution to the name issue under the auspices of the united nations remains essential. we all agree that there is a need to bring the longstanding discussions
on the name issue to a definitive conclusion without delay. let me welcome the fact that the confidence building measures have started to produce tangible results.
it is also important to restore trust in the national institutions.
we expect the new government to urgently as a first priority address overdue reforms including the one i just referred to the urgent reform priorities for the benefit of the country and its citizens and also in order to return the country to its european path.
we look forward to their timely translation into concrete results.
the country continues to suffer from a very divisive political environment polarisation and the lack of a culture of compromise with backsliding in important areas such as the functioning of the judiciary which should be allowed to work independently.
we take good note that the osce considers that the elections were competitive but that they took place in an environment characterised by widespread public mistrust in the institutions and the political establishment. unfortunately the government has not been formed to date and we are concerned at the current political impasse.
we look forward to the formation of the new government without further delay in line with democratic principles and the constitution. in skopje on monday president tusk called for statesmanship and unity in order to find a way out of the current deadlock.
we share your view that political will is necessary to ensure its full tangible and sustainable implementation.
we also welcome the fact that the commission is prepared to extend these recommendations to open accession negotiations conditional on progress with the implementation of the prino agreement and substantial progress in the implementation of the urgent reform priorities.
we also back your call on all parties including those forming the future government to take ownership and to honour the undertaking to implement the urgent reform priorities and also to address systematic rule of law issues including in relation to breaches of fundamental rights judicial independence media freedom elections corruption
the council also acknowledges and encourages the constructive role played by civil society in supporting and improving democratic processes.
in this respect i would like to recall the importance of the mandate and the work of both the special prosecutor and the parliamentary committee of inquiry to look respectively into legal and also political responsibility.
actions and statements which negatively impact on good neighbourly relations should also be avoided and we note the continued high level and expert contacts with bulgaria aimed at strengthening good neighbourly relations.
i am concerned at the deepening of the political crisis. like many others i would also like to call on the president of the country to fulfil his responsibility in the process of forming a new government composed of political parties with a real majority in the parliament.
this is what the vast majority of their citizens want.
all parties must implement their own political agreement and tackle the urgent reform priorities as agreed.
the commission remains highly committed to the european perspective of the country but let me be clear the key to this eu perspective is in the hands of the president and local leaders.
only they can put the country back on the path to europe.
along with greece and portugal spain's membership of the european community was an early example of the way in which europe could help encourage and support a new democracy a path followed successfully by many others since.
it reflects a very old fashioned socialist command and control approach to economic policy which is not relevant to solving the problems of the twenty first century.
it stumbled in its first few days in office.
its illegitimate brutal and dangerous government must be dealt with firmly.
what we do need are economic policies that respect the rights of our member states stimulate the sharing of best practice and focus on delivering eu added value;
if it proposes progressive policies to stimulate economic growth to deal with climate change to strengthen individual freedom and responsibility and to encourage cooperation on the world stage where we share common interests all of these are areas where europe can offer a benefit rather than impose a burden. if it does that
a regime which resorts to murder and violence to oppress its own people a people cheated of a government of their choice simply cannot be trusted and we must take action.
i would like to touch on foreign policy. i know that this has been given some prominence in the presidency's programme but i must speak about one issue which is mentioned but without enough emphasis in my view.
policies which provide a climate in which entrepreneurs and businesses can thrive in order to create jobs raise our standard of living and contribute to a stronger society.
we in the ecr group have high hopes of the europe two thousand and twenty initiative as a framework for a sustainable competitive european economy and we have drafted our own additional proposals which we hope will help to take this debate forward.
our group will judge its proposals and initiatives on their merits.
the spanish presidency takes office with a full agenda.
if we are serious about nuclear non proliferation the iranian government must understand that whilst iran has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes it will not be allowed to deceive the world in pursuing its ambition of having nuclear weapons.
the presidency starts at a critical time for the european union and i wish it well but i confess i have misgivings.
without interfering in the politics of spain there is a saying in the united kingdom which suggests that you put your own house in order first.
the suggestion that rather than simply coordinating plans for economic development the european union should be able to establish compulsory economic policies with sanctions or corrective action against member states who do not comply is deeply disturbing.
i hope that the spanish presidency will be able to bring them together more than in the past.
i hope that the spanish presidency will be able to cope with this.
there is a political sensitivity which is different in the two parts.
the spanish presidency should cope with the two main contradictions of the european union the contradiction between pan european needs and european national egoists and the contradiction between the level of development in the western territories of the union and that in the eastern territories with their consequences in terms of political sensitivity.
we have the treaty but we need its proper enhancement and even more than that.
mr president i would like to thank the prime minister for his very sincere and european speech at the opening of spain's presidency. this is normally a moment to be polite and my colleagues know i am always very polite but i have to return to the issue of the many british citizens and other european citizens who are having problems with losing their homes in
i approach it not like the former speaker from an anti european perspective.
i approach it from a pro european perspective where this parliament has time and time again done reports and had hearings through our petitions committee.
it is a european problem.
it is a problem of free movement. it is a problem of european citizenship.
it is a problem of european justice access to civil justice.
i do hope prime minister that you will be able to translate those comments to those european citizens who face homelessness and the loss of their savings in your country because i am sorry to say of what appears to this parliament to have been administrative abuse.