kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
that includes alternatives for internal border checks such as police controls inside the territory supported by technology and reinforced cross border cooperation and information exchange between law enforcement authorities. to promote trust and then encourage exchange we will propose a renewed dialogue with all member states and regular high level political debates on the state of schengen with parliament and the
the last few months have reminded us what europe looks like without free movement. now slowly and responsibly we are regaining our freedoms. we cannot take the freedom of movement for granted. nor for that matter the significant benefits of european integration. we need to work hard every day to preserve and protect our common european project. to begin with i would like
online. the targets well it's about us it's about the citizens
in itself. what scares me is that we believe in those lies
education. we will support fact checking and research activities through the recently established european digital media
in the communication we comprehensively address three things the sources of disinformation its channels and amplifiers and also the targets. josep talked about the foreign sources of disinformation and i am glad about this because i believe that a geopolitical eu can only materialise if we are assertive but we also have to put our own house in order. we need to beef up our strategy on communication. we have to get our story out about europe and eu support during the coronavirus crisis and it is high time we step up on this and do not allow others to occupy that space. now to the channels of communication and disinformation especially the online platforms. i welcome the measures taken by them in this crisis; their strong commitment is heavily needed. i believe that the fact that we worked with the platforms and we designed with them the code of practice on disinformation helped to roll out new policies more quickly. we agreed with the platforms that they would promote links to the world health organization and health authorities and remove ads that offered fake medicines or inflate prices for normal products or give very dangerous advice which we already heard from
as a society. we need to support free and independent media the factcheckers and researchers. and we have to step up
as ever. it can make the work of journalists more difficult cause selfcensorship and damage freedom
is selfdefeating. our best defence against disinformation are free and plural media informed and active citizens and resilient democratic institutions in which they can trust. i really want to insist on this because i believe this is a distinctive part
in democracies. just as in traditional competition policy where consumers benefit from fair competition and a level playing field citizens benefit from fair competition
member states. also we have to speak in this context about the freedom of speech which remains our basic principle. laws which define criminal penalties for spreading disinformation in too broad terms and with disproportionate sanctions can damage accountability mechanisms which are just as important
or even thought. a competitive market of ideas enabled by free speech is essential
of our policies. i do not want to create any
too easily. this is why we need to become more resilient and critical
our education. we will have the digital education action plan soon adopted by the commission and there will be a very strong chapter on how to become more resilient and increase our critical thinking through
joseph. these actions brought results. for example google blocked or removed globally over eighty million coronavirusrelated ads. but there is room for improvement and our code was just a first step. we need to ensure transparency and accountability. citizens need to know how information is reaching them and where it comes from. our joint communication calls on the platforms to step up their efforts and to report monthly on their policies and actions to address covid nineteen related disinformation not to report to the commission to report to the public so that people can read about what's happening
of europe. lying is neither new nor that scary
in this regard. but i have to add that it is member states' responsibility to control the application of the rights and labour standards which are also applicable to
to declared work. this is actually the focus of the eu for fair work campaign of the european platform on tackling
after covid. these documents assist employers in dealing with health and safety aspects at work. they also refer to the relevant national guidance for specific sectors and occupations including those that are particularly susceptible to employ
proper application of national labour law including those laws which result from eu directives to
young people. in the near future both the platform and the useuropean coordination office will be transferred to the european labour
and council. i am fully committed to help you finalising this important modernisation of the rules as soon as possible. i also want to repeat my full support for the introduction of a european social security number requested in your
of workers. i am convinced that the mutual assistance and cooperation between member states such as the conclusion of bilateral agreements or making available information in the language of the seasonal workers on social security issues is essential to protect the rights of
essential function. therefore already in march we recommended member states to authorise the entry of noneu seasonal workers in agriculture despite the closure of the
safety of workers. given the unprecedented crisis we are going through this is one of the issues where we cannot
authority once. fully operational the ela will assist member states and the commission in the effective application and enforcement of union law related to labour mobility across the union and the coordination of social security systems
to enter the union. the commission considers that these workers in particular in the agricultural sector often have an
its application. our data confirms that the seasonal activities are exposed to undeclared work often associated with abuses or limited access to social rights and health and safety
exposed. employers are also obliged to provide workers with related information as well as necessary protective equipment and
for such workers. in this respect i welcome the joint declaration on the protection of seasonal workers signed on fifteen may by the european social partners
the years to come. i will be working closely with the members of the european parliament notably in view of updating the strategic framework of health and safety at work that will provide us with opportunities to look at postcovid nineteen health and safety implications at the workplace including for the most
in agriculture. i also welcome the announcement by a member state to adapt its national legislation and to better control
responsibility. it is the employer's obligation to comply with all requirements and assess all possible risks at work including new ones and to put in place adequate preventive and protective
measures. the completeness of this evaluation is particularly important in sectors where workers may be particularly
mobile workers. given that certain sectors of the economy and especially the agricultural sector require the support of seasonal workers from other member states the commission asked member states to exchange information and establish specific procedures to ensure smooth circulation
seasonal workers. i assure you that the protection of workers' health and safety is one of my main priorities for
fail our citizens. we have solid eu legislation on health and safety at work that applies to all workers independently of the country where they work the duration of the assignment or the precise
within the union. one of the aims of the eu rules on social security coordination is to ensure that persons who work in two or more member states such as seasonal workers are subject to the legislation of the member state with which they have the closest links promoting stable and continuous social security coverage. frequent changes in the applicable social security legislation may create an obstacle to the free movement
vulnerable workers. we are not forgetting that many seasonal workers are third country nationals and the covid nineteen crisis has had a significant impact on the possibility for these workers
undeclared work. europe can also play a role in this context by developing actions with a focus on activities for crossborder workers seasonal workers and especially
draft resolution. let me also make an important point on the health and
seasonal workers. the revision of the social security regulation for which the commission made a proposal back in two thousand and sixteen is still being discussed between parliament
eu external border. i welcome your resolution as an important contribution to future
hygiene products. besides the guidelines on seasonal workers under preparation by the commission the eu has taken numerous steps to support member states
for workers. in this context it is essential to raise workers' and employers' awareness towards the benefits of declared work and the transition
seasonal workers. the eu european agency for health and safety at work has published guidance addressing covid nineteen at the workplace as well as the safe and healthy return to workplaces
schengen area. i am hopeful that we can use this positive momentum along with the possible proposals that we expect from the commission regarding the legal framework for internal border controls to launch a fruitful debate between the two colegislators on this crucial subject to safeguard the
schengen area. any future amendments to the regime governing internal border control need to be stipulated in such a way as to provide credible answers to threats to public order internal security and
coordinated way has been set in motion without major problems provides ample evidence of the member states' strong will for a fullyfunctioning
approach safeguarding employability supporting businesses and protecting groups in need. the issue of crossborder and seasonal workers was brought up many times throughout the discussions. this vulnerable group is considered essential for many economic sectors. it has a vital role to play in the economic recovery and its members should not be discriminated against. the covid nineteen pandemic forced member states to close their borders temporarily. nevertheless member states and the members of the european council indicated clearly in a joint statement on twenty six march that smooth border management for persons and goods should be assured in order to preserve the functioning of the single market. while some member states have already lifted all travel restrictions for crossborder and seasonal workers others have committed to do so as soon as possible. ensuring safe working conditions is as important as ensuring free movement. it is essential that this vulnerable group of workers enjoy equal treatment to that provided for workers who are nationals of the host
to thank parliament for keeping these problems faced by crossborder and seasonal workers
member state. they should receive adequate protection equipment and where provided they should be offered adequate accommodation in compliance with social distancing measures. moreover workers should be trained and informed about changes and new procedures. member states are also committed to ensuring access to affordable social security for all citizens in crossborder situations. the revision of regulations on the coordination of the social security system would further facilitate the free movement of workers and would act as a catalyst for modernising the national social security system. i would like
to the smes. this crisis has further underlined how important resilience is as the overarching framework for our relations and it will be at the heart of the eastern partnership
partner countries. i am convinced that it will also be confirmed at the leaders meeting later
transformation; and fifth to work together towards the development of resilient fair and inclusive societies. as a next step we will work on transforming the policy objectives
to the people. in this context i am proud that the eu is delivering close to eur. two five billion in support for our eastern partners in the wake of the covid
the years to come. finally to the rapporteur mr autreviius i will look into this
summit in early. two thousand and twenty one we count on your continuous support and cooperation to ensure a strong partnership for
this is new to me. i was not aware of it and of course we will come out and make public messaging
policy objectives. first to work towards resilient economies with strengthened
neighbourhood. let me thank this house for your overall support for the vision on the future of the eastern partnership that we have put forward with the joint communication
law and security. third to support the green transformation and work on environmental and
jobs to the region also as part of our common recovery effort after
going forward. our march communication puts forward an ambitious vision for our future cooperation through five broad
adopted in march. our commitment towards the eastern partnership and its future was emphasised at last week's foreign affairs ministerial conference together with our
connectivity. second to support the development of accountable institutions the rule of
the pandemic. let me now focus on the eastern
nineteen pandemic. in addition to grants this includes very substantial macrofinancial assistance in loans on highly favourable terms to help the countries cover their immediate urgent financing needs and strengthen their macroeconomic
issue you mentioned.
into practice. together with the member states partner countries and others we will shape the post two thousand and twenty deliverables to be endorsed at the next
stability. this package also helps to save jobs as part of the economic recovery in the region by providing liquidity to the whole of the economy and by direct financial support
this afternoon. our aim is to build together with the partner countries an ambitious flexible and inclusive partnership that constitutes and continues to bring concrete results
climate resilience. fourth support the digital
message of enhanced engagement from the eu side. the commission was tasked to come forward with a substantial economic development and investment plan to accelerate the reforms and the catching up of the region. still this week the commission will propose the draft negotiating frameworks for albania and north macedonia to the council together with an update on the progress made. we look forward to the adoption and the first intergovernmental conferences soon. enlargement is merit based. to progress on their eu path the western balkan countries need to continue to deliver on the reforms. further work is required on the rule of law the fight against corruption and organised crime as well as on fundamental freedoms and human rights. fast and tangible results on reform mean moving faster in accession negotiations as was underlined in the enhanced methodology. the commission will look at the progress achieved in the annual package to be presented in the autumn. also in the autumn we will come forward with an economic and investment plan for the western balkans to support the long term economic recovery and to bring the region closer to the eu. the plan will reflect many areas identified in your report such as connectivity green transition and digital transformation. this plan should bring growth and
borders. democracies and the west as such have been the target of disinformation which underlines the importance of international cooperation.
commission. as the experience of recent months has shown this provision of the schengen borders code is rarely used in an emergency
due to the improvement of the epidemiological situation by this monday most member states had lifted internal border controls and restrictions including posttravel quarantine requirements. the commission has strongly encouraged the remaining member states also to lift internal border controls and restrictions to free movement by air land and water within the european union at the same time. i expect that all internal border checks will have been lifted by the end of june before we start relaxing the external border restrictions. the schengen rules provide member states with a certain discretion to reintroduce border controls for two or six months at specific border sections or at all their internal borders. member states should set up specific authorised border crossing
results. this concerns police checks which as explained in the recommendation of twelve may two thousand and seventeen on proportionate police checks can also be carried out in the border area and as such can replace nonsystematic border
controls. in this emergency related to covid nineteen the commission is of the opinion that eu member states and schengen states complied with the requirements of the schengen borders code. since two thousand and fifteen six schengen states have also reintroduced border controls under the schengen borders code following the recommendation of
threats. these controls have been prolonged and prolonged and prolonged until the end of october midnovember
in particular we have to be able to provide in the case of pandemics a coherent eu response at the internal and external
situation. the new pact on migration and asylum that i will present soon will be the occasion to launch a process to restore trust between member states and return to a fully functioning schengen
reflection. the commission is committed to lead a process of reflection about the legal and practical steps needed to improve our response and better prepare our societies for similar emergencies.
points. through bilateral contacts with ministers and my regular video conferences with all the schengen ministers based on the work at technical level of the covid nineteen information group we could address many issues and solve many problems also regarding the scope of reintroduced border
the council motivated by extraordinary irregular migration secondary movements the external border situation and terrorist
this year. the commission consistently encouraged alternatives to border controls which may assure similar
of events. decisions on the temporary reintroduction of border controls should be subject to consultation including where appropriate joint meetings between the member state concerned and the
borders. currently the eu can only intervene in the case of serious persistent threats at external borders putting the overall functioning of the schengen area
as many of you have pointed out cambodia does indeed have a very vibrant civil society and many ngos and associations are active in various areas.
the cambodian government has for many years argued that an overarching law on associations and ngos was necessary to provide simple and transparent regulation to the sector.
the draft laws have been a recurring topic in informal and formal meetings between the eu and the cambodian government.
our delegation and our ambassador there are very active and have frequent contact at different levels to make sure that our views on this are crystal clear and passed on to the government.
we have made clear to them that the legislation that they are planning should enable and not limit freedom of association and expression in cambodia.
we have pointed out that a democratic process needs to be transparent and include meaningful consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
it is only through this dialogue that the government can take into account the needs and concerns of those who are subject to the legislation and an inclusive process enables government to enact laws that are truly in the interest of the people.
the national assembly of cambodia has a very important role to play here so we welcome the decision by the national assembly to organise consultations on the draft ngo law and some of these have actually started to take place already.
we hope that the results of this will be reflected in the text of the law.
we will continue to monitor the situation and developments because in times when civil society and trade unions often face increasing obstacles and restrictions in many countries cambodia has an opportunity to prove that it is truly committed to strengthening its democratic credentials.
we have two very key messages for the government of cambodia.
in spite of considerable efforts it has been impossible to break this stalemate and engage in any serious negotiations.
it does not mean that the commission does not believe anymore in its initial objectives.
the fact that the maternity leave proposal has been identified in the refit communication of june two thousand and fourteen as a candidate for withdrawal does not change that.
after all that is the norm in this parliament.
also perhaps some lead time towards a twenty week fully paid maternity leave.
indeed this directive will support many women who are lower paid and not in permanent and pensionable jobs.
it is crucial that we achieve compromises on these issues otherwise it languishes in a sort of limbo and many pregnant women in the eu will not have the possibility of a reasonable time frame of paid maternity leave and strong protection in their jobs when pregnant or breastfeeding.
it also makes a huge contribution to achieving a core principle of eu policy that is the achievement of gender equality and the elimination of the gender pay gap.
but as i said earlier we need to find compromises. perhaps there could be some flexibility in the twenty week period of leave only in that there could be some interchange between maternity and paternity leave to cater for national preferences and perhaps some flexibility as to the time taken before and after birth.
this directive also protects pregnant women against discrimination and helps to ensure the health and safety of mothers and newborns.
we simply must find compromise with the council and equally the council must find compromise with parliament otherwise we have a dysfunctional system. furthermore just as we members of the european parliament nailed our colours to the mast when we voted either for or against this directive i believe member states who are part of the blocking minority need to explain to their citizens both women and men why they are blocking a maternity leave directive that would help guarantee equality of treatment for mothers and babies across the eu.
are we saying that other women deserve less?
but there should be no question that this directive would lower standards in member states that already have higher standards.
personally i support the proposal for twenty weeks' paid leave.
member states face different demographic economic and social conditions.
our legislative action should focus on completing the digital single market and energy union.
madam president it is absolutely disgraceful that there has been such a strong blocking minority in the council on this vitally important maternity leave directive.
we all know that adequate maternity leave and also reasonable leave for fathers is crucial for women to work and for men and women to achieve a reasonable balance between work and family life. over the past few weeks we have heard a lot about gender equality and how members of this parliament and of the commission and the council are all in favour of gender equality.
well the council should now put its money where its mouth is and actually work hard to get this directive through.
i do not believe that it has not been possible to agree a compromise.
other speakers have said that this is within our reach and i believe it absolutely is.
that is what we should be seeking to achieve now.
i understand there were seven so why have you excluded two when you have consistently let people overrun their speaking time and there would have been plenty of time for all of us to have been able to speak?
this is a tangible demonstration of the eu's solidarity and we do need a lot more demonstration of solidarity in europe today.