kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
it also means that we need to ensure that refugees have access to safe routes and durable protection and we welcome the announcement from ms von der leyen on human corridors.
not once did she mention about ethnic diversity which i think is quite a hypocrisy there.
if we want to see diversity in the european institutions then the best way to do that is to wait for the cleaning staff that leave here in the mornings and watch the faces of the white meps that come in as they are leaving.
we've got scaremongers who would have us believe that the uk would turn into a racist society when we leave this institution and believe me we will be leaving but we will continue to lead this fight and be one of the most ethnically diverse countries represented in this parliament.
so basically that's all i have to say on this.
in collaboration with all stakeholders.
i am grateful for your comments made during this discussion.
i listened to them very carefully and i wish to react to them accordingly.
as i said previously we are working to find an arrangement humane in nature that brings predictability in accordance with the international law of the sea concerning disembarkation and enables efficient asylum and return policies.
furthermore our minister of the interior has also invited all her member state colleagues to an informal dinner no later than today to discuss the immediate situation in the mediterranean.
it is clear that we need european solutions here.
close and intensive cooperation between institutions and common understanding among the member states are key for the future migration policy.
as the new commission president said yesterday in this very chamber we have a common responsibility to save lives at sea.
it is of the utmost importance that we succeed quickly even if only with a temporary solution.
the eu as a whole not to mention the migrants themselves do not deserve that this situation stays unresolved.
at the same time we will continue working on the reform of the common european asylum system to provide a permanent and humane solution to situations such as the ones mentioned in the future.
i remain confident that thanks to all our efforts we can take an important step forward towards this goal.
thank you very much again for your contributions and for your attention.
we're debating the same issue in the same way just on a different day.
and that is a sad reality for an eu that is based on fundamental values and the principle of solidarity.
but at the same time we have to realise that the current way in which we are working in the mediterranean despite all good intentions is not only helping to save lives but at the same time it unfortunately helps the smugglers who put those lives at risk in the first place.
there is no silver bullet or single solution to all this.
we need a holistic approach an approach that focuses on better protecting our external borders that focuses on returning migrants who came illegally to europe and have no right to stay and an approach that focuses on making agreements with third countries of transit and of origin to help us fight those smuggling networks and to help us prevent migrants from entering in overstuffed and unseaworthy vehicles.
such an approach is the only approach in the long term that can actually save lives.
and you rightly say that is the case within the european union as well as beyond.
this is exactly the same as what we think in the socialists and democrats group exactly what we have been working for during the last two years to focus on as our central element of our political programme.
let me underline one element. please help us to make clear that sustainability also has to be the guiding principle of our external policies trade development foreign affairs and especially the international fight
against inequality.
he said on his recent tour of the british media that politicians who fought for brexit were allowed to grow up in a free europe and that the uk should now pay more.
it came in the blood and sacrifice of millions of britons those who like my grandfather when asked unhesitatingly fought in the sands of africa so europe can be free.
mr president as brexit negotiations begin it is a joy to watch the towering masters in the art of eu diplomacy in full flow here today.
it came on the five hundred billion or more we have contributed to the eu and the billions more we spend each day more than we receive.
those like mr weber whose bellicose threatening and theatrical words no doubt entertain this chamber but are like a pen with no point in the negotiating rooms.
it means we are leaving the european union that has forgotten the costs and sacrifices britons freely gave to ensure you are free to exercise your diplomacy of the defeated in this chamber of the forgetful.
well mr weber may i remind you that the freedom that you say you promote came at a mighty cost to britain.
it came in the one hundred and twenty billion it cost britain to fight a german dictator it came in the five trillion britain contributed to nato to help build a shield of freedom around europe from communism.
calling other colleagues members of the mafia or gangsters does not show mutual respect does not represent the views of the vast majority of the british people and is not the view of the british prime minister who wants to remain friends allies and partners.
third last but not least we must also urgently launch debates on how the eu of twenty seven will adjust its budget its policies and its institutions after uk withdrawal in order to respond to the expectations for our citizens.
second trading freely would be in everyone's interest but the uk cannot have a better deal outside the union and the single market than it has currently.
their lives should not be used as a bargaining chip as has been underlined many times.
what we need is sober heads good faith but also a very clear mandate from the european institutions.
this is what this house is doing today. first and foremost we should aim to overcome the uncertainty regarding the lives of both eu citizens on the island and uk citizens in the european union.
in any future arrangement the uk will have to play by the same rules as everyone else.
the process of the uk leaving the european union is under way.
we are actually shareholders in this building and the rest of the assets and really you should be making us an offer we cannot refuse to go.
already you have made a series of demands that are not just unreasonable but in some cases clearly impossible for britain to comply with.
it is rather like saying you cannot guarantee yourself a dwelling for when you leave prison and i trust the british government will completely ignore you.
mr president it may have taken nine months a pretty full gestation but be in no doubt that last wednesday was a great historic day when the united kingdom announced that we were going to become an independent self governing democratic nation once again an act that has been cheered by hundreds of millions of people all over the world.
he tells us in his memorandum that any future trade deal must ensure that the united kingdom is not allowed to have a competitive advantage.
their relationship their link their identity on the european level.
we will be firm we need to be firm to defend the unity and the interest of the european union towards the uk authorities but my appeal here in the house today is to be open positive and generous towards uk citizens because many of them millions of them want to keep
and last but not least my appeal also to the house is that when we vote within a few minutes we have a huge majority and almost unity in this house.
mrs may by your own choice you dug yourself a hole of contradictions.
how can you to use your own words have the freest possible trade in goods and services between britain and the eu while you take the uk out of the single market which allows precisely that?
mrs may you want to build a britain your children and grandchildren are proud to call home. let me remind you that as we speak many of your own citizens are proud to call not just britain but europe home.
if we want common sense and the general interest to prevail we must ignore those who shout and posture.
on the other hand we have those who say we should punish the united kingdom.
taking back control being recognised as global players requires all europeans including britons to act together.
resolving those contradictions so as to minimise damage to our citizens must be the objective of the negotiations to come.
on the one hand we have to all those who call for making britain the world champion of social and tax dumping or even for starting a war with spain.
there is no such thing as absolute sovereignty. in the twenty first century we can only reconquer sovereignty for democracies by sharing it.
but above all how can you reconcile a hard brexit with your own stated desire of a more united uk and our claim to represent every person in the united kingdom including the large number of people especially the young generation who voted in favour of remaining in the european union?
and by choosing the hardest form of brexit you chose the most extreme interpretation of the referendum.
delivering this requires us to face the trumps and the putins of this world to tackle climate change to fight terrorism and organised crime to find common responses to the global migration challenge to curb corporate power.
we need to engage the public in this debate.
irish citizens are depending on you.
despite the fact that we support the joint resolution we all have to recognise that this is not the europe we want or that the people need.
and three that the unique circumstances and special status of ireland would be supported.
we feel that the european parliament is a partner to the people of the north of ireland and particularly those living across the partitioned border areas north and south.
together we can shape a better europe a more social europe a democratic europe a europe of equals.
you must be the voice of the people north and south.
two that there would be no hardening of the irish border;
so harness that support enda and stand up for ireland.
in his memory we thank you for this. this is why we associate ourselves with this resolution.
no other mep understands the disaster of partition better than mep matt carthy.
we need an open and critical debate on the future of europe something that the resolution also calls for.
now it is your time to stand up for the good friday agreement in all of its parts.
fifty it just does not work.
both sides ask for more than they realistically expect to get. i understand that but you have gone so far with this that it is just impossible for us to see any accommodation.
well i get that i understand that i am with that that makes a lot of sense. so why if that is the case would mr tusk have written clause twenty two in his memorandum giving the spanish a veto over the future of gibraltar when everyone knows that the spanish are antagonistic towards the wishes of the people of the rock?
remember one thing.
both sides need to give on this for any sensible deal to come out of it. we can walk away without a deal it will hurt european workers and european companies more than us but surely it makes sense for both of us to come to a sensible accommodation.
three three million eu citizens living in the uk they all came to britain legally and we will now unilaterally guarantee their rights for the future.
from the moment we voted brexit to the moment we leave we will have put gbp thirty billion net into this european union and you want another.
i think there needs to be give and take on both sides and i think if you gave on the money and you gave on gibraltar then what i would like to see the united kingdom government doing is saying there are.
article eight of your beloved treaty says the union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries' in a spirit of good neighbourliness'.
for any negotiation in life to work both sides stake out a position.
i hear and appreciate support for the peace process in this house.
we have an opportunity to write a new chapter on cooperation in trade security and prosperity.
however i respect that for many in this place there is genuine disappointment maybe some sadness and even some anger.
both the united kingdom and irish governments have said there will be no return to a hard border.
madam president the triggering of article fifty was a good day for democracy in the united kingdom.
however any solution must also respect that northern ireland will be an integral part of an independent united kingdom.
the prime minister upheld the democratic result of the referendum when the uk voted decisively to leave the european union last june.
whilst i have many difficulties with the text not least on phasing on finance on trade and on gibraltar i am pleased that this resolution does recognise northern ireland's unique position in respect of the land border with the republic of ireland.
in the negotiation to come on all sides emotion must be tempered by a practical and positive willingness to find common ground.
the greatest support for the process will come from stable government and my party pledges to work hard to ensure that in this and in the outcome of brexit we will represent the best interests of northern ireland.
madam president i campaigned for the european union as a peace project and a beacon for democracy and human rights.
they value being british citizens as i do because britain is a country of decency and democracy.
the vote for brexit has been hijacked to build an ugly coalition to undermine our civilised society.
this is sadly symbolic of the loss of commitment to peace and to basic standards of diplomacy to say nothing of friendship and loyalty.
within a week of triggering article fifty we have a senior conservative threatening war against a european country.
i represent the people of gibraltar and i will fight for their right to selfdetermination.
the journey towards brexit is proving how powerful the union has been in this civilising mission and how flimsy these basic freedoms seem without european support.
what value a british passport if the prime minister can change fundamental legislation without reference to parliament?
it is crucial to safeguard peace and therefore to preserve the good friday agreement in all its parts.
so we start with good intent but over the next few months all of us will have to come forward with workable solutions that will make a reality of those fine words.
we must maintain our common travel area otherwise the dislocation could be catastrophic for our small island.
the words ireland and northern ireland appear eight times in the document we are discussing today and that in itself indicates the importance that the european parliament attaches to the unique position and special circumstances confronting the island of ireland.
we share a border of almost five hundred kilometres with northern ireland.
we insist on the absolute need to ensure continuity and stability of the northern ireland peace process and avoid the re establishment of a hard border.
citizens across europe are now at risk of the economic consequences of a bad deal or even worse no deal at all and people in all twenty eight countries will suffer if brexit means competition on low wages lax environmental standards and scaled back rights for workers and consumers.
we lost the eu referendum and while it saddens me to say it britain is leaving the eu but those dangers are still there.
there are some in this house and beyond who are actively hoping to plunge europe and britain into chaos through a disorderly no deal brexit. why?
so let us work for a constructive deal. and to those leave campaigners who now sit in the british cabinet or on the benches opposite there is still one of them there i can see you won.
now take responsibility for the promises you made.
serious times call for a serious response.
as we all consider how we conduct ourselves over the coming weeks let us remember that we are here representing people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the outcome.
because they have no answers to the questions that constructive negotiations will bring.
these are the people we represent and these are the people to whom this parliament must give a voice. it will not always be easy to take the responsible path in the coming months but it is what we must do.
in all our countries there are families for whom the brexit vote has created worrying uncertainty millions of people concerned about their rights to live and work in countries they have made home.
it belongs inside the european union.
it is fair it is just and it is very european.
we are angry and we want our country back.
those who did will not be fooled again by false promises from nationalists this month of may the british people will send a message to mrs may in local elections and the westminster seat of manchester gorton.
sixteen million brits did not say they wanted to leave the european family.
that message reads loud and clear you lied to us.
and if the deal goes badly the british people will welcome the chance to revoke brexit and article fifty and vote to remain.
as a liberal democrat i will continue to fight against brexit and to give the people a final say on the deal. i am proud of this house uniting with a positive but firm resolution.
the answer is i am heartbroken not for myself but for the people i serve for future generations. scotland will not be silent within this process as our rights are taken away by an administration we do not support by a vote that we clearly rejected and a process that is demonstrably against our interests.
scotland is your home you are welcome here.
the uk is a complicated set of various interests all of which are better reflected in this resolution than in anything the uk government has put forward to date.
the uk is not one bloc much as mrs may would like it to be;
scotland will not be silent in this process and scotland's top priority in the words of our first minister nicola sturgeon is to keep our citizens safe.
i appreciate that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed but please colleagues let us make our citizens feel safe our citizens from the uk in other countries and citizens from other nations in ours.
i wish it was that simple but this divorce after forty four years and with no precedent looks like it is going to be tough and possibly rough. for that reason we need calm heads clear minds and creative thinking and with michel barnier at the helm i think we have the package.
but with this solidarity we can be confident that the terms of the good friday agreement will be observed to the letter that there will not be cannot be and must not be a return to a hard border and that the prosperity of ireland especially our exporting sector must not and cannot and will not be sacrificed on the high altar of expediency
we will want an agreement which is fully in line with our standards on the environment the fight against tax evasion and the protection of social rights.
should be a close partnership based on balanced and comprehensive agreement but it cannot provide similar benefits to those enjoyed by the union member states.
we want to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the uk from the eu avoiding a nodeal scenario which would have negative consequences for all but in particular for the united kingdom.
we also know and will not forget that a large number of uk citizens voted to remain because they understand that the european project is the only way to protect and to recover our sovereignty in a globalised world.
for this reason we call on the uk government to agree as soon as possible on the principles of the withdrawal provisions in order to allow us to begin talks on the main features of the future relationships and on the necessary transitional arrangements.
our guiding principle in the whole process will be to protect the rights and interests of the citizens we directly represent.
in this context parliament will pay particular attention to the need to protect the rights of the eu twenty seven citizens living or having lived in the uk and vice versa because people as president juncker said are not negotiating chips. we will also ensure that the financial settlement will cover all the commitments and liabilities and we will insist on the absolute need to safeguard the northern ireland peace process and to avoid a hardening of the border in ireland. the future relationship between the eu and the uk
we regret the decision to leave the eu but we respect it.
the european parliament will not accept any tradeoff between security and economy nor any cherrypicking.
i am confident that the vote will show that this parliament is united in line with this principle that we back the eu negotiator and that we will honour our constitutional obligations contributing to that unity of the eu to a successful negotiation and to the defence of our common values and projects.
this can be irritating even provocative but that is no reason for us to follow suit.
there are many in the united kingdom who see leaving the european union as a kind of liberation.
on the contrary we can stay calm and pursue negotiations with the same professionalism and commitment that is reflected in this resolution.
to the citizens of the twenty seven remaining member states i say we will never allow a postbrexit uk to undermine your rights and conditions by competing in a race to the bottom.
god bless the united kingdom.
the bureaucrats from the eu will try to make you pay about eur sixty billion.
you are far better off outside the eu a union which is going the way of more and more isolation. they are calling you a friend here.
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender'.
a friend but they want to punish you and make you bleed. let me therefore remind you of the famous words of sir winston churchill we shall defend our island whatever the cost may be we shall fight on the beaches we shall fight on the landing grounds we shall fight in the fields and in the streets
you have now regained the opportunity to flourish as a nation to control your borders to make their own laws and to make your own trade deals.
it is true naturally that the relationship between britain and europe was never an easy relationship let us recognise that.
what were they cooking up there in brussels were they really discussing coal and steel and customs union or were they also talking politics in brussels plotting on foreign policy?
and yesterday as we all have seen beyond any humanity autocrats again bombed innocent women and children with chemical weapons in syria to give the nastiest example.
even though since brexit i see what i call a change for the good in the mood of the public let us not fool ourselves europe is not yet rescued and europe has not yet recovered from the crisis.
and i think mr juncker and mr barnier the goal must be to have a new and stable relationship and a deep and comprehensive partnership and association between the uk and the eu that certainly will be very different as we all know from membership.
and a union also and i want to conclude with this that stands up against autocrats.
a loss of time a waste of energy and i think a stupidity.
remember what britain and europe in these more than forty years have achieved together.
autocrats will close down their universities to give one example.
in the early years of the union it was the british prime minister macmillan who looked at the continent with nothing less than suspicion.
europe is still in need of change i think in need of radical change change towards a real union an effective union based on values and based on the real interests of our citizens.
and thank you for that because as a liberal i will miss that in the future.
to the other side of the channel.
it is true we may not have had the most passionate relationship but it was not a failure either not for europe and certainly not for britain and the british. let us not forget britain entered the union as the sick man of europe and thanks to the single market came out the other side. europe also made britain punch above its weight in terms of geopolitics