kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
economic growth can only come from enterprise and education but education and enterprise can only come if there are the instruments to create economic growth.
we now need to put more electricity into africa we need clean water and we need to have food security.
a prime example has been the failure to bring about real change in zimbabwe.
secondly what is the eu doing to actively promote good governance?
to rub shoulders with mugabe is an affront to our principles and is in direct contradiction to the eu's own stated position.
in two thousand and seven in the lead up to the first eu africa summit we complained bitterly about the eu's hypocrisy in imposing a travel ban and asset freeze on mugabe and his ilk with one hand while inviting him to a summit in a european capital lisbon with the other.
we can also build on joint successes so far peace and security and regional integration. this ambitious agenda requires building on the success of the lisbon summit in two thousand and seven and on the results achieved since then by the joint africa eu strategy and its first action plan.
this aim is to ensure that both sides can jointly address the global challenges that will dominate the summit agenda and prepare the ground for a more effective and mutually beneficial cooperation.
it will be the occasion to look into promising areas such as renewable energies information and communication technologies science and others.
the summit will be an excellent opportunity to plot our way forward.
the commission believes that there is a need to enhance political and policy dialogue beyond traditional development scenarios. the eu and africa must cooperate bilaterally and also work together on the international stage to promote our shared interest tackling climate change
earlier this month the commission presented proposals on how to consolidate our relationship by adding strength to it and focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth in the long term.
it grew rich by creating wealth.
madam president i wanted to ask mr michel given his distinguished career as a development commissioner and his enormous experience in africa whether he could get african parliaments particularly the african parliaments' public scrutiny committees on finances and budgets to be empowered and strengthened and given greater support from us so that they could actually question
madam president the african union has proved sometimes to be a disappointment in confronting africa's many challenges.
if the eu and africa want to deepen and intensify their strategic cooperation in the future we cannot shy away from expressing our expectations of africa in a firm and frank manner.
that means in reality that the african union must become a more responsible and responsive organisation with genuine moral and political authority.
when africa needs help to tackle humanitarian crises we of course should continue to provide the necessary financial and human resources.
in particular the eu needs to ensure that its commitment to the millennium development goals remains as robust as ever.
but ultimately only africans can solve africa's problems.
the eu is the world's biggest aid donor which gives us leverage in africa and elsewhere to stop the issuing of permits that allow trophy hunting to continue.
mr president i rise once again to express my concern as to how we ensure that children born today can see lions rhinos and elephants in the wild and not just in zoos.
i urge the commission and member states to take up a leadership role in cites and to involve this house in its decisionmaking to put pressure on states that issue permits for trophy hunting and also to restrict all trophy imports.
during the decade up to two thousand and thirteen nearly twenty seven zero hunting trophies originating from africa and america were imported into europe and that is a conservative estimate.
in the uk for example ivf treatment can be given only once to women one cycle but women meps and their relatives can have five cycles.
yet the european union and meps gave themselves a thirty six increase in healthcare last year paying for things such as anti ageing treatments thermal spas etc.
but in this week when we are talking about women's inequality one statistic stands out.
i look forward to the european commission's proposals on that.
disparities in health between countries between regions between rich and poor between different ethnic minorities affect each and every eu member state and in many places they are getting wider.
i would like to be sincere on this issue.
you underline the need to improve access to promotion preventive care and effective healthcare services.
to make such partnerships operational member states are now beginning a joint action on health inequalities funded through the eu health programme.
this action includes work on health inequality impact assessment regional and scientific networks and stakeholder initiatives.
action across policies starts with our work on public health for example on tobacco control and nutrition and through action on active and healthy ageing. but our strategy also includes commitments in areas such as employment and social policy
clearly more action is needed.
equally clearly this will not happen overnight.
same goes for platforms we have got to get this right so that the economy can grow and so that consumers are protected and all the other things mentioned by colleagues like paying tax b two b etc.
at what point do we understand that you can take down content but it will reappear somewhere else that no filtering technology is able to make moral judgment of what is right and what is wrong?
maybe sometimes it is better that the private companies especially not european take a bit more time to decide how to silence free speech.
i believe this is a message supported by the majority in this house but for this to work we need to focus on removing hurdles and creating a business friendly environment.
so we call on the commission to ensure that both the member states and regional and local authorities respect the rules set down in the service directive including market access rules. the time has come to embrace the digital revolution.
so let us have the courage to give consumers what they want and say no' to those self interested groups that try to stand in the way.
we should not attempt to protect traditional service providers from this transformation and instead should let competition force them to modernise. if we do not embrace this fact not only will we be holding back europe we will be keeping our citizens from a world of better service lower prices and more choice.
my group has great concerns about the lack of clarity about applicable rules but we are even more worried by the risk of market fragmentation when we see protectionist measures and anti single market policies adopted in some member states and by some individual cities.
this is to prove that if we empower consumers it is to benefit all of us.
i want to acknowledge the need to ensure social protection for the self employed as you do under the european pillar of social rights.
we think that it is for consumers not regulators to choose which service they prefer.
the platform economy is now a major feature of the digital transformation across the entire world.
the report supports the commission approach that is how i read it of first looking at better enforcement of existing instruments before resorting to designing new rules which should be targeted to specific problems.
specific to online platform ecosystems;
more than two billion people are using social networks a number expected to reach three billion by.
as part of the digital single market strategy the commission undertook to carry out an in depth assessment of the role of online platforms.
trusted business environment in the online economy.
the commission will continue working with member states and stakeholders on this matter.
madam president the shared economy offers endless opportunities for everyone to enter the labour market. breaking traditional schemes it provides flexible forms of employment and empowers consumers.
the collaborative economy goes handinhand with the circular economy creating sustainable ways of using goods and services and allowing a better allocation of resources.
we are moving towards a society where fewer people own what they use and more people share what they need creating communities.
online platforms with their feedback system offer increased traceability of transactions strengthening both consumer protection and the fight against illegality. trust is the new currency of the digital single market and it is smart creating entrepreneurs that are in the driving seat not politicians.
we need to be humble to keep up with digital innovation and overregulation is not a solution.
we should instead be enablers and help to boost crossborder growth and facilitate our startups to become global champions.
at eu level we need to overcome fragmentation removing hurdles and hindrance to free movement to create a level playing field.
at this stage we do not need new eu legislation but rather the full enforcement of existing rules.
the important issues of tax and labour compliance and liability are instead better dealt with at national level.
i understand that there is concern but protectionism can never be a solution.
companies cannot play the role previously held by national courts and legislators in judging what is or is not illegal or bad.
for that there cannot be a onesizefitsall approach to the sharing economy especially for platforms.
no two platforms are the same.
you would not regulate banks and gardening centres in the same way so why are we doing that with platforms?
platforms are disruptive but that is good.
they offer new flexible employment options and better choice for consumers.
the sharing economy matches unmet demand with unused resources;
we want european platforms but consumers do not care where the platform comes from.
they want a good service and the sharing economy empowers consumers in a way that has never been seen before.
if platforms lose trust they lose business and they lose their workers so we need to be very careful in how we go forward with this. we have got a huge opportunity to shape a new vision and we should get on with it and not restrict it.
while many domestic and external challenges are still present my feeling is that finally moldova is back on track. let me be very clear the filip government is delivering results.
this is why all political forces must overcome the polarised political climate ahead of the electoral period and engage in constructive dialogue taking into account the real needs and expectations of the citizens.
the economic situation has stabilised with many indicators showing solid improvement.
political association and economic integration with the eu through the provisions of the association agreement and the dcfta are proceeding at a stable pace.
the state of crisis of two thousand and fifteen has been replaced by steady progress on important reforms.
the eu and the european parliament are looking forward to working with both the majority and the opposition to this end.
the next months will be crucial to confirming this positive trend.
as a result respectable international bodies the venice commission and the osce are ignored and bypassed. at home smaller political parties feel unfairly pressed and even eliminated.
as a standing rapporteur it is not the kind of attention i would like to see for moldova so repeatedly.
we stress that only an independent and depoliticised judiciary can deliver justice and trust.
i will keep repeating that i see today many missed opportunities for moldova.
however the country will continue losing until the moment when its authorities finally come to the conclusion that building a national consensus in a european way is exactly what makes moldova's statehood stronger and consolidates
moldovan citizens are waiting for a different type of politics.
we all expect no further delay in the identification and bringing to justice of those persons or politicians who are hiding behind this unprecedented bank fraud scandal.
let me start by addressing the moldovan authorities very frankly the main thing that i miss in moldovan politics is a critical lack of a real consensus in the national political field.
this decision has been adopted in agreement with the european parliament and entered into force on twenty three september.
support. when we discuss budget lines and reforms it may sound like we are talking technicalities. but everything we do has a very concrete impact on the lives of many in the european union and
both these institutions had pointed towards the importance of broad political consensus on the reform and of avoiding a system that would expose candidates to the influence of business interests.
these suggestions have not been addressed by the new electoral law.
i strongly believe that politicians in moldova should focus their efforts on important issues for the future of the country and implement crucial political and economic reforms in order to provide better living standards for all moldovans.
this is not how our partnership works.
we have seen the intimidation and harassment of proeuropean political opposition and the disregarding of the recommendations of the venice commission to change the electoral system.
it is clear that the changes in the electoral law directly undermine democratic standards in the country. the recent internal political developments in moldova are nowhere near the positive momentum we witnessed three years ago.
the implementation of the association agenda is lagging behind and it is clear that it needs to become a priority of the political leadership.
i would like to appeal to the high representative and the commission to make use of our external policy instruments in order to bring the country back to democratic standards.
i can also say that budget implementation so far is fully confirming that we need the budget.
if we did a proper job we would not need to engage in a multi million information campaign ahead of the two thousand and fourteen elections.
as recently as july the court of auditors reported eur three billion of waste in road construction projects.
the problem is one of failure failure to control that the taxpayers' money is properly spent.
eu taxpayers do not trust us because we do not look after their interests;
mr president during my time as an mep this house has come every year without exception with a request to increase the eu budget and this regardless of the current crisis and the austerity measures.
two hundred million euros a year to commute to strasbourg;
mr president the european council is at least seeking to exercise some budgetary restraint.
colleagues as oliver cromwell famously remarked you have sat here too long for any good you may have been doing.
we say that we are ready to listen to the people so let me tell you what my four million constituents are telling me in the british east midlands.
they are sick to death of paying for it; they are sick to death of its petty rules and interference;
they think it does them more harm than good.
meantime we in this house call upon our voters for austerity while we ourselves practice extravagance.
they believe they would be better off out.
for god's sake go!
two thousand and thirteen first of all that is to pay out what legally should be paid in two thousand and thirteen and is for bills coming until the end of october but we really need the full amount this year so an additional.
this report acknowledges the work the european union has been doing over the last months and years and these important steps forward regarding the republic of kosovo be it the launching of the visa dialogue and the fact that the roadmap as commissioner fle has now confirmed is to be delivered this spring or the fact that the dialogue between pritina and belgrade between kosovo and serbia have led to some positive results.
and considerable political courage was demonstrated in both capitals.
here the eu is also ready to assist.
equally important is the fact that the eu has responded to these efforts.
two thousand and twelve furthermore the commission intends to launch a structured dialogue on the rule of law and a feasibility study for a stabilisation and association agreement between the european union and kosovo.
as it has developed since the submission of the two thousand and eleven progress report by the commission. the council conclusions of twenty eight february this year also reflect the very considerable efforts made by both serbia and kosovo in the eu facilitated dialogue.
evidence was needed to demonstrate that organised crime and corruption are being tackled and that progress is being made in pursuing judicial reform and protecting freedom of expression.
in addition to these requirements the council emphasised the crucial importance of the eu facilitated belgrade pritina dialogue as a process of equal importance for both serbia and kosovo.
the council also welcomed the improved integration of serbs south of the ibar river.
kosovo was also encouraged to improve the budgetary situation in close cooperation with the imf.
as you know last december the council welcomed kosovo's commitment to the european agenda including through its sustained efforts in areas such as visas trade and the judicial system as well as the establishment of the national council for european integration.
at the same time the council noted the limited progress achieved with regard to the reform agenda in a year marked by elections and it urged kosovo to take the necessary steps to address the shortcomings identified in the electoral process.
the council noted the need for major efforts on the part of the authorities particularly to strengthen public administration reform and consolidate the rule of law.
these are very positive developments which demonstrate the power of the enlargement process to promote reform.
the visa dialogue was launched in january.
on the other hand many challenges lie ahead for the leadership in kosovo not least on the domestic agenda.
the council called on both parties to engage constructively on the full range of issues from freedom of movement of persons to customs and from the cadastre to the implementation of the integrated management for crossing points the ibm. this call was certainly heard in both belgrade and pritina. progress was made over the subsequent months
two thousand and six i thank the european union for being always respectful towards freedom and democracy.
one of these countries is spain.
honourable members what can we do to support kosovo on its way towards closer integration?
i am also grateful for your support for the commission's work on kosovo as confirmed by the report we will debate here today and i am very grateful for the excellent work of your rapporteur ms lunacek in preparing this well balanced report and ensuring broad support for it.
which forms the legal basis of the european union's relations with the countries of the western balkans and a stepping stone towards membership.
european integration requires the support and commitment of kosovo society as a whole.
on tuesday i had the pleasure of attending the very first meeting of kosovo's council for european integration. the council was set up by kosovo's president jahjaga in order to establish a forum for discussion and guidance on kosovo's path to europe.
the general affairs council of twenty eight february confirmed the commission's intention to launch a feasibility study for a stabilisation and association agreement with kosovo.
let me mention some of the key elements of this agenda.
second we will shortly resubmit our proposal for a framework agreement allowing kosovo to participate in european union programmes. third on thirty may i will launch the structured dialogue on the rule of law.
the launch of the feasibility study was another additional key element in the european union's already ambitious agenda for kosovo.
in my speech to the council for european integration i emphasised that it was essential that the council reflect and be supported by all sides of the political spectrum in kosovo.
the study will focus on the political economic and legal aspects of kosovo's readiness for a stabilisation and association agreement.
it marks a crucial step towards the establishment of contractual relations with kosovo. the objective of the feasibility study is to provide a comprehensive and in depth analysis of kosovo's readiness to negotiate and eventually implement a stabilisation and association agreement
fifth we are ready to support an inclusive and long term agenda for the north of kosovo. let me conclude by reaffirming the european union's commitment to kosovo.
by its very nature european integration is and needs to be inclusive.
the commission is fully engaged with kosovo.
we need to ensure that these processes bear fruit in the near future.
kosovo is the last country in the region whose citizens need visas for travelling in the schengen area. we need to do our part in order to put an end to this predicament as soon as possible.
kosovo has engaged in a dialogue with serbia in good faith and we should welcome their constructive approach.
both sides should continue the dialogue and implement the agreements fully.
the gap that has been opening between these two parts of the serbian community weakens it and makes the life of ethnic serbians in kosovo more difficult.
at the same time pritina needs to reach out in good faith to the serbian community in the north and encourage their integration in a wider kosovo. belgrade needs to dispel ideas that the serbian dominated north will in some way remain a de facto part of serbia proper.
this will be difficult as long as certain member states do not change their position regarding the independence of kosovo.
this is our part of the job if we seek stability in the region and coherence in our foreign policy.
but what is of the utmost importance for kosovo's future is that pritina needs to engage in a dialogue with itself. systemic corruption and organised crime are a plague on the kosovo economy and the rule of law.
i am also grateful for your encouragement and support for the commission's initiatives to bring kosovo closer to europe and for our work on the feasibility study for kosovo in particular.
kosovo's recent agreement on regional cooperation with serbia despite its teething problems should help the european union to engage more deeply.
and on the financial settlement it says just how far the uk's reputation has been trashed that the idea that the uk will meet its financial obligations is news.
i represent scotland within this house.
forty eight of the uk population want to remain.
i fear for the future unless we see some real seriousness in these discussions.
they're fighting amongst themselves like ferrets in a sack while the uk's national interest however we define it is ignored by them utterly.
solutions could be found but we need to see a lot more seriousness from the uk government than we have seen to date.
it must be respected.
we have seen nowhere near enough progress on citizens' rights on ireland or in the financial settlement.
the good friday agreement is fragile;
we need to see seriousness from the uk administration.
on citizens' rights i am receiving emails on a daily basis that would break your heart people who have made choices about their lives about their residence on the basis of rights which they face having taken away.
but where the eu is united against the uk i assure you the uk is anything but united.
shame on them. it is not good enough for europe it is not good enough for the uk either. and from scotland we agree with the tone and content of this resolution.
we desire to remain within our family of nations;
the idea that theresa may leads a united government is a risible proposition as we see on a daily basis from our own colleagues who are treating her as a viking longship that they are going to float out into the north sea having piled as much nonsense onto it as possible and then they'll set fire to it.
scotland wants to find solutions colleagues.
on ireland north and south scotland's close neighbours and friends solutions are possible;