kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
as a member of the european parliament it's my responsibility to highlight areas where the european union can do better to both prevent cancer and support the victims.
so politicians across europe should reflect on what we can do to prevent workplace cancers.
in both the cleaning and beauty industries women are particularly at risk of exposure to carcinogenic substances.
i want to take a few moments to touch on what we are doing to improve implementation.
i look forward to your final report and i assure you that the commission will examine each recommendation very
abroad. we are taking action to put an end to any unjustified practices.
on public administration reform;
as pointed out in your resolution all political leaders now need to assume their responsibilities and find a domestic solution with regard to the federation house of peoples.
close partners for decades the eu and singapore have decided to seal our partnership through the three agreements that we are talking about today and that you will vote on tomorrow.
this system addresses the concerns civil society has expressed about vaguely defined rules lack of transparency absence of appeal lack of independence of adjudicators and lack of accountability in bilateral investment agreements that we have today.
singapore has become a model of economic transformation and a prime example of how trade investment and sustainable development can and should go hand in hand.
so delivering on the negotiating mandate the commission has presented for consent an agreement that tightens the standards on investment protection so as to prevent abuses an agreement that fully safeguards a government's right to make new laws to protect health the environment and other public interests.
access to service procurement markets will be improved and all this will create opportunities for businesses and for individuals on both sides.
it will enable us to step up scientific and technological cooperation in areas such as energy environment the fight against climate change protection of natural resources smart cities and transport.
the benefits of the trade agreement are many.
covers areas like biodiversity eco labelling and corporate and social responsibility;
on regional dynamics singapore has advocated regional multilateralism in south east asia and is currently the country coordinator for eu asean dialogue relations.
so these trade and investment agreements negotiated with singapore are state of the art agreements with a privileged bilateral trade and investment partner to the eu.
that is a stepping stone towards the multilateral investment courts that could potentially cover all three zero existing investment agreements worldwide and could play a central role in the future development of investment policy including a possible evolution to include investors' obligations as mr martin
the trade and investment agreements between the eu and singapore will provide a framework for these already strong flows to develop further.
few places symbolise the benefits of trade and investments like singapore. singapore's determination in embracing openness and globalisation has transformed a city state without natural resources into one of the most prosperous countries in the world and has helped its people prosper too.
tariffs on bilateral trade will be removed.
the agreement further contains a comprehensive trade and sustainable development chapter that includes obligations in relation to international conventions on workers' rights and the environment;
and gives a strong role to eu and singapore civil society groups in making sure that these commitments are put into practice.
we value that partnership very much and we are committed to ensuring that it will become even stronger.
cooperation between singapore and the eu is already deep and wide today and given the challenges that we are jointly facing the potential for even greater engagement is significant founded on a shared vision a rule based multilateral system and effective multilateralism.
the new eu singapore partnership and cooperation agreement will lay down the overall framework for bilateral political cooperation between two like minded partners. but we are also very close investment and trade partners.
it provides a basis as the rapporteur mentioned for effective bilateral engagement with singapore strengthening the political dialogue and enhancing cooperation in a variety of areas human and labour rights justice security connectivity people to people links the information society education and cultural exchanges as well as employment and social affairs.
the trade agreement was also negotiated together with an investment protection agreement that contains the fully reformed investment protection system developed at eu level which the european parliament requested and helped to shape and i would like to thank you for this support.
embracing openness has served the eu well in the past too and still shines a light on the way forward as we discuss the issues facing us today.
it thus establishes a fully transparent investment court system a system which in the very recent opinion of the advocate general in relation to a trade agreement with canada has been considered fully compatible with the eu treaties.
now above surveying are investing in ai machine learning and autonomous processes.
embracing the future can mean new opportunities for a skilled workforce.
madam president last week i had the pleasure of visiting the colchester based business above surveying which uses drones to inspect solar panels for faults and wear and tear and then carries out analysis on the large amount of information collected.
the company has already detected over twenty zero anomalies which once fixed boost the amount of green energy that solar panels can produce.
this will speed up their analysis and aims to and i quote their ceo here take the human out of the loop. ' but far from this being the march of the robots dalek like exterminating all jobs before them the use of ai means that the company can do more better and quicker in turn creating more jobs.
i will stand with all intersex people especially children and i will tell them you are not alone.
this been presented as a health issue when in fact there is nothing unhealthy about being intersex.
intersex people are proof that there is more to humanity than men on one side and women on the other side.
the fact that we are so prone forcibly and permanently to change the bodies of children who cannot give consent shows how far we are willing to go to reinforce ridiculous gender binary.
intersex people are proof that categorising people on the basis of their sexual features is simply narrow minded and does not reflect reality.
madam president when we talk about lgbt people intersex people are often forgotten about. they have been dehumanised for centuries and discriminated against because of their bodies.
turning now to your second series of questions let me say that the healthcarerelated issues are complex and decisions are taken by the member states.
madam president honourable members over the past decade we have seen growing public interest in the development of therapies derived from cannabis and its components and in the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
a marketing authorisation is granted for a medicinal product only after its quality safety and efficacy have been evaluated and a positive benefit risk balance related to its use has been concluded. once placed on the market medicinal products continue to be monitored through pharmacovigilance activities which also apply to cannabisderived medicinal products.
in december two thousand and eighteen the agency published a report on medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids as well as questions and answers for policy making.
i would first like to highlight the distinction between nonpharmaceutical medical cannabis and medicinal products derived from cannabis.
this is a member state competence which means that each national authority will decide whether it is legal in its territory.
opportunities to support this type of research will be available through the upcoming horizon two thousand and twenty calls for research proposals in two thousand.
our mission is to encourage research and innovation in europe and we will continue with that approach. in the new framework programme horizon europe the commission will continue to support research including in innovative areas including novel therapeutic approaches.
on the other hand the eu pharmaceutical legislative framework is clear and robust and includes cannabisderived medicinal products.
this was in response to the growing interest in the topic.
at the same time the commission is aware of the discussion in the world health organisation expert committee on drug dependence about the pharmaceutical preparation of psychoactive substances.
however that is not to say that the eu is not contributing to this discussion.
in october two thousand and sixteen the european monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction launched a new service on cannabis providing updates on cannabis policy models.
the therapeutic use of cannabis has been discussed in relation to a wide range of medical conditions from multiple sclerosis to posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety.
as a starting point let me stress that more research is needed on the safety and efficacy of cannabinoidbased therapies.
so how exactly can the eu contribute to this discussion?
the great thing is that when the uk leaves the eu singapore has already provided the mood music to say they're ready to do a deal with us because dynamic island economies that love to trade with the whole world like to get things done quickly.
it's wonderful to see this and i've got good news for you there's another one a hell of a lot closer that you could do a deal with as well when you finally wake up to reality.
but what the agreement does not require is freedom of movement of people.
the eu grants singapore the abolition of tariffs but at the same time the eu sabre rattles about a hard tariff border with the uk.
perhaps the illinformed uk remainers will note that basic fact.
the eu's method of trade agreements is a bit like strictly come dancing slow slow quick quick slow.
one day perhaps the eu will show the same sound commercial sense towards the uk that it is currently showing towards singapore.
however i have to say it's probable that that day will come only when the current president of the council donald tusk finds his own special place in hell.
it doesn't befit a senior politician and it is not in the least bit helpful.
at the same time the eu scaremongers about impeding the existing trade in services between the eu and the uk.
under the agreement tariffs will be abolished entirely on a wide range of manufactured goods and between the eu and singapore there will be mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
singapore now has a bigger gdp per capita than germany but singapore is not repeat not part of a very large trading bloc.
this demonstrates again that free trade and free movement can be indeed are entirely separate. now to brexit.
i'd also like to thank the commissioner and dg trade for an agreement that i believe we can readily support in this house and above all i'd like to thank my shadow rapporteurs for what has been great cooperation.
it builds on canada and japan and sends the message that the eu is committed to a rules based trading system.
it's been over a decade in the making the free trade agreement between the eu and singapore but after many twists and turns we are at last at the final stage.
many of them are looking forward as a result of this fta to expanding their activities and vying for public sector contracts in singapore.
it contains commitments on the environment in respect of the management of forests and fisheries for example and a commitment to implement multilateral agreements including the paris agreement.
public services are protected the agreement uses the positive list for services always the preferred option of this parliament.
there will be a code of conduct for judges proceedings will be transparent the system will have an appeal mechanism it contains a commitment to joint efforts towards a multilateral investment court and it protects governments' right to regulate.
i want to thank the commissioner and her team for listening to parliament's concerns about the old and toxic investor state dispute settlement system.
moving on to the investment protection agreement i believe this is the most progressive investment agreement we have so far negotiated and it should be a model to build on for future agreements.
we have to look forward to giving them obligations in the future.
they are serious about this.
singapore is important in its own right but it's also of key strategic importance for accessing the asean region one of the fastest growing regions in the world.
singapore has already held talks with the social partners they are already in dialogue with the ilo and they've set up an interministerial working group to see how they can bring domestic legislation into line with the three ilo conventions.
it is also worth mentioning that this replaces the existing thirteen bilateral investment treaties that member states already have.
it gives investors rights but it gives them no obligations.
in addition to the trade benefits however i would also argue that the agreement clearly reflects eu values and positions espoused by this parliament in very many of our resolutions. for example nothing in this agreement will prevent the application of the precautionary principle or affect the right of governments to regulate in the interest of their citizens.
an important market in its own right thanks to its unshakable commitment to the rule of law it has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and now has more than ten zero eu companies based there.
while donald trump wants to build walls to separate nations we are tearing them down keeping fair and free trade alive.
i'd like to begin by thanking the government of singapore for its patience and support and in particular their ambassador for his good cooperation.
my question to those who are still sceptical is frankly what is not to like about this free trade agreement?
the economic interests and most importantly political credibility of the eu are seriously damaged because there is no truly european mechanism for fraud detection.
health safety and the environment.
trade is a powerful tool for human development but trade agreements are not per se a public good if the rules of the game they set benefit the few rather than the many and these trade and investment agreements create a framework of rules in which fundamental workers' rights are dependent on political promises made in the eleventh hour while international investors are guaranteed new legal rights to sue our governments.
mr president singapore is a trusted and strategic partner of the eu and it's right that we seek to deepen our relations.
as the first asean country to finalise agreements with the eu these will be models for the region and so they matter.
i can't support creating new corporate privileges especially while labour activists like jolovan wham face tough justice when we should be delivering trade justice.
insects are essential for the proper functioning of all ecosystems as food for other creatures pollinators and recyclers of nutrients. unless we take drastic action now insects as a whole will go down the path of extinction within a few decades and we can be quite sure that we would follow on closely behind.
mr president a new global scientific review into the perilous condition of our insects reports that over forty of insect species are threatened with extinction while our insect populations are declining by.
we need to reduce the amount of pesticides farmers use banning the most toxic ones immediately.
the review clearly links this drastic decline to the overuse of pesticides.
it is being spelt out by the world's scientists we need to begin an urgent transition away from the use of these highly toxic pesticides.
that is why our report on the sustainable use of pesticides is more crucial now than ever.
the report urges eu countries to step up to the mark and take action on pesticides instead of making the empty promises of recent years.
the fundamental rights agency is also making important contributions by mapping out the situation of intersex people including the problems they face in terms of birth registration as well as the matter of non necessary surgery which you mentioned and the closely related problem of informed consent.
indeed when it comes to the more specific issues identified in your question it is the member states that have the key competences.
for indeed you speak of real suffering in the questions you have put to the council and the commission today.
this is a source of pride for europeans and for good reason our society is becoming more inclusive and diverse than ever before.
in its conclusions the council invited the commission to promote the measures outlined in this list of actions and to report on a regular basis on the progress achieved.
of course there
is. as you know the category of intersex is not included on the list of prohibited discrimination grounds in the treaties but i believe it is obvious that extending the right to equal treatment for intersex people is entirely within the spirit of our common european values and our common campaign for inclusiveness. as we pursue improve and defend our values we all
in europe the commitment to decency tolerance and equal treatment is the very foundation of the idea of a just society.
so it was a historic moment.
the council also invited the member states to take their own actions to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. it is of course the responsibility of the member states to hear that call.
together we have taken steps to guarantee equal treatment for women ethnic minorities sexual minorities persons with disabilities religious minorities and citizens of all ages. and we continue to work on that.
when it comes to cooperation at eu level the commission's list of actions including the exchange of good practice is to be welcomed. the commission has also undertaken a campaign of awareness raising.
these problems are likely to worsen mainly due to climate change.
the objective is to facilitate the uptake of water reuse for agricultural irrigation wherever this is relevant wherever this is safe and wherever this is cost effective in order to alleviate water stress whilst preserving the health of consumers and protecting the environment.
moreover the setting of harmonised minimum parameters will facilitate the smooth functioning of the internal market for agricultural produce and create new business opportunities for operators and also for technology providers.
as the summer of two thousand and eighteen has dramatically shown water stress is becoming a concern for many member states even for those that are not usually associated with water scarcity even member states that are not even associated with drought.
it is indispensable for all of us whether it's for industry for agriculture or the many other uses.
together with water savings and water efficiency measures water reuse can play an important part in addressing such problems also in the framework of the integrated water management policy. the proposal on water reuse which we are debating today promotes treated urban wastewater as a reliable alternative water supply
it seeks to extend the lifecycle of water turning a waste product into a resource and is fully in line with the circular economy concept that this commission is actively promoting.
mr president the eusingapore free trade agreement is yet another example of the eu's highly successful global free trade agenda we've just heard about the conclusion of the japan agreement that is opening up markets across the world for all of the eu's current twenty eight member states.
yet here we are today discussing an eu trade deal with singapore a commonwealth and asean country following on from the eu's fta with canada whilst talks on ftas with australia and new zealand are now in advanced stages.
james dyson the british industrialist and leading brexiteer has clearly appreciated these benefits as he embarks on building his electric vehicle production plant in singapore and has moved the company's headquarters from britain to that prosperous citystate.
far from the uk needing to leave the eu to improve trading links with the commonwealth it seems patently obvious that following twenty nine march the eu twenty seven will enjoy far better opportunities to trade with the commonwealth than the uk will for many years to come.
as britain stands just forty five days away from leaving the european union i'm reminded once again of all the disingenuous untruths and false promises peddled by the brexiteers in the leave campaign. one of those was that britain needed to leave the european union in order to strike optimal trade deals with the commonwealth and the anglosphere countries that the eu was neither interested in nor capable of concluding in the uk's bilateral interest.
campaign? a very good
almost four million new cases are expected this year alone.
but this disease is not only about statistics.
do more. and of course in the context of the european elections this topic should be kept very high on the political agenda and in public
we will vote to promote not only economic growth but also norms and values that will help address today's complex global value chains achieving a level playing field while promoting social inclusion and environmental protection.
mr president tomorrow we will vote to enhance free trade and maintain the international competitiveness of european companies.
even though sometimes it is challenging for european companies we are proud to set standards and to be an example in the global world.
is an exhaustive list of issues that bih needs to address. the sense of urgency is as present as ever. commitment to the reform agenda and reforms aimed at achieving a fully functioning state with the rule of law at its core are the main tasks ahead.
i urge the political leaders of bih to use this opportunity and offer of eu help.
whilst some progress was registered vis vis checks on spraying equipment and in developing training courses and certification schemes on how to best spray pesticides little progress has been made in promoting the uptake of alternative techniques. moreover there is a lack of clear and quantifiable targets in the different member states' national action plans and most of these plans do not specify as yet how the targets or objectives are to be achieved. we strongly feel that progress is also lacking in the field of integrated pest management.
europe's farmers have every right to be able to use substances and techniques that do not put their own health at risk and that do not impact negatively on the environment and their farmland.
colleagues i am one of those who strongly believes that today's intensive pesticide use around europe is no longer sustainable.
but it is amply clear that member states are not implementing this legislation in the proper manner.
we have the tools. now we need to make sure that member states deliver so that farmers consumers citizens and the environment can all benefit from the existing sustainable alternative methods. a better implementation of the sustainable use of pesticides directive is key in ensuring that this change actually happens.
work. later on today we as parliamentarians have the opportunity to send a clear and important signal to all the member states that we stand together with all citizens across the european union and expect our countries to ramp up their actions and contribute concretely to a more sustainable use of pesticides around europe.
finally i know that there was very good cooperation between the responsible shadow rapporteurs and on behalf of jytte i would like to thank all the colleagues from the different political groups for their constructive approach and valuable support for jytte's