kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
in this spirit we will present our comprehensive strategy with africa during your presidency.
we will need that unity to handle brexit and budget negotiations and deal with the pressing international issues you just mentioned and we will need that energy to ensure that europe can shape the digital and climate transitions.
if we want the western balkans summit in zagreb to be a success we have to do our homework now.
the presidency's motto says we need a strong europe in a world of challenges and indeed it's true that the challenges around us are becoming louder and more dangerous and more intensive by the day.
there are not many who can say that they have been a european parliament trainee then later on an mep and then come back to strasbourg as a prime minister chairing the eu presidency.
it was a phenomenal ceremony at the opening of the presidency in the national theatre which showed the energy and the enthusiasm croatia brings to the union so thank you very much for that.
but no one could have imagined then how far and how fast this country has grown.
it's just a few days ago that the college of commissioners were treated to the very famous and outstanding finest croatian hospitality.
as you have just said in the space of only three decades croatia has gone from bitter bloodshed to being here today at the beating heart of our union. tomorrow you will celebrate the day of international recognition' marking twenty eight years since the european community recognised croatia.
it's also a very special moment to sit here and to listen to the prime minister speak about the presidency here in the home of european democracy because i know andrej that this house is a place that is very dear to your heart.
we spent a wonderful twenty four hours there. we saw some of the very rich culture traditional folklore diversity all that which croatia has brought to the union.
we will need that determination to find common solutions to issues that have divided us in the past like for example migration which will be one of the tasks we will be tackling.
it is now particularly important that we keep up this momentum before the zagreb summit on the western balkans later this year.
this is the task ahead of us and i am delighted that the croatian presidency reflects this fully in the four pillars the prime minister just mentioned.
the next six months will be crucial for our relationship with the balkans.
we will have the college to college meeting with africa and will be preparing the eu africa summit.
croatia knows better than most the power of european perspective.
but beyond conflict resolution now is also the time for europe to be more assertive on the global stage to strengthen our position as the trading power of the world to deepen as you've said our relationship with nato and to take on more responsibility ourselves and to build an alliance with africa that can stand the test of time and help boost both
as long as there's violence taking place it's very loud and dominant but the violence only ends if the talks start again. here is the strength of the european union because the european union has an enormous amount of diplomatic strength.
croatia knows the good europe can do by engaging and investing in the region.
that is down to the will of your people to the sacrifice they made to their commitment to european values and to their determination to join our union of peace progress and prosperity.
that's a reason why we will put forward our enlargement methodology in a few weeks so that we can discuss the modernisation that is necessary but the most important part is to give our friends in the western balkans a perspective for beginning the accession talks with north macedonia and with albania.
i think it is now for the constructive force to help push back on the world's destructive tendencies.
from iran to iraq the uae the united states turkey russia china and others. we want to ensure that everyone with influence uses this influence to good effect and that we reach a temporary calm.
in this case also i convey my deepest condolences to all of
such a situation would also risk diverting attention from the necessary political reforms that iraq must undertake starting with government formation there is still a caretaker government and the need to tackle essential social challenges including fighting corruption.
civilian security sector reform through the csdp eu assistance mission and supporting good governance and job creation.
in that. so with the strong backing of the council and the commission i will personally continue to remain engaged in all of these issues as i said talking with everybody and travelling everywhere.
on this the eu is fully delivering on the pledges we made with over eur four hundred million mobilised in the last two years to support governance reforms and promote sustainable job creation.
steps. i want to underline here that the dispute resolution mechanism is first and foremost a process to resolve issues related to the deal's implementation.
did not harm anyone.
i am committed as high representative and as the european union we are all committed to working to stop the current cycle of violence in iraq which must cease before it spirals out of control once again.
why are we so concerned about the current crisis and how it can affect the region?
the current situation could generate a number of dangerous consequences.
i will be in touch with all the participants on the next
beyond. in short the stakes are extremely high for iraq for the region as a whole for the world and of course
we were also very clear that a durable solution to the ongoing crisis can only be regional and that we would continue to explore the role that the european union can play
agenda. our partners see us as standing for dialogue and peaceful and negotiated resolutions of disputes.
we also reaffirmed our steadfast support for iraq's unity independence and territorial integrity and underlined our commitment to our partnerships with iraq and to our continued support for the stability and reconstruction of this country. we also underlined our joint determination to
while it may appear as if for the moment the current situation will not escalate further we and i personally have since the very beginning of this crisis been active in urging calm restraint and deescalation to all of the relevant parties inside and outside the region
deal. this is a worrisome announcement but it is important to see what the international atomic energy agency reports on how iran implements this
for this to occur preserving the achievements the global coalition has won collectively in the fight against daesh is imperative.
the militarisation of the european union and the drive to a european army is something that is not in the interests of the citizens.
a new eu white paper on security and defence as required by the report would be a new step not a favourable step a step that seems to be pushed by france.
madam president in contrast to this report i don't welcome the implementation of pesco i don't praise its provision in the lisbon treaty something we had to be forced to vote on twice in ireland and i'm deeply concerned at the developments in the common security and defence policy which have put tremendous pressure on the concept of irish neutrality and we will be strenuously resisting any attempts to move to qualified majority voting.
i think it shows that we share the same goal the same sense of urgency and the same aspiration for the economic transformations we are facing to be just and inclusive. our target is set. now we need to work together towards a green and socially sustainable european economy.
we can steer the policy but we need to bring european citizens and businesses along with us.
this will have to be accompanied with the preservation of certain rights for the citizens concerned.
this is a clear illustration of the commonality of purposes of our two institutions as regards brexit.
we should also insist that both the commission and a uk independent authority are rigorous in their monitoring of the implementation of part two of the agreement.
president honourable members
they would be of little use to citizens especially vulnerable ones if they are not aware of them nor of the administrative steps needed to benefit from them. and certainly parliament can also play a role in reaching out to citizens and contributing to their information. of course all these provisions even though their effect will last beyond the transition period will not cover citizens who would consider settling at a later stage.
i also welcome the draft resolution tabled as it lists a number of concerns regarding the preservation of citizens' rights the administrative procedure in relation to residents' rights the limited assistance offered to citizens in this respect or the effectiveness of the uk independent authority due to oversee the implementation of these provisions.
of the agreement dealing with citizens' rights fully embedded in the whole agreement and with various remedies foreseen should the uk not deliver adequately in implementing these provisions.
this does not necessarily mean that everything is rosy on the eu side. it is important as you note in your resolution to encourage the member states to adopt a generous attitude regarding the rights of uk citizens having decided to settle in the european union.
although we are well aware that the line of the uk government is to put an end to the free movement of persons we should make sure that the future relationship that will be negotiated shortly will be ambitious enough in terms of mobility.
there is also more that can be done regarding the awareness of citizens on both sides of the channel however protective the provisions of the withdrawal agreement.
let me conclude by noting the large degree of convergence that exists between your positions on citizens' rights as developed in your various resolutions and the priorities of the council.
let's work together because we are going to become an independent nation with an independent immigration policy and we are prepared to work with you to make sure that everybody is protected.
in elevating europeans to the top of the pile what you are suggesting is that the africans the asians the americans and the antipodeans who also call the uk home are somehow secondclass citizens and that is something that my nation will not abide.
mr president the uk has opened its eu settlement scheme. we've made plain now for three years that those who have made britain their home should have the right to remain on equal terms with all of those who live in my welcoming and wonderful nation but not with super rights no freedom of movement fairness not favouritism.
now i'm actually quite reassured listening to what's been a constructive debate so far today but i do want to suggest other politicians here who i've heard previously become sanctimonious and sobbing and scaremongering about the future rights of eu citizens that britain is a kind welcoming and open country. do not give misinformation to people and make them fearful that they will not have residency.
we need a strong budget that matches our political priorities.
our priority is not only to make sure europe is renewed so it works for our citizens but we must make sure that the european union continues to be an appealing organisation for new members to join. the conference on the future of europe will play a key role giving also a new prospective for enlargement in a renewed europe.
a common position and unity is key if you are to put our future into our own hands.
today my group the renew europe group will launch a plan with some new ideas in order to fix the system for the next decade.
we need to be alert and actively contribute to the peaceful settlement of tensions and conflicts.
prime minister i know you will agree with me that immigration and the demographic challenges need greater recognition and actions.
we need to move forward.
we really need a strong european voice in the world and you take up your responsibilities at a time when our role is clearly challenged in this area.
i saw that you have already brought such energy and a fresh approach to your first presidency.
i hope you hear the message of parliament for a strong budget and especially for a new approach regarding own resources.
i am pleased to have raised this issue in your presidency.
then there's millions of eu twenty seven citizens who live study work and pay into the tax economy in the uk and british citizens in the eu including the elderly who may find themselves isolated without healthcare and social protection.
this means that the three groups of people who are most impacted by brexit had no say in their future.
madam president i and millions of british and european citizens are about to have many of our rights ripped away from us as a result of a highly flawed poorquality democratic process subject to foreign interference misinformation and even illegality that saw a shameful narrowing of the franchise worthy of a tin pot dictatorship rather than a mature western democracy.
we can never legislate for the changing complexities of individual family life.
i'm speaking of all the young people whose lives will be limited in opportunity not to mention the child refugees that the conservatives refused to consider.
madam president while we might welcome that we are soon to move to another more positive step in the brexit process we will have to remain vigilant as regards the preservation of citizens' rights be it during the transition period or under any future relationship with the united kingdom. the vigilance will rely on careful monitoring of how part two of the withdrawal agreement will be implemented in the united kingdom as well as in the eu twenty seven member states
so that the life choices made by citizens and their family members on the basis of free movement are protected.
however it is hard to fully comprehend the potential consequences of the strike.
the responses during the upcoming weeks and months will determine which direction this already fragile region will take in the near future.
prior to the strikes protesters from beirut to baghdad filled the streets due to their frustration with the iranian islamist regime meddling in their internal affairs wishing that they could determine their own nation's destiny. iraq remains the country most affected
mostly it needs stability through sovereignty and as the chair of the delegation to iraq i would ask you mr borrell to provide us with details on future eu initiatives regarding iraq and on how the external action service intends to proceed with our current commitments in the region.
madam president from what we are hearing today there is still scepticism from people on whether climate change and inequalities can be addressed together.
i think the fact that we are discussing precisely this point today a just transition and a sustainable investment plan is proof that yes climate change and inequalities can be addressed together if there is the will to do so.
with the european green deal we want to make europe a frontrunner in climatefriendly industries but at the same time i am sure that climate action benefits the most vulnerable and does not leave lowincome households behind.
yes we recognise that workers in carbonintensive activities need the required protection to be able to benefit from this transition because ultimately the jobs of tomorrow will require different skills and we need to make sure that our current workforce adapts while the future workforce is prepared for these jobs.
at the same time green practices goods and services should never be out of reach for the least well off.
i believe that we require an inclusive just transition based on three main pillars participation support and creation.
and creation of high quality and sustainable jobs and strong social measures including reskilling and upskilling of workers.
this is the opportunity that we have in front of us. given the right financing and the right policies this will be our opportunity to create new jobs in a new economic reality.
one of the goals of the new commission is to find an agreement on the new pact on asylum based on the principles of solidarity and the right to asylum.
the adoption of this new legislation may take years but fortunately we already have a lot of rules in place which if they were implemented correctly would already harmonise our system.
i would like to know what the presidency will do to promote compliance with the current asylum acquis by all the member states.
you know one of the core violations taking place at the moment is pushbacks allegedly taking place at many borders of the eu member states.
i investigated these practices as a rapporteur for the parliamentary assembly of the council of europe and in that regard i also visited the croatian border with bosnia.
i was really overwhelmed by the number of welldocumented cases and complaints about the brutal violence taking place and also the structural denial of access to an asylum procedure.
president in my remote northern england region in a proud community generations of men and boys slaved underground mining for coal and worked in iron and steel foundries forging component parts for railways factory ships and a thousand other products that helped to build our national infrastructure and generate trade so i know exactly what happens when with one fell swoop an industry disappears with no thought as to what might replace it.
in post industrial britain under thatcher's government the skilled ironmasters and steelworkers of county durham were offered little more than precarious low paid work on a factory production line putting potato crisps into packets eight hours a day five days a week for example.
what a difference it would have made to these men to my community if we had had a just transition fund.
we as a parliament should do everything within our possibilities to show our support for the region's european perspective and in this regard we should strengthen parliament's involvement in the external financial instruments.
welcome prime minister.
the vision for the eu over the next six months is simply astonishing more cash to prop up weaker economies;
open borders with two more countries albania and north macedonia; and an ambition to keep the uk shackled to eu rules.
why on earth would we want to do that? if those policies were not bonkers enough you want croatia to also join the failing single currency.
you would be locking your country and your people inside an economic prison and only the ecb would have the keys to set you free.
the euro is the eu's posterchild for weak growth high unemployment and stagnant wages.
keep the kuna.
as brexit has shown citizens want freedom not being dictated to by a faceless superstate.
the uk is leading the way out of this fanatical democraticallybankrupt project and i'm telling you unless the eu can show the will to reform and repeal its gordian knot of regulations and directives many brave nations will follow.
since we're running late i would suggest that i keep it very short.
i would just like to thank you all for your contributions.
i would like to thank you for an honest and open debate.
it was a pleasure for me to witness that a majority of speakers in this house is in favour of acting towards a stronger common foreign and security policy of our european union.
a lot of work lies ahead of us.
i have in particular the ongoing negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework in mind in these upcoming negotiations.
and what?
let's tell the truth.
it's true that some regret that turkey has a role but turkey has a role and russia has a role.
and turkey.
now. other aspects have been dealt with by many of
madam president if there is one thing we have to make absolutely clear about a just transition fund is that citizens need to be in the centre of it not governments not large and polluting companies but ordinary people.
we need to concentrate funds where eu assistance means a difference between being warm and freezing to death during winter.
there is however one thing that i am not a fan of and that is corrupted and greedy governments. some eu member states will see this new fund as another opportunity to rob beneficiaries of eu money while enriching a small circle of loyal cronies.
we cannot repeat the mistakes of managing the cohesion fund.
a just transition fund has to operate in the most transparent way equipped with the right tools to prevent mismanagement of money.
solidarity and transparency must guide the implementation process.
turning a climate emergency into climate neutrality won't be easy but with the right tools it can just be made possible.
we can compromise on financial services on agricultural products on trade and commerce but the very essence of the european union and the very essence of the irish republic is citizens' rights and we have to ensure they are upheld and maintained.
we have a common travel area between the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland and the republic.
but mr barnier what i need to ensure is that when the uk becomes a third country that citizens' rights are protected and maintained.
very simple examples the mutual recognition of qualifications for example could have profound implications on the island of ireland people unable to work in one jurisdiction on the island.
so for all these reasons we have to ensure that citizens' rights are an integral part of this withdrawal agreement and the future relationship.
there can be no compromises on people's rights and entitlements.
i do not believe in the first category and as to the second well while i do believe it's preferable when possible to act in unison with our friends and allies on the other side of the atlantic i'm afraid that there will be occasions when we have to act on own and so we also need the means to be able to do
so. in this chamber i've heard many colleagues lament the limited role our union plays in helping to resolve the world's crisis and conflicts.
the limited ability to play a role is in remarkable contrast with the ambition we have expressed including in our global strategy.
being able to meet our ambition is dependent on us having the necessary capabilities which do not come for free.
it's important to strengthen the eu's tools and institutions if we are to defend multilateralism respect for international law and europe's strategic interests around the world.
in particular we must uphold our commitment to the european union's neighbourhood.
here i want to underline the ep's role in the resolution of political crises in the neighbourhood but the ep alone will not succeed.
it needs to be fair and just.
but most importantly it needs to be financed.
i just hope it will not serve to pay off regions which have simply been unwilling to take necessary measures so far even if they perfectly well could have done so.
vice presidents you are brokering a difficult deal with sometimes unwilling member states but do not give up.
at the beginning of your speech you have mentioned three topics.
the president of the commission ms von der leyen and has mentioned the energy of your presidency.
the middle east is burning africa is starving and our neighbours on east and south need eu support because the events there have a direct impact here.
our chamber would protest; the commission would make a strong statement on political threats.
all this has happened in spain and therefore i am very interested to know if there is a double standard when these things happen within the european union.
in december a young girl in the uk found a message in one of her charity christmas cards pleading for help.
manufacturers and retailers including many european household brands do not know and do not want to know what happens at the bottom of their supply chains.
we must act urgently to have euwide legislation that makes supply chain due diligence mandatory.
companies must ensure that the low price of their products is not at the expense of human rights or the environment.
that the european union's security environment is today more volatile more unpredictable more complex and more ambiguous than at any time since the end of the cold war.
let me underline the three main findings of my annual cfsp report.